Question:
<parts snipped – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -What I would like to do now is starting to lower my score the fastest way I can so I can get my handicap in a short time (before Y2K kicks in is the goal, but I know it will be very difficult), the question is: where I should start??? I see a lot of people saying that I should practice my short game but I do not totally agree, follow my thoughts and tell me what you think: Now I can improve in ALL area of my game, and still need to have a consistent swing. Does someone has suggestion about how lower my score fast beside the obvious ones??? I’m seeing a lot of advice here and on magazines and books but it seems all related to people already having a score in the 100 range or less… Greetings from Italy Massimo
Greetings Massimo. I agree with those replies advising you to work on all your game, not just the two you stated. The fastest way to lower your scores from 130 to <100 on average is to take lessons from a good golf teaching professional, then ingrain his teachings by practicing as much as time allows. Practice approximately 1/3 or your time on tee shots, 1/3 on iron and fairway wood play, and 1/3 on your putting and chipping. I will indeed be very difficult to achieve your goals within 6 months, but it is possible. Try not to become frustrated, and just have fun while you are learning. Tim Leinweber "War does not determine who’s right, war determines who’s left."
Response:
I’m now playing from less than 5 months and I’ve taken a regular routine now, each week I try to go practicing on the range at least two times and usually spend a third day playing 18 holes of a regular course (a full 72 par and, from what I hear, pretty difficult (it has a best score, made from a pro golfer, of 68)), hitting in the 130 range for 18 holes. What I would like to do now is starting to lower my score the fastest way I can so I can get my handicap in a short time (before Y2K kicks in is the goal, but I know it will be very difficult), the question is: where I should start???
Learn how to practice. It is difficult to learn much by practicing full swings, which is why most people’s work at the range is not as rewarding as it should be. Pros and good amateurs hit a lot of half wedges and easy shots. If you want to get a lot of shots in and make a lot of swings, they can’t all be drivers or even full-bore 8 irons. It is far easier to learn how to hit the ball correctly by hitting it easy, because it can be done without losing your balance, without moving around a lot, without herky-jerky movements, and there is more time to understand what went wrong or what went right. Easy shots will teach you where your hands should be through impact, how the wrists hinge, and the rhythm of the weight transfer much quicker than you can learn them with full shots. And the setup counts just as much for easy shots as full ones. And the shoulder turn is still there, if not quite as large — overswinging is a mistake that cannot intrude — and you can get the feel of extension through the ball and learn a good finish. A perfectly struck 130 yard 3 wood is just as satisfying, kinesthetically, as a 130 yard wedge. In music, if you cannot play a presentable scale on an instrument slowly, you cannot possibly play it any better quickly. Teachers tell you to practice a piece slowly many times for every time you practice up to speed and to learn a piece slowly, without mistakes, and you will make fewer mistakes when you perform it. Never play a piece to speed until it is memorized and the difficult sections mastered. One could simply substitute to hit drivers at 3/4 strength ten times for every one you hit full bore. If you can learn to hit the ball in the center of the clubface with half swings, then 3/4 swings, you will more quickly learn to consistently hit the ball flush with full swings. It is much easier to master keeping your balance with half swings than it is by flailing away, trying to hit the ball as far as you can. Ultimately, your balance dictates the limits of how hard you can successfully swing at the ball. It isn’t so much what you practice, it’s how. — "And if you’re a miner, when you’re too tired and old and sick and stupid to do your job properly, you have to go, whereas just the opposite applies with the judges." Beyond the Fringe
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What I would like to do now is starting to lower my score the fastest way I can so I can get my handicap in a short time (before Y2K kicks in is the goal, but I know it will be very difficult), the question is: where I should start???
