100 Yards & In!!!

After playing over the weekend with some really good players, I noticed that part of their game which is missing from mine is their accuracy with their wedges at 100 yards and in. Is there anyone out there that can suggest some practice drills to use to tighten up on these shots. I have realised one of the main problems is to try and take powerful full shots in with higher lofted clubs instead of taking a more controlled shorter swing with a bigger club. Is this the right way to go about it? Should I be aiming at hitting certain clubs at specific yardages? Any help would be greatfully recieved and appreciated.

Many thanks,
Dave

Hi Dave,

You have answered your own question, a more controlled swing.......for instance I can hit 100 with my 52 degree, however I rarely use it for 100 yds I use the P or 9 with my feet close together, ball off the back toe and a controlled half back swing and turn everything through together.

A very easy swing to learn and very effective.


Good Luck

ian.

Ian,

thanks for this, I will definately try this new theory out this week and will hopefully see an improvement.

Thanks again,
Dave

Simple enough, find a place to set up a short game practice station. You don't have to spend money at a driving range to get good results. Get a dozen practice balls and practice shots from 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards to a specific target (I use an orange taffic cone and sometimes just trees in my yard). Spend time at each distance and before long you will develop a feel for the swing required for each distance. When you hit the golf course you'll have the confidence to pick out a spot to land the ball and nail it.

By far my best scores have come after practicing my short game like this. It'll not only improve your wedge game but you'll find your overall ball striking with every club will improve.

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Mizuno MP-37 Irons
Mizuno F-50 Fairway Wood
Taylor Made 19d Rescue Hybrid
Ping Si3 Driver
Cleveland Tour Action 588 54 Wedge
Titleist Scotty Cameron Putter

All great info giving above. What I would like to add are a couple of things. First of all once you do start practicing your short game shots as those above suggested, pay close attention to your carry distance, and of course your overall (carry/roll) distance. If you have a hazard in your way from any distance, knowing your carry with each club is a must. Secondly, expieriment with your stance. Some people are more accurate with a more narrower stance than normal. Other people are more accurate with a square stance rather than the normally prescribed open stance.

On another note the red cone idea made me think of a friend of mine who lives near a dry lake bed. He also uses red traffic cones on this dry lake to practice all types of shots. When he goes out he even takes a few pieces of sod to practice off of. Just another practice example when you have enough room, and some ingenuity. GJS

Thanks for all your tips on my short game. Now it's just a case of practice, practice, practice. I will work on distance control stance and also play around with using pw, gap, sw and lob to see which is the most consistant.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again,
Dave

P.S. The only problem is that it is throwing it down here and will be for the rest of the week, so getting up to my club to practice maybe immpossible!!!

Hi Davie,

Just picking up on your thread

Quote: play around with using pw, gap, sw and lob to see which is the most consistant.

Don't try to find which one is most consistant, find how far you hit with all of them, have no favorate, same stance same swing with each one and pace out the distance and write them down until you know them.


Get your rain suit out, if you can play well in the rain then you will win comps, because alot of heads drop with the water.


Ian.

That's what I meant really, see how far each one goes and work out the averages for use on the course. I do realise what you mean about playing in the rain getting you down. I play every week rain or shine (usually more rain though) and have had this happen. I think the main problem is keeping your hands and grips dry.

I will try and get out whatever the weather being a golf junkie and all.

I've recently started playing everything from 60 yards and in as a punchy low bump and run with 7/8/9 irons, unless i absolutely have to get the ball up in the air to clear a trap or get over some uneven terrian. For me this is far easier to control and has considerably less risk than a high wedge shot because it is so easy to play

One of the guys at my course whos a scratchy plays this way week in week out and his short game is marvellous to watch

I also tend to do this probably from a little closer in, but will also give this a try. I struggle with judging getting over water, traps or raised greens and this is where the lofted shots are needed.

Great thread,

Whats the best way to measure distance?
How do you figure out your carry and roll? Do I have to get the wife out there with a helmet on hehe

At the range it is hard to guesstimate distance using range balls,
The yardage markers are clear ie. 100, 150, 200 etc. but from where were the measurements taken? From the center of the range? Thats kinda like hitting to the green from the 150 marker but 30 yards to the left or right of it, gotta add on some yards for the extra distance away from the center of the green, I am assuming the 150 is measured from the center of the green to the markers.

May all your approach shots be good ones!!!

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Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course - the distance between your ears. ~Bobby Jones

Burnaby,

What you need is ten good balls preferably the ones you use for a normal round of golf.

Hit them with each wedge.........then simply pace out to the middle of the pack for a good average, you can do this will all your irons...............can be a long walk with a 2 iron though.


Hope this helps

ian.

Paul,

Bump and run has its place but there is no control over what it does after it bounces.

I'm not sure if the original problem was distance.....for me it is accuracy....I hit most of my irons with a nice little draw but my wedges are all over the place sometimes right on but mostly left or right.... a lot of pulls.....can't understand why it is different from other irons.

Hi Davie,
Well how I practice my chipping is by using my umbrella upside down at different distances and try to hit ten balls into it, with the object of this is that the balls must remain in the umbrella and not be the ones that hit in and then fly out. This helps you with control of the ball and accuracy. So far my highest has been 3 balls. Have a go its great to get money off your mates with as well.
Cheers
Mark