Would you Like to stop those blow up holes during a 18 hole round of golf?
How often do you think you hit your 3 wood for your second shot during the course of the round? Most of the golfers would answer about 4. That is normally done on the par 5's.
Why is it that you use the 3 wood on par fives for your second shot. Is it because you want to go for the gusto and get on the green in 2 and try for that infamous eagle?
The percentages of everyday golfers that probably use the 3 wood for second shots on part 5's is about 80%. The Tour Players are not even close to that percentage.
So if the Tour Players are not using the 3 wood for second shots why do you think you should be. I know, you think because the Tour Players hit the ball farther on their drives they have shorter distances into the green. Well, they are actually playing par 5's from a lot farther back than you - usually 575 yards or so - so things average out.
I think this is an important question to ask since we're always looking for ways to help you get rid of the blow-up hole. I think and probably know that the one thing holding the average golfer from having a good round is the occasional blow-up hole.
So, how many of you start your rounds off hitting the ball well and you have a good score up to the 7th or 8th hole then you have that blow-up hole. How did that happen? Your playing well and then you have the infamous 8 or 9 on the par 5 and you end up having the same score you normally post after 9 holes. Then you do it again on the back nine. You end up instead of having the good score of 85 you end up with the 95. Or you are working on getting that 99 to break 100 and end up with a 108.
After the round you are all sitting in the club house having a drink and you talk about if only I didn't have those blow-up holes, I would of had a good round.
Let me ask you a few questions. How many blow up holes were caused by you hitting a 5 iron or 7 iron. How many blow-up holes have been caused by your 3 wood? Has your 3 wood caused more or less Blow Up Holes than your 5 or 7 iron?
I am not saying it is always caused by the 3 wood. There are some players that would say they had more caused by 5 iron than 3 wood. That is possible, but I would like to be there and see it to believe it.
Now what causes most blow-up holes? Is it a bad drive into the trees automatically causing you to get an 8 on a par 5? No, not at all.
This last weekend, I was playing a round with one of my friends and he hit a nice fade off the tee box down the right side of the fairway only to get a big hop and ran him right into the trees. He was about 260 yards from center of the green with no shot. He punched out leaving him 240 yards from the green lying 2.
What would you do from here.
I think that if you would've gone on to make an 8 or 9 on the hole the bad drive would've had very little to do with the reason you made that score. I think that pulling out the 3 wood trying to get as close to the green as possible for your 3rd shot - topping the shot because you swung to hard leaving your self still 200 yard out, hitting your 4th shot with a 3 iron only to chunk it leaving your 5th shot 150 yards out hitting your 7 iron into the green side bunker would of been more of the cause for the Blow-Up hole than your drive did.
How many of you have been there and done that!
So what we are truly looking at when we talk about Blow-Up Holes is mismanagement of the course. And, a little bit of ego.
Let's look at this hole again. Hit your drive into the woods on the right, punch out leaving you 240 yards to the hole for your third shot. Hit a 5 iron about 180 yards leaving you 80 yard to the pin for your 4th shot. Hitting your wedge on to the green within 20 feet and making the putt for a par.
You know what, that makes it look simple. Even if you didn't make the putt - the potential for a blow-up hole was taken away - you still wind up with a bogey which still won't hurt your score to much.
Blow-up holes don't happen because of bad tee shots. They happen because you are not playing to your strengths. They happen because you are playing to your weaknesses and not thinking of course management.
Players play to their strengths so they don't have to play to their weaknesses.
When was the last time you were a Player.
Until next time, plan out your 18 hole game before you start, keep your cool, and play to your strengths.....
Showing posts with label fade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fade. Show all posts
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Tournament Practice - Taking a Break Playing a Golf Scramble Best Ball Tournament
I took a break yesterday from my regular practice to play in a scramble best ball tournament.
Every now and then you need to do something fun and enjoyable instead of steady focus on the work.
During the scramble I was paired up with a 3 gentlemen from a minor league baseball team franchise. The neat thing is they were the General Manager, Director of Marketing and Directory of Graphics. They played great golf and we enjoyed the communication of what goes on in their lives as professionals in the baseball field.
During the tournament I still practiced though I didn't have to focus as much as I do when I practice and play in regular tournaments.
The warm up for the tournament I still used my same warm up drills as I would for a regular tournament. Some things I don't change.