As one who has battled his way down from average scores in the 90s to a best of 76 over the last three years, here’s why: 1. I hit the ball further, down the middle of the fairway, more often, therefore staying out of trouble. This is only a result of better, more consistent swing mechanics, achieved through a series of lessons and plenty of practice. 2. I pitch and chip closer to the hole when I miss the green. This is the result of lots of practice with the short game from 100 metres in. 3. I putt better. This is the result of an improved alignment and putting technique (achieved through a single lesson) and lots of practice. 4. I manage the course better. I’m now a green light/yellow light player, not a red light player. For instance, on a tight but shorter par-4, I might now play a 5-wood/8-iron than a driver/half wedge. The former keeps me on the fairway more often, and gives me a full shot into the green that is easier to judge. Cheers Colin Wilson Trentham Golf Club – http://publishing.kyneton.net.au/trentham RSG Roll Call – http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s no question that you will improve your "golf swing" by practicing full shots. But practice without purpose is little more than exercise. Find a pro, and take lessons. Get a game plan for your improvement, and don’t rely on your own naive inclinations. Y’know what they say… the worst lawyer a lawyer can have is the one he uses when he represents himself. You simply can’t improve as rapidly without having a second set of eyes — *trained* eyes — giving you feedback on what you’re doing. Chances are, your pro will have you groove a swing using a 5 or 6 iron. Learn to swing a 5 or 6 iron, and eventually, you’ll be able to translate that swing to a driver. But improving your golf swing has only minimal effect on your ability to SCORE. That’s best improved by improving your skills around the green, which is why so many recommend focusing on your short game. It takes the whole package to become a complete golfer. But in the meantime, it’s easier to improve more rapidly with the short shots. And since those have such dramatic effect on your score, it makes sense to spend a little extra time on them, especially when you’re starting out. Randy Randy is correct. A person shooting around 130 is likely 4 putting half of the greens, and three putting almost every other one. If the person just two putted every green, he or she would likely cut 18 to 27 or more shots off of his or her score. Work on your short game first.
I guess you are exaggerating for effect but, in my experience, most of the 130 shooters seem to 3 putt most holes but will also have a smattering of 2 and 1 putts probably weighing in with about 45 putts for the round. So yes, putting is an area for quick improvement but unlikely to save more than 10 or so shots. As to whether improving a 130 player’s short game is the rapid way to lower their score I am not sure, because at that level it takes a lot of effort in any department to improve. Also I suspect frustration at not being able to hit the shots probably also has an effect on their score. Personally I think for players of that calibre the most useful thing to have is a club that they can consistently hit off the the fairway into the air with some distance (eg a 6-iron or 7-iron or a fariway wood). I know that goes against the accepted work on short game theory but very high scoring players seriously struggle hitting off the fairway, it costs them a lot of shots and a lot of frustration. Once they have a reliable method of progressing down the fairway then they should hit the short game. Crispin Roche
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s no question that you will improve your "golf swing" by practicing full shots. But practice without purpose is little more than exercise. Find a pro, and take lessons. Get a game plan for your improvement, and don’t rely on your own naive inclinations. Y’know what they say… the worst lawyer a lawyer can have is the one he uses when he represents himself. You simply can’t improve as rapidly without having a second set of eyes — *trained* eyes — giving you feedback on what you’re doing. Chances are, your pro will have you groove a swing using a 5 or 6 iron. Learn to swing a 5 or 6 iron, and eventually, you’ll be able to translate that swing to a driver. But improving your golf swing has only minimal effect on your ability to SCORE. That’s best improved by improving your skills around the green, which is why so many recommend focusing on your short game. It takes the whole package to become a complete golfer. But in the meantime, it’s easier to improve more rapidly with the short shots. And since those have such dramatic effect on your score, it makes sense to spend a little extra time on them, especially when you’re starting out. Randy
Randy is correct. A person shooting around 130 is likely 4 putting half of the greens, and three putting almost every other one. If the person just two putted every green, he or she would likely cut 18 to 27 or more shots off of his or her score. Work on your short game first. — F. Blaine Dickson Kelowna BC Canada Professionalism is an attitude and behaviour. It’s not a fashion.
