The Golf Thread - 2017!

[HaplessBoyLard]

thebraketester said:

Target for this year is to be able to score <90 consistently. Need to work on my <100 yard game as it absolutely dreadful. I don't have game golf, but if I did my last round would be hilarious viewing. Multiple thin bullets over greens.

On a plus side I had another lesson the other day and my driving just went up a notch in terms of strike and direction. I am finding the centre (or thereabouts) of the face way more often. I leant I had my shoulders aiming left of target (and left of my feet), and since addressing that, its just "clicked". Still not getting a great deal of distance (210-220yds), but hopefully I will be able to gradually increase speed.

My pro recently just bought trackman too, which is amazing. Found I am hitting my irons ~2-3º in-out but with a face closed to that, so my tendency is a big draw, so just working on fixing club face angle at the moment.

Edited by thebraketester on Saturday 10th February 18:55

Average driving distance for amateurs is about 210, so you’re right in the middle of the pack. Try not to worry about gaining distance. As you improve you’ll probably pick up a few yards, but it’s not the be all and end all. Like you say...there’s strokes to be had closer to the green.

Why do you want to fix Club face angle? How far closed to path is it? How big is your draw? I’d rather have a slight over draw that’s consistent than be in the situation I find myself where I’m straight(ish) most of the time but can go both ways (stop it!).

[thebraketester]

Quite closed. Sometimes 5º closed to my path ( i think.. might have my figures confused), which results in a fairly large draw or a block left depending on club path. Managed to calm it down at the range today by trying to have some forward shaft lean at impact.. I still want to hit a small draw with my irons.

Are there any tips for short game in these crappy wet muddy conditions? I am scared of getting the club stuck in the ground and the ball going 3 yards (hence me thinning lots of shots)

[HaplessBoyLard]

thebraketester said:

Quite closed. Sometimes 5º closed to my path ( i think.. might have my figures confused), which results in a fairly large draw or a block left depending on club path. Managed to calm it down at the range today by trying to have some forward shaft lean at impact.. I still want to hit a small draw with my irons.

Are there any tips for short game in these crappy wet muddy conditions? I am scared of getting the club stuck in the ground and the ball going 3 yards (hence me thinning lots of shots)

I’d love it if I had a club face that was either closed or open to path all the time. I’d only need to worry about path, which I can control.

Short game...if we’re talking chipping around the greens then I’d say less loft and play a chip and run whenever possible. PW will run out twice as far as you fly it. 9i will roll 3:1 etc. Adjust for particularly slow winter greens if necessary. Take an extra Club uphill. One less on big down slopes.

I used to pace it out to the hole. Find out how many paces to get it landing a yard on the green, then pace out to the hole. If it’s 5 yards to fly it a yard on to the green, then a further 15 yards that’s 3:1 so I take 9i. Account for break on the green like a putt.

If you mean pitching from 100 yds in, then set up with your weight 80% on your front foot and feel like you leave it there. It can hard to get your weight back on the front foot when you’re not playing a full shot so take most of the weight transfer out of the equation. That should help to make sure you’re not bottoming out too soon and catching the ball on the way up.

[48Valves]

thebraketester said:

Quite closed. Sometimes 5º closed to my path ( i think.. might have my figures confused), which results in a fairly large draw or a block left depending on club path. Managed to calm it down at the range today by trying to have some forward shaft lean at impact.. I still want to hit a small draw with my irons.

Are there any tips for short game in these crappy wet muddy conditions? I am scared of getting the club stuck in the ground and the ball going 3 yards (hence me thinning lots of shots)

Use it as an excuse to buy more wedges. I had a winter and summer set. The course at my club was rock hard in summer and boggy in winter.

My summer wedges had very little bounce and my winter ones had lots and a nice blunt leading edge.

Hybrids are ideal too for chip and runs.

[JamesNotJim]

thebraketester said:

Are there any tips for short game in these crappy wet muddy conditions? I am scared of getting the club stuck in the ground and the ball going 3 yards (hence me thinning lots of shots)

I’m one for using the same technique in winter and summer. Apart from 1 thing. I’ll lay the club well open before gripping it. Giving the club more bounce and attempt to remove the leading edge from the equation.
If your only just off a green try and practice the belly wedge. Works really really well and judging pace with practice is very easy.


Shot a gross level today. 4 bogies, 2 birdies and a eagle up the last.
Putter was on fire. Only 27 putts. Lowest ever for me

[thebraketester]

I think we need a new thread?