One thing I have learned is that to have a good game and swing you have to learn to have the same routine for every practice and swing. All swings should look and feel the same with no changes if possible.
The more it becomes part of you the more it becomes intuitive.
Now for the Scramble Best Ball Tournament. We had a wonderful time. Everyone played fairly within their own strengths. I enjoy these kind of tournaments for I can experiment in different situations attempting shots that I have been practicing on and not worry if they go array.
As a group we ended up 7 under par and in third place.
Like I stated at the beginning, sometimes you just got to have fun and relax and take away from the focus and grind.
Until next time, take it easy and don't worry about the small stuff.......
Every now and then you need to do something fun and enjoyable instead of steady focus on the work.
During the scramble I was paired up with a 3 gentlemen from a minor league baseball team franchise. The neat thing is they were the General Manager, Director of Marketing and Directory of Graphics. They played great golf and we enjoyed the communication of what goes on in their lives as professionals in the baseball field.
During the tournament I still practiced though I didn't have to focus as much as I do when I practice and play in regular tournaments.
The warm up for the tournament I still used my same warm up drills as I would for a regular tournament. Some things I don't change.
- Stretch
- 52 degree wedge half shots (warming up my body)
- 52 degree wedge
- full shots
- draw
- fade
- trajectory (different flight paths)
- 8 Iron
- full shots
- draw
- fade
- half swings
- 3/4 swings
- trajectory (different flight paths)
- 5 Iron
- full shots
- draw
- fade
- half swings
- 3/4 swings
- trajectory (different flight paths)
- hybrid
- full shots
- draw
- fade
- stingers
- 3 wood
- full shots
- draw
- fade
- stingers
- Driver
- draw
- fade
- 60 degree wedge
- full shot
- half shot
- flop shot
- low trajectory
- high trajectory
- fade
- draw
- Chipping around green
- pitch run
- chip
- flop
- Putting
- 25 foot range lag putting
- 6 foot range
- 3 foot range
One thing I have learned is that to have a good game and swing you have to learn to have the same routine for every practice and swing. All swings should look and feel the same with no changes if possible.
The more it becomes part of you the more it becomes intuitive.
Now for the Scramble Best Ball Tournament. We had a wonderful time. Everyone played fairly within their own strengths. I enjoy these kind of tournaments for I can experiment in different situations attempting shots that I have been practicing on and not worry if they go array.
As a group we ended up 7 under par and in third place.
Like I stated at the beginning, sometimes you just got to have fun and relax and take away from the focus and grind.
Until next time, take it easy and don't worry about the small stuff.......
Monday, May 27, 2013
Tournament Preparation and Vacation Wyndham Fairfield Glade, Tennesse - chip, putt, range
Today was another beautiful day at Wyndham Fairfield Glade Resort in Crossville, Tennessee. My wife and I went out for a walk today and enjoyed the nature. After the morning walk I went to the course for some practice.
With the courses still packed and looking at a good six hour round, I again opted for working on the range, chipping area, and practicing on putting.
The practice areas are in really good condition since they just held the Tennessee Senior Open here recently.
I worked on the pretty much the same drills I did yesterday at the chipping area and range.
I was happy with all my work out. I claim it as a success. My finger didn't feel sensitive at all.
The putting drills were also excellent. There was no one on the practice putting area and the stimpmeter was probably at an 11 for speed. I prefer fast greens to practice on since it will allow you to have a truer stroke and role. By stating Truer stroke, you don't have to force your stroke to make the ball get to the hole.
I worked on the following putting drills:
As you continue to read and follow my blogging I am providing a lot of knowledge in practice drills. If you work on these drills I can guarantee that your game will improve and bring any level of golfer to a different level.
Tomorrow I am heading back home so I won't have time to practice or write another blog. My next blog should be in a couple of days so keep reading.
My next blog I will write about the resort we stayed at and provide some pictures.
Until next time, If you are having any issues with your game and you need advise see your local PGA Professional.....
With the courses still packed and looking at a good six hour round, I again opted for working on the range, chipping area, and practicing on putting.
The practice areas are in really good condition since they just held the Tennessee Senior Open here recently.
I worked on the pretty much the same drills I did yesterday at the chipping area and range.
I was happy with all my work out. I claim it as a success. My finger didn't feel sensitive at all.
The putting drills were also excellent. There was no one on the practice putting area and the stimpmeter was probably at an 11 for speed. I prefer fast greens to practice on since it will allow you to have a truer stroke and role. By stating Truer stroke, you don't have to force your stroke to make the ball get to the hole.
