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The "Epic" lowering your handicap "mega" thread

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Comments

  • #102
    alxmorgan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,855 ✭✭✭alxmorgan


    denishurley wrote: »
    My scoring since the start of June:

    3w83.jpg

    A general improvement thanks to regular lessons, keeping the ball in play off the tee probably the main improvement followed by far more consistency with my irons

    Some cut and 45 pts. Congrats !!

    What did you change to start keeping ball in play ?


  • #103
    denishurley
    Registered Users Posts: 753 ✭✭✭denishurley


    Cheers! Basically I started getting lessons again at the start of May, grip and hip shift were the two big alterations as well as slowing down the backswing :D

    Took a while to groove the new swing but far more confident over the ball now. I had gone from 18 in about August 2010 to 22 by September of last year


  • #104
    m r c
    Closed Accounts Posts: 802 ✭✭✭m r c


    Well done Denis great to see results from the hard work and hopefully wherever you are you can compete for a good few more weeks to stay on top of your form.

    When you mentioned hitting more fairways did you do it generally with the driver or by taking less club?


  • #105
    denishurley
    Registered Users Posts: 753 ✭✭✭denishurley


    m r c wrote: »
    Well done Denis great to see results from the hard work and hopefully wherever you are you can compete for a good few more weeks to stay on top of your form.

    When you mentioned hitting more fairways did you do it generally with the driver or by taking less club?

    Thanks, it was mainly with the driver but there were still some holes that had the hex on me. I bought a 3-wood last Monday and used it five times off the tee on Thursday, which may partly explain the spike in my score :D


  • #106
    P_1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,681 ✭✭✭✭P_1


    I don't actually have a handicap but switching from the wedges to the 7-9 irons just off the green has saved me a massive number of shots over the last few months, so perhaps avoiding the attempts at the 'glory' chips from off the green could be of some benefit?


  • #107
    m r c
    Closed Accounts Posts: 802 ✭✭✭m r c


    Ok I've been working my butt off at this to be honest.

    Range 5 days a week, 2-3 times per day minimum of 40 balls a go.
    This has vastly improved my iron play. Combined with a major grip change.

    I bought 5 lessons online and it took 12-13 days to come. Have it 5-6 days now and have gone to Mr Hogans grip for good or bad. The book was originally intended to be read one lesson at a time so I haven't read on to chapter 2 as of yet. I've spent this week drilling hard the grip on the couch watching the TV. Then hitting the range during the day.

    His grip feels arkward at first but even after a week it feels totally solid.
    The hands really are working as one unit now much better than before and I'm loving the feeling of the middle fingers on the right hand clamping down the left thumb. Without gripping to hard its a real feeling of control.

    The other feelings I'm working on are the sensation of the weight been more on my heels at address and my hips bumped a tad left. Those two feelings combine to leave it feeling like its impossible to hit it fat or shank it which has added enormously to my ball striking.

    I've only managed one competitive round (in a storm) last Friday where I placed 2nd with 27 points. No cut :-( but tbh they were very tough conditions wind wise and I really only let it go putting. I find it very tough to putt in big wind so 27 was more like 38/39 on the day.

    I have also decided not to go too mad in the comps while I'm making these big changes.


  • #108
    Wombatman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,337 ✭✭✭Wombatman


    I'm also working like crazy. Obsession bordering on a compulsion.

    -Driving range 5 time a week. 25-60 balls per session. Sometimes two sessions a day. Reckon I'm spending €40 Euro a week on range balls!
    -Swing a 7 iron at home in front of mirror.
    -Chipping balls onto the couch off a rug during ads in the golf.
    -Putting across the carpet into a shoe box with a hole cut in the side.
    -Watching loads of Your Tube lessons and slow motion swings - Fook off John Richardson ads!
    -Bought a second hand TaylorMade 2007 Burner 460 Driver and two new 56 and 52 milled face wedges in Sept. Love them already.

    Eating, sleeping and drinking golf.

    Working on:
    -Maintaining lag. Practicing a few swings without releasing really helping me.
    -Stopping casting and coming over the top. Correct grip and open face a top of backswing helping here, along with allowing the arms to roll in release.
    -Staying down. Not hopping up or lifting head.
    -Turning the shoulders down not around.

