Golfers?

[ccbird]

Really frustrated because I'm a decent tee to green player. I could probably break 80 consistently if I could putt. Instead I'm usually in the high 80s. Today, I had 4 birdie putts from 15 feet and in and bogied two of them. Also missed three or four other 5 footers. I just don't feel comfortable standing over shorter putts and I know I'm not rolling the ball the right way of the putter head. Don't know if it's grip, too handsy, etc. Any general tips are appreciated.

[scOtt]

Tell you what, I had the honor of playing Bulle Rock this past Monday.

That's the nicest golf course I've ever played.

I played the TPC at Avenel. Best course I've ever played. Best round I ever played too. 84 but like I said... it was the TPC at Avenel! You know, where they played the Kemper Open or whatever it's called nowadays.

Other best courses, Chambersburg CC, Hershey Parkview (Tough, NASTY course!), Penn National (Clinton played there often), OC Golf and Yacht Club, Hell's Point in VA Beach.



To ccbird, I'm just the opposite. I'm short and accurate off the tee, hit like 5 greens per round. Very good chipping and the best putter I know.

putting tips:
1. Hit through the ball. Like there's no ball there. Contact is just as important on a putt as ANY other shot in a round. Drive, 4-iron from the fairway, short chip or a putt.
2. Figure your line and then hit it boldly on that line. Confidence, aggression, boldness is most important.
3. Practice. And if you hit a good putt, allow yourself to accept that you hit a good putt. Don't say "That was luck." or some [shtuff]. This is 99% mental... if you make a good putt (or shot) and someone says "Nice shot!" Say thank you. NEVER make excuses.

[Dipper9]

Nice thread.

I just got into golfing last year. The only course I have played so far is a little par 3 course in Spring Grove called Little creek. Its a hell of a drive, but its less than $20 for a round, its WIDE open with practically no hazards other than this creek running through the course, and its a fairly decent course for beginners. That said, the greens suck (dead and bumpy) and there are really no fairways, rough, etc. My first time golfing ever last year I shot a 118 on this course (its a par 57!) Yikes! I have gone about 10 times this summer to the same course, usually only playing the front nine, but the last time I played all 18 I shot an 86. I've gotten better every time, but obviously I still suck.

My brother and I are going to play at Stewartstown on Thursday. Its my first time on a "real" course. Should be interesting.

[RevOlution]

Nice thread.

I just got into golfing last year. The only course I have played so far is a little par 3 course in Spring Grove called Little creek. Its a hell of a drive, but its less than $20 for a round, its WIDE open with practically no hazards other than this creek running through the course, and its a fairly decent course for beginners. That said, the greens suck (dead and bumpy) and there are really no fairways, rough, etc. My first time golfing ever last year I shot a 118 on this course (its a par 57!) Yikes! I have gone about 10 times this summer to the same course, usually only playing the front nine, but the last time I played all 18 I shot an 86. I've gotten better every time, but obviously I still suck.

My brother and I are going to play at Stewartstown on Thursday. Its my first time on a "real" course. Should be interesting.

Little Creek...wow, I've played that course many times. I usually played the back nine, as the front is almost all par 3's. It's not that I'm good, that I played the back, it's good that I like driving better than chipping.

Dip, you'll do fine on a regular course. You'll find that most other players are also far from the professional level. There's lots of us hackers out there!

We had lots of laughs and put lots miles on the cart. A few beers will help you relax.

Also, if anyone is interested in a set of left handed women's clubs (for the wifey poo or girlfriend?)...pm me. I don't plan on playing again, as the shoulders aren't what they used to be.

[RHall31]

Really frustrated because I'm a decent tee to green player. I could probably break 80 consistently if I could putt. Instead I'm usually in the high 80s. Today, I had 4 birdie putts from 15 feet and in and bogied two of them. Also missed three or four other 5 footers. I just don't feel comfortable standing over shorter putts and I know I'm not rolling the ball the right way of the putter head. Don't know if it's grip, too handsy, etc. Any general tips are appreciated.

I'm a good putter so I'll try to help.

1. make sure you are square; putter face, feet, hands
2. the ball should be directly below your eyes
3. put a coin a few inches in front of and behind your ball...rock your shoulders and the blade should go straight back and straight through
4. ground the putter very lightly, you should able to lightly tap the ground before starting your stroke
5. hands should be facing each other on the grip
6. a little forward press can be a good stroke starter

7. buy a new putter

Here's a great drill to develop a good stroke and speed control.
Find a flat or slightly uphill putt that has a little left to right break.
Start putting at 1 foot and move back 6 inches with every putt you make.
Putt the ball so that it would finish 1 foot past the hole if it misses. Putt out to 10-12 feet and then work your way back in 6 inches at a time. Keep putting on this line back and forth. The shorter the putt the starighter the line. As you get farther away, you'll have to play a little break so your varying your line slightly as you move farther away or get closer to the hole.

Keep your head still(you should hear, not see short putts go in) and focus on speed and getting that putter face back and through on line. Since you know the line, all your really working on is your stroke and speed.

