Lucky for me, I don't think you could fuck me up more than I've done to myself recently. They weren't my first choice, local guy was but he's booked up for the whole year. If anyone knows of somewhere better in the Raleigh, NC area I'd love to know.
I’ve been playing shittier than normal the past year or more. Like always high 90s or 100s. Just terrible. Played a couple of weeks ago and was on pace for an 87 with 3 holes left but ended up with a 90. While way better than I have been, still frustrating. Played the next day and same thing but finished 91. Short game around the green is what’s killing me now. Used to be spraying everything off the tee.
been making big strides with my driver and short irons, but my long irons and putter are still my bane
Hit your driver well and you won’t need the long irons and hit the short irons better and have closer putts. you’re welcome
My normal group of guys I play with have a pro at one of the local clubs they take lessons from. He’s never seen me play so we’re going to do a prank on him. I’m going to call and get a lesson. My buddies are going to be by the grill videoing the lesson. I’m going to start off with some messed up swing. Charles Barkley like. Just awful. Then as he gives me tips slowly start getting better then have it click all of a sudden start striping it. Congratulate him on fixing my swing and walk off. Knowing the way I picture it going though, I’ll probably be chuncking it when I’m ready to hit good.
I’ve accepted that I’m never getting on a par 5 in 2 (unless it’s a short hole) because I’m am terrible at using my 3 wood off the deck. So I’ve just been teeing off with 4 iron which is probably my most consistent club off of the tee. Then for my second shot I’ll hit whichever club leaves me ~115-125 to the pin.
Guys trip to Harbour town and Ford Plantation in a month. Easily the most excited for a full day at Ford. Probably the most immaculate place I’ve played when we were there back in November. They average less than 30 rounds a day so it’s always fun not having anyone around.
Lie? Amount of green to work with? Elevation change? Distance from green? Should almost always putt or bump and run with an 8ish iron - PW if you can I've gotten a lot better by putting a practice mat on my back patio and chipping to a corn hole board with my wedges but still use safer route when possible.
Playing Tobacco Road Friday. Mid south and mid pines Saturday. 90% chance of rain Saturday, praying to the rain gods to stay away
I agree. Depends on a lot of factors. I usually my SW if I’m not bumping and running. I’ve really practiced multiple shots with it. I use it to flop, run a little, or take a bounce or two and stop.
Almost any shot around the green, I’m using my 58, and before that my old 60. Just feel like I have the best control of it and can kind of play it however I want, high or low.
Let me edit this a bit. If your goal is consistently breaking 90 which I think it is based on your posting and playing with you, I would stay away from the higher lofted clubs around the green if you can avoid it. You are likely costing yourself near double digit strokes per round with chunks and bladed wedges. For single handicappers, that's a whole different ball game. I have been hovering between 10-13 HC for the last year and most of my lost shots are still chunks and bladed around the green hence my approach. Unfortunately, my course has bunkers on almost 3/4 around every damn green or else a huge drop off. It's not the bump and run friendliest course. Fucking Donald Ross, man.
My game is weird when I play regularly. I'm losing strokes off the tee. I'm generally pretty decent once I'm in play. Now if I go into a bunker it's game over. Worst bunker player on earth.
I try to chip/pitch/swing with the same club from 110 and in. In my case it's a 49 degree gap wedge that I swing the same every time and just adjust the length of my backswing/follow-through. That has helped a ton with consistency and confidence. I also believe that, generally speaking, if you can putt it, you should
I had good luck at my Golftec. Fixed a few issues and their club fittings are good. Im sure it varies store to store tho.
Golftec isn't inherently bad. I've had some friends that were good golf pros go work there. 5 day work week, no insane members to deal with... I think the big key to getting lessons is being clear what your goals are. Sometimes if the instructor knows he will likely never see you again they will just give you a bandaid that changes your ball flight that day. I they know your goals and you are going to take 2-3 lessons they can tackle bigger picture problems and help you long term.
We are same. I played with my buddy, a former golf pro, and he damn near demanded that I stop using my 54 around the green because I kept catching the toe and chunking it. I have moved to a lot more 8 and 9 chips if I have the green to work with. Much better results. 12 handicap*
Buddy of mine was a JUCO AA and all-confrence at UAB before going on to play professionally in South America for about a decade. When he was giving me tips on chipping he pulled out my pitching wedge, 9 and 8 iron and told me I should be getting the ball rolling asap vs trying to drop a 56 degree on the pin
I read this three times because I wasn't sure if you were mocking me. I still am not quite sure, but I don't think so. You never know here.
I know this is true. I do. But there is something about getting a fucking wedge way up in the air and dropping it tight and cozy on the pin. Bumping an 8 and rolling it out doesn't have the same...panache.
Definitely not mocking you although he did mock me during the lesson for even having a 60 degree wedge in the bag
Semi-related but when I'd hit a bad shot on the range he could take my club and replicate my exact shitty shot followed by perfectly flushing one as he demonstrated whatever concept we were working on. The difference between us and the pros (he played a couple web and Euro tour events but never PGA tour) is incredible
2 birdies and 5 pars today. Would have done better but I kept hitting my long irons into green side bunkers . Driver was solid 280-300 minus a few shanks. Made me want to play again immediately
Started listening to this book yesterday and it's fantastic. Great insight to a regular joe golfer trying to make it and how much better the pros are than the rest of us. Listen to Paper Tiger by Tom Coyne on Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd/170521052X?source_code=ASSOR150021921000R
Read that a long time ago, highly recommend. While you’re at it, buy Tom’s other books too, he’s a great author. Really looking forward to A Course Called America
Planning on it. He played with the no laying up guys in their tourist sauce ireland series which was really good.
It’s only going to get worse with the PGA Tours new likability bonus. All of these guys are going to be increasing their exposure and social media presence. Whole lotta cringe coming.
hopefully to tour will lean or steer more into controversy instead of whitewashing and sanitizing everything as that’s what can really drive engagement.
Officially cancelled our Scotland Trip in 2 weeks. Held out hope until the bitter end, dammit! We all got the vaccine, mainly due to this trip if we're honest, but oh well... Rescheduled for August. Looking like the UK is relaxing quarantine restrictions on May 17 for "Green light" countries (the USofA). I'm nervous to book the Delta flight through Amsterdam because, right now, traveling to the UK through Europe seems to be a no go due to their pitiful vaccine approach.
I get the theory to play the ball on the ground but I’m just not near as good at judging speed that way vs popping it up in the air and getting it to land like a sack of potatoes. Plus, it makes chipping/pitching over bunkers feel more like routine shots than something to worry about.
Do people like this Zurich Classic format or no? Interesting break but kind of odd this is a formal event with a PGA Tour win at stake, full point allotment, etc.