chip n run

Are your hands same distance from body for both woods and short irons ?

I've saved 9 balls since 1971 for shots or rounds I wanted to remember. Finally bought a clear plastic display case for them and printed out a little 'showcard' that tells the year, course, hole number and result for each one. Is really great to sit back and remember the story behind each of those golf balls.

On practice green putt right next to a club or alignment stick. I'm also a straight back and thru guy and a straightedge helps me.

Practice at home right next to some sort of straight edge - yardstick, alignment rod, even a wall. And make a s-m-o-o-t-h stroke. Did wonders for my short misses.

I think if you got up and down for quadruple bogey, you still "scrambled"

Grew up in Denver - been a Bronco fan since my Dad started taking me to games in 1960. Great golf and football in Denver. G O B R O N C O S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nturd.

Hey rocker - I've been down that same road. Being age 62, I don't have the flexability to get the shaft parallel to the ground at the top anymore. And that's OK - I just have to accept I cannot hit the same distances I once could. But my mind wants me to get parallel by letting my wrists break down at the top. Very uncontrolled feeling, and shots that lacked distance or were fat. So, a tip I saw that's really helped me with my new shorter backswing is to have my thumbs pointing up at the 'top'. Much better feeling and crisper shots.

for me, I find a spot of some sort ahead of the ball, in-line with the intended path. If my putter face goes thru my mark, chances are the ball is going down the path I have decided on. But I do that with all length putts.

For driver on first tee, I put the VERY smoothest swing I can produce on it. It probably won't be my longest drive of the day, but I am more wanting a well timed solid strike to get off to a good start.

No one saw it go in from 60 yards out ? Did you save the ball ?

I want to hit more greens in regulation. Which will mean more birdie opportunities and hopefully lower scores. I think this can be acheived from my recent learning more about lag in my iron shots. That was the weak part of my game. Can't wait 'till spring !!!

Sorry - I didn't know how to respond to more than 1 reply. So, what does the new school teach about grip pressure ?

69below - Thank-you for your input. Think my left hand position is fine. I've always been able to see 3 knuckles, which means the "V" points to my right shoulder. I agree there must be more fingers than palm.

Iacas - That's a good thought - I might get some impact tape and check where my impact is. As for pressure, I come from the school of holding a club "like a bird" -or- my wife !!

Happens with irons, and if I recall it feels like both hands. Seems like grip pressure just disappears. But again, very seldom. I'm just curious..

Although this doesn't happen but once in a great while, any thoughts on why the club turns in my hands at impact on a full swing ?

I think you should work on one thing at a time. For me, more than 1 change is going to take more than 1 session to ingrain in my memory.

Welcome to this great game ! There will be times of rewards, and times of frustration. But stick with it. Most people that I see that slice the ball swing the club outside-in. The way I cured it ( at the driving range ) was to put a shoebox just outside of the ball, far enough so the clubhead can strike the ball. When you get tired of hitting the box, you'll be swinging from the inside. I know there are other reasons for slicing, but this drill really helped me. Too bad I cannot use my box on the course !!!

thanx Sacpac and Mvmac - today at the dome I concentrated on keeping more weight on left leg / foot than normal at the top of swing, and swinging around my head - keeping it steady. I felt more solid than I have in some time. Now I have to ingrain these new backswing changes and I should be good to go !

Hey Steve - I've always thought that the driving range is really so much different than actually playing. On the course you have to miss that tree, or stay left of the pond, or hit a high lob over that hill, or play from a sidehill lie. You just cannot duplicate those things at the range. And for me, when I'm on the course I usually don't try to change much or try something new like I might do at the range. I think what helped my scoring on the course was playing on the high school team and playing league golf for years. I seem to be more "in the zone" when there is some competition. Anyway, my suggestion is to STAY REALAXED and REALLY FOCUS on your keys.

For me a t-shirt, loose fitting sweatshirt and a windbreaker. I stay warm and can still swing freely. Also a stocking hat is a must. One thing I also do is to wear my heavy winter gloves between shots. Warm hands make a big difference.

Thanx for your input - I will try what you've said. It will be different for me as I have always loaded weight to right leg/foot at the top. What's scary to me is I might want to shift weight back to right after leaving it on left foot until top. I'll let you know how my "new" backswing does.

I am a long time decent golfer. I've been told before that I have a very flat swing. Decided to video my swing at the dome yesterday. The video sure did prove to me that I am flat. After reveiwing a few swings, I tried to consciously get my hands up higher and although my swing did feel better, I still look flat. So, any tips or thoughts on getting my hands to head level at the top ?

For me, I know my pitching and sand wedges well enough that I don't need to carry 4 wedges. I don't get to play enough to appreciate the subtle differences in degrees between 4 wedges. BUT I would really miss not having my 3 wood. I'm not a long hitter but my 3 wood will get me close enough to the green to manufacture the shot I need with pitching -or- sand wedge. I say buy a descent 3 wood.