Golf Tip: Putting to Lower Scores

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Putting is the cornerstone of low golf scores. There is no golfer, amateur or professional, who has not questioned, dissected, or overhauled their putting stroke. As a golfing fanatic, who is always trying to expand my golf knowledge, I like to ask golf questions to, well, anyone who will listen.

A couple of years ago, I penned a 5 part series on how to putt. It dealt with several different parts of golfing and I think they are still valid. If you are interested, click here to start at Part 1.

So, here was my question from a couple of days ago:

I have to say I was a bit surprised by the results. I have always been taught to roll the ball 8 inches past the hole. Putting 8 inches past the hole will make sure, more often than not, that the ball will drop, but not so fast as to stay out if the center of gravity of the ball is on the inside of the lip of the cup.

Putting is a tough skill to master in golf!

Putting is a tough skill to master in golf!

There are many different views on putting. The 17-inch rule by Dave Pelz has guided many amateur golfers through the years. Personally, I find hitting the ball almost 2 feet past the hole a bit too aggressive for my game.

Other pundits recommend that just dropping the ball in the cup is the way to go. I find that by trying to hit the ball so it just drops in, my putt generally ends up short. There is nothing wrong with this approach, but the yips become more of an issue when I am putting tentatively.

The consensus from my Twitter question suggests that dropping the ball in the hole is what works for most of the respondents. Ultimately, it is up to the player and what they find most comfortable. personally, I am sticking to putting the ball 8-inches past the hole.

I would be interested in what your preference is: past the hole or just in?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

New Golf Rules for 2016

/ The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

2012 CN Future Links Western - Golf CanadaThe rules of golf continue to evolve. The R&A, USGA and RCGA are constantly trying to improve golf by modifying, changing and adding rules in a 4 year cycle. As 2016 approaches, 4 major rule changes will add some common sense to golf and I think will reduce some of the frustration experienced by all golfers, at every level.

Thanks to Golf Canada for the below information. It was copied word for word from their website because trying to paraphrase the information would not be advantageous to anyone. Additionally, if you check the above link, there is video explaining each rule below.

Among the most significant of the changes in the 2016 edition of the Rules are the following:

  • Withdrawal of Rule on Ball Moving After Address – Rule 18-2b (Ball at Rest Moved by Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment) has been withdrawn. This means that if a ball at rest moves after the player addresses it, the player is no longer automatically deemed to have caused the ball to move. A one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 will be applied only when the facts show that the player has caused the ball to move.
  • Limited Exception to Disqualification Penalty for Submission of Incorrect Score Card – A new exception has been introduced to Rule 6-6d (Wrong Score for Hole) to provide that a player is not disqualified for returning a lower score for a hole than actually taken as a result of failing to include penalty strokes that the player did not know were incurred before returning the score card. Instead, the player incurs the penalty under the Rule that was breached and must add an additional penalty of two strokes for the score card error. In all other cases in which a player returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, the penalty will continue to be disqualification.
  • Modification of Penalty for a Single Impermissible Use of Artificial Devices or Equipment – The penalty for a player’s first breach of Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Abnormal Use of Equipment) during the round has been reduced from disqualification to loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. The penalty for any subsequent breach of Rule 14-3 will continue to be disqualification.
  • Prohibition on Anchoring the Club While Making a Stroke – As announced in May 2013, the new Rule 14-1b (Anchoring the Club) prohibits anchoring the club either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point” in making a stroke. The penalty is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.

There are many more rule changes that I will address in the upcoming months, but for now, these 4 rules make the top of my list. I am grateful for Golf Canada’s efforts to explain the rules of golf in terms everyone can understand.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

 

If You Could Change One Thing….

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments
Swing Changes

What would you change in your swing?

If you could change one thing about your golf swing, what would it be? Would you adjust your shoulder turn? Would you increase your hip rotation? Would you delay your wrist release? What would your one change be?

