What to practice for two weeks

I'm in the middle of an off season strength and flexibility program - just turning maximum strength in to speed. I am over 50 and play for fun, but goal is to drop my hcp to single digits. My plan did not include a visit to Spain for 2 weeks, but it's happening. And I have an opportunity to use a practicing area every day. (Driving range, chipping area, bunkers and a putting green.) Might even be able to get a round of golf...

My question is what do practice for two weeks?
If I do it by Dave Pelz's book, it would be something like:
50% short game, 30 % putting game, 20% power game.

After two my two week visit to Spain, I have to wait for 2 months until our courses open? Do you think that Pelz formula is still relevant? I can't keep the touch - feeling of the short game and putting for two months - what should I focus on? (other than having fun, of course).

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"It's fine to take your golf seriously, but don't take yourself seriously." Zen Golf

I strongly believe that the most important part of the game is within 120 yards of the pin. To be a single figure handicap golfer you need to be able to score well from this distance. OK, driving and long fairway shots need some consideration but they are secondary and do not need the precision of the shorter game.

My advice is to work from the green back to 120. Putting, chipping, sand and pitching. Learn to lop shots over bunkers from different lies that stop up dead, learn to chip shots that bump and run but also learn ones that take a hop then spin to a stop.

One other part that you may consider is the mental approach, pack Dr Bob Rotella's book 'Golf is not a game of perfect' and read that on the journey. It can do a lot for your game.

I hope this helps.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

Put ya feet up, chill, and soak up the sun fella....................

I have a tournament coming up next Saturday, and for the past 3 weeks I have been practicing exactly as BrianW described. The only thing I am doing different is on those shorter chips, and pitches I am finishing up each chip/pitch with a putt. It puts a little more game time pressure on me to get those chips, and pitches closer to the pin to make one putt finishes easier.

Follow BrianW's advice....GJS

So the plan would look like:
1) putting practise with a game like approach - maybe some small personal competition.
2) chipping from first cut - second cut - rolling the ball
3) "yardish" shots like 30, 50, 70 meters - with different wedges ( 7:30, 9 o'clock, maybe a full finesse swing?)
4) Punker shots
5) different power swings with high - low trajectory and fade - draw shots.

(You are not allowed to chip to the better putting area.)

Hi Hannu,

The only difference between a single figure h/capper and a mid h/capper is short game, if you can get up and down 8 times out of ten, up and down 50% from bunkers you will be a single figure h/capper.........

I have played with many people 2 feet taller, arms like gorillas who hit the ball a long way, I'll stick to my skinny arms and a good short game.

Have fun

Ian.

I think you are absolutely right about the short game but would point out that with a sand save percentage of 50% you'd be in the top 3 in the world.

Last time I looked Mickelson "only" averaged 46%.

I only mention it to avoid people struggling with unrealistic expectations.

PGA Tour-Sand Save Percentage: April 14, 2009
Rank Name Stat
1 Olin Browne 90.0

2 Webb Simpson 71.0

3 Luke Donald 67.4

4 David Mathis 66.7

5 Kevin Na 66.0

6 Robert Allenby 65.6

7 Jim Furyk 65.4

8 Cliff Kresge 64.9

9 Nick O'Hern 64.7

10 Cameron Beckman 64.3


50% is my average for last season, as we imput our states on www.howdidido.com, you can see all my scores for last season.

P.S. Always thought Mickleson was poor out of bunkers....lol

happy days

Ian.

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Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

Fair cop guv! I'd only seen Phil's figures and not noticed the others!

Ha,

Must admit you had me worried for a minute, so I am better than Phil then.........Mmmmm PGA or European Tour, now let me think...!!

Oh Yes: thats what stopping me, driving 40 yds behind, GUR oh only about 10 per round, putts OMG near 30 some rounds, ok maybe not.

Pehaps it long game I need.

Ian.

Hey guys,

I dont want to labour the sand save thing, but here are the 2010 sand saves, I play about 15 club torneys a year and average 50%.

http://nationalpost.stats.com/golf/av...GA&rank=15

Quite inspiring.

Ian.

I totally agree on the importance of short game. I wouldn't read Pelz's short game bible otherwise. And last season I always started my round of golf by playing a par 3 course with several balls. (I managed to play 150 rounds so it's a lot of short game too.)

Putting in living room is ok, but chipping just isn't the same and short game is very much about feel - for me at least.

What I can do in two weeks is try to learn a more stable, more death hands finesse swing. Something like 9 to 3 o'clock with out any "x-factor". Just dropping the club and letting it swing - and looking where all the balls end up. (Hopefully in a small area after two weeks.)

Last season did not do anything to my hcp nor did the previous. It's 13,5 but I have a feeling that it will drop ... Maybe it just needs more short game - and very much more confidence. I'm getting there.

I've also lifted weights and stretched a lot this winter. I'm not afraid that my drives will be too long - or even any longer than last year. I'm hoping that it just be easier to hit the fairway maybe dropping from 95% max speed to 80% or if I am brave enough to 70% of max effort.


BUT I do need to practice sand saves - 50%!!! I'd play to bunkers as a game plan.

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"It's fine to take your golf seriously, but don't take yourself seriously." Zen Golf

This video shows Phil's way to do it. Lots of good stuff here:

Thanks BrianW for the video.
I think I need to do a program for my self so that I'll do something planned.

I've noticed that with out notes I just go to putting green and put for a while and the chip some and do a little short game. It's all right, but it lakes control and game like "trying". I'll have to try to develope spesific skills. Like 10 meter bunker shot to 1 meter of the flag. Or distance control in putting or crisp contact on wedges - or finesse swing consistence.... or...

Two weeks can't do it all.

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"It's fine to take your golf seriously, but don't take yourself seriously." Zen Golf