any tips for this HACKER on the short course?

[golfman2760]

going to my local short course tommorrow morning for some practise

I dont do too bad for a hacker a few things I need to work on

1. Teeing off with an Iron- Sometimes when i strike the ball it spins off to the left into the long grass

2. Putting -
Ive got the lining right I either strike the ball too soft or too hard (my dad says the idea is to attack the hole but I dont want to go too far past the hole)
but my putts always seem to head towards the hole


other than that I dont know what else I need help with, I know that shorter tees work better for me though and my pitching and chipping is improving

at this course I dont need to worry too much about sand because there are only about 5 traps on the whole course

any tips on how to improve this hackers game will be much appreciated

[Ravenous Bugblatter Beast]

As far as putting goes, I think others and me would suggest you read the following link:

http://www.golfdigest.com/instructio...1quieteye.html

It's made a huge difference for me, especially with regard to the problem of pace on the putt. Since I've read it, a few times over now, and thought about it, it just makes a lot of sense. If you've already got the line figured out, and your ball set up for that, then there's really one last remaining thing to do: get your brain to know where the target endpoint is, and have your brain know where the ball is starting from, which is why you focus on the back of the ball. Once you have those two points, the brain can calculate the rest, and it becomes much more like the act of throwing a ball to a target.

When you throw a ball to a target, do you ever have to think like this? Well, I need to take my arm so far back, then I have move my arm this fast. You don't have to do that, consciously, your brain just needs the target and a feel for the distance it needs to the throw the ball. If you start thinking about lots of other stuff, you'll interfere with that unconscious solving of the problem, and things go awry.

The quiet eye routine works to clear the mind of the stuff it doesn't need to make a good putt.

[golfman2760]

thanks RBB ill take some of those putting tips onto the course tommorrow

[Pa Jayhawk]

The best way I have found to better judge distance on putts and chips is to hold the finish until the ball stops rolling or falls in the cup. Gives the brain a chance to process what distance comes as a result of what stroke.

Most say you should concentrate getting the ball 17" past the hole on a miss. I personally like it to fall in the hole on one of the last rotations, or maybe 4" past the hole as it is easier to read an accurate line, but if I ever get to a point where I am coming up short I adjust. Never up never in!!!

I also use this in match play, I can't remember who said it but it was in a book I read. Anytime a player misses long, make them putt it out. Be more lenient on the short putts even up to a few feet if it is not for the hole. I have found that it really works to teach people you play against to miss short so they will get a generous gimme.

[Ravenous Bugblatter Beast]

Yeah, I think after you look up, but only a couple seconds after you struck the putt, it's a good idea to hold the finish, and watch what your putt does. That keeps the muscle movement you made fresh in your head, and you can then associate the information you retrieve from watching what happens to the putt you made.

Unless, of course, you look up and know it's going in. Then start walking after it, it sure will look impressive that you knew it all along.

[ezra76]

Teeing off with an iron... If they are going left you probably have it too high, forward and far away from you..maybe? I use a broken off tee, if I can't find one I break one of my own down to 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. I put it in the ground with only the very top sticking up. I try to just mimick a perfect lie. Set the ball up first then take your normal stance with the club you are using. Don't try to kill it either just because it's off the teebox. I usuually try to take plenty of club and and a nice fluid swing. For instance if I am at 148yds. I can hit a 9 150 with a full swing but I can hit an "easy 8" there no problem with a 75% swing. I'd take the 8 rather than try to kill the 9. Of course with a back right pin and enough room and runway I'll hit a knockdown fade 7 and run it up there.