Best "Approach" to go from a 14 to 9 handicap???

[300Drive]

Hello guys (and of course any ladies out there!)-

I am a 14 handicap (was 17 at beginning of season) and want to get to a 9. Clearly ALL phases of my game need work (I am a 14 remember). The best part of my game (this is all relative to each other) is driving distance and accuracy,and putting. The worst part of my game is 1) iron play...I repeat, iron play...followed by 2) pitching, then bunker play.

I miss WAY too many greens..</u>

Problems are lifting on backswing, too steep backswing and forward swing, and not enough left lean on backswing (kind of reverse pivot).

How should I approach getting handicap down? Short game and wait until the iron play "comes around"? Focus on iron play, and continue working on my strengths to hold the overall game together?

Recommendations please.

One last thing, with a neutral to strong grip (3 knuckles showing), should I have a flat or cupped top of swing position?

Thanks.

 

[diggerdog]

Ever tried cheating?

 

[Archie Swivel]

I have found the 'foot wedge' to be useful in that regard.

 

[6bee1dee]

I like Homer's saying, "I don't care if you kick it in with a Florsheim Niblick"

My advice, apply more TGM in your golf life. Even one lesson with a good AI will change your game for the better. As Yoda told us, "pick a section (in the book) and get better for life."
"Then pick another, " I said that! Fade to harmonica.

 

[300Drive]

quote:Originally posted by 6bee1dee

I like Homer's saying, "I don't care if you kick it in with a Florsheim Niblick"

........... As Yoda told us, "pick a section (in the book) and get better for life."
"Then pick another, " I said that! Fade to harmonica.

Good idea, just need to focus on the ones that apply to my particular "swing flaws" now (lifting, steep, left lean)...Thanks

 

[dene]

I went from a 14 to a 9 this summer. There were 2 key reasons.

1. Improvement in my putting in that I rarely 3 putt anymore. Key element was a tip the best putter in my club gave me. Decide on the line, stick to it, then never think about it again. Only think about distance. If the distance is right, you'll 2 putt.

2. Improvement in course management. I use to average a penalty per round. Now it's one per week. Key reasons....getting a higher lofted 11 degree driver and two...play percentages, laying up if necessary. This has cut down on my double bogey + holes.

Ironically, one thing I don't do much these days is practice. I use to practice every day....now it's once a week. I think over practice becomes detrimental, especially in the long game.

-Greg

 

[azgolfer]

Work on your weaknesses in practice, use your strengths on the course. Can you pitch well with a 7 iron as opposed to a lob wedge ? Use the 7 on the course, practice the L wedge. Bunker play, are you aiming to hit the sand ? Try practicing bunker shots without the ball. Just knock a small chunk of sand out. Aim for the middle of the green, rather than the pin. Backswing - keep your right knee flexed, keep your hip bend, the right hip moves back, not to the right.

 

[rangerx]

330Drive, I'm in the same boat. My goal this Summer was to go sub-12, but I'm still hovering around 14-15. Instead of greens, it's fairways and up-n-downs for me.

A recent lesson reminded me that practicing with purpose was something I abandoned altogether this year. I've been paying lip service to practicing setup and swing fundamentals. Drills? Hah. [8] Now I realize most of my range sessions this year have been spent warming up full swing through my irons, so that I could get to demoing different drivers and/or shafts. [B)]

Fwiw, from one midcap to another , a good drill that helped my iron play considerably last year (and that I haven't practiced enough this year) is to...with a 5-iron or 6-iron, practice hitting golf balls at various short distance targets (75-100-125 yards)...focus on balance and impact, making fluid, less-than-full swings. I promise, if you do this enough, you will learn to control your iron shots better. To boot, a valuable lesson I learned is that 150 yards out no longer automatically means 8-iron. [8D]

 

[6bee1dee]

quote:Originally posted by 300Drive

quote:Originally posted by 6bee1dee

I like Homer's saying, "I don't care if you kick it in with a Florsheim Niblick"

........... As Yoda told us, "pick a section (in the book) and get better for life."
"Then pick another, " I said that! Fade to harmonica.

