A while back on the Internet a company offered free at first then charged a short game practice routine. It had a lot of similarities to the one provided here. The short fall I discovered for a few who had tried it, they didn't have the mechanics to perform it consistently or adapt.
Granted on the score card it only indicates how many strokes taken, not how you did it. But that then leaves the question 'can you repeat your performance?'.
I think and believe that there are severaly types of practice required.
1. Practice to learn the stroke (focus on mechanics)
2. Practice to learn how to score (focus on results of a shot)
3. Practice to learn how to play (focus on abilities/strengths to get the best score for that hole)
After more than a year of practicing and tracking results I have discovered that I am still a mental midget when I get a golf club in my hand.
It is not that I don't know how to make a good golf stroke, it is not that I can't make a good golf stroke, it is that I can not Score consistently....I discovered just recently that playing short courses vs normal course indicates that I lack distance to score. Par 4s of 420 yds have me hitting 5 or 3 wds to the green. Hitting the green can be a problem, but if I do hit them I am still three zipcodes away from the hole.
So either I discover and correct massive power leaks if they exist or I get off the couch and away from the computer and get FIT....and then there is the thought that that new ball and driver will be the answer .
To the end I think each individual needs to isolate and identify a routine to build on thier strengths and correct thier weaknesses, as they say one size doesn't fit all be it the golf stroke or golf practice...
A while back on the Internet a company offered free at first then charged a short game practice routine. It had a lot of similarities to the one provided here. The short fall I discovered for a few who had tried it, they didn't have the mechanics to perform it consistently or adapt.
Granted on the score card it only indicates how many strokes taken, not how you did it. But that then leaves the question 'can you repeat your performance?'.
I think and believe that there are severaly types of practice required.
1. Practice to learn the stroke (focus on mechanics)
2. Practice to learn how to score (focus on results of a shot)
3. Practice to learn how to play (focus on abilities/strengths to get the best score for that hole)
After more than a year of practicing and tracking results I have discovered that I am still a mental midget when I get a golf club in my hand.
It is not that I don't know how to make a good golf stroke, it is not that I can't make a good golf stroke, it is that I can not Score consistently....I discovered just recently that playing short courses vs normal course indicates that I lack distance to score. Par 4s of 420 yds have me hitting 5 or 3 wds to the green. Hitting the green can be a problem, but if I do hit them I am still three zipcodes away from the hole.
So either I discover and correct massive power leaks if they exist or I get off the couch and away from the computer and get FIT....and then there is the thought that that new ball and driver will be the answer .
To the end I think each individual needs to isolate and identify a routine to build on thier strengths and correct thier weaknesses, as they say one size doesn't fit all be it the golf stroke or golf practice...
It is the archer - not the arrow. Good luck in your quest!
(snip)
It is not that I don't know how to make a good golf stroke, it is not that I can't make a good golf stroke, it is that I can not Score consistently .... I discovered just recently that playing short courses vs normal course indicates that I lack distance to score. Par 4s of 420 yds have me hitting 5 or 3 wds to the green. Hitting the green can be a problem, but if I do hit them I am still three zipcodes away from the hole.
So either I discover and correct massive power leaks if they exist or I get off the couch and away from the computer and get FIT....and then there is the thought that that new ball and driver will be the answer .
If it's any help, do what I do.. play long par-4's as par-5's and hope to get away with just a chip and a putt. Apply the same technique to long par-3'
s and long par-5's too. At my level I don't count GIR's as important data on my personal score sheet.
Stickner, I'm currently between a 5-7 handicap, with a typical range of 76-83. I am not nearly as structured as you are regarding practice, however, have recently noticed that I'm not getting nearly enough birdies to reach my goal of par. I love your short game practice techniques and I must get better with the wedges. There is nothing more frustrating then missing greens from 150yds in, or leaving yourself putts over 20 feet when your inside a 100.
I think your approach of hitting wedges to get more birdie opportunities, and chipping and pitching to save par, is definitely the way to go, if your swing is relatively solid. Thanks for the routine.
I will also tell everyone that pre-shot routine and knowing your strengths and weakness's are critical. When I get out of routine bad shots occur much more frequently. I utilize a routine that Ben Doyle demonstrated at Woodmont that has been greatly helpful. Also trying to play smarter. I have stopped shooting at pins and play to the known. I use to kill myself by firing at pins, ball goes a little long and falls of a cliff, as opposed to playing a bit short and having a longer putt. I use to make so many stupid decisions I would just dummy my way out of a decent score.
