dbrock504

I always used my 56* wedge off the fringe until one day when I was playing with a stranger. I hit the ball with the wedge and it went 5 ft past the hole. The old man pulled a ball out of his pocket and said "now putt it". I did and the ball came to rest .25" from the hole. He then went on to educate me about Ben Hogan's theories to use the putter as much as possible as you can maintain more control that way. Been doing it for 3 rounds since, and I would say it's effective. Good ole Texas wedge!

Yikes, well, find a way to make the game work for you. Luckily, I'm 22 and the extent of my injuries don't limit my play. I would suggest getting a quality lesson with someone who can work with those limits.

I would say the most "important" is proper etiquette. As a conservative college student, I spend more times on the course than at the house parties. This means I play as a single a lot, and consequently, get paired up with random people or groups. I have noticed a decline in "proper" etiquette. The very first time I ever went golfing, to a friend's dad's very nice, very expensive country club. I was taught immediately to hold my tongue and respect on the course. It seems more and more people I play with throw their clubs, curse excessively loudly, slam clubs, hit the club on the ground taking a large divot, picking up others balls when they are in play, holding the flag stick casting a shadow in my line, stepping in my line, not filling large divots with sand, not raking sand bunkers after you hit, etc. I know it's a little old fashioned, but I always perceived this game as a gentleman's game with class. Tuck in your shirt, say sir, and be respectful of others and the course. Others going out there throwing your equipment, whining and complaining and cursing just bring my game down and create a negative environment.

Yes I do know the box drill. It's another one I forgot to suggest. The only thing I can think of at this point is your swing plane. You are coming outside inside (I think). Set a tee 6" directly behind your club at address. Bring the club back right over it until it naturally lifts off of the ground. This is the proper way to begin your backswing. I have a friend that takes that sucker right back across his hip. This forces an outside inside swing (I think) and makes him shank A LOT. After you come STRAIGHT back, go STRAIGHT forward the best you can all while keeping that tight V. Please understand, these are things that I have found effective FOR ME. I am not a pro, heck, I haven't even broken 90 yet (although I keep coming extremely close) I'm sorry I keep saying (I think). I always confuse the outside inside swing pattern with the inside outside swing pattern. Hope this helps.

I'm assuming you're talking to me? No sir, I was not able to warm up today. I was unaware the exit I take off the free way is under construction. I had to loop back and it cost me 15 minutes. I spent what little time I had (20 minutes) stretching and putting.

Well I have had that issue before, and it completely fixed it. I just know that keeping that tight V is a component of one's game that MUST be incorporated (or so I was taught). It reinforces proper ball striking and consistency. You mention you have shoulder issues. My dad has had 3 shoulder surgeries and can barely swing a club because of it, but he swings from his hips and rotation on the ball. If you can't do that due to your "diminishing flexibility", I don't know how to help you, sir. Sorry. I gave it a shot. From a physical stand point, how do you play golf?

I honestly don't know how to respond that any of what you said, so I am just going to elaborate on what I was saying initially there. "I have a poor mental game": I get very frustrated as I can't get off the tee box. So much so that it clouds my judgement and confidence. Any player knows having confidence is essential. This in turn leads to a tighter grip, swinging harder, and consequently, over-swinging to a point where I'm out of my mechanics. This effects my iron game eventually as well. "I hit almost every single green I face 150 and in": I wasn't meaning I hit 17/18 or being literal, so calm down. My short irons and short game (8i-AW + the wedges) are the strongest part of my game. My ability to hit greens and create scenarios to get up and down is the biggest asset I have to my game (in comparison to most casual weekend golfers that I have played with over the years). MOST par 3's that are 150 or under are a "guarantee" hit for me. Is it actually guaranteed? No. Not by a long stretch. Can we move on now? I'm tired of beating this dead horse.

Yes sir, completely agree. I am over-swinging! I slowed it down considerably for the 9 I played yesterday. The lowest I shoot at this place is +13, highest +15. I shot +7. Played today at a decently tough course. Normally shoot 96-102. Shot a 92 and only lost 3 balls of the tee today. Really loving the improvements. Of course, I'm sacrificing 25 yds or so, but not loosing the balls. Slowing down with the driver and staying on the fairways has dramatically increased the quality of my game so far.

Course Plum Creek par 72 6443 yds slope rating 70.7/125. Shot +13 (49) on the front 9. Lost 4 total balls. 3 off the tee, 1 with a hybrid 230 out on a par 5. Pushed it left into the trees. Back 9 shot +7 (43) and lost 1 ball total. 8/14 fairways hit, 5 GIR, 32 putts. Ended with a 92. Best scorecard day of golf I have ever had at this facility. I didn't hold too many greens today. The greens are hard and make bump and runs a must. I did birdie a par 3 101 yds. That was pretty cool. Overall, had a great day.

