The OS Golfer's Thread!

[SinisterAlex]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Yeah I think I should go back onto the short par 3 course and use that to work on the short game some more.

That's what I would recommend to anyone. Just outside of Vancouver there is this little 18 hole chip and putt course inside one of our parks. I played my first round of golf there when I was 5. I still go there today. The holes range from 50 yards to 125 yards. It's the perfect place for me to work on my 100 yards and in game. All I bring is my 56 and 60 degree wedges and my putter. You maybe able to drive the ball well off the tee, but if you cannot find the green, you'll be adding necessary strokes to card.

Short game, short game, short game. It's the most important aspect of Golf. Don't know what else to say

[Jr.]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Went back to my normal course again and shot a 108. Changed it up this time and didn't use the driver once. Only used the 3 wood off the tee. I think overall it was a good decision. My fairway hits was the highest ever at 53%, along with a few other really solid shots that were just off the fairway. Still had some crap shots off the tee, but much more controllable than with the driver. But didn't really improve much on the final score, which tells me the rest of my game still needs lots of work. Putting still needs improvement. 2 putted half the time, but 3 putted the other 9 holes. Iron striking was inconsistent. I did hit my 3 hybrid relatively well most of the time, though.

Need to keep practicing to try and break 100. The last three rounds have been 106, 108, and 108. How long did it take you guys to break 100 when you first started? Curious to see what a "normal" or typical progression should look like.

I broke 100 for the first time about 6-7 years ago when I started playing frequently. Since then though, I've been a consistent upper 80s to low 90s player. Short game is my downfall as I hate practicing it, so it only gets better as I play (more on this in a moment, however).

I honestly don't even remember the first time I broke 100. I do remember working on my short game constantly. Golf is a game from 100 yards and in IMO. If you're not good from that range, you will always shoot high scores.

If I had to find one weakness in my game right now it would be chipping. I either always leave it well short forcing me to make a long par putt or I blade it and sent the ball racing past the hole. I shoot in the low to mid 80's and if I could work on my chipping and just remove a few more two putts from my card I could easily break 80.

One thing that has helped me tremendously with my chipping is taking a putting stroke with my PW. I do this on any chip where I'm within 8-10 yards of the green and it works really well for me. I set my hands way forward and keep stiff wrists and just take a stroke as if I were putting from that distance. The ball gets enough air to clear the rough/fringe and usually releases nicely. Got myself a chip-in yesterday with this technique.

My issue are shots from 110-130 and from 60-80 yards. Those are in between my ranges and I have a lot of trouble cutting down on my swing.


Finally, I played my first round since late February yesterday and shot an 81 (par 70), the best round of my life. I played Arbor Lake in Arvada, CO which turned out to be a pretty easy course, but it was so much fun. The front nine I shot 46 (+11) and putted horribly. I had at least 4, 3-putts and could not control my speed. I was driving and striking the ball well tee to green, but was abysmal around the green.

Something clicked with my putting stroke on the back nine and I had 5, 1-putts, 3, 2-putts, and a chip in to shoot even par 35 on the back nine. I parred 10-15, had a double bogey on 16 after a really bad tee shot, but bounced back with birdies on 17-18. My speed and lines were nearly perfect on the back 9, which was great to experience. I've never putted so well in my life.

I can't wait to get back out on the course again.

[SinisterAlex]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

One thing that has helped me tremendously with my chipping is taking a putting stroke with my PW. I do this on any chip where I'm within 8-10 yards of the green and it works really well for me. I set my hands way forward and keep stiff wrists and just take a stroke as if I were putting from that distance. The ball gets enough air to clear the rough/fringe and usually releases nicely. Got myself a chip-in yesterday with this technique.

A few guys lately that I've talked to on the practice green have mentioned this as well. I may have to give it a go. The lower you keep the ball, the better.

[N51_rob]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I need to work on my short game. I broke 100 this summer, but I've had some rounds the left me steaming. Two or three holes a round where I give up three strokes just trying to make a simple chip.

