Stug

Never knew where my bad shots really came from until today. Used a foot spray down the range and every club showed impact heel side of centre with the occasional shank. Took a photo of my driver and despite setting up with my WHOLE club face inside the ball. Genuinely if most people had swung the club they would have completely missed the ball. I use a "pink castle" tee. Scary swinging when you know you should missed the ball completely yet still hit it near the heel!

I've got a thread on here about this as well. Swapped to LHL and a fat grip a few months ago. Only felt weird for a couple of weeks if that. Sooooooo much better. Distance control is vastly improved, Sooooooo my second putts are consequently a lot shorter. I'm still not a great putter but I at least new hold my own.

Me again. Just played a society match, didn't strike the ball from Tee to 100 yds out well at all, (almost embarrassingly bad at times) BUT despite one 3 putt and one 4 putt (just rushed this one and missed from a foot leaning over to tap in) I averaged 1.83 putts per hole. Such a change, I'm already thinking "just get the ball on the green" or " I can just up and down this etc." and am now really disappointed if I don't sink every putt inside 8 feet (up until a couple of weeks ago it was more worrying about 3 and 4 putting). I never ever thought I could or would actually enjoy this part of the game and yet today it was by far the best and most rewarding bit and I was hit by the realisation that even if I'm not playing well I can still score reasonably well. I'm now just waiting for the round where my usually really good ball striking is matched by my new found ability on and around the green. (interestingly my chipping has improved a lot in line with my putting - I think the thought that getting it closer means I can sink the putt!). Steve

As for what have I done (let's make sure it lasts first). But it's left hand low (amazing for consistent striking), large sure stroke grip (stops either hand being too dominant), practise, practise and practise. Good practise mat meaning I can sneak a few putts everyday. Change in mindset, comes with seeing improvement, I now think I can hole anything.

Not sure what I'm aiming for with my handicap. I guess I just want to play golf with friends etc around the 10-15 mark without being the guy who always gets given shots.I strike the ball as well or better than most yet have to suffer the embarrassment of always receiving strokes.

Further update. Shot an eight six today, not getting off the tee very well and chunked a few approaches BUT 35 putts, 6 one putts and 5 the putts on VERY, VERY tough, fast slopey greens. Really, really believed I could sink anything and lagged well. When I did chip or putt leaving 5-6 footers I sunk eighty percent of them. I really feel it's going to last! Steve

Update. Things are getting a lot better! I've used my putting mat everyday and after lots of experimenting have settled on ONE position that I feel comfortable in. (You know what it's like when you are trying anything to get better, one day I would feel bent knees, crouching felt good, the next very upright with very straight arms etc.). Using the mat I have settled on an easy, reproducible stance, switched to left hand low and have been improving steadily, then I tried a sureswing, much fatter grip and it just feels sooooo good. Only been out once with new stance, new attitude and new grip, sure it wasn't perfect but only 3 three putts and two one putts. Fingers crossed, it feels RIGHT! Lots of practise to come (much more fun when you feel comfortable in yourself and the putts drop regularly) and the thought is to really try and consolidate from here. Give myself six months without any (too much) tinkering and then reassess. Thanks everyone it really helps to 'talk it through' with you. Steve

Thanks again everyone. My putting mat arrived yesterday and I've had a couple of sessions on it. Excellent to practice and start to feel comfortable with my new grip without feeling self conscious. Great that it has a nap and four different speeds. Tried knocking in a lot of 2 to 4 foot putts. I think if I'm more confident at that range then next I'll practice distance control with the thought that if I can lag to three feet then direction can be worked on later.

I suppose I'm saying to myself, let's make sure I'm capable of putting the ball consistently in a straight line. THEN I can start working on distance control and THEN on reading greens better. I just don't want to make lots of changes and not know what is helpful and what is not. Thought starting with the very basics first i.e. Consistency of stroke in a way I can replicate THEN...

