Originally Posted By DVC_dad I spent 1 hour and 20 minutes at the practice range today. Hit every club well, except 4 and 3 irons. Any advice for these would be appreciated. I hit around 100 balls, I would say 65% were pretty good shots. I play front 9 holes tomorrow morning. Any good luck mojo would be appreciated.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 " where did it land" " right in the lumber yard " ! love that sequence as far as 4 and 3 iron - but not hitting them well- would need more expplanation - but when you get into that range ( or my dreaded 1 iron )- the length of the club dictates a different swing that say a 7 iron -- hitting them fat or too much ground - move back some-- losing distance and hitting them to the right - need to mvoe closer- pulling off -- lots of things this would be just 2 thoughts --
Originally Posted By wahooskipper My irons dictated that I move the ball more forward in my stance the higher the iron. So, when hitting a 9-iron the ball is back toward my right foot. When hitting a 3 or 4 the ball is up toward my left foot. Does that make sense?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 indeed -- there are foot charts ( think Arthur Murray dance studio type footprints) for where toplay the ball ( as a starting point) in onces stance depending on club -- also the 2-3-4 you can play with a more 'closed' stance than 8-9-w where the swing forces you to open your stance some to get thru the ball --- but again , those charts are meant as guides, not gospel... but they are a great place to start
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Well my 9 holes is complete. I scored a 51 and am very very happy with it, because, two things happened. 1.) I broke my longest drive personal record without really trying for additional distance. New record 257 yards. (The sky caddie lets you measure each shot if you wish.) I think most beginner golfers (which I consider myself beginner) are somewhat enamored with the drive. 2.) I had three really fantastic recovery shots that I saved a bogey on both holes. I can feel myself improving. (My goal is bogey golf.) Someting "clicked" for me today. I have discovered that you should never be "timid" or scared to HIT THE BALL! I had three times where I had to trust my distance, and swing a good solid full swing of my 5 iron (thinking it was too much club each time, but turns out it was perfect) and let the ball fall where it may. I figured out that I am more consistant if I swing the same way every time, and change the club to fit the distance instead of trying to change the swing or head speed. Of course there are touch shots and what not, especially as you get closer to the green but for now I am beginning to understand distance management fairly well. I really don't care about the 51 score, more important is the thing that clicked for me today.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Yeah I know all about playing the ball back in the stance for 9,8,7,6....coming forward all the way to 3...(or god forbid 1 iron in vbdad's arsenal~!) When trying to hit the 4 and 3 iron, I tend to pick it clean and it feels like the ball weighs 5 lbs. and just won't get off the club like with the 5-9 irons. Is hitting the 3 iron more like a fairway wood swing? I play it forward in me stance but I think I am hitting it thin or something...I am certainly not taking a divot when hitting it. It goes pretty straight but it's very low trajectory and has very little distance more if any than my 5 iron. It's that 160 to 190 yards that I can't quite figure out...I want to hit a 3 iron, but am afraid to.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Oh and by the way... I played the strick-est rules of golf... 5 of my 51 were penalty strokes...and 3 of my 51 were stupid shots (me trying to go for the green from the woods instead of just getting back onto the fairway) that I wish I could have taken back. So really the 51 is not that important as the 3 or 4 BIG lessons learned.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Have you guys played lately. What are some of the most memorable shots you guys have made?
Originally Posted By berol "I have discovered that you should never be "timid" or scared to HIT THE BALL!" Harvey Penick had a saying, "take dead aim," make a decision on club & shot and execute the heck out of it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I think most beginner golfers (which I consider myself beginner) are somewhat enamored with the drive. < you'll learn " drive for show, putt for dough " LOL !
