First . . . Question: A lot of times I'm just trying to "hit it there" basically a straight shot. Should I instead of thinking "hit it there" think hit a draw there? I think right to left is more of my natural curve. But I can go both ways (don't do it Mike O!).
SHORT GAME
Short chip shots are my strength. I'm pretty decent at hitting sandwedge chips to about 40 feet out.
If I have to hit longer chips I typically have more trouble with distance control. I'd say my error is typically long.
I can hit low wedges with some check pretty good
High wedges are more of a problem for me. I don't do well with flops. I'm a low spinner type.
I hit down on chips and pitches maybe too steep.
40-50 yard shots are tougher for me particularly if they have to carry something . . . come in too low and hot.
I typically chip with sw, gap and 9 . . . I used to carry lob but no mo'. 48, 52, 56.
I'm better at hitting shots hard than soft.
I'm more snappy than sweepy.
How's that?
Bucket,
More good info. I think "hit it there" is correct as long as you choose your target based on your pattern. In fact, YES. Pick the smallest target you can. Use your imagination to see the flight.
OK, we now have another hole in your game to improve. The trouble with the low spinner (my fav. as well) is that it can be difficult to adjust to changing conditions. The spinner can react with a large variance based on the green condition (firmness, speed, grain, etc). You don't have to abandon your favorite shot, but you do need to learn another basic one. This shot should be softer with less spin, using trajectory to control roll. The method also uses the landing spot as the target, rather than the whole shot. The idea being, if you can control trajectory and landing spot, your short game will be more able to conform to the variety of conditions. You will be more able to take it on the road.
HB
Tell me about your putting. Include your assessment of your abilty under pressure. How do you read greens? Describe philosophy.
More good info. I think "hit it there" is correct as long as you choose your target based on your pattern. In fact, YES. Pick the smallest target you can. Use your imagination to see the flight.
OK, we now have another hole in your game to improve. The trouble with the low spinner (my fav. as well) is that it can be difficult to adjust to changing conditions. The spinner can react with a large variance based on the green condition (firmness, speed, grain, etc). You don't have to abandon your favorite shot, but you do need to learn another basic one. This shot should be softer with less spin, using trajectory to control roll. The method also uses the landing spot as the target, rather than the whole shot. The idea being, if you can control trajectory and landing spot, your short game will be more able to conform to the variety of conditions. You will be more able to take it on the road.
HB
Tell me about your putting. Include your assessment of your abilty under pressure. How do you read greens? Describe philosophy.
hmmmmmm . . . my Putting . . . well in a word . . . SUX!!!
I have streaks where I can putt well. And I make a bunch of putts . . . but then . . . it goes south . . . WAY south.
PUTTING
I'm a pretty good reader of greens. I pick a high spot and try to roll it there and have it dying there.
From 12 to 20 feet I can putt . . . but from 8 to 3 . . . I may as well let Stevie Wonder take a stab at it.
When I miss the short ones . . . I miss the whole freakin' hole.
Last round of golf . . . I hit 12 greens knock it on 2 par 5's and am pin high on another. . . 3 jack 6 times . . . make NO putts (none zero nada) over 3 feet and shoot 81.
I'm pretty much feel based. When I'm on I can really putt but . . . but when the feel is gone hello Helen Keller.
I have problems trusting my alignment.
My distance control outside of 20 feet is doo doo.
Actually under pressure I putt a little better on the long ones but the short ones give me fits.
As you can see I'm oooooozing with confidence with the putter.
__________________
Aloha Mr. Hand
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Last edited by 12 piece bucket : 07-11-2007 at 09:08 PM.
hmmmmmm . . . my Putting . . . well in a word . . . SUX!!!
I have streaks where I can putt well. And I make a bunch of putts . . . but then . . . it goes south . . . WAY south.
PUTTING
I'm a pretty good reader of greens. I pick a high spot and try to roll it there and have it dying there.