Bought a decent putting mat. Going to switch to left hand low. Concentrate on my hitting the ball consistently straight and true. THEN going to worry about reading greens etc. Steve

Hi all Really grateful for all your helpful advice I will look at it all. Here's a copy of my last round. It's soooooo tough hitting a great 7 iron 160 yds into the heart of a green and deep down knowing you can add 3 or 4 shots onto where you are now. No positive thoughts, never think HEY a birdie chance ,I think "with a bit of luck I might make a bogey". I really sucks. 1st column PAR second colomn score and third column putts. Edit: working on this.

Thanks everyone. I'm off to work so can't give details and answer some of your questions now. BUT... played yesterday shot 102 with 49 putts! Yes i only count putts on the green. Hit 6 GIR striking the ball pretty well.

Hi all. I'm better than this! Honestly. I strike the ball pretty well, hit 7-8+ GIR most rounds. Last week shot a 97 with 6 two putts and 12 three putts! Only broke 90 twice last year. I do practise my short game and my putting BUT I'm shocking. HELP! Any ideas, anyone solved this problem? Thanks Stug

Not sure where most of you guys play but guess a lot of you must be on tour! I play weekly with all sorts of players at my home course and in a couple of society's and only very rarely see anyone shoot under about 85. Perhaps hackers like me (the huge majority) just don't post. After all isn't the average score for men around the hundred mark? I'm sure I read that somewhere. Just for the record I shot 94 today missed a few putts/chips/drives that I shouldn't and still topped my group. Just my opinion.

110 today on a nice still sunny day on the same course I had an 88 last week! Gotta love golf!

Sounds like good advice. I guess we can all get in a groove hitting 7 irons or 5 irons 20 in a row

Thanks guys. Both make a lot of sense. My killer shot is the dreaded chunk. On the range hitting an inch behind the ball isn't such a biggie (although you know it's happening the ball still flies ok) but on the course it's just another absolute duff shot. Need to find a range where they let you use the grass.

It's easy! Well sort of. What has helped me a huge amount is sixty degree wedge, normal stance, normal club face and picture hitting a cup full of sand out onto the green. Way more consistent now 9 out of 10 outs. Playing the club on its normal lie is the key. Opening the face of a sixty degree wedge is unnecessary and just leads to a lot of miss hit shots. Just my two cents worth. Steve

Hi all I have had some great lessons recently (been hacking around for years), my range time now is very consistent and my ball stricking pretty darn good but... I cannot, cannot, cannot take it out on to the golf course. I guess I'm not the only one, any body got any advice? Steve

Mizuno JPX 825's Only hit on the range so far. Fantastic. Finally change from my 20+ yr old Ramm FX2 forged. Guess any new club would feel good after those. Soooooooo sweet right down to the 4 iron. Rifle 5.5 shafts otherwise standard.

Done it! Let my heart rule my head a bit. Got some 2 week old Mizuno jpx 925 pro's with rifle 5.5 shafts. So still money left over for a couple of extra lessons. Probably not the most help I could get but man the difference between these and my old Rams is amazing ( then again all the clubs I tried felt so much easier to hit). It feels great though to know that from now on (I have a Titleist 912 driver) all my poor shots are me! It is so easy to lay some of the blame on your equipment and now I will have to admit that that's no true. Great incentive to work on my swing. I'll let you know how they play as opposed to the range. Steve

Thanks. From original post just got to accept more forgiveness etc.equates to more fairways and greens hit Must mean more enjoyment. Right?

RIGHT!!! I've decided. I'm having a 'fitting' next week to determine lie, shaft type etc. £30. Then... Secondhand clubs and the left over money on a few lessons. Never used Mizunos but just want them. Looked on several local sites plus ebay. Looks like a really good set of MX 25's, MX 900 for about £140 MX 950's or 1000's for a little more. Now who's going to help me choose as these will be bought unseen and unhit, I'll just know the shaft and lie etc. should suit me! Help appreciated please. Even if it's just a summary of how you have got on with each club, looks etc. I think I want a lot of help from the club without using something that looks like a shovel. Steve

Sounds right. I wonder what percentage of us hit the ball with enough consistency to use anything blade like compared with the number of us who do actually use them?

Thanks for that. Hopefully striking the ball well will be more important than the looks of the club.