I worked on the following putting drills:
- 8 balls 6 feet from hole
- holed 75% putts
- 5, 10, 15 feet drill
- 20 minutes making 3 balls at each location in a row
- 3 foot drill 8 balls
- 50 balls in a row
- lag drill
- 30 foot putts
- goal finishing putts either in hole or near hole within 1 foot
- 75% of putts left inside 1 foot.
As you continue to read and follow my blogging I am providing a lot of knowledge in practice drills. If you work on these drills I can guarantee that your game will improve and bring any level of golfer to a different level.
Tomorrow I am heading back home so I won't have time to practice or write another blog. My next blog should be in a couple of days so keep reading.
My next blog I will write about the resort we stayed at and provide some pictures.
Until next time, If you are having any issues with your game and you need advise see your local PGA Professional.....
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Tournament Preparation at Wyndham Fairfield Glade, Crossville, Tennessee - Golf practice
Well today I didn't get a chance to play the course, but I did have a chance to work on my warm up, swing tempo, technique, and chipping.
The course was busy today so I worked on my short game instead of spending 6 hours on the course. They had 170 people today as well as tomorrow playing on each course. This is Memorial Weekend at a major golf Resort, Wyndham Fairfield Glade, Crossville, Tennessee.
So today I started with a warm up on the range. I warmed up for about an hour starting with a 52 degree wedge hitting half shots working my way up to full shots. The remainder of the time I worked on my swing tempo and technique. I hit my 7 iron only.
Following is what I worked on:
With the above my goal was to make sure I had consistent swing with proper takeaway, downswing, follow through toward different targets. Allowing the ball to carry the distance of the stationary target. The carry distance for 7 iron is 170-175 yards.
Outcome of workout was excellent. All techniques felt good and were consistent.
Since I was comfortable with how the above worked out I proceeded to the chipping area.
The chipping area has a two tiered elevated green along with sand traps, fairway, intermediate rough and secondary rough.
I worked with my 60 degree, 52 degree and 56 degree wedges in the variety of areas.
By working extensively on the different areas of rough, fairway, elevations, sand traps allows you to be more consistent in getting up and down from variety of areas. The practice also builds your confidence.
My overall practice today went excellent. My finger had very little sensitive feelings attributed to striking the ball on the range and in heavy rough.
In my opinion I accomplished all my goals today.
Tomorrow I will be working more on the putting aspect of the game and more range time with 7 iron and chipping.
As you see in order for me to keep at a playing level I need to practice a variety of different shots so when I am on the course this all becomes second nature.
For the weekend golfer you don't have to practice as extensive as I do, but if you put half the effort into your practice as you do your game you will become a better golfer.
Until then, I will leave you with a story I heard from Gary Player. As he was working on his sand shots, a golfer was on-looking and saw Mr. Player place three sand shots in a row in the hole. The observer stated, wow, that was sure lucky. Mr. Players response to the spectator was, yes, the more I practice the luckier I get.
Thanks for viewing my blog and I hope you keep checking in.....
The course was busy today so I worked on my short game instead of spending 6 hours on the course. They had 170 people today as well as tomorrow playing on each course. This is Memorial Weekend at a major golf Resort, Wyndham Fairfield Glade, Crossville, Tennessee.
So today I started with a warm up on the range. I warmed up for about an hour starting with a 52 degree wedge hitting half shots working my way up to full shots. The remainder of the time I worked on my swing tempo and technique. I hit my 7 iron only.
Following is what I worked on:
- Take away, down swing, and follow through
- Worked on aiming alignment
- using two clubs parallel to target
- make sure feet are positioned in line with target
- make sure club head positioned in line with target
- make sure divot is aligned with target
- Worked on Draw
- Worked on Fade
With the above my goal was to make sure I had consistent swing with proper takeaway, downswing, follow through toward different targets. Allowing the ball to carry the distance of the stationary target. The carry distance for 7 iron is 170-175 yards.
Outcome of workout was excellent. All techniques felt good and were consistent.
- Proper set up
- Balanced start
- Proper swing plane
- Weight shift
- balanced finish
- Consistent Ball Flight
The chipping area has a two tiered elevated green along with sand traps, fairway, intermediate rough and secondary rough.
I worked with my 60 degree, 52 degree and 56 degree wedges in the variety of areas.