From 12 to 20 feet I can putt . . . but from 8 to 3 . . . I may as well let Stevie Wonder take a stab at it.
When I miss the short ones . . . I miss the whole freakin' hole.
Last round of golf . . . I hit 12 greens knock it on 2 par 5's and am pin high on another. . . 3 jack 6 times . . . make NO putts (none zero nada) over 3 feet and shoot 81.
I'm pretty much feel based. When I'm on I can really putt but . . . but when the feel is gone hello Helen Keller.
I have problems trusting my alignment.
My distance control outside of 20 feet is doo doo.
Actually under pressure I putt a little better on the long ones but the short ones give me fits.
As you can see I'm oooooozing with confidence with the putter.
Bucket,
Wow. We have found a real hotspot. If we can get your putting back to average, we are halfway home. You will have to do some mechanical work. We need to find out what makes you miss from short range. Face is huge in terms of short putting. Distance control is about hitting it solid enough to get accurate feedback. My recommendation is to get on a chalk line and have someone watch the path. I like a gentle arc. If you can have an expert check the aim, better. Do you change putters? Did you ever putt alot better and changed trying to improve? What style of putter? Miss everywhere or left or right, short or long.
Mental side. Are you severly damaged? I mean -- is it so bad you can't even picture a putt go in during visualization. No, you can't be that far gone, you said you are streaky. The fact that you putt some putts better under pressure is good.
How many putts a round do you try to wish in? On a six footer that reads just outside left edge, what are you thinking. Do you get really committed. Are you standing over the putt wondering about your alignment? Or is it after you have missed. Describe in detail your preshot.
Here's mine. I read putt from behind. Classic low position with sun blocked by hands on side of head. I'm looking to see the high side. I may look from low side (more likely on longer putt). Sometimes stand beside the line close to the hole like Bones. I'm always looking for something that says this way rather than conflicting views (One reason I don't often look from other side). Then I DECIDE. Now I picture the whole arc, and where I want the ball to roll into the hole. Say seven O'clock. I stand tall behind the ball and a few steps away. Twirl my putter as I walk crisply toward the ball. Shake my left arm a little (maybe Tiger does this). Set up. Two practice stokes while I look exactly where I want the ball to enter the hole. Then I bend my neck so I'm looking staight down on top of the ball and let it go.... Sounds like a lot reading it back. There's no room for anything wish-washy. I decide before I move towards the ball. No checking of mechanics. I have to feel crisp but leisurely. I act like I know what I'm doing.
Lesson number one. Never again give such an honest account of your putting. More than any other aspect of the game, what you think and say about your putting will come true. I'm not going to ask you to stand in front of the mirror and do affirmations (not a bad idea--and I might have you do this later based on progress), but we need to be more positive.
The worst thing I want you to say about your putting from now on is, "I'm putting good, but I'm not making as many as I would like." You are free to be more positive.
Answer the questions in here before you get more.
HB
Last edited by Hennybogan : 07-11-2007 at 11:11 PM.
dang this is good stuff...i think youve answered about 10 questions i may have just by helpin out the chicken wing bucket. lol! i'm a silent spectator in this thread but boy am i into it. Great to have ya henny
dang this is good stuff...i think youve answered about 10 questions i may have just by helpin out the chicken wing bucket. lol! i'm a silent spectator in this thread but boy am i into it. Great to have ya henny
Powerdraw,
Thanks. Bucket and I were going to do this in PM, but we decided it would serve the forum better in public. Hope you enjoy.
We need to find out what makes you miss from short range.
Do you change putters?
Did you ever putt alot better and changed trying to improve?
What style of putter?
Miss everywhere or left or right, short or long.
Mental side. Are you severly damaged? I mean -- is it so bad you can't even picture a putt go in during visualization.
How many putts a round do you try to wish in?
On a six footer that reads just outside left edge, what are you thinking. Do you get really committed.