[N51_rob]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Left work at lunch and played 18 at my home course. Felt better about my short game a bit. Who ever said use a putter stroke on chips......Thanks!!!! I did that and while I need to practice to get used to it and figure out some distance control I like it. I think today I was standing to far away from the ball. A lot of my shots were fading away from my target line. I noticed that a lot of my ball marks were on the end of my clubs. So I made a slight adjustment and stood a closer, fixed that problem. No idea why I was standing so far away to begin with.

Also ditched my 60 and 56 degree nike wedges in favor of new Vokey SM4 wedges in the same degrees and I like them better. So I may replace my 52 degree wedge also.

[JODYE]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I'd also recommend not suing a lofted wedge around the green. Go with a PW or 9 iron depending on length and run the ball, especially if you have green to work with. Much easier to control and you can keep it low for a more consistent result.

[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I'd also recommend not suing a lofted wedge around the green. Go with a PW or 9 iron depending on length and run the ball, especially if you have green to work with. Much easier to control and you can keep it low for a more consistent result.

I have to agree. I just did some chipping practice the other day using my sand wedge and it went badly. Much better with my PW or 9.

[N51_rob]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I'd also recommend not suing a lofted wedge around the green. Go with a PW or 9 iron depending on length and run the ball, especially if you have green to work with. Much easier to control and you can keep it low for a more consistent result.

Oh, I use them all, and sometime will chip and run with my 5 iron, or 3 wood depending on what I am trying to do. I use game improvement irons Ping g10s and there isn't a lot of spin or workability I can get from those, so its nearly impossible to get a ball to check up with them.

[Kearnzo]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Hitting up another 9 holes on Saturday. Definitely excited to get back out and work on some areas I struggled in the other day, mostly chipping around the green.

Hopefully it's nice out this time. I hate making excuses, but playing the last 5 holes last weekend in the rather heavy rain didn't help matters.

[SinisterAlex]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

So I tried out that pitching method that some of you recommended to try. The course I went to was a par 62 and shot a +6 68. Using a PW and hitting it low is a lot better than using a 56* wedge and hitting it high.

[Kearnzo]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Had an excellent round today for my standards. Only played nine holes but would have loved to play 18.

Started off rough on the 1st when I blew the tee shot, and followed up with a second shot into the DEEP rough. Wound up with triple bogey. After that however, I followed with a bogey, three straight pars, bogey, par, and two final bogeys. The second par I had was about 2 inches from being a birdie when I JUST missed a 30 or so yard chip shot. One of the bogeys was actually almost a birdie, but I lipped the putt out, and it took off back down the green. I then missed the follow up putt before tapping in for bogey. Definitely a frustrating hole. That was really my only disappointment with the putter on the day though.

Big thanks to whoever recommended treating the pitching wedge like a putter. I had excellent control of my close game today. Putting has actually been a strength of mine the last few years, and to add on a much improved game around the green makes me a much more confident golfer.

I still struggle to consistently hit my driver well, but I actually pulled off three straight drives that I managed to put draw on. I believe I only sliced one drive on the day, and the fairway was so wide that it was still plenty playable. If I can put draw on my long range shots, that will be a BIG deal for me, as i've struggled for years with a bad slice.

Can't wait to get back out soon!

[N51_rob]

Went out Friday morning. Was grinding but I got better on the back 9. Anyways I crushed my driver on 15 was walking up to my ball wondering why there was no bounce only to find this....

Damn near broke my 9 iron in half trying to dig it out. Top it off they put the flag in the back left of the green 4 or 5 paces off the edge behind bunkers.




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[MHammer113]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I hope you know you get a free lift from a plugged ball...as long as its not in a hazard. Lol

[SinisterAlex]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Anyone here use PURE Grips or Lamkin grips? The irons I bought came with Golf Pride's Corded Tour Velvet grips. While I love the feedback they provide, they're way to hard for me. I need something softer while still providing maximum feedback. I normally use the New Decade Multicompound Grips, but at 13$ a pop, no way I'm paying for 8 of them. (I normally buy them at 50% off).

Just wanted to know what you guys recommended.

[JODYE]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Lamkin Grips all day. They are the best hands down IMO.

Find a retailer that has some in stock that you can go feel. I can assure you you will find something that fits your feel.

I'm currently using Gray R.E.L. 3gens and I never want to change. It has the tackiness I like, but the responsiveness I need in a golf grip.