Blueman

I shoot high 80's from the exec tees and have punched several 300 yrders. I have been averaging every drive for the last few weeks and have come up with roughly 255. Holes into the wind bring the 260's and 270's way down as do the rolling hills. Flat holes with no wind I average 270-280. Last week I drove a green 368(tail wind + forward kick) and was pin high. And then comes the key part, I 3 putted : ( This is why I am hung in the 80's, I cant putt. Mainly because I am more focused on trying to get some kind of consistent iron play. My irons have now vastly improved where they are getting like my driver which needs minimal practice. That is what irked me last week. I was htting lasers dead center, found 5 out of 6 greens with the irons but was 3 over thru 6. Very late twilight. Because I rushed up there to get a few holes in, I didnt bother practicing putting which is my biggest weakness at this point. Had 3 3 putts and missed a birdie on 2 by mm's. Could have easily been under par, but just didnt happen. I am now focused 90% putting,10% irons. Am hoping the low 80's/high 70's start showing up some. My boy is just starting out like me and I keep trying to emphasize to him, short game,short game,short game .

I have had this issue. I have still yet to totally solve it other than going to an 8.5* driver and teeing it up low. Even with the 8.5* , if I tee it up high I get way too much hang time. Right now I am hitting bullets and my carry seems to have gone up.( Went from 235carry with little roll, to pushing 250 carry plus a little more roll) My total seems to have went up 20 yds. I think a lot of my power was wasted going up too high in the air. From what I have read, I think I still need to hit the ball more on the upswing. Right now I am guessing I am neutral or maybe +1 . I try and try and try to hit it a little more on the up, but it is a struggle.

True, but I think it is all adjustments and confidence. Was much straighter this week, but not quite there. Will be even better when I get it straightened out and am longer in the short grass. Or even get a tail wind and end up on the super, super short grass ! Oh my !

Had been playing with an old 10* Hippo driver for the last 3 months. Usual drive was 230-260, 270 -280 if I SS it. I had hit my friends Covert on last hole one day and flat out crushed it. I knew then that I must own one. My 1st outing with it, I played my hippo and used that as my play ball and just hit the covert for practice and then picked it up. I had the buyers remorse. Was only getting about 5 yds extra with the covert. I did seem to gain 2 seconds of hangtime however. I tinkered with it and wound up with closed head and 8.5* loft. After a week of practice I felt I could actually play with it although I still need another week or two to get things centered in the fairway like the hippo. Here are the results: Hole 1: 200 yds. Pop up, Hit right side rough by 6 yds. Hit a berm next to sandtrap, and it rolled backwards and back into the fairway. Hole 2: 240 yds. Silght pull,slight pop-up, hit left side berm next to the sandtrap, hung in the thick grass. 99% carry. Hole 3: 290 yds. Slight pull, missed all the berms 10 yds left of fairway Hole 4: 290 yds. Dead center fairway. Hole 5: par 3 Hole 6: 260 yds. Went off of toe, but wound up dead center of fairway thanks to slope. Hit 2 ft on rough and rolled back in. Hole 7: 260 yds. Went off heel and had a fade tail on it. In fairway left side. Hole 8: Par 3. Hole 9: 255 yds. See hole 7. Mishits finding fairway or are real close. Anything close to a centered hit is a monster.

Play twilight and super twilights. Especially in summer. I play once a week , usually Sunday nights after 6. 15 bucks cart and gps.

I was getting the ball way too high no matter how I teed it up. Normally when I tee low, the ball goes higher than if I tee it up average height. ( 1/2 ball above driver top). I was still getting massive hangtime which only got worse with the new covert. I got a little more yardage and carry but ball was still way too high. I swear I had a few 10 second hangtimes on 250 carry drives. I fixed this by dialing down to 8.5* . After 3 days of correcting the slice this caused, I now hit the ball on a line. Almost the same carry, but way more roll ! I still have the issue of low tee=high ball flight. Golf is baffling sometimes.

I just put more offset in my driver. Put a small piece of white tape on top to mark it so you can get the right offset time after time. Ball goes straight everytime. Every now in then it will have a slight fade, or a slight draw. The slight draw is what I fear as I like to run the left sideline. I am a hack so take it for what it is worth, but my slice has all but disappeared.