    This is my goal swing for better or worse as it is closest to the swing I have now.


    Last three outings
    36, 34 and 31 for 15 holes off 18. Irons and wedges are starting to become really sweet. Getting there.


  • #109
    bustercherry
    Registered Users Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭bustercherry


    Wombatman wrote: »
    I'm also working like crazy. Obsession bordering on a compulsion.

    -Driving range 5 time a week. 25-60 balls per session. Sometimes two sessions a day. Reckon I'm spending €40 Euro a week on range balls!
    -Swing a 7 iron at home in front of mirror.
    -Chipping balls onto the couch off a rug during ads in the golf.
    -Putting across the carpet into a shoe box with a hole cut in the side.
    -Watching loads of Your Tube lessons and slow motion swings - Fook off John Richardson ads!
    -Bought a second hand TaylorMade 2007 Burner 460 Driver and two new 56 and 52 milled face wedges in Sept. Love them already.

    Eating, sleeping and drinking golf.

    Working on:
    -Maintaining lag. Practicing a few swings without releasing really helping me.
    -Stopping casting and coming over the top. Correct grip and open face a top of backswing helping here, along with allowing the arms to roll in release.
    -Staying down. Not hopping up or lifting head.
    -Turning the shoulders down not around.

    This is my goal swing for better or worse as it is closest to the swing I have now.


    Last three outings
    36, 34 and 31 for 15 holes off 18. Irons and wedges are starting to become really sweet. Getting there.

    I don't know how you turn you shoulders down, the shoulders can only rotate around your spine :confused:

    It's the angle created by the bend in your hips that give the impression the shoulders are rotating down despite the fact the are actually rotating around your spine.


  • #110
    dan_ep82
    Registered Users Posts: 2,726 ✭✭✭dan_ep82


    Have to work more on my short irons in between rounds,it lapsed really badly since last week.

    Same goes with putting, couldn't get a feel for the travel of the ball at all.


  • #111
    willabur
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,631 ✭✭✭willabur


    Corkblowin wrote: »
    I see a lot of talk about drivers and wonder why we're all so obsessed. I've gone from hitting 14 drivers a round down to 9/10. A 3 wood is easier to hit straight, the poor shots are not as wide, and the difference in length often isn't worth talking about. Especially with the new ones where lofts can be tweaked.

    I'd suggest in the next casual game that the driver is left in the boot and see the difference it makes to FIR and consequently scoring.

    I have the opposite story to tell. When I was playing of 17~18 I never had a driver in my bag, anytime I took it out I was just so wild that I played with a 3 wood off the tee. The trouble is that I was so short on long holes that I was struggling to make bogey. So I bought myself a BBplus and took on a quote I read of Jack Nicklaus, learn to hit the ball as far as you can then worry about straightening it up.

    Now I am still wild with my Driver from time to time but my handicap is down to 12 and I put at least a couple of those shots down to hitting my driver a good 60 yards further down the track (direction variable :( )


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  • #112
    slingerz
    Registered Users Posts: 5,276 ✭✭✭slingerz


    willabur wrote: »
    I have the opposite story to tell. When I was playing of 17~18 I never had a driver in my bag, anytime I took it out I was just so wild that I played with a 3 wood off the tee. The trouble is that I was so short on long holes that I was struggling to make bogey. So I bought myself a BBplus and took on a quote I read of Jack Nicklaus, learn to hit the ball as far as you can then worry about straightening it up.

    Now I am still wild with my Driver from time to time but my handicap is down to 12 and I put at least a couple of those shots down to hitting my driver a good 60 yards further down the track (direction variable :( )

    I've done what the OP suggested and have gone from hitting 15 drivers to 6.

    tee off now with my 5i more often than not and still have a chance of par on most holes possibly barring index 1 which is fair enough with me as I'm currently off 18, exact of 18.4 so it may creep to 19!


  • #113
    alxmorgan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,855 ✭✭✭alxmorgan


    m r c wrote: »
    Ok I've been working my butt off at this to be honest.

