Second shot misery!

Hi everyone,

I've been playing about 2 years but haven't got below a 28 handicap. My biggest problem is hitting (or NOT hitting) consistently off the fairway with my second / third shots. My driving is, according to my partners, excellent, my approach shots to the green are Ok and putting is also OK, but I mess up far too often off the fairway. Usually I 'top' or ground the club well behind the ball - no real pattern to when I do what. As a result I lose 10-12 shots per round.

I love the game and don't let this get me down, but I'd love to progress and start reducing my handicap. Any 'easy solutions'!!???

Welcome Stuart and hope you enjoy the site.

I had to reply to your post because I suffered exactly the same for years. Am I right in saying that you would tell yourself you would miss the second shot even before you struck it? Wondering what way to swing the club? asking yourself all sorts of questions in your head so that the end result is a total wreck standing over the ball?

Well, for what its worth, here is what i did to solve the problem. having watched all sorts of videos about swing etc, I came to the conclusion that this was the worst thing to do. I eventually clicked on what was missing and was causing me grief in my round.

ROUTINE. This was the key which worked for me. I never really had a big problem with striking the ball in practice at the range, because unaware to myself I had some sort of routine going, i.e. grip, stance, spine angle tempo etc. When I applied this routine on the course the results started to appear and I now go through a round with reasonable scores, but most importantly with consistent ball striking. If you watch the pros on TV you willl see that their golden rule is repetitive rotine on the teebox, fairway, and green. I hope this helps you in your effort to improve and I look forward to your next few posts after a few rounds.

Regards,
Robert

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"Play to your ability, not your expectation"

This seems to be a common problem among most golfers. I solved it (for the most part) by meticulously following the 'tuition on line' (available free on wikipedia and elsewhere) instructions and spending time on our practice tee/ fairway. It took almost fifteen practice sessions to get the rhythm, but once there, it was exhilerating. Golf swing is indeed a very un-natural movement and one needs some outside help to monitor and correct flaws. I could not afford a pro so the second best thing was 'tuition on line'. It really worked. Good luck. Bali.

I take it you have problems with longer irons and fairway woods off the fairway?

The answer is to sort out that problem which can be due to ball position, shoulder turn, retaining spine angle and others, its hard to assist without more information.

For now on par 5s or long par 4s, if you are a good driver (say 230/250 yards) then consider using a couple of mid iron shots to the green, your 5,6 and 7 irons should do it. You will have one extra shot on all of these holes and probably 2 on the longer ones.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

hi sorry to here the 2nd shots arent going too well, if you could post a video of your swing iw ould be happy to take a look for you and suggest some changes.

take a look at the playing lessons in the post by Maryanne.
bogiestobirdies. you might find something in there that will help your iron game.

Short to mid irons on the second and third shot should do the trick. While at the practise range---hit your driver and then play a hole in your mind and practise the next shot (3 wood, long iron, 8 iron, etc) . They say to not practise too much with one club on the range---to roll through your clubs, practise your routine, take your time. I have seen many people hitting shot after shot like a machine... You won't be able to play like that on the course.

Personally, I can par most par 5's with a driver, 8 iron and a putter. second shot is lay up I also pick a target to lay up to so it is almost a practise shot for the next "money" shot to the green. My long irons and 3 wood rarely get used unless I am playing with friends who like to play the championship tees---then I end up hitting heaps of 3 woods... I am not long enough to play these tees, but will play them if a mate wants to.

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SumoSid
"Moments of Greatness followed by Moments of horror."