Golf- Approach play

[dibbers006]

This year I seem to be struggling with my approach play. Driving fine, Putting fine.

The bit in the middle I seem to be messing up so far this year and it is starting to piss me off.

I seem to just grass skim any shot off the fairway with very little up and down.

Hopefully the weather is to blame with the course being rock hard with very little give in most places.

But any tips to get my balls back in the air?!

[mouseymousey]

I had a problem with the wedges which I solved by keeping my feet almost together.

If I'm within 100 yards or so of the green that's generally how I'll play the wedges. Might be worth a try.

[dibbers006]

Any technical reason for keeping my feet together? Does that make my down swing a bit more 'choppy'?

Now you mention it, I think my stance is wrong for that type of shot. Good shout!

Amazing what I will forget 'off season'

[tuffer]

Hit down to make it go up! Head down to a range (grass) and just try a few things, move the ball back and forth in your stance a bit and make sure you are not too steep into the ball. It is also worth starting with a wedge and just hitting 20-30yard pitches and then slowly working up from there once you start getting good contact. I have slowed my swing down and just concentrate on hitting the ball crisply (rather than at 400mph), taken 7 shots off my handicap in the last 3 months and played 5 under on Sunday (76 net 65).

[GTO-3R]

If your not taking a divot then chances are your keeping your weight on your back foot during the downswing. My advice would be to try and get through the ball better by transfering your weight to your left side (if your right handed) on the down swing.

Gav..

[Bing o]

Could easily be a tempo issue - when I get quick my bad shot is a thin. Count to 3 on the backswing, and start down as slowly as you complete the backswing - what's your handicap by the way?

[hornetrider]

So is it shots played at less than 100%? ie shorter, slower backswings? Or simply playing shots off the fairway?

[dibbers006]

Bing o said:

what's your handicap by the way?

Bwwahahahahaha... hahaha... ha ha... ... ha... no... not anywhere near that yet!

There is a group of four of us who took it up about three years ago and we are fair weather Golfers to the extreme!

It has frustrated me this year though, when the Sun has come out again that I seem to be fluffing so many shots.

hornetrider said:

So is it shots played at less than 100%? ie shorter, slower backswings? Or simply playing shots off the fairway?

This is what I meant I think. Shorter more approaching shots. <4 Iron down to the wedges.

I always thought that your swing should remain fairly similar but use the correct club for the distance and loft.

Stance etc will change of course as was mentioned up there ^^^^^ I need to stand with my feet closer together and hit a little lower down on the ball.

Is anyone else struggling with the hard ground?

[bodhi]

Keep your head down.


No seriously, you'll be getting anxious to see where the ball is going and be looking up too quickly. Keep watching the ball until it's been hit.

[Bing o]

As with anyone who asks for advice about the golf swing, go and find a pro you get on with, have lessons, and practice till your fingers bleed.

[TheD]

bodhi said:

Keep your head down.


No seriously, you'll be getting anxious to see where the ball is going and be looking up too quickly. Keep watching the ball until it's been hit.

This

[sevros1981]

Dave Pelz short game bible.


That is all.


If you don't improve after reading and trying some of his shots, you should stop playing.