Are you standing over the putt wondering about your alignment? Or is it after you have missed. Describe in detail your preshot.
Answer the questions in here before you get more.
HB
We need to find out what makes you miss from short range.
I don't think I ever trust that my line is right. It could be a vision thing. I wear glasses and have a pretty bad stigmatism (sp?). Not sure
Do you change putters? What style of putter?
I used to change putters like I change my drawz . . . every other week. I was into Camerons loved 'em. I'm over it. I've had the same putter now for about 2 years. It's Cameron MidSur (belly putter) but it has been cut down to 34 inches. I like it because it's dope looking and I don't have to put one of them stoopid headcovers on it. Plus I like it because it's heavy and has a thick top line (opposite of my iron preference).
Did you ever putt alot better and changed trying to improve?
Naw. I never practice putting too much. I think it's boring. Waiting to be chastized here . . .
Miss everywhere or left or right, short or long.
Pretty much everywhere. If I start out missing right or left then I usually end up missing long because I start trying to cram it in. But from a distance perspective on on the short ones I'd say I tend to hit them too soft. I like to see it die in.
Mental side. Are you severly damaged? I mean -- is it so bad you can't even picture a putt go in during visualization.
Damaged . . . oh hell yes . . . To be honest I don't really visualize that well period in putting or nowhere . . . well I do pretty good in the bathroom
How many putts a round do you try to wish in?
On a bad day . . . every putt from 6 to 3 feet.
On a six footer that reads just outside left edge, what are you thinking. Do you get really committed.
Depends on where I'm at in the round . . . early on I'm positive . . . around the turn I'm thinking I hope that big fat lady made the hot dawg slaw and if she did I may marry her. . . . by the time I'm around 14 and I've missed a few I'm just trying not to cry.
Are you standing over the putt wondering about your alignment? Or is it after you have missed. Not early on. But if I miss I'm wondering after the shot for awhile. Then I'm tweekin' from the get before the putter goes back.
Describe in detail your preshot.
Well . . . I kinda start looking at the green as I walk to it from the fairway (I like to walk). The after I catch my breath . . . Start looking for the high spot. I walk to it. I kinda verify what my eye see with what I feel under my feet. The I get to the ball look at my high spot and kinda let my instincts take over as far as aiming. I have found when I'm hot I just feel my alignment by just letting my braincell do it's thang. Then I take two practice strokes looking at the hole trying to feel the putter swing and feel my hands. I address the ball. Look at my spot and just try to swing him back schmooove. People have said that my stroke looks good. Hell it feels good and feels like it would look good. It just don't work too good.
Ah . . . but I AM a good putter and I'm due to make the next 'un.
More good info. I think "hit it there" is correct as long as you choose your target based on your pattern. In fact, YES. Pick the smallest target you can. Use your imagination to see the flight.
This is more powerful than I suspect many give it credit. The more I 'see', the better I play.
__________________
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This is more powerful than I suspect many give it credit. The more I 'see', the better I play.
EdZ,
I agree that visualization is a very powerful tool. At the highest level, I believe that most players are playing in pictures and feels. I think they spend more effort fitting their games to the course than worrying about their swings.
It is amazing to hear one of them describe a difficult pitch shot in detail. The resistance of the grass. The trajectory. The amount of spin. The exact spot to land. All factors in hitting shots close to the hole.
I believe that the truly great putters see things that the rest of us don't. I'm thinking of guys like Crenshaw that can make it from anywhere.
One of the things that always amazes me is how good most tour players are at very difficult shots. They respond to the numbers and definition of the shot to get completely locked in. Then they miss the fairway laying up on a par five. We try hard to offset this tendency by painting a picture about the lay up.
Some players might not be able to see all the details of every shot, but they still still need to be totally focused on target and feel. When discussing the line for a particular shot, we are always trying to give the smallest target that the player can still see. Not: "At that clump of trees." Yes: "The right edge of the third tree."
Hybrid Mode
