GreeBo wrote: » A new putter wont work magic, so I wouldnt rush out and buy one. how many putts do you take per round? How many balls would you lose off the tee?
kennyb3 wrote: » Putts I’m not sure of exact numbe as not playing regular enough but I 3 putted a lot today - overcooking and missing putt back or way short and missing 2nd. Really struggled with pace today. I made 1 putt of any distance today. Not keen to buy unless need to - more just think the shiny new toy might focus me around green. I think I tend to focus on driver and irons as I’m not a long hitter compared to 2 of my mates. The fact they weren’t playing with me and course was playing shorter defo really helped as my long game can suffer from pulling as trying to murder the ball and closing face on impact. Struck the ball really really well on back 9 for 46, and if I’d not had so many 3 putts could of been better. Front 9 was just a mess with no practice in weeks or warm up - first few holes I was terrible. Didn’t lose a ball today - Beaverstown fairly forgiving though and was better than normal off the tee. I’d typically lose 1/2 balls I’d say.
GreeBo wrote: » Forget about trying to hit it further for now, thats not whats causing you shots. 1) Keep track of your putts for every round. Putting is the easiest place to save shots. You should be aiming for ~30 putts per round. Good days will be 27 but bad days should be no more than 33/34. 2) Losing 1-2 balls a round is costing you 2-4 shots per round. If your driver is not working for you during a round then stop hitting it, drop down a club until you get to a club you are hitting well. Three 5 irons is better than a Driver OB and then another one and still a 5 iron left to the green. 18 Bogeys should be your first target. BTW some people won't agree with this approach but I think as an effective beginner its the best way to learn how to play golf rather than just hitting a ball and keeping score.
Joe_ Public wrote: » Good advice I would say but I have to say if 33-34 putts represents a bad round, I’d be happy to have bad rounds for the rest of my golfing days.
GreeBo wrote: » Are you currently hitting 18 greens in regulation?
kennyb3 wrote: » Yeah I was shocked with this, if I’d 36 or so I’d be happy. Only time I’d have less is when my 3rd to par 4 or 2nd to par 3 is short chip from around the green, thereby reducing the need to putt. It’s almost how I get by on rounds
kennyb3 wrote: » Yeah I need to count putts for sure. I’d say I hit 42+ yesterday (2 x 1 putts, 10 x 2 putt, 8 x 3 putts). Not normally that bad but I’d be amazed if I could even get it to 36 putts.
kennyb3 wrote: » I take what you’re saying re driver, but I’d say I hit 13 yesterday and most were good and didn’t lose a ball. I would of thought losing 1 ball, 2 at worst would have been standard given my level - I’ve played with lads losing 3+. Also with having more time to play/practice I feel it should improve further. Dropping it for a while seems counter intuitive.
kennyb3 wrote: » However there is defo holes were OB and trees more in play and I’ll need to start considering hitting irons. I hit driver all day yesterday and then 7/8 irons into greens (usually 5/6 irons when ground softer and then often need a chip from edge side of green which masks my putting woes as putting from very close as good at bump and runs). I defo wanna target 90 that’s the goal!
Joe_ Public wrote: » God no, never have nor ever will, if you forgive the obvious lack of ambition! But the way this mid-handicapper would see it, even if I hit 10 greens in regulation (average day or thereabouts) and still 2-putted every green (or at least effectively cancelled my 3 putts out with one putts) I'd still be on target to shoot around the 80 mark and comfortably beat my handicap.
Joe_ Public wrote: » Dont get me wrong, if I'd just finished a round with 33 putts, I wouldnt be going back to the clubhouse breathlessly claiming I'd mastered the greens. But neither would I be feeling at all despondent about it.
kennyb3 wrote: » Yeah I need to count putts for sure. I’d say I hit 42+ yesterday (2 x 1 putts, 10 x 2 putt, 8 x 3 putts). Not normally that bad but I’d be amazed if I could even get it to 36 putts. I take what you’re saying re driver, but I’d say I hit 13 yesterday and most were good and didn’t lose a ball. I would of thought losing 1 ball, 2 at worst would have been standard given my level - I’ve played with lads losing 3+. Also with having more time to play/practice I feel it should improve further. Dropping it for a while seems counter intuitive. However there is defo holes were OB and trees more in play and I’ll need to start considering hitting irons. I hit driver all day yesterday and then 7/8 irons into greens (usually 5/6 irons when ground softer and then often need a chip from edge side of green which masks my putting woes as putting from very close as good at bump and runs). I defo wanna target 90 that’s the goal!
GreeBo wrote: » 10 greens in regulation is *very* good, better than the average mid-handicapper...assuming you are talking mid-teens? If going for the green in regulation is resulting in 3 putts, then stop going for greens in regulation! Play short, chip it close as you say you can, and have 1 or at most 2 putts. This will avoid the disasters caused by going for the green and also avoid the 3 putts. And you shouldn't 33 putts is an ok day on the green, but its not a good day. If you are having 33 putts then I'd guess you are missing a lot of short putts?
kennyb3 wrote: » Just want to say thanks for all the input - much appreciate. Like the sound of the putting drills and guess i got to put time into practicing putting and not just driving/irons. Have a good chipping game, so it's defo more over/under weighting putts from 10 feet + and also missing 3/4 feeters. Booked to play another 18 next Friday but on tougher course so we'll see how it goes.
kennyb3 wrote: » Played Balbriggan yesterday - 98, which was a big improvement on 103 at beaverstowm as defo a harder and longer course. The rain, wet ball and wet rough also made it tougher. 4 pars and drove great all day the highlights- 1 pulled hook but chipped back to fairway, most drives 230 metres or so, consistent and straight. Struggled with long irons on fairway and rough. Pitching not as good as usual. 37 putts - good for me at this stage and defo better than last week. 4 x 3 putts. Enjoyed it and happy enough. Played balheary par 3 midweek twice too - 71 and then 68. Defo helped with playing friday. One poor hole where i pulled ball out of bounfs so defo capable of around 65.
GreeBo wrote: » tbh thats the difference between golf and "hitting a golf ball", it always take time for that to sink in with people, some people never get it
prawnsambo wrote: » To be fair, when you start playing golf, hittig the golf ball is the primary objective.
GreeBo wrote: » Smart you are but not yet wise you be young padawan. Hitting it as little as possible the primary objective be.
prawnsambo wrote: » Indeed master. But first one must be able to hit it effectively. Or so it is taught, no?
GreeBo wrote: » Trying to hit it effectively leads to going for incorrect shots, going for incorrect shots leads to swinging to hard, swinging too hard leads to the dark side (the trees)
kennyb3 wrote: » Right I'm back - played 7/8 rounds last year before hamstring injury meant I packed it in. Not bothering me this year and played 7/8 rounds thos year so far so well ahead of last year in that respect- corrstown, hollystown, swords open all couple of times and a few par 3 rounds. Shot 89 few weeks back at swords open (par 71) to break 90 for first time. Shot 90 on same course after 2 weeks away from holidays. Played palmerstown house estate today in golf outing and shot 93 off green tees - first time ever playing with anyone but my mates/work mates. 1 birdie and 5 pars and 33 points (off 18 - no handicap). First ever stableford effort too. Anyway the question is how best to practice putting when not a member somewhere? I've still never practiced it bar playing. 41 putts today from 93 shots! I suppose do half an hour here or there around rounds? Thoughts appreciated.