I went out today and played. Here are my results from the day: Course Plum Creek par 72 6443 yds slope rating 70.7/125. Shot +13 (49) on the front 9. Lost 4 total balls. 3 off the tee, 1 with a hybrid 230 out on a par 5. Pushed it left into the trees. Back 9 shot +7 (43) and lost 1 ball total. 8/14 fairways hit, 5 GIR, 32 putts. Ended with a 92. Best scorecard day of golf I have ever had at this facility. I didn't hold too many greens today. The greens are hard and make bump and runs a must. MOST of the time, if I was 150 or in, I made the greens. Doesn't necessarily mean it was close to the pin... I did birdie a par 3 101 yds however. That was pretty cool. Overall, had a great day. The advice I am reading from you going back in the post seems to work. Thanks

I've never really liked or disliked Precept Laddies. They're ok. I flat out do not like Wilson balls. They are super cheap feeling to me and don't seem to produce enough spin for me around the greens. I tried a Callaway Hex Hot today and wasn't impressed. Put it away and continued to play my Nike PD Soft. Those seem to just be my favorite ball...

haha yes sir! It happens. Issues of free sports blogs...

Usually shoot +13-15 on the front 9 at my local course here Quail Creek (70.2/121). Hit 5/7 fairways w/ 17 total putts. Shot +7 (43) today. Slowed my swing speed down with the big stick and was able to stay on the fairway much, much better. Had a lot of fun today. Looking forward to tomorrow's 18. Will post results.

First of all, you're the joke. A +4 hanicap? I was never offering advice but rather chiming in and hopefully having someone add their insight on my comments/thoughts. You are a complete @$$hole , and quite honestly after reading your other posts, you're a flat out liar. No one starts golf and plays IMMEDIATELY in the 80's. That's absurd. Calling other people an idiot because you don't agree with them? Do the world a favor... go jump in a water hazard and quit writing on TST, jackass.

This guy ^^^ I find it hilarious that when someone disagrees and provides their way of thinking, people DESTROY you unless you completely agree with they have to say. If you know all the answers, enlighten me, Tiger! By the way, the green jacket thing was a joke. Clearly went over your head!

Quote: That's why I'm so irritated about my tee box issue. It's time for some lessons with the long sticks. My 2 faults are off the tee box and with the putter. The putter is either just ok, or it's really bad. Irons are awesome though. But hey, keyword was ALMOST every single green I face 150 and in (8 iron or less). Statistically over the last 3 months of play avg (15 rds) I hit 14/18 greens on avg (150 and in). 9/18 being the low 16/18 being the high. Not many GIR (4 being the low, 8 being the high) but you can thank my driver for that. Good news though, I got a new one and the old habit SEEMS to be gone. Pretty pumped to see how much that will affect my game moving forward.

The again, you seem to be way more qualified than myself. Maybe that's why I still suck after 4 years!

Haha. Now you're just nit picking. You knew what I meant on the putting comment. My ball striking is undoubtably the best part of my game (irons, wedges, hybrids). That stat about 50% of the time hitting the green at 100 yds is BS I don't care what your stats tell me. I hit almost every single green I face 150 and in and I am a mid 90's player. Why? Because I have a poor mental game, and my tee box presence is horrid. I have to take about 8 drops per round right now off the tee (just got a new driver though ;) ). I'm taking a new approach to all of that and hopefully it improves, but the point is, you can't tell me an 80's player only hits a green 50% of the time only being 100 yds out. Not buying. There are SO many aspects to this beautiful game besides ball contact. There's no way you can argue that. Also, when I have

After you read and try this suggestion, you're going to owe me a 1/2 hour's worth of lessons . I had this EXACT same problem for a month and couldn't figure it out. Simple. You're pushing your hands outside the path of the ball. How to correct it? Put a glove under your forward arm (left if RH, right if LH). You need to keep that tight V as much as you can all the way through the shot. After you put a glove there, put another glove under your other arm (so now you have a glove under both arms) and feel what it's like to use your body to rotate on the ball and not your arms. Keep your arms as tight as you can to your body and maintain that V!!! Hope it helps. Give it a whirl and let me know how it works.

Aw man that sucks. I'm also in college, but luckily I have some room out behind the apartment building.

Great. I will give that a whirl. Thanks

Yes my arms are always kept in a tight V. I used to have this problem of pushing outside the ball and hitting it off my hosel. Every time I go to the range, I put a glove under my arms for a few swings to ensure I'm keeping that nice and tight. This emphasis has made my iron game go from awful to pretty darn good. I will try that advice with the driver next time I go to the range. Thank you for sharing that.

Buy your self a net! It isn't the range by any means, but it's better than chillin' at home playing video games!

Well see that was my problem. I went and got a few lessons and started hitting much better. Then I tried to add power into it. Going back to a smooth, fluid swing. It's all about the rotation of the hips, and I get lost in the arms once I start getting comfortable. All in all, the advice worked and I played awesome golf today. Looking forward to tomorrow's round with the guys.

Tempo. I get really quick in a hurry. Either I get frustrated and begin to grip tighter and swing harder, or I feel really good and start getting greedy and start going all Barry Bonds on it. I curse the 16 years I spent playing baseball. Never picked up a golf club until I was 18 and I regret it every day. Getting better though! Every 6 months I seem to drop my avg score a few strokes. It's time to break 90!!