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I AGREE!! I will preface all of this by saying I have only played for 4 Mos, but I played my 1st full round Sunday and walked off with a 102, that could have been ~10 strokes better had I worked my weakest link (putting) My "coach"/person who started me 4 mos ago said the same thing. LEAVE THE DRIVER ALONE! It (for me) is a tempermental club that is never happy.. I use ONLY my 3 wood, and all my irons. (I am starting on driver and 5wood now..) The fact for me is that I hit the 3W MUCH farther (consistently ~270 w/roll on sunday)than I ever hit a driver. Try it, work on a smooth consistent swing with the 3W, the length will come, one day you will suddenly just be popping the ball out the middle of the fairway.. You should really keep track of the strokes it takes you to reach the green and then put. I use 2 columns of a scorecard when I play, one for reaching green and one for puts. That will QUICKLY show you want to work on. I attacked the game somewhat like you did "you gotta get to the green before putting becomes and issue.", BUT the result is that I now am getting to green without to much trouble, BUT then I consistently 2-3 put every green, with few exceptions. (This weekend I 1 putted # 4 for 1st birdie ever! , then 6 putted #5 , and fell apart from there DOH!) So now I have a long tough fight to get my putting game up to snuff, I am trying a new putter now, after 4 mos, I still hate mine… Golf is a game of balance, I would say find your weakest link and attack it. Don’t ignore the other aspects, but don’t focus on them. I now go to the range and only hit a small bucket of balls at lunch, then spend the rest of my time on the putting green.. Larry
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What I would like to do now is starting to lower my score the fastest way I can so I can get my handicap in a short time (before Y2K kicks in is the goal, but I know it will be very difficult), the question is: where I should start??? If you’re shooting around 130, Massimo, your major problem most likely isn’t on the green but getting to it. Most beginners I’ve seen are reasonable putters, but have a hard time making it to the greens. I’d suggest keeping your driver in your bag (or at home) for now and use a 3-wood or even a 5-wood off most tees. Your goal shouldn’t be to try to hit the ball a long way, but to put it on or near the fairway and keep it in play. Then instead of taking a run at greens with a fairway wood or long iron, plan on most par 4 holes as requiring three shots to reach the green. Take a 5, 6, or 7-iron and aim for the middle of the fairway. Then grab a pitching wedge and try to put your third shot somewhere in the middle of the green. Don’t worry about where the flagstick is and don’t try to aim at it unless you’re close to a green. If you can start to do this consistently, just average putting will lead to a lot of 5s and 6s on par 4 holes. Take a similar approach on the par 3s and par 5s. Don’t worry too much now about reaching them in "regulation". What is regulation for a beginner is different than it is for an experienced player. But if you can cut the number of strokes it takes you to get to greens, your score could start coming down rapidly. — Don Porter Newspaper Reporter & Webmaster Web Page: http://www.datacruz.com/~dporter
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I agree with your thoughts on hitting a good tee shot. I’ve found that my best rounds are the ones where I keep the ball out of trouble off the tee (though i recently shot a 74 without hitting a single fairway. i don’t get it). When I started i had a lot of trouble with OB and rough, and that really added to my score. Putting is always important, but a good drive can often save 2 or 3 shots over a bad drive. Ben
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m now playing from less than 5 months and I’ve taken a regular routine now, each week I try to go practicing on the range at least two times and usually spend a third day playing 18 holes of a regular course (a full 72 par and, from what I hear, pretty difficult (it has a best score, made from a pro golfer, of 68)), hitting in the 130 range for 18 holes. What I would like to do now is starting to lower my score the fastest way I can so I can get my handicap in a short time (before Y2K kicks in is the goal, but I know it will be very difficult), the question is: where I should start??? I see a lot of people saying that I should practice my short game but I do not totally agree, follow my thoughts and tell me what you think: Now I can improve in ALL area of my game, and still need to have a consistent swing. For this reasons I’ve decided to work, for now, only on two things: – First shot – Putting The goal of this work is to hit a consistent first shot and always 2 putt inside the 15 yards range and occasionally 3 putt when much far than this. The reason for this work is that the first shot is the one where you have more control, the ball is teed, the starting green is always flat and well cared and, in short, this is the shot that is more similar to the shot I take while practicing, so proceeding in the goal to have a consistent swing. The other reason is that (in my experience with other sports) you cannot improve everything at the same time. Only after having got the two goals above (or at least the first one) I will start in the other things (short game and seconds and third shots). Do you agree with me??? Does someone has suggestion about how lower my score fast beside the obvious ones??? I’m seeing a lot of advice here and on magazines and books but it seems all related to people already having a score in the 100 range or less… Greetings from Italy Massimo