    Range 5 days a week, 2-3 times per day minimum of 40 balls a go.
    This has vastly improved my iron play. Combined with a major grip change.
    wombatman wrote:
    I'm also working like crazy. Obsession bordering on a compulsion.

    -Driving range 5 time a week. 25-60 balls per session. Sometimes two sessions a day. Reckon I'm spending €40 Euro a week on range balls!
    -Swing a 7 iron at home in front of mirror.
    -Chipping balls onto the couch off a rug during ads in the golf.
    -Putting across the carpet into a shoe box with a hole cut in the side.
    -Watching loads of Your Tube lessons and slow motion swings - Fook off John Richardson ads!
    -Bought a second hand TaylorMade 2007 Burner 460 Driver and two new 56 and 52 milled face wedges in Sept. Love them already.

    Eating, sleeping and drinking golf.


    Fair fecks lads that is some amount of work. No doubt it will pay off. Fair play :)


  • #114
    m r c
    Closed Accounts Posts: 802 ✭✭✭m r c


    92 strokes for 38 points in a 2 club wind. But 40 putts :-o should lose 1.2 :-)


  • #115
    m r c
    Closed Accounts Posts: 802 ✭✭✭m r c


    Yep that's 1.2 off the h/c so the threads working for me anyway. 1.6 off now in just over a month, v happy with that tbh.


  • #116
    Wardie23
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭Wardie23


    Anyone know anywhere in Dublin where I can get a gap test?


  • #117
    Gerry T
    Registered Users Posts: 1,446 ✭✭✭Gerry T


    Best advise I could give would be to play within yourself. So playing a course you know plan each hole, from green back to tee. Take the percentage shots.

    For example for a high handicap player on a par 4, you may favour a full pitch onto the green from 80-100m rather than a trickey half shot. If the hole is 360m that leaves you 2 shots to make between 280m and 260m. No need to try blast a driver and low iron this will most likely leave you in trouble. So take an easy 3 or 5 wood off the tee and an 8 iron. Try keeping the ball on the fairway. Then always aim for the centre of the green and not the pin. This tactic should greatly reduce the double bogeys and higher !!
    As your ball dispersion gets tighter, try aiming left or right of fairway in an aim to leaving your approach shot with the best angle to hitting the green.


  • #118
    Wombatman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,337 ✭✭✭Wombatman


    Gerry T wrote: »
    Best advise I could give would be to play within yourself. So playing a course you know plan each hole, from green back to tee. Take the percentage shots.

    For example for a high handicap player on a par 4, you may favour a full pitch onto the green from 80-100m rather than a trickey half shot. If the hole is 360m that leaves you 2 shots to make between 280m and 260m. No need to try blast a driver and low iron this will most likely leave you in trouble. So take an easy 3 or 5 wood off the tee and an 8 iron. Try keeping the ball on the fairway. Then always aim for the centre of the green and not the pin. This tactic should greatly reduce the double bogeys and higher !!
    As your ball dispersion gets tighter, try aiming left or right of fairway in an aim to leaving your approach shot with the best angle to hitting the green.

    This is solid advice. Increases your margin of error. Just getting into the habit of doing this and its already paying off.


  • #119
    Keano
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,804 Mod ✭✭✭✭Keano


    Me too. Keeping the ball in play more and my last 3 rounds I've averaged 33 points. Never been able to do that!


  • #120
    slingerz
    Registered Users Posts: 5,276 ✭✭✭slingerz


    Keano A Legend wrote: »
    Me too. Keeping the ball in play more and my last 3 rounds I've averaged 33 points. Never been able to do that!

    been doing this as well in my home course. dont need the driver half the time i used to take it out. has been paying dividends. The only hole where the drvier is needed to make par is the index 1 but theres too much trouble left and right there.

    need to improve the options off the tee, havent been hitting the hybrids well lately and the 3 wood is rarely used at all. have to start practising the 3 wood methinks.


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  • #121
    m r c
    Closed Accounts Posts: 802 ✭✭✭m r c


    Ok today is "D" day.