Through the years I have attempted to change every aspect of my swing. It was all a very slow process and I am far from finished. My changes have had mixed reviews, but each adventure increases my knowledge and understanding of golf.

My journey to scratch golf experienced many peaks and valleys, but the process has been very rewarding. I will have to say that some of my success were the result of changing something different as long as I was paying attention.

In earlier posts, I discussed Opening Pandora’s Box, The Domino Effect, and Pareto’s Theory, and everyone one of these posts have a direct effect on the rest of this article.

So back to my original question; If you could change one thing about your golf swing, what would it be? Before I suggest what I would change and what you think you should change, consider the following:

  • What are the follow-on effects will occur by making the change?
  • What change will have the greatest long-term impact?
  • What change will force a change in other areas of your swing?
  • Will a quick change improve your golf scores?
  • What is the final goal or expectations from the change?
  • Are you mentally prepared for a drastic improvement in your golf game?

These and likely many other questions should be addressed before making any change – quick or deliberate. Even simple changes to your golf swing change several secondary aspects of your swing mechanics! So beware of what you ask!

As I have stated before, I like to tinker with all aspects of my game. So, if the magical golf fairy gave me one wish, I would change my the amount of torque generated between my initial hip turn and then movement of my shoulders! My choice is founded on much introspection and I decided that to go to the next level a need to develop more power through all my woods, hybrid and irons!

I believe that this change will affect my club choice, alignment, and course management. I am sure there are others that do not immediately come to mind, but I would be ready! So the secondary effects are just as exciting as the initial change.

The question remains: if you could change one thing about your golf swing, what would it be?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Chip, Pitch or Putt for Lower Golf Scores

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Choosing the right club at the right time is critical to lower golf scores. It haunts all golfers because club selection is the holy grail of knowledge only gained through years of practice and playing lots and lots of golf. (the second part of gaining knowledge is my favorite)

IMG_20140506_165520

Chip, Pitch or Putt, what is your call?

A while back, I wrote an article about a situation where the ball was on the fringe and I was left with a choice to chip or putt.  There was many opinions and for the most part, choosing between putting or chipping was about 50/50.

Recently, I asked the same question without the picture and the response was different. I am not sure whether it was because the picture was not present, but the 25% increase for players wanting to putt was not really surprising.

Apart from the qualifying remarks such as: is the ball above the hole, is there a mound between the ball and the hole, what time of day is it, is the green freshly cut or how am I playing, most amateurs seem to agree that putting the ball when possible is the best option.

I generally agree, however it is important to have other shots in your bag for those times when either chipping, pitching or putting is required. My years of experience have taught me that relying on just one type of shot is not conducive to consistent low scores.

As someone who likes to always move forward, I like trying new methods to lower my score. My constant pursuit for improvement does not always meet my overall expectations.

Have you ever heard the saying ‘3 steps forward, 2 steps back’? That is what happened to me when I decided to putt more from the fringe. I focused all my attention on the flat stick and as a result, my chipping and pitching started to atrophy.

Although I had developed a new skill by putting more often, I lost my touch with my chipping and putting irons. Fortunately, with a little practice, my “feel” returned and now I have 3 solid types of shots when the ball is on the fringe. I am happy now at the end of the journey, but during the transition, I found it frustrating and sometimes wondered if I was on the right path.

Generally, when the a player is developing a new skill, there is a point of frustration when the new skill is not meeting expectations and their old skills are starting to rust. It is usually at this time when players stop learning the new skill and revert back to their old ways. As a result, the player concludes that the new skill is not worth the effort.

Golf is a challenging sport. It provides the opportunity for a player to be as good as they want. I believe that being a great golfer, we amateurs must find our own path to success. What works for me, may not work for you. I also believe that being a grateful golfer we need to keep trying to improve and be thankful for the journey to lower golf scores.

How do you handle learning a new skill? How much practice time do you devote to it?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!