JGLindner73

SSgt United States Air Force. Air Transportation Technical Training Instructor. 2T2X1.

Before I joined the AF I was a 10 Handicap.. then 6.5 years and a few deployments later I am a 19 handicap and trying to work it back down. I have shot a few rounds in the 80s but mostly I'm shooting 90-94. My Shots off the Tee box are what seem to kill my game. My last few rounds I have Par'd or Bogied every whole that I end up in the Fairway, and those Tee shots that end up in the woods, rough, wrong fairway, or haz I have doubled/tripled/etc. I feel that once I can fix my Drive (Slice) I will be back in the low to mid 80s constantly. Hopefully I can get some good advice and find the right kind of info I need get my game back on track.

I dont hit it right then Slice.. I hit it where I am then halfway into flight it starts turning and then slices more and more.. I can aim to the left side of the fairway and it goes out right where I am aiming then about 150 out it turns right and then ends up in the right rough/trees/water..etc.. I hit it 250-270 but Only 40% stay on the left half of the fairway.. 10% land on right half of fairway.. other 50% end up off the fairway..

All I know is I aim left.. Hit it Left and then about 150-200 out it shoots Right and either ends up right side of fairway or the rough... I can work it on the Range to aim for a target by aiming left about 15 Degrees left and it will land within 10 yards left or right of my target depending on the bend (250 yard sign) .. but on the course.. if I am 15-20 degrees left of the markers in the middle of the fairway I still end up on the right side of the fairway or the rough on the right. I shot a 42 on 9 today.. (4 Pars, 1 Birdie, 3 Doubles and a Bogey).. all my Over Par holes were because my drive went to far right and had no clear approach to the green. I have gotten my irons and wedges on target like crazy.. but my Driver is killing my game. I know a little Left to Right action is normal but I would rather aim down the middle have it go out 10-15 yards left and then come back 10-20 right and end up relatively in the middle of the fairway.. as I am sure everyone would. I play the ball line up with the inside of my front foot, use a regular grip minus finger interlock, and stand slightly wider than shoulder width. Note: I am getting similar results from my 3 wood.. only goes about 225 but still fades right more than I want.

I set my lawn mower on super low setting and buzzed out two 6'x6' squares about ten yards apart to practice my chips back and forth and I have no problem getting them to land in the squares but getting them to stay in the squares is the issue. I want to work gettin my shots to spin, land and stop.. and it just isnt doing it. I can get my shots on the course from 30+ yards to land and check up but I wanted to practice these shorter shots.. I found my self just off the green a few times the past couple rounds and either needed to clear the trap or just get it to the other side of the green and was finding more that the ball would appear to have the right spin just to hit and run. So is it worth my time to try and practice these short shots in the back yard, or do i need to go out to the range... or what could i be doing wrong on these shorter tighter shots. it seems like it i attempt to hit it harder for the spin it goes to far and if i go for more loft i am coming up to short.. I know practice is needed to get better.. so at home or the course.. where is my best bet