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Have you guys played lately. What are some of the most memorable shots you guys have made?< I know you're gonna love this..after allmy talk about not playing too much -- I played twice today. I took my girls ( 21 & 12) out this AM ( took a vacation day) - and played a local Par 3 course - longest hole 186 - so since I don;t play as often - this is a challenge for me as the short game is all about repetition and feel. well today the irons were really doing well for me -- perfect conditions - and I shot a 33....for me this is good here... the real news though is my 12 year old -- she has been under the shadow of her older sister her whole life - as she is attending the same schools where her sister was all city, all area and all state ( in HS) in Volleyball and basketball.... and she plays both sports herself -- sometimes I feel bad for her...until today. Shehas been working hard trying to get a handle on golf...and I believe she is actually a better all around athlete than her older sister ( who is lightning quick) -- well today at 12 years old on this par three - she shoots a 44 !!! Her older sister shoots 46....the gauntlet has been throw down in the house..it is hysterical. Most memorable shot for me is easy -- 18th hole at Cog Hill, 448 yard par 4 ( slope 140 - a nasty thing) - junior year of high school playing for city of Chicago chanmpionship against lane tech...drive about 230 - slightly left and or rim of fairway bunker-- tree and water between me and green, debating whether to punch it out and play safe because I am concerned i cannot clear he tree in front of me and still carry 215 or so...as it is close. Decide not guts no glory ( or I was just young and stupid - take your pick) - switch from 3 iron to 4 iron and decide to let it rip -- well I have never had a hole in one ( I have played in a foursome that has though) - so this is as close as i will probably ever get - holed it out...I was playing #4 on my team ( yep 3 gusy better than me that year) - with #2 -- that hole gave me the back nine, and my #1 & #3 teammates also won and we got the trophy. All the playing for money since...never had that kind of feeling again.. yes I know it was luck and I could hit that same shot 1000 more times and never make it, and maybe never put it within a foot, but for once I'll take the luck and go with it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <"I have discovered that you should never be "timid" or scared to HIT THE BALL!" Harvey Penick had a saying, "take dead aim," make a decision on club & shot and execute the heck out of it.< I also have found that many times, the number of practice swings a golfer takes all the time, isin direct relation to their score ( higher ) -- that's why I like walking a course -- onmy way there as you survey the course around you, itis easier to visualize the shot and by the time you arrive at the ball - barring a really bad lie or something - youhave your club and direction...I'd say 25% -50% of the time I do not take a practice swing depending on how much I have played lately
Originally Posted By DVC_dad WOW I can see the advantage to walking. I have often wondered if the PRO's would score LOWER if they rode on a cart. I am playing a full round of 18 tomorrow morning at 9 AM. There is a large group of clubers that play every Sat at that time. Word got out that I have been solo'ing and practicing a lot, and as out club is somewhat small, I guess I am about to join the "IN" crowd. The guy who called me said that they are expecting Driving Tips from me and they will in return give me sand wedge from the traps tips. I replied, "That is a no win situation for me as I never find myself in the sand." I am very nervious and self concious as many of these golfers have very low handicaps. *sigh* I hope I am able to continue my consistency from the Tee box so that there is something I can hold my own with. I rarely ever ever have a bad drive unless I try to over swing and kill the ball.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad vbdad: 33 on a par 27 is pretty impressive !!! And twice in one day!!! WOW And knowing how great of an athlete your older daughter is, to say thagt your younger one shows MORE potential is amazing !!! And I LOVE the story of holing out at over 200 yrds and such an impossible shot!!!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad berol, awesome advice from Harvey Penick...only took me about 200,000 swings to figure it out. I should have started by READING his book FIRST!!!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Be the ball.... nananananananana nenenenenenenene Gonna watch Caddyshack before bed.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <vbdad: 33 on a par 27 is pretty impressive !!! And twice in one day!!! WOW < yeah I forgot to complete my thoughts -- I played 18 early afternoon -- shot an 86 -- played OK -- wasn't real consistent off the tee and it cost me -- but playing the par 3 in the AM - my short game was pretty good.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 >And knowing how great of an athlete your older daughter is, to say thagt your younger one shows MORE potential is amazing !!! < I just hope one day another NCAA school believes the same thing -- I am spoiled now withnot having tuition bills.
