GOLF - 2022

[deckster]

fat80b said:

ben_h100 said:

Target is a 20-something HCP by the end of summer so that I can taken part in club comps.

Short game all the way. Be the best you can be from 100yds and it is easily achievable.

I’ve found a few things that have helped me.

Know your iron yardages as accurately as you can and aim for the back of the green.

Focusing on putting. I always used to think I was an “ok” putter but I wasn’t. Tracking #putts and practising lots has made me much much better. I now feel like I am in with a shout whatever putt is in front of me and regularly save a hole with a putt.

Similar with chipping. Regular back garden practice and score yourself. For me it’s sets of 10 practice balls to a chipping net. Do this every day and your scores will tumble.

Having mastered the above, always Putt when off the green if you can - even on winter courses, your worst putt is better than your best chip. If I can see a line for a putt, that’s the option. The chips are for when you can’t putt it.

Well, sort of. But also, sort of, not really.

Don't get me wrong: a sharp short game will get you out of all kinds of trouble, and it's kind of hard to score well if you can't get up and down every now and then. But without knowing anything else about his game, and particularly for a higher handicapper, it's a bit premature to say "short game all the way".

Case in point. I am currently off 20, and have a mid-term goal of getting down to low teens. Where would you recommend I concentrate?



Stats like these are easy to obtain with the tech that's out there now. So really the advice should be - understand your game. Understand where you are losing strokes. Understand what you need to do to eliminate costly holes. Short game is a part of it, undoubtedly. But it's not the answer to everything.

[kiethton]

Signed up for our club's 4-club challenge this Sunday and am debating what I'm going to take/got me thinking....

As the course is playing so long my current thoughts are:

Putter (mandatory)
50* gap wedge - should see me 125 if I go at it, sufficient for 2 of the 6 par-3's
22* hybrid - course is playing very long and its the club I hit for 9/18 second shots last week, it's perfect for one of the par-4's off the tee and is the club for 2 of the 6 par-3's
Driver - my go-to off the tee club, strangely straighter than my 4-wood and should leave me the 50* for the rest of the par-4's as long as I hit the driver well!

What 4 clubs would you all choose for your home course?

[ExocetApe]

deckster said:

Well, sort of. But also, sort of, not really.

Don't get me wrong: a sharp short game will get you out of all kinds of trouble, and it's kind of hard to score well if you can't get up and down every now and then. But without knowing anything else about his game, and particularly for a higher handicapper, it's a bit premature to say "short game all the way".

Case in point. I am currently off 20, and have a mid-term goal of getting down to low teens. Where would you recommend I concentrate?



Stats like these are easy to obtain with the tech that's out there now. So really the advice should be - understand your game. Understand where you are losing strokes. Understand what you need to do to eliminate costly holes. Short game is a part of it, undoubtedly. But it's not the answer to everything.

The approach data is the one to look at obviously. But it's a large area to cover.
I would split that in to rough distances of approaches you have at holes on your own course and work on those
the next time you are at the range. From there, work more on what you are struggling with and get 'a shot' that works.

[Ashfordian]

Greenie said:

JamesNotJim said:

Ashfordian said:

Yep, it is correct not letting the 2-ball through. In effect the course is closed while the competition plays through (it's a benefit of being a member).

No, no and no again.
A single has as much standing on a course as a 4 ball.
Pace of play is simple, if your keeping up with the group ahead then all is good. If your group isn’t keeping up, speed up (play ready golf, no honours on tee’s and generally being ready to go).

If in your example if a 2 ball is behind a 4 ball and they are pushing you, don’t take it as a insult to your ego, consider letting them play through. They will be twice as quick and will out of sight with a hole or less.

Quite agree - regardless of what the "rules" are it's just a matter of not being tts.

We were actually playing ready golf - which was me teeing off them waiting whilst they pissed about. Same on the putting - if it's a 2 foot putt just putt the bloody thing - it's not the Masters.