You'll find that in time you'll be using this drill out to 15 feet or so. It's a great confidence builder!

Good Luck!!!

[Frobby]

I played the TPC at Avenel. Best course I've ever played. Best round I ever played too. 84 but like I said... it was the TPC at Avenel! You know, where they played the Kemper Open or whatever it's called nowadays.

Other best courses, Chambersburg CC, Hershey Parkview (Tough, NASTY course!), Penn National (Clinton played there often), OC Golf and Yacht Club, Hell's Point in VA Beach.

I went to St. Andrews and played the so-called "new" course, which is merely 125 years old. The wind is in your face for the first 6-7 holes, and by the time you get past that point, you are totally demoralized. It's also pretty demoralizing to hit a shot down the middle of the fairway and still have a side-hill lie when you get to your ball practically every time.

On the plus side, it only cost me something like $15 at the time (1984). Now it's about $125. Which for me, is like a dollar per stroke.

[Hank Scorpio]

I went to St. Andrews and played the so-called "new" course, which is merely 125 years old. The wind is in your face for the first 6-7 holes, and by the time you get past that point, you are totally demoralized. It's also pretty demoralizing to hit a shot down the middle of the fairway and still have a side-hill lie when you get to your ball practically every time.

On the plus side, it only cost me something like $15 at the time (1984). Now it's about $125. Which for me, is like a dollar per stroke.

That's on the bucket list!!!!!

[scOtt]

I've always wanted to SEE St. Andrews and other Open courses. Never thought it would be much fun to actually play them tho.

[ccbird]

I played the TPC at Avenel. Best course I've ever played. Best round I ever played too. 84 but like I said... it was the TPC at Avenel! You know, where they played the Kemper Open or whatever it's called nowadays.

Other best courses, Chambersburg CC, Hershey Parkview (Tough, NASTY course!), Penn National (Clinton played there often), OC Golf and Yacht Club, Hell's Point in VA Beach.



To ccbird, I'm just the opposite. I'm short and accurate off the tee, hit like 5 greens per round. Very good chipping and the best putter I know.

putting tips:
1. Hit through the ball. Like there's no ball there. Contact is just as important on a putt as ANY other shot in a round. Drive, 4-iron from the fairway, short chip or a putt.
2. Figure your line and then hit it boldly on that line. Confidence, aggression, boldness is most important.
3. Practice. And if you hit a good putt, allow yourself to accept that you hit a good putt. Don't say "That was luck." or some [shtuff]. This is 99% mental... if you make a good putt (or shot) and someone says "Nice shot!" Say thank you. NEVER make excuses.

I'm a good putter so I'll try to help.

1. make sure you are square; putter face, feet, hands
2. the ball should be directly below your eyes
3. put a coin a few inches in front of and behind your ball...rock your shoulders and the blade should go straight back and straight through
4. ground the putter very lightly, you should able to lightly tap the ground before starting your stroke
5. hands should be facing each other on the grip
6. a little forward press can be a good stroke starter

7. but a new putter

Here's a great drill to develop a good stroke and speed control.
Find a flat or slightly uphill putt that has a little left to right break.
Start putting at 1 foot and move back 6 inches with every putt you make.
Putt the ball so that it would finish 1 foot past the hole if it misses. Putt out to 10-12 feet and then work your way back in 6 inches at a time. Keep putting on this line back and forth. The shorter the putt the starighter the line. As you get farther away, you'll have to play a little break so your varying your line slightly as you move farther away or get closer to the hole.

Keep your head still(you should hear, not see short putts go in) and focus on speed and getting that putter face back and through on line. Since you know the line, all your really working on is your stroke and speed.

You'll find that in time you'll be using this drill out to 15 feet or so. It's a great confidence builder!

Good Luck!!!

Thanks guys. I wrote these things down and will be hitting the putting green. I just need to practice more and maybe get a lesson or two.

[RHall31]

Thanks guys. I wrote these things down and will be hitting the putting green. I just need to practice more and maybe get a lesson or two.

Yep. 50% of your practice time should be spent on putting.

***scOtt is right on about putting being 99% mental!

[Avsfan]

I've been playing for about 5 years now...best round is a 90.

Was playing lights out in the beginning of the season...and then it kind of evaporated. I struggle, cause it'll be 2-3 weeks between rounds sometimes, and my rhythm and sequence are way off...I tend to think too much when I don't play much.

I have a tournament to play in on Monday...gotta hit the range Thurs or Fri....get rid of what my buddy calls "weak ass fade".

[Dipper9]

Played at Cool Creek in York area yesterday. Shot a 118, but that was caused by three holes of 10, 10, and 14. All I can say is...eff them sand traps!!!!!!

[TGO]

Played at Cool Creek in York area yesterday. Shot a 118, but that was caused by three holes of 10, 10, and 14. All I can say is...eff them sand traps!!!!!!

You need an open faced club, a sand wedge.

Mmmm, open faced club sandwich.....

[CrimsonTribe]

I have a good swing, but I can't putt worth a crap. It doesn't help that I don't practice and I only play if there's 10 beers involved.