I started playing last Sept. after we moved to a house where a par 5 tee box is10 yds behind my fence. Started hitting some balls at the range. I had no idea how to hit anything. I found a set of double diamond irons at goodwill for 28 bucks. 3-9, no PW and grabbed a PW for 2 bucks. A Plop Slotz . I gripped the irons like I do my softball bats and started hacking, or slicing if you will. I soon learned that something must change to hit the ball straight. I started rolling both ankles backwards enable to hit the ball straight with minimal slice. I was hammering my irons. My 9 iron regularly sailed the 150 flag at the range. But chunking was intermittent. I started jumping the fence the last hour of the night behind my house and playing the par 5. Within a few months, 5 and 6's were fairly common. I was teeing off with a 3 iron and it had a controllable slice or heavy fade if you will. Playing fairly decent I thought, it was time to go play 18. I took my 3 iron and my other irons and played with a buddy. 1st tee shot BAM ! 240 right down the middle. 2nd shot I crushed just right of the green and it went in a bunker. Then I realized that not all bunkers are hard packed. Bunkers actually existed where the sand was fluffy and the ball would sink. 4 shots later I was out. The next hole, i overcompensated for the heavy fade and hit a tree on the left. I shot 132 that day with several mulligans and felt like I went through a meat grinder. I kept working and working on irons and finally figured out I tend to go outside to in which was causing my slice. I fixed that went and played again and shot 122 with only 3 mulligans. Still chunking irons too much and cannot putt worth a flip. Kept working with my irons and picked up a lob wedge. The lob wedge was my savior. My practice routine was everyday, the last hour of daylight, I would throw 6 balls on the ground. Lob wedge them up between the tees. tee up 6 balls and hit them. Take a different iron, hit them back to the tee box. If they were short, chip them back up. The lob saved many,many a hole for me from being double par. I got to where I was shooting low 100's, no mulligans teeing off with a 2-iron. My sing was developing into a more traditional grip and swing so my distance started dropping. I still could manage 220-250 tee shots with the 2. However, the windy Texas weather would often leave me more often in the 220 range and long irons to the green, if I could even reach it. Putting was till pathetic. Started playing around with driver. Got 1 at goodwill for 4 bucks. It was nice but was a 12*. Not sure what happened but I shattered the face. Picked up a 10* snake eyes for 7 bucks and started hitting it 235-260. Now I was in business. 102,101,104,105,102,101,108, 106.......... This scores were getting old. Was there some magical barrier preventing me from breaking 100 ? I was hitting good drives. I was hitting decent enough irons. My wedges were phenomenal, what was my issue ? I still couldnt putt. Way to many 3 putts and the occasional 4 putt. I practiced putting, practiced putting and practiced some more. 2 weeks straight I practiced. In the house and on the green behind house. Went back out and thought I was playing way over my head that day, I shot a legitimate 90, no mulligans. Anyways, I still chunk irons and I HAVE to constantly practice putting or I will 3 putt every single hole. My irons are getting really, really good, my drives are getting 240-275, but unfortunately, I got moved to a differnt shift where I cannot practice pitching. If I miss the green, I am hosed. 47,48,49,46 have been my last 9 hole scores. I still think I am doing good for only having played less than a year. But living on the coarse allows me to practice a ton. I do feel I am on the edge of 80's. Putting is getting better and better.

I shoot in the low 90's. Hard to tell anymore as my work schedule changed and all I ever do is play 9 holes. I keep getting stuck on the front 9 of my local coarse. Hole 5,6,7 are low handicapper holes, although 5 is not that bad unless there is a north wind, then it gets real dicey.Generally play back 9 4 or 5 shots better. And even then do I have a real handicap if I dont play black tees ? my wedges and putting are generally what kill my score. Putting mainly. However last 9 I played, I 2 putted everything which was an improvement, but then I had a couple of irons go whack. 1 was overconfidence, been hitting the irons so good I just walked up and went for it. bad idea. I dunno, haven't really "played for score" so to speak in awhile. Usually working on something. Last time it was to continue to get confidence in new iron swing, figure out new driver, and 2 putt. Plus am working with my 11 yr old. trying to get him ready for 1st tournament. I had 7 holes I was 2 over on, the 1st hole was ugly( just woke up) and had 1 other hole that was ugly(sand,chunk,meltdown)Play a lot better when I play with strangers as I tend to take my time with each shot and concentration is much, much better. So yeah, 25 handicap sounds ok I guess.

Played 9 holes Saturday. After 3B on 1st hole, went par,par,par,par,bogey,3b,par,bogey. The 1st hole didnt bother me as I just rolled out of bed, threw my clubs in the car and went hacking. I never hit irons good early in the morning. 1st iron was slice city. Settled down after that. The other 3B was I finally found a fairway bunker. Generally I hit out of these pretty good. Caught some sand and only sailed out about 60 yds. Then chunked an iron. Then I got pizzed, didnt aim and just chunked towards the green. Then chipped and then 2 putted. The bogeys were missed greens. The point is, I played 27 holes where I was making 70% GIRs. That day I made like 50-60% although I did 2-putt most of the day. Also hit a fairway bunker. That is the way my golf has been going. When I hit a straight drive,hit the green, then I 3 putt. When I hit a good drive and putt good, I will mix in enough bad iron shots to screw it all up. I was happy my putting was better. Was also playing with my 11 yr old, he gets on my nerves at times and can be distracting. I was happy with my 44 and it shows I can string together some good holes, doesnt mean I have pro-like stats. At times, I do, but not consitently through 18 holes. My record for most unbelievable score was 47 with a 3 putt average on all 9 holes.