Good idea, just need to focus on the ones that apply to my particular "swing flaws" now (lifting, steep, left lean)...Thanks

just pick ANY one. There are no 'cure your slice chapters' or one to 'stop a reverse pivot.' Every chapter is linked to another, so dive in there. The first chapter we looked at in the workshop was number 8. Try that one. Ask questions anytime you like.

Learn the magic of the right forearm, how it works and how to use it on the Take-Up and how it traces the plane line back to the ball. Few things in life is as easy and as reliable. Hint: you will need a new/'BETTER' right hand grip to use the right forearm correctly. It has all been posted before in the two TGM forums. Look under 'YODA.'

Go 4 it big guy. The correct use of the Right forearm will Not solve the problem - it will make it MOOT.

 

[300Drive]

quote:Originally posted by rangerx

330Drive, I'm in the same boat. My goal this Summer was to go sub-12, but I'm still hovering around 14-15. Instead of greens, it's fairways and up-n-downs for me.

A recent lesson reminded me that practicing with purpose was something I abandoned altogether this year. I've been paying lip service to practicing setup and swing fundamentals. Drills? Hah. [8] Now I realize most of my range sessions this year have been spent warming up full swing through my irons, so that I could get to demoing different drivers and/or shafts. [B)]

Fwiw, from one midcap to another , a good drill that helped my iron play considerably last year (and that I haven't practiced enough this year) is to...with a 5-iron or 6-iron, practice hitting golf balls at various short distance targets (75-100-125 yards)...focus on balance and impact, making fluid, less-than-full swings. I promise, if you do this enough, you will learn to control your iron shots better. To boot, a valuable lesson I learned is that 150 yards out no longer automatically means 8-iron. [8D]

That drill is a good reminder....I was using it earlier as well and just stopped. Its a great drill for MANY reasons.

 

[300Drive]

quote:Originally posted by 6bee1dee

quote:Originally posted by 300Drive

quote:Originally posted by 6bee1dee

I like Homer's saying, "I don't care if you kick it in with a Florsheim Niblick"

........... As Yoda told us, "pick a section (in the book) and get better for life."
"Then pick another, " I said that! Fade to harmonica.

Good idea, just need to focus on the ones that apply to my particular "swing flaws" now (lifting, steep, left lean)...Thanks

just pick ANY one. There are no 'cure your slice chapters' or one to 'stop a reverse pivot.' Every chapter is linked to another, so dive in there. The first chapter we looked at in the workshop was number 8. Try that one. Ask questions anytime you like.

Learn the magic of the right forearm, how it works and how to use it on the Take-Up and how it traces the plane line back to the ball. Few things in life is as easy and as reliable. Hint: you will need a new/'BETTER' right hand grip to use the right forearm correctly. It has all been posted before in the two TGM forums. Look under 'YODA.'

Go 4 it big guy. The correct use of the Right forearm will Not solve the problem - it will make it MOOT.

Intersting you mention Right forearm discussion....that is the latest topic I have been looking at and working on....results for me have been a flatter B/S and F/S which is good, given that I had been too vertical and pulling shots (well I still do occasionally).

Thanks

 

[EdZ]

quote:Originally posted by 300Drive

quote:Originally posted by rangerx

330Drive, I'm in the same boat. My goal this Summer was to go sub-12, but I'm still hovering around 14-15. Instead of greens, it's fairways and up-n-downs for me.

A recent lesson reminded me that practicing with purpose was something I abandoned altogether this year. I've been paying lip service to practicing setup and swing fundamentals. Drills? Hah. [8] Now I realize most of my range sessions this year have been spent warming up full swing through my irons, so that I could get to demoing different drivers and/or shafts. [B)]

Fwiw, from one midcap to another , a good drill that helped my iron play considerably last year (and that I haven't practiced enough this year) is to...with a 5-iron or 6-iron, practice hitting golf balls at various short distance targets (75-100-125 yards)...focus on balance and impact, making fluid, less-than-full swings. I promise, if you do this enough, you will learn to control your iron shots better. To boot, a valuable lesson I learned is that 150 yards out no longer automatically means 8-iron. [8D]

That drill is a good reminder....I was using it earlier as well and just stopped. Its a great drill for MANY reasons.

One of my personal favorites for day to day 'maintenance'....