What`s the next step?

[mariner]

I`ve just about straightened out my over-the-top swing plane, I play quite a lot (4-5 times a week) so I`m middling nearly everything, and only 3-putt once or twice a round - why am I still going round in 92? (only about 3 shots better than my average of a couple of months ago when I was 3-putting 5 or 6 greens, pulling everything miles left, hitting fat shots with short irons, beating myself up mentally)

I`m still only getting 3 or 4 greens in regulation, that hasn`t changed, but it FEELS like I`m about 8/10 shots better in terms of quality of strike, and all those 5s I get are "easy" ones (just miss GIR, chip up, just miss putt)

I suppose I`ve answered my own question - short game - but so many things have improved in general that I can`t believe I`m not averaging 85.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: What`s the next step?

Hi Kerry,

Sound to me like you are trying to hard, if your ball striking has improved then it's only a matter of time.

Try forgetting about your swing thoughts and just concentrate on pin position, wind, type of lie you have and where you would like to land the ball.
Take a little longer on them putts and just don't try running before you can walk.

Be patient it will happen..


Good Luck

Ian.

[gord962]

Re: What`s the next step?

I would work on your chipping (try to get into 1 putt range from just off the green) as well as keeping your ball striking as your main focus. Don't keepscore for 2 weeks - that will give you 8 -10 rounds of just hitting shots and not worrying about your score. After a couple weeks without wondering why you haven't broke 90 you should be more confident with your game and you will be in the scoring range you expect yourself to be in.

[ph_kingston]

Re: What`s the next step?

It seems like you're happy with the swing but not the results. Short game practice will help a lot, but think about your course management and shot selection too. A few things to think about on each hole are:

Off the tee: Where do you want to hit the ball off to give you an ideal second shot? If you leave yourself with a second shot that's between clubs then maybe taking a different club off the tee is a better choice. Does the line to the green give you a clear shot in and a good angle to hit the green? In other words don't automatically pull out the driver on a par 4.

Approach shot: Before selecting the club and shot that you want to play ask yourself these questions. What's the distance to the green? What direction and strength is the wind? Is the lie uphill or downhill? All of these factors affect the actual distance that the ball will travel so you need to make these adjustments.