Being my first competition I didn't know what the score was. At least one of them was a committee member so didn't think it my place to question it but lesson learnt. As I said previously it feels really uncomfortable holding people up with space ahead and did effect my game.

Ah, yes that bit of information changes things, yes, the 2-ball should be allowed to play through in that situation. However, they are quickly going to catch-up to the next 4-ball in the competition and unless there is a gap they are going to get struck behind them.

In reality, the vast majority of courses are going to be moving at 4-ball pace on weekend mornings (Rye is the only exception I know of), and even slower if there is a competition on. If you are a 1 or 2-ball, expecting a quick 18 holes at these times is just not going to happen at this time unless you are playing a very quiet course (millionaires golf).

To be clear on my position, I abhor slow golf but 4+ hours rounds on weekend mornings is now standard. As much as I would like a 3.5 hour 4-ball rounds, it is just not going to happen. This is due to too tee times being too close together and financially for the club to also have a full golf course. Also, the new handicap rules mean you are always playing for handicap now and if having a poor round cannot NR.

[fourstardan]

kiethton said:

Signed up for our club's 4-club challenge this Sunday and am debating what I'm going to take/got me thinking....

As the course is playing so long my current thoughts are:

Putter (mandatory)
50* gap wedge - should see me 125 if I go at it, sufficient for 2 of the 6 par-3's
22* hybrid - course is playing very long and its the club I hit for 9/18 second shots last week, it's perfect for one of the par-4's off the tee and is the club for 2 of the 6 par-3's
Driver - my go-to off the tee club, strangely straighter than my 4-wood and should leave me the 50* for the rest of the par-4's as long as I hit the driver well!

What 4 clubs would you all choose for your home course?

6 Par 3's Jesus

[fourstardan]

Ashfordian said:

Ah, yes that bit of information changes things, yes, the 2-ball should be allowed to play through in that situation. However, they are quickly going to catch-up to the next 4-ball in the competition and unless there is a gap they are going to get struck behind them.

In reality, the vast majority of courses are going to be moving at 4-ball pace on weekend mornings (Rye is the only exception I know of), and even slower if there is a competition on. If you are a 1 or 2-ball, expecting a quick 18 holes at these times is just not going to happen at this time unless you are playing a very quiet course (millionaires golf).

To be clear on my position, I abhor slow golf but 4+ hours rounds on weekend mornings is now standard. As much as I would like a 3.5 hour 4-ball rounds, it is just not going to happen. This is due to too tee times being too close together and financially for the club to also have a full golf course. Also, the new handicap rules mean you are always playing for handicap now and if having a poor round cannot NR.

My club has 4 ball tees on weekends. Covid has fcked this one up as 4 balls keeps pace down by 20-30 minutes.

Playing through is dependent a lot on how the section of holes ebb and flow, it winds me up on my course as nobody ever lets you play through in matches in the last 4 holes.

Always let people through if smaller groups.

[48Valves]

deckster said:

fat80b said:

ben_h100 said:

Target is a 20-something HCP by the end of summer so that I can taken part in club comps.

Short game all the way. Be the best you can be from 100yds and it is easily achievable.

I’ve found a few things that have helped me.

Know your iron yardages as accurately as you can and aim for the back of the green.

Focusing on putting. I always used to think I was an “ok” putter but I wasn’t. Tracking #putts and practising lots has made me much much better. I now feel like I am in with a shout whatever putt is in front of me and regularly save a hole with a putt.

Similar with chipping. Regular back garden practice and score yourself. For me it’s sets of 10 practice balls to a chipping net. Do this every day and your scores will tumble.

Having mastered the above, always Putt when off the green if you can - even on winter courses, your worst putt is better than your best chip. If I can see a line for a putt, that’s the option. The chips are for when you can’t putt it.

Well, sort of. But also, sort of, not really.

Don't get me wrong: a sharp short game will get you out of all kinds of trouble, and it's kind of hard to score well if you can't get up and down every now and then. But without knowing anything else about his game, and particularly for a higher handicapper, it's a bit premature to say "short game all the way".