I am a bogey golfer and what I need to shoot par is to know how to putt ! My driver is well over 90% fairway. I have had 1 drive in the last 50 that was not playable. I might have 1 or 2 in the rough a round, but not bad. The last 27 holes I have played, I have had 70% greens in regulation. Then I 3 putt : ( I practice at home and a little on the practice green, and then go out and hack it around the green. Played 10 holes last weekend. Had 7 greens in regulation. I went back over scorecard and tried to figure my score if I had 2 putted every single hole. (2 holes I actually did 2 putt.) . I would have shot a 39 on the front 9. Yes, I 2 putted a hole I made DB on. I definetly deserved the DB. But I would be thrilled with a 39. I just cannot figure out how to get the stinking ball in the stinking little hole. I dont miss at putt-putt ? And here in Texas, putt-putts do in fact have breaks. The ground cracks up in the summer and warps the "greens" . Am beginning to think half of my putting issue is psychological. When I say screw it, this is my last putt from 5 ft away and hit the ball backwards, it goes in. If I try my arse off,it does everything but go in. I am starting to see balls defying the laws of physics now. Putting dead center of a 20 degree slope and the ball never breaks. Go back and rehit the putt 10 times, and it breaks 4 feet the next 10 times. Putting is black magic I tell you.

I agree johnclay about the putter. I was stuck in the low 100's even though I was hitting 20-30% GIR. Was 3 putting every dang hole. I shot a back 9 48 once and 3 putted every stinking hole. Was like, I played great and my score still stinks. I got a zebra putter for 20 bucks and practiced for 2 weeks straight. Went out for score and that was when I got my 90. Have since found out that although it has a great feel to it, the sight lines just get me close. Uncle gave me a hand me down calloway putter. Sight lines are magnificient. I still miss my fair share of putts, but I have the line now. Missing by 1" short, 1 " long from 8-20 ft. Putting is what got me out of the 100s. Still some room for improvement though. Some breaks just kick me in the nads. Think I could learn to read greens a little better. Yes, 220-160 yds away is what kills me. I still can hit my 4i straight, that is when I dont chunk it. Chunking is my biggest mishit. Have been working with iron swing to get more of a sweeping motion. Have found a little more consistency. Went out last night and hit 8, 6-iron shots. 4 were 165ish straight. 1 had a slight chunk for 140ish. 1 faded 10 yds right. 1 drew 15 yds left , both 160ish. 1 topped for about an 80 yd roll. Was happy that I got most up in the air like that. Will try this swing in my best ball tourney this week. I dont even go for greens past 180yds. I did finally put my 3i up and practiced a 3 and 5 wood this weekend. had decent results. Enough so that if I got some room right, I might just try for greens from 220 out. My goal for new irons is when I get the ball within 15 yds of target from 190 out 90% of the time, I may consider it.

Was thinking my money would probably be better served on lessons since my long irons are horribly inconsistent. But a new driver sounds more fun ! Plus it would help take the long irons out of my hands more often. Usually from 140 in I am decent. From 150- 250 out I am sunk.(although 150-160ish is not super bad) . Am happy with my driver swing as it gets good results so that is why I wouldnt feel so bad upping my driver. Would be useless to drop cash on irons right now. Am thinking about going to golfsmith and get clubhead speed tested and maybe even fitted. Are they a reliable clubfitter ? Or are they hacks just trying to sell high dollar items ?

I am a novice and carry a 60* and a 52* . The 60* only misses one way, a skull across the green. I live on a coarse and practice the lob a ton. Still cannot hit it off of soggy ground. Saves me 5 holes, kills me 1 . The 56 is way easier to hit. A 56 and 52 would be a great start. I probably need to go back to a 56*. But the reward of a gret 60* shot is awesome !

Have played a round with you ?