Response:
There’s no question that you will improve your "golf swing" by practicing full shots. But practice without purpose is little more than exercise. Find a pro, and take lessons. Get a game plan for your improvement, and don’t rely on your own naive inclinations. Y’know what they say… the worst lawyer a lawyer can have is the one he uses when he represents himself. You simply can’t improve as rapidly without having a second set of eyes — *trained* eyes — giving you feedback on what you’re doing. Chances are, your pro will have you groove a swing using a 5 or 6 iron. Learn to swing a 5 or 6 iron, and eventually, you’ll be able to translate that swing to a driver. But improving your golf swing has only minimal effect on your ability to SCORE. That’s best improved by improving your skills around the green, which is why so many recommend focusing on your short game. It takes the whole package to become a complete golfer. But in the meantime, it’s easier to improve more rapidly with the short shots. And since those have such dramatic effect on your score, it makes sense to spend a little extra time on them, especially when you’re starting out. Randy NEWLY UPDATED AND EXPANDED!!! One of the web’s most-visited personal golf websites Featured in the USGA’s official publication, "Golf Journal" http://wwwgolfer.home.mindspring.com Now with more pages of instruction, golf news, links, essays, information and other cool stuff RSG Roll Call profile: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/brownr.htm
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m now playing from less than 5 months and I’ve taken a regular routine now, each week I try to go practicing on the range at least two times and usually spend a third day playing 18 holes of a regular course (a full 72 par and, from what I hear, pretty difficult (it has a best score, made from a pro golfer, of 68)), hitting in the 130 range for 18 holes. What I would like to do now is starting to lower my score the fastest way I can so I can get my handicap in a short time (before Y2K kicks in is the goal, but I know it will be very difficult), the question is: where I should start??? I see a lot of people saying that I should practice my short game but I do not totally agree, follow my thoughts and tell me what you think: Now I can improve in ALL area of my game, and still need to have a consistent swing. For this reasons I’ve decided to work, for now, only on two things: – First shot – Putting The goal of this work is to hit a consistent first shot and always 2 putt inside the 15 yards range and occasionally 3 putt when much far than this. The reason for this work is that the first shot is the one where you have more control, the ball is teed, the starting green is always flat and well cared and, in short, this is the shot that is more similar to the shot I take while practicing, so proceeding in the goal to have a consistent swing. The other reason is that (in my experience with other sports) you cannot improve everything at the same time. Only after having got the two goals above (or at least the first one) I will start in the other things (short game and seconds and third shots). Do you agree with me??? Does someone has suggestion about how lower my score fast beside the obvious ones??? I’m seeing a lot of advice here and on magazines and books but it seems all related to people already having a score in the 100 range or less… Greetings from Italy Massimo
Response:
Darn, I’m starting to sound like a broken record. The strategy for improvement is very straightforward. If you are duffing more than a couple shots per round, work on your full swing. If you are beginning to develop consistency in your irons, for example, you hit them within 20 yards of where you planned most of the time, spend your time working on your short game. If you are hitting your driver into trouble, drive with a shorter club until you get the hang of it on the range. It’s always a good idea to work on your putting. By the way, it will take A LOT longer than you think to learn to "always 2 putt inside the 15 yards range." Pros think of 30 feet as the "always 2 putt" range, exceptions for really awful sloping putts of course. If you get to where you 3 putt from inside 30 feet only once or twice per round, that is more than enough putting skill to get you into the mid 80s, everything else being up to the task. -joseph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now I can improve in ALL area of my game, and still need to have a consistent swing. For this reasons I’ve decided to work, for now, only on two things: – First shot – Putting The goal of this work is to hit a consistent first shot and always 2 putt inside the 15 yards range and occasionally 3 putt when much far than this.