Case in point. I am currently off 20, and have a mid-term goal of getting down to low teens. Where would you recommend I concentrate?



Stats like these are easy to obtain with the tech that's out there now. So really the advice should be - understand your game. Understand where you are losing strokes. Understand what you need to do to eliminate costly holes. Short game is a part of it, undoubtedly. But it's not the answer to everything.

Putting is generally low hanging fruit for higher handicaps. But it quickly becomes difficult to gain much more from putting alone. Same with the short game.
Amateurs, especially anyone with a double digit handicap simply cannot be reliant on their short game to score well.
It’s been said before, one putting for double bogie isn’t going to help.

The biggest gains are tee to green. And that is consistent across all golfers. It’s where the main separation is.

For putting aren’t going to hole much from 6ft and further. I would recommend getting really good from 20ft to 40ft. And by really good I mean not 3 putting. Which pretty much all comes down to having really good pace control.

For the long game. Just get as close to the green in two as you can. From 150 to about 30 yards, you should be just aiming to hit the middle of the green and 2 putting.

The easiest way to lower golf scores, is reducing the number of double bogies you make.

[Greenie]

kiethton said:

What 4 clubs would you all choose for your home course?

Would love to do something like this.

Very similar to you.

Putter
52 - use for most of my chipping already and could push to 100y
30 degree hybrid - can manipulate from 160 to 120y - already do that as I love it so much (and hate my irons). Also useful for recovery shots
Driver - my best and most reliable club. Happy to hit off the deck as well so covers 180y and over

[48Valves]

Greenie said:

kiethton said:

What 4 clubs would you all choose for your home course?

Would love to do something like this.

Very similar to you.

Putter
52 - use for most of my chipping already and could push to 100y
30 degree hybrid - can manipulate from 160 to 120y - already do that as I love it so much (and hate my irons). Also useful for recovery shots
Driver - my best and most reliable club. Happy to hit off the deck as well so covers 180y and over

We did this a few weeks ago.

I took. Driver, 6 iron, 9 iron and putter. Scored 20 points.

My mate took 3 (driving) iron, 7, PW and putter. Scored 20 points.

Make of that what you will

[kiethton]

fourstardan said:

kiethton said:

Signed up for our club's 4-club challenge this Sunday and am debating what I'm going to take/got me thinking....

As the course is playing so long my current thoughts are:

Putter (mandatory)
50* gap wedge - should see me 125 if I go at it, sufficient for 2 of the 6 par-3's
22* hybrid - course is playing very long and its the club I hit for 9/18 second shots last week, it's perfect for one of the par-4's off the tee and is the club for 2 of the 6 par-3's
Driver - my go-to off the tee club, strangely straighter than my 4-wood and should leave me the 50* for the rest of the par-4's as long as I hit the driver well!

What 4 clubs would you all choose for your home course?

6 Par 3's Jesus

Yep, range from 110 to 235 yards depending on tees/pin positions, 6 of the par 4's are over 400 yards and just 3 par-5's to try and make some shots back on too!

[Ashfordian]

kiethton said:

What 4 clubs would you all choose for your home course?

6 par 3's at my course as well, 4 over water (140y, 180y, 120y, 180y)

Putter
PW (47 deg). Plays about 110-115y
6 or 7 iron (depending on how much wind there is for the 1st par 3 island green (140y)
3 Wood in winter(200y), 24 deg rescue in summer (180y ish) - This club would be used a lot with 6 par 5's, and all 6 par 4's that play at least 380y

[bodhi]

I'd probably go:

19 Deg Hybrid
7 iron
56 (can play any shot round the green with it)
Putter


Or you could be like the chap at our course who has the putting yips so bad he putts better with a 2 iron, in which case drop the hybrid for my Driver...

[Misaps]

kiethton said:

Thats my neck of the woods and a small chance that the croydon club is mine - do you know which one - they may have copies?