Ok, I am a in my 1st year of golf, have had some success by shooting in the 90's the last few rounds. 90 is best score. I have been playing with goodwill clubs and discount drivers. My goodwill irons are ok, but until I get consistent with them,no point in getting better ones. However my driver has been more stable. Somehow, someway, I figured out I should choke up on it. After I did that, my driving has been pretty consistent. It is hard to get a true carry/ total on drivers in Tesxas as it ALWAYS windy. Average day is 10-15mph. I hit 220-240 ave. into the wind, and 250-270 total with wind at back. Have snuck in a few 302's and 305s' but if I get 280-290, I have thought it was a lucky clean shot. Today I got 9 holes in with virtually no wind. My shortest was 240 and my longest was 280 as measured by the yd. markers. I play this coarse a lot and they all looked close to where they normally are. Didnt see a 20 yd. forward tee marker.Normally I get one or 2 270's in if I have the wind behind me. Was hitting it really well today. My question I guess is would a newer driver help ? I hit my buddies Covert the other day and it was a pizz missle ! I told myself I must have one . Just dont know if it would really help. He had it set to 9.5* and I really liked the trajectory. I am hitting an old hand me down 10* Hippo driver. The ball goes a mile high and am just wondering if a) I need a lower trajectory and B) would the newer tech help any ?

Have only been playing like 7 months so take it for what it is worth, but forever I couldn't get a driver to go straight. Somehow I decided to choke up on the driver. Bam, bam,bam, right down the middle. I am 6'1" . Played 9 holes this morning, hit 2 tee shots on every hole +3 on 18, (didnt think one was playable but it did in fact make the shortcut), for a total of 15 drives. 12 were right down the middle. 2 were on 1st cut and one was slice city in the woods. Choking up really helped me.

Hit it super fat ?

Ours built on hardened black clay. Flops are great if you have confidence in them. I had practiced them a ton and could put them within 10 ft just about every time.Not so much now, focused on driving for awhile. Now I can crush it down the middle only to shank an iron before finally chipping and putting to save par,bogey and sometimes worse. I used to be slice into the woods, take a drop, hit a nice iron, hit a flop to 6 ft,wonder why it didnt roll back with the massive spin I put on it, Make putt for bogey or worse.

I am a rank amateur who has only been playing 6 months. I have wild strategies and constantly change clubs and shafts. I chip with a 4-iron and hockey style putt under 25 ft. My last 27 holes have been 47,43 and 46 with only 2 birdies. The sound advice I can give is limited to dont overswing.

Good point Mordon. Even though I can see it spinning fast, always seem like forward MO overcame the spin. Angle probably explains it better,even with a 60*. Short shot not hit hard enough for spin to overcome angle + forward MO. Good answer !

Been using an older snake eyes 10* driver and have learned to hit that one pretty straight. The head on it is pretty small, looks about the size of an old hickory 3 wood. It is also not a Ti driver. Has a lower pitch than a Ti. So wifey picked me up a 400cc driver at a garage sale the other day and I was like, man is this going to be easy to hit. Hopped the fence and 1st hit went 280 right down the middle with a light swing. Since then it has been all slice. I did manage to get 1 more straight shot out of it and then hit my snake eyes. The Ti gets me about 15 yds. further(golf coarse markers) but right now with the slice, it aint worth the risk. I found 1 thing I was doing wrong with it as I was crossing the plane which seems to be my biggest enemy on all clubs. I corrected this and it looks like I am square but am still slicing it. I noticed the 400cc seems to be perfectly parallel with the shaft as opposed to my snake eyes which is slightly past. Am thinking the snake eyes is "closed" and the big 400 is open or neutral. What is the correction to rid the slice ? Close the head a little so it is more like the snake eyes ? Any other things to look at and consider ? And yes, I need a better swing.

Have the same issue, have backed it up landing on the fringe, can back up a whiffle ball, can see my ball with massive spin on it, but it just pauses and trickles forward on the greens. Started a thread on it last week. I think it is the greens themselves, but got some sarcasm for suggesting that.

Been playing 6 months and shot a 90 last time out. Still using mix and match goodwill clubs. Great for experimenting. 3-8 irons are double diamonds. Dont know much about them other than a few rumors of them being cobra clones. I really like those. Picked up an older snake eyes 10.5* from salvation army for 7 bucks. Really nice. My 9 and pw have been floaters since I havent found anything I like yet. Offsets and lengths just dont feel right. Last big find was a Tommy Armor 60* for $2.15 . Irons usually go from 2 to 4 bucks, drivers start at 4 for the most part. If you are just starting, go to your local goodwill and for 10- 20 bucks, you can get a nice start. Am now experimenting with a driving iron. Mainly to cut through the wind. N Texas is ALWAYS windy. Good results so far and once again, 2 bucks !

Was spot on with driver and 5-wedge, but 2 and 3 were way shorter. I have an oddity that I can figure out. I can hit my 2 iron 250 average just like my driver ? 3-iron is real close to 2 i-ron. I think it has to do with no matter what I hit, it goes a mile high. 10.5* ,2 and 3 iron within a few yds. of each other and look like they are going into orbit. Total almost always carry plus 10 ?