Part 4 of the 6 shot short game assessment, pitching
What to do:
Take 5 golf balls and a wedge to a part of the chipping green with room to hit a 20 yard pitch shot (5 yards of carry and 15 of roll). You will hit a total of 10 shots, attempting to hit each shot as close to the hole as possible. You earn points based on how far each shot comes to rest from the hole. The scoring system is as follows:
Hole-out - 3 points
0-6 feet - 2 points
6-9 feet - 1 point
9-12 feet - 0 points
Over 12 feet - (-1) point
How I did:
My score for pitching was 16.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Shortgame Assessment #3 Chip Shot
Continuation of the Shortgame Assessment, improve and assess your skill level on chip shots
What to do:
You'll be hitting 10 total chip shots, 5 from 40 feet and 5 from 60 feet. Grab the club that you're most comfortable hitting medium length, running chip shots with (I used my sand wedge and 9-iron). At the chipping green, select a hole to which you have room to hit a chip shot from 40 feet (ideally, you should have to carry the ball over 10 feet of fringe, and have 30 feet of green to work with). Once you've selected your 40 foot "chip shot", go ahead and hit 5 chips, trying your best to get each to stop as close to the hole as possible. After each shot, either measure its proximity to the hole yourself, or better yet have a partner measure for you, then assign points based on how far each shot came to rest.. Here is the scoring system:
Holed- 3 points
0-3 feet- 2 points
3-6 feet- 1 point
6-9 feet- 0 points
over 9 feet- (-1 ) point
Once you've calculated your score for the 40-foot chip shot, move on to the 60 foot chip shot. Again, give yourself roughly 10 feet of fringe to fly the ball over and now 50 feet of green to work with. Hit 5 more chips to this hole, and using the same scoring table try to rack up as many points as possible. Once finished, add your points from both distances to get your "total chipping score".
How I did:
10 points on the 40-footer and 9 points on the 60-footer for a TOTAL of 19.
What to do:
You'll be hitting 10 total chip shots, 5 from 40 feet and 5 from 60 feet. Grab the club that you're most comfortable hitting medium length, running chip shots with (I used my sand wedge and 9-iron). At the chipping green, select a hole to which you have room to hit a chip shot from 40 feet (ideally, you should have to carry the ball over 10 feet of fringe, and have 30 feet of green to work with). Once you've selected your 40 foot "chip shot", go ahead and hit 5 chips, trying your best to get each to stop as close to the hole as possible. After each shot, either measure its proximity to the hole yourself, or better yet have a partner measure for you, then assign points based on how far each shot came to rest.. Here is the scoring system:
Holed- 3 points
0-3 feet- 2 points
3-6 feet- 1 point
6-9 feet- 0 points
over 9 feet- (-1 ) point
Once you've calculated your score for the 40-foot chip shot, move on to the 60 foot chip shot. Again, give yourself roughly 10 feet of fringe to fly the ball over and now 50 feet of green to work with. Hit 5 more chips to this hole, and using the same scoring table try to rack up as many points as possible. Once finished, add your points from both distances to get your "total chipping score".
How I did:
10 points on the 40-footer and 9 points on the 60-footer for a TOTAL of 19.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Shortgame Assessment #2 Lag Putt
Sharpen your speed while assessing a critical part of your golf game
What to do:
You'll need your putter, 2 golf balls and a handful of tees. Find a hole with enough green to allow you to hit a 50 foot putt. Pace off 20 ft, 30 ft, 40 ft, and finally 50 feet, marking each distance with a tee. You're going to hit 2 putts from each distance, 8 putts total, measuring the proximity of each putt to the hole, then giving yourself points based on how close each putt came to rest from the cup. The point system is as follows:
Holed-putt = 3 points
0-3 feet = 2 points
3-6 feet = 1 point
6-9 feet = 0 points
over 9 feet = -1 point
Go through it, giving each putt full effort, then total your points to see how you've fared.
How I did:
I scored 15, leaving all but 1 putt within 3