Stickner, I'm currently between a 5-7 handicap, with a typical range of 76-83. I am not nearly as structured as you are regarding practice, however, have recently noticed that I'm not getting nearly enough birdies to reach my goal of par. I love your short game practice techniques and I must get better with the wedges. There is nothing more frustrating then missing greens from 150yds in, or leaving yourself putts over 20 feet when your inside a 100.
I think your approach of hitting wedges to get more birdie opportunities, and chipping and pitching to save par, is definitely the way to go, if your swing is relatively solid. Thanks for the routine.
I will also tell everyone that pre-shot routine and knowing your strengths and weakness's are critical. When I get out of routine bad shots occur much more frequently. I utilize a routine that Ben Doyle demonstrated at Woodmont that has been greatly helpful. Also trying to play smarter. I have stopped shooting at pins and play to the known. I use to kill myself by firing at pins, ball goes a little long and falls of a cliff, as opposed to playing a bit short and having a longer putt. I use to make so many stupid decisions I would just dummy my way out of a decent score.
The short game is where it's at in my opinion. Whether you want to go low, or are trying salvage a poor ball-striking round, the short game must be working.
The short game is where it's at in my opinion. Whether you want to go low, or are trying salvage a poor ball-striking round, the short game must be working.
Not to mention it helps out your alignments . . . you are STILL my golf hero!
12 Piece, First of all, I'm a hitter, very right arm dominent.
My setup routine is to first of all determine where I want to be on my approach shot, which will in turn determine where I need to put my tee shot. Do I want a flat lie 170 out versus a downhill lie 140 out. I then determine my ball flight, draw versus fade, which will determine how closed or open the face is at setup. After that it is all Ben Doyle's routine
If you're right handed, reverse if left
Align your right foot to the ball. Ground the club with only your right hand. Bring your left heel to even with your pre-established right foot(toe out slightly on the left foot, both heels will be touching). Place your left hand on the club and then step back the appropriate distance with your right foot. Short step for wedges, longer step for mid-irons, and even wider for woods. Two waggles and fire. Basically Ben teaches a single ball position, just wider stance for longer clubs.
I can't tell you how many times Ben would make me start over when I would get ready to hit the ball. But it paid off and is automatic for me at setup. Takes a lot of the thinking out of it..
12 Piece, First of all, I'm a hitter, very right arm dominent.
My setup routine is to first of all determine where I want to be on my approach shot, which will in turn determine where I need to put my tee shot. Do I want a flat lie 170 out versus a downhill lie 140 out. I then determine my ball flight, draw versus fade, which will determine how closed or open the face is at setup. After that it is all Ben Doyle's routine
If you're right handed, reverse if left
Align your right foot to the ball. Ground the club with only your right hand. Bring your left heel to even with your pre-established right foot(toe out slightly on the left foot, both heels will be touching). Place your left hand on the club and then step back the appropriate distance with your right foot. Short step for wedges, longer step for mid-irons, and even wider for woods. Two waggles and fire. Basically Ben teaches a single ball position, just wider stance for longer clubs.
I can't tell you how many times Ben would make me start over when I would get ready to hit the ball. But it paid off and is automatic for me at setup. Takes a lot of the thinking out of it..
Cool . . . I figured this was the dealie. Yoda showed me this too and it is HUGE. It is essentially an ALIGNMENT procedure relative to the Left Shoulder i.e. locating Low Point. The farther back you move your right foot the farther back the Left Shoulder moves. And thus Low Point moves with it.
This procedure has made a BIG TIME difference in my ball flight.
Basically Ben teaches a single ball position, just wider stance for longer clubs.
It is a single Ball position as related to the Left Heel, but as the Stance widens, the Ball position changes relative to the Left Shoulder (and hence, the Low Point of the Stroke). So, in reality, the Ball Location is changing in relation to the orbiting Clubhead.
Essentially, the further to the right the Right Foot is placed, i.e., the wider the Stance, the further Down Plane the Ball is effectively positioned. Conversely, the further to the Left the Right Foot is placed, i.e., the narrower the Stance, the more Up Plane the Ball is positioned.
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Hybrid Mode