    I've worked my ass off all winter my last competitive round was on Sunday and I shot 5 over in the non qualifying 15 hole comp for 43 points and yesterday evening I played 16-18 in 1 over for another 10 points.
    Those are really decent scores but I'm still off 22.9 so over the next few weeks I'm hoping I can change that.

    I couldn't be in a better place with my golf ATM but it all depends on the day. We have a Friday open and today is the first qualifying competition.

    I wouldn't be more nervous if I was teeing it up in the west of Ireland, I'll report back either way anyway this evening :-)


  • #122
    Rikand
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,424 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    willabur wrote: »
    I have the opposite story to tell. When I was playing of 17~18 I never had a driver in my bag, anytime I took it out I was just so wild that I played with a 3 wood off the tee. The trouble is that I was so short on long holes that I was struggling to make bogey. So I bought myself a BBplus and took on a quote I read of Jack Nicklaus, learn to hit the ball as far as you can then worry about straightening it up.

    Now I am still wild with my Driver from time to time but my handicap is down to 12 and I put at least a couple of those shots down to hitting my driver a good 60 yards further down the track (direction variable :( )

    i started playing golf at the age of 10 and didn't buy my first driver till i was 22.

    at the age of 22 i was playing off a handicap of 9 and it was only then did i need a driver to help push my game along.

    you don't NEED a driver to be a good golfer. It's far more important to be straight and to have a good short game.

    i used 3 wood off the tee back then


  • #123
    BoardsMember
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,497 ✭✭✭BoardsMember


    m r c wrote: »
    I wouldn't be more nervous if I was teeing it up in the west of Ireland, I'll report back either way anyway this evening :-)

    Interested to hear how you went, the above would concern me a little - every round is a positive opportunity, something to look forward to and enjoy, getting nervous rarely helps shooting to the best of your ability. It's just a little white ball that you are in control of, nothing to be nervous about.


  • #124
    Rikand
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,424 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    m r c wrote: »
    Ok today is "D" day.

    I've worked my ass off all winter my last competitive round was on Sunday and I shot 5 over in the non qualifying 15 hole comp for 43 points and yesterday evening I played 16-18 in 1 over for another 10 points.
    Those are really decent scores but I'm still off 22.9 so over the next few weeks I'm hoping I can change that.

    I couldn't be in a better place with my golf ATM but it all depends on the day. We have a Friday open and today is the first qualifying competition.

    I wouldn't be more nervous if I was teeing it up in the west of Ireland, I'll report back either way anyway this evening :-)

    Today isn't D day.

    Today is just the first day, OF THE WHOLE SUMMER. You have plenty of time to get down. Don't be worried if today doesnt pan out the way you want it to :) We're amateur golfers and we don't play to the best of our ability everytime we go out. Just try to have fun and you'll do brilliantly :D


  • #125
    m r c
    Closed Accounts Posts: 802 ✭✭✭m r c


    BoardsMember wrote: »
    Interested to hear how you went, the above would concern me a little - every round is a positive opportunity, something to look forward to and enjoy, getting nervous rarely helps shooting to the best of your ability. It's just a little white ball that you are in control of, nothing to be nervous about.


    For me the nerves as it were would equate to other sports I've played.
    It's more wanting to do well I think it'd help me play well tbh.


  • #126
    m r c
    Closed Accounts Posts: 802 ✭✭✭m r c


    39 points in a stiff enough breeze with a reasonably cold putter very happy in all honesty.
    Hoping CSS will be 34 realistically prob 35 still 4 .4s happy days :-)


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  • #127
    BoardsMember
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,497 ✭✭✭BoardsMember


    m r c wrote: »
    39 points in a stiff enough breeze with a reasonably cold putter very happy in all honesty.
    Hoping CSS will be 34 realistically prob 35 still 4 .4s happy days :-)

    Good man, good score in wind/cold/early season...onwards and upwards now!!


  • #128
    m r c
    Closed Accounts Posts: 802 ✭✭✭m r c


    Very happy this morning, I had 40 points yesterday won the competition and lost 2.0 I'm now down to 19.0

    I'm delighted that I've gotten down under 20 and I intend to kick on further

    It's nice to reflect though and back in October I was off 24 and very unhappy which makes yesterday all the better.


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