Anyway.... went around in 87 today. Best round so far. :-)

[Dan_1981]

Forest of Arden - Arden course tomorrow. Weather is even looking good.

[HaplessBoyLard]

Dan_1981 said:

Forest of Arden - Arden course tomorrow. Weather is even looking good.

Lovely course. The back 9 is fantastic.

Don’t go for the pin on 16 if it’s on the left!

[Grobag]

JamesNotJim said:

I’m one for using the same technique in winter and summer. Apart from 1 thing. I’ll lay the club well open before gripping it. Giving the club more bounce and attempt to remove the leading edge from the equation.
If your only just off a green try and practice the belly wedge. Works really really well and judging pace with practice is very easy.


Shot a gross level today. 4 bogies, 2 birdies and a eagle up the last.
Putter was on fire. Only 27 putts. Lowest ever for me

This made me laugh, previous posts about people struggling with different parts of their game get loads of replies, jamesnotjim casually drops in nearly a week ago that he shot level gross and everybody ignores it!!

James, especially given the time of year, that is top bombing!! 27 putts is some going.

[Dan_1981]

HaplessBoyLard said:

Dan_1981 said:

Forest of Arden - Arden course tomorrow. Weather is even looking good.

Lovely course. The back 9 is fantastic.

Don’t go for the pin on 16 if it’s on the left!

That was the dog leg around the dead trees etc?

Far too long far me to go for the pin - i followed the fairway.

Lovely course though - will be gorgeous in the summer.

[HaplessBoyLard]

Dan_1981 said:

That was the dog leg around the dead trees etc?

Far too long far me to go for the pin - i followed the fairway.

Lovely course though - will be gorgeous in the summer.

I think that’s the hole, yeah.

I meant with the approach shot. The left side behind the pond is a tiny pimple of green. It’s impossible to hit! I dumped one in the pond then ran over the drop off behind it. Made about 9.

[SpeckledJim]

Lovely course. I used to go every year to watch the English Open.

Never played it, which is a shame.

[Dan_1981]

Played the Aylesford several times, but this was first time on the Arden.

Really nice course - very enjoyable, tough though but not as long as i'd heard / expected.

Seemed to handle the water well, course was closed first thing due to the frost and a couple of tee's were moved - including the 8th over the water which was a shame.

Would love to play it in the middle of Summer when it's been 'prepared'

[thebraketester]

Got this off ebay for 20quid.... bloody lovely to hit.

[Rocket Ricardo]

Evening all,

First comment on this thread.

I'm a 12 HC (cards in for the first time last summer).

I got fitted for new irons on Friday, cant wait to get my mits on my new clubs.

Turns out, i've been playing with clubs that are an inch too short for the last 20 years!

[JamesNotJim]

Rocket Ricardo said:

Evening all,

First comment on this thread.

I'm a 12 HC (cards in for the first time last summer).

I got fitted for new irons on Friday, cant wait to get my mits on my new clubs.

Turns out, i've been playing with clubs that are an inch too short for the last 20 years!

1/4 or 1/2 inch I'd say no issue. But a whole inch makes a huge huge difference. It may take a wee while to get used to the difference.(your 7 iron will feel more like your 5/4 iron in hand)

Let us know how you get on.

[JamesNotJim]

Grobag said:

This made me laugh, previous posts about people struggling with different parts of their game get loads of replies, jamesnotjim casually drops in nearly a week ago that he shot level gross and everybody ignores it!!

James, especially given the time of year, that is top bombing!! 27 putts is some going.

Its par the norm for lower guys, thanks all the same
Playing well isn't about the wins or accolade but more about how low can I go myself.
for example, I shot level gross and got 40 points... but placed 8th. The winner that day...........a 28 handicapper that shot 51 points!

[thebraketester]

Rocket Ricardo said:

Evening all,

First comment on this thread.

I'm a 12 HC (cards in for the first time last summer).

I got fitted for new irons on Friday, cant wait to get my mits on my new clubs.

Turns out, i've been playing with clubs that are an inch too short for the last 20 years!

I found the same. My irons are 1/2” longer.

[SpeckledJim]

thebraketester said:

Got this off ebay for 20quid.... bloody lovely to hit.

Just one?

Mind you, that was good enough for Seve when he was learning, so crack-on!

[thebraketester]

Gonna buy a full set I think. So if anyone wants a MP5 6iron KBS C Taper, let me know.


Went around in 85 today... best score so far. My driving has been amazing the last 2 weeks, no idea whats going on to be honest.