Sadly no idea which club he was at. My family left the area in the early seventies and so I have no knowledge of his connections.

[kiethton]

After putting in a order for a new Sim2 hybrid to fix a gap in the bag I've just been told that TM are unable to build it in my desired specification (custom shaft/grip - Tour spec atmos black/mid-size new decade) and will not supply a head separately - rather annoying!

Its now got me looking at how I fix this gapping issue at the top of the bag.

I've currently got:

Driver 9* - Maverik
3 wood 15* but set to 17* - TM Sim2
Old titliest hybrid at 21* - (816 H1)
4i which is also 21* - (JPX 921)

The hybrid is a lot more consistent (and c10 yards longer) than the 4i of the same loft.

Intention had been to drop the 4i from the bag, add a hybrid of ~21/22* to keep the gapping, set the 3W to 15/16* and add-in a low spin, long running utility iron of 18* to use off the tee/chase up a fairway. Plans sound sensible?

[Rojibo]

With this being my first year of being a member, the first time I’ve really experienced winter golf, and the first time I’ve had to use a mat when hitting from the fairways.

Does anyone else’s course make them use a mat through winter to protect the fairways? I’ve tried a couple of different options and don’t find I really get along with either, divotend and spurk, it’s messing with my ballstriking a bit. Am I missing something obvious or is it just a case of grinning and bearing until the summer is back?

[kiethton]

Rojibo said:

With this being my first year of being a member, the first time I’ve really experienced winter golf, and the first time I’ve had to use a mat when hitting from the fairways.

Does anyone else’s course make them use a mat through winter to protect the fairways? I’ve tried a couple of different options and don’t find I really get along with either, divotend and spurk, it’s messing with my ballstriking a bit. Am I missing something obvious or is it just a case of grinning and bearing until the summer is back?

Yes - my old club (Sundridge Park, Bromley) made us use mats over winter.

It was awful, ruins ball striking and generally makes the game awful - its a case of putting up with it for a month or 2 more, or changing clubs unfortunately (we did the latter and went to a better-draining course thats not closed for each day of rain and is dry/playable year-round).

[48Valves]

My old club had us using mats when it was particularly wet.

I honestly preferred it to playing on the soggy turf. I found gripping down by the thickness of the mat worked pretty well. I found I needed to club up due to the amount of spin generated.

[Blackpuddin]

48Valves said:

My old club had us using mats when it was particularly wet.

I honestly preferred it to playing on the soggy turf. I found gripping down by the thickness of the mat worked pretty well. I found I needed to club up due to the amount of spin generated.

Had two 2s yesterday, which I think is a first for me, so I'm hitting balls pretty well off the tees but I'm struggling for good contact off the ground. Doing the old fat followed by a thin routine, or vice versa. Any tips for getting decent contact off a thin layer of wet, flattened grass with clayey mud easily visible beneath?

[Blackpuddin]

bodhi said:

chap at our course who has the putting yips so bad

Guy at our place had that, he was told to try putting left-handed and that cured him.

[Challo]

kiethton said:

After putting in a order for a new Sim2 hybrid to fix a gap in the bag I've just been told that TM are unable to build it in my desired specification (custom shaft/grip - Tour spec atmos black/mid-size new decade) and will not supply a head separately - rather annoying!

Its now got me looking at how I fix this gapping issue at the top of the bag.

I've currently got:

Driver 9* - Maverik
3 wood 15* but set to 17* - TM Sim2
Old titliest hybrid at 21* - (816 H1)
4i which is also 21* - (JPX 921)

The hybrid is a lot more consistent (and c10 yards longer) than the 4i of the same loft.

Intention had been to drop the 4i from the bag, add a hybrid of ~21/22* to keep the gapping, set the 3W to 15/16* and add-in a low spin, long running utility iron of 18* to use off the tee/chase up a fairway. Plans sound sensible?

Have you looked at PXG kit? Normally you can spec on the website and they will deliver.