Response:
I’m now playing from less than 5 months and I’ve taken a regular routine now, each week I try to go practicing on the range at least two times and usually spend a third day playing 18 holes of a regular course (a full 72 par and, from what I hear, pretty difficult (it has a best score, made from a pro golfer, of 68)), hitting in the 130 range for 18 holes. What I would like to do now is starting to lower my score the fastest way I can so I can get my handicap in a short time (before Y2K kicks in is the goal, but I know it will be very difficult), the question is: where I should start??? I see a lot of people saying that I should practice my short game but I do not totally agree, follow my thoughts and tell me what you think: Now I can improve in ALL area of my game, and still need to have a consistent swing. For this reasons I’ve decided to work, for now, only on two things: – First shot – Putting The goal of this work is to hit a consistent first shot and always 2 putt inside the 15 yards range and occasionally 3 putt when much far than this. The reason for this work is that the first shot is the one where you have more control, the ball is teed, the starting green is always flat and well cared and, in short, this is the shot that is more similar to the shot I take while practicing, so proceeding in the goal to have a consistent swing. The other reason is that (in my experience with other sports) you cannot improve everything at the same time. Only after having got the two goals above (or at least the first one) I will start in the other things (short game and seconds and third shots). Do you agree with me??? Does someone has suggestion about how lower my score fast beside the obvious ones??? I’m seeing a lot of advice here and on magazines and books but it seems all related to people already having a score in the 100 range or less… Greetings from Italy Massimo
Response:
I’m now playing from less than 5 months and I’ve taken a regular routine now, each week I try to go practicing on the range at least two times and usually spend a third day playing 18 holes of a regular course (a full 72 par and, from what I hear, pretty difficult (it has a best score, made from a pro golfer, of 68)), hitting in the 130 range for 18 holes. What I would like to do now is starting to lower my score the fastest way I can so I can get my handicap in a short time (before Y2K kicks in is the goal, but I know it will be very difficult), the question is: where I should start??? I see a lot of people saying that I should practice my short game but I do not totally agree, follow my thoughts and tell me what you think:
If you are golfing in the 130-stroke range, I’d say that every element of your game needs work. Those saying "work on the short game" are right, if you are interested in lowering your score quickly. Most of your shots probably (almost certainly) come within 100 yards of the green, so that’s where you can reduce strokes the easiest. If it takes you 3 shots to get near the green, and 6 shots to get down from there, where is the place you can eliminate the most strokes? Obviously, from near or on the green. If it’s the reverse–takes 6 shots to get near the green, and only 3 to get down from there, then work on the longer stuff. But my guess is that your short game is where the most benefit will come from. Yesterday I had numerous chances for my short game to bail me out. On one hole, after a wonderful drive, I left a 9-iron to the right of the hole, even right of a sandtrap (poor alignment, overcompensated for the wind). I had to flop over the sand trap and stop the ball with the pin located on a side-hill, downhill position from where I was. I left the ball 2 feet from the hole for a par. I didn’t hit the green in regulation, but I got my par. On another hole, a poor chip left me with about 15 feet from the fringe; I drained the putt for a par. On a third hole, (par 5) my approach 3-wood landed in a bunker. I didn’t care, as I practice sand shots regularly and they don’t intimidate me. I got the ball out and on the green, and 2-putted for my par. BTW, I shot a new PB yesterday, an 82. I had, I think, 5 or 6 saves of either par or bogey, which I could absolutely not have done without having worked on my short game. Of all the short game shots I took (probably 20 total) I hit 3 poorly, the other 17 were very good. It’s a funny thing about the short game: The better your short game is, the fewer putts you end up taking! In my opinion, you should work on getting the ball on the putting surface in 2 shots on a par 3, 3 shots on a par 4 and in 4 shots on a par 5. If you can do that and 2-putt, you will be shooting bogey golf. That would give you a 90 over 18 holes. Mike Dalecki
Response:
What I would like to do now is starting to lower my score the fastest way I can so I can get my handicap in a short time (before Y2K kicks in is the goal, but I know it will be very difficult), the question is: where I should start???
If you’re shooting around 130, Massimo, your major problem most likely isn’t on the green but getting to it. Most beginners I’ve seen are reasonable putters, but have a hard time making it to the greens. I’d suggest keeping your driver in your bag (or at home) for now and use a 3-wood or even a 5-wood off most tees. Your goal shouldn’t be to try to hit the ball a long way, but to put it on or near the fairway and keep it in play. Then instead of taking a run at greens with a fairway wood or long iron, plan on most par 4 holes as requiring three shots to reach the green. Take a 5, 6, or 7-iron and aim for the middle of the fairway. Then grab a pitching wedge and try to put your third shot somewhere in the middle of the green. Don’t worry about where the flagstick is and don’t try to aim at it unless you’re close to a green. If you can start to do this consistently, just average putting will lead to a lot of 5s and 6s on par 4 holes. Take a similar approach on the par 3s and par 5s. Don’t worry too much now about reaching them in "regulation". What is regulation for a beginner is different than it is for an experienced player. But if you can cut the number of strokes it takes you to get to greens, your score could start coming down rapidly. — Don Porter Newspaper Reporter & Webmaster Web Page: http://www.datacruz.com/~dporter