- Hinge and Hold
- Flop shot
- Sand shot
- putting with 60 degree wedge on fringe with ball next to rough
By working extensively on the different areas of rough, fairway, elevations, sand traps allows you to be more consistent in getting up and down from variety of areas. The practice also builds your confidence.
My overall practice today went excellent. My finger had very little sensitive feelings attributed to striking the ball on the range and in heavy rough.
Tomorrow I will be working more on the putting aspect of the game and more range time with 7 iron and chipping.
As you see in order for me to keep at a playing level I need to practice a variety of different shots so when I am on the course this all becomes second nature.
For the weekend golfer you don't have to practice as extensive as I do, but if you put half the effort into your practice as you do your game you will become a better golfer.
Until then, I will leave you with a story I heard from Gary Player. As he was working on his sand shots, a golfer was on-looking and saw Mr. Player place three sand shots in a row in the hole. The observer stated, wow, that was sure lucky. Mr. Players response to the spectator was, yes, the more I practice the luckier I get.
Thanks for viewing my blog and I hope you keep checking in.....
Monday, May 20, 2013
Getting Ready for Tournament - Short Game
It was a beautifully hot day today for practice.
Today was a good day to work on my short game from 100 yards in.
The golf course I practice at just modified the range to be able to work on this part of your game easier.
They placed yardage markers at the hitting area giving you distance to each flag. They adjust it daily as they move the tees. The markers are set to color coded flags that they also just put in.
So today I was able to start my drills for the short game shots 100 yards in.
They have three flags situated at 100, 75 and 50 yards:
Below is my workout:
The main reason you want to learn to hit different shots to different distances with different clubs is that the rules only allow you to carry 14 clubs (one of which is a putter). By practicing the shots above you have now increased your club count from 14 to 23 without adding any more clubs to your bag.
You never know what the conditions of the course are or the weather. Therefore by having the ability to use 14 clubs in your bag in a variety of ways increases your chances of scoring lower on the course. It will also assist you in getting out of trouble when your ball goes off line.
The practice today went very well. Along with completing the drills above, I also worked on my putting and chipping around the green.
Until next time, remember that the game of golf is 10 percent skill and 90 percent mental, so always be thinking of different ways to help your self out......
Today was a good day to work on my short game from 100 yards in.
The golf course I practice at just modified the range to be able to work on this part of your game easier.
They placed yardage markers at the hitting area giving you distance to each flag. They adjust it daily as they move the tees. The markers are set to color coded flags that they also just put in.
So today I was able to start my drills for the short game shots 100 yards in.
They have three flags situated at 100, 75 and 50 yards:
Below is my workout:
- Warm up
- stretch
- Hit half shots with 52 degree wedge
- Hit full shots
- 10 balls with my 60 degree
- 10 balls with my 52 degree
- 10 balls with my 9 Iron
- 10 balls with my 6 Iron
- 10 balls with my 3 Iron
- 10 balls with my Hybrid 3
- 10 balls with my 3 metal wood
- 10 balls with my driver
- 50 yard flag
- Work on shots with slight draw
- 60 degree
- 56 degree
- 52 degree
- pitching wedge
- Work on shots with slight fade
- 60 degree
- 56 degree
- 52 degree
- pitching wedge
- 75 yard flag
- Work on shots with slight draw
- 60 degree
- 56 degree
- 52 degree
- pitching wedge
- Work on shots with slight fade
- 60 degree
- 56 degree
- 52 degree
- pitching wedge
- 100 yard flag
- Work on shots with slight draw
- 56 degree
- 52 degree
- pitching wedge
- 9 iron
- Work on shots with slight fade
- 56 degree
- 52 degree
- pitching wedge
- 9 iron
The main reason you want to learn to hit different shots to different distances with different clubs is that the rules only allow you to carry 14 clubs (one of which is a putter). By practicing the shots above you have now increased your club count from 14 to 23 without adding any more clubs to your bag.
You never know what the conditions of the course are or the weather. Therefore by having the ability to use 14 clubs in your bag in a variety of ways increases your chances of scoring lower on the course. It will also assist you in getting out of trouble when your ball goes off line.
The practice today went very well. Along with completing the drills above, I also worked on my putting and chipping around the green.
Until next time, remember that the game of golf is 10 percent skill and 90 percent mental, so always be thinking of different ways to help your self out......
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