Midpack

A few days ago we’re told in no uncertain terms “The sweet spot is very very small. Technically speaking it’s a point. Not an area.” and that 6-8% “sweet spot” is about right for pros and scratch players. And then we’re given a “sweet spot” poll where the options are in 10% increments (e.g. 0%, 10%, 20%,...100%)?

This has been a most telling thread. I acknowledged that I should have said “solid strikes” instead of “sweet spot” or “center” days ago, yet some want to continue to beat the horse (even though I’m sure many knew what I meant to say). For the third time. I misused the precise definition of sweet spot. That said, how many ads from established, well known club makers and reviewers have you seen claiming their “new” clubs had “a larger sweet spot?” Or reviews/articles by reputable leading golf media with “hit more shots dead center” in the title or tag line? Somehow I don’t think they’re talking about 6-8% of the time. I hope you’ve also mercilessly corrected them too... That said, thanks to those who took my original clumsy post as intended.

As others have noted - how to drop and when/where you can just place the ball is clearly described in the rules. You can often see the process watching pros drop during televised tournaments. and it’s about to change dramatically soon anyway. There’s really nothing to stop you from imparting spin other than sportsmanship, like many golf rules.

Against my better judgement... iacas is a pro who hits the exact sweet spot about 3 times in a round - 8% of about 36 full swings over 18 holes. However, I’d guess he has way, way more solid strikes that feel almost butter soft in a round. Clearly I should have said “solid strikes” in the OP instead of “sweet spot” or even “center” even though many golf media/publications (mis)use the terms somewhat interchangeably.

Fair enough. Though the terms are often (mis)used interchangeably, I guess I should have said solid strikes instead of “center.” However my definition obviously wasn’t as overly broad as you suggest above. Thanks for the clarification... Interesting dynamic on this forum.

No idea what this meant...

+1. When I pure an iron the only thing I think (sometimes say) is “be right” (distance) - they usually are. Or watching a drive come off the club face long and spitting the fairway. Never get tired of those shots, it’s why many of us play the game isn’t it? To come back and have those shots again!

I won’t do it forever, but having just resumed golf, I’ve been keeping track of a lot of data this year. I’m sure many here would be horrified at my “sweet spot profile,” but at my age/ability/vision I assume I’ll never hit the sweet spot almost all the time like many here can. I was honestly guessing I’m about 50/50, turns out it’s a little better. I knew my most common mishits were thin and toe, but not as frequent as I guessed. Might be helpful when I go to pick new irons. This data is all my on course full swing irons only, not woods/metals, hybrids or practice sessions. And yes, it’s easier for me to hit center on shorter, more lofted clubs than long irons like most/all.

I'm a higher HI player than the OP but I'm about to buy new irons and I've picked out a couple (forged) players irons with some forgiveness and a couple (cast) mildly game improvement irons. I'm going to go with what a good fitter suggests, though I'd take "soft feel" over a couple yards of extra distance all day.

I'm striving to reduce swing thoughts as much as possible. I would conclude I putt better if I just set up properly (three setup thoughts for me) and then let it happen, at least for distance control. The times I misjudge distance, it's almost always because I was thinking 'hit this harder, it's long/uphill' or 'just think lag, it's a big breaker/downhill.' E.g. on long/uphill putts if my brain is focused on make sure I get to the hole, I'll almost always add some unwanted wrist action and invariably hit it way long. May just be me.

I will definitely cycle through various swing thoughts on the driving range (otherwise why go to a driving range?), or even during a practice round, but for any round that will count toward league play or handicap... I confine myself to one, and ideally I'd rather have none. Right now I have one for the first few holes, and another for the rest of the round, and often I don't need any thought later in the round. May just be me but when I am actually thinking about more than one, it seems the results haven't been good. Right or wrong, I don't count anything associated with setup as a "swing thought" - only thoughts that I may be conscious of during the moving parts of the swing.

I also find 3 "sessions" per week (range or course) to be ideal. It's been mentioned in several earlier threads, but the $64K question is what to do about Winter for those of us faced with an interrupted golf season. I can't get in three sessions in Winter, so I guess I'll have to figure out how to "maintain" over the next 6 months. I hate the thought of starting over again next Spring, but I may have little choice.

Who knows if they were insecure or not, but why would you care at all? You're going to be there for an hour or less, get on with your practice. If they're being obnoxious or unsafe, alert the driving range management or just move away from them. They may be obnoxious, but you're making it your problem too, that's up to you alone. With all due respect (sincerely), you must be pretty young, still worrying about things you probably can't change, life's too short.

+1. As long as others don't do something unsafe to me or themselves, I could care less what anyone else wears or thinks. To me the point is to practice and that takes focus, there shouldn't be much interaction with others. If someone was really bothering me, I'd tell them I need to focus on my practice. If that doesn't work I'd probably just move to another spot on the range, though I've never found that necessary yet. You're only on the range for an hour or less, why worry about others at all, it's a moment in time...

Whether he gets good at golf or not may not be the most important consideration. Golf is part sport, part social in (widely) varying degree for most players I know. We all know people who will never break 100, but they just love golf. I've played with quite a few in league play, many are delightful to play with, some not. I also know some low handicappers who are so tightly wound about golf scoring and berating themselves that I would rather have a root canal than play golf with them, even though they also love the game. I agree you don't want to teach him how to hit the ball (I am going through that with my wife right now), he should take some lessons and plan to practice if he wants to improve. But you can teach him etiquette, sportsmanship, proper attire and all the other aspects. And he should pick up at double par while he's learning, that's good advice for him and others on the course. If he expects to get good at it without any effort, he'll quickly move on to another pastime. I don't see any reason to try to talk him out of trying golf, just let him know what he's in for IF he wants to get good at it.

I’ve always opted for full swing approach shot as long as I’ve played - until this year after reading LSW among other reasons **. I’m still not crazy about 1/2 swings where I have other options but I’ve been going with less than full swings from 150 yds or less some, mostly using 1-2 more clubs than the full swing choice and taking a smooth, somewhat shorter swing. The results have been good/promising, and I intend to continue to develop the shot(s). ** I’ve backed off just a little with all my clubs. It began with the driver where I’m now straighter and averaging longer. I was swinging too hard and missing more fairways, and only occasionally being “rewarded” with a 10-15 yd longer drive.

I guess I’m semi casual? I as brought up to be completely still and quiet when another player is hitting, to make sure I’m not casting my shadow on someone’s line, not step/walk on their line, and to stand well away perpendicular/front. I hold the flag and look down when I tend a pin, so as not to distract the player putting. Distant noises/talking/movement or shadows don’t bother me, it happens. But if other players in my group are carrying on a conversation or making noise close by (on/near a green), I won’t say anything, but I may wait until they stop before I hit. When folks cast a shadow or step on my line, I assume it’s inadvertent and just go ahead and putt. Standing in my line of sight is the one I routinely overlook. I played with several guys this summer who stood directly behind me on the tee, or while I was putting, something I wouldn’t do (except putting in a scramble). I think it’s well intended on the tee, we’re all trying to keep an eye on each other’s shots in case the hitter loses sight of it - though that’s just as easily done from perpendicular/front IMO. Fortunately they’re far enough back that I just ignore it and hit. It’s just a game...

For me it’s still hybrids. I have a 3H & 4H but I have better luck with my 2i & 3i. I’ll keep trying but I’m not hopeful, so I’m probably biasing my own outcome. I’m planning on buying a new set of (fitted) irons this winter, and still not sure if I’ll buy the optional long irons or hybrids...

One answer? Depends on how far the trees are, how low I have to stay and how far I am trying to hit. I've used everything from a closed hard 3-iron to a partial swing 7-iron.

I said no before I watched the video, only because I read this a few weeks ago. ODDS A study made for Golf Digest by Francis Scheid, Ph.D., retired Chairman of Mathematics at Boston University, using all the available statisitics for holes in one, both amateur and professional, came up with the following estimates: • Professional Tour player making an ace: 3,000 to 1 • Low-handicapper making an ace: 5,000 to 1 • Average player making an ace: 12,000 to 1 • Average player aceing a 200-yard hole: 150,000 to 1 • Two players in the same foursome aceing the same hole: 17 million to 1 • One player making two holes-in-one in the same round: 67 million to 1"

+1. That's what I would have done, and have many times. Right or wrong, more often than not I use a very low lofted iron and the "low screamer" through the opening that advances the ball most AND I believe I can hit to get away from lots of trees in the rough. In the OP's example, I would have just punched straight thru the red line opening, I don't have the skills to expect a reliable draw. Sometimes I can reach a green, usually not. I always move the ball forward as much as possible leaving some decent next shot, and only "chip out" when I am essentially forced to. I wish I had the skills to pull off the shot the OP did - I never have and probably never will.

I'm confused. If your primary use is as a phone/texting device, small is good. If it's browsing, map directions, pictures/videos, larger is seemingly preferred. The latter seems to be the majority of users. I'm comfortable with my iPhone 6 Plus, fits in most pockets I have. Just my opinion...

That seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Maybe I should rethink my plans to take 6 lessons next spring about 2 weeks apart. I was thinking any more frequent and I won’t have time to practice and ingrain what I’ve been taught. OTOH our golf season is 22 weeks, so if I space them out too much, it seems the benefits will come too slowly/late. Thanks for making me think about it... Somewhat related, I’d agree with this: Lee Trevino once told me, “A good golf lesson is worth 1,000 range balls.”

Why I couldn't figure out how to vote FWIW: Year round nope Off season only nope A lesson or two to kick off the season yes, but more than one or two, at least six planned consistent with... When I'm playing poorly yes if I'm playing poorly and can't figure out why, but ...I take lessons to improve much more than because I'm playing poorly - I know a good pro will help me improve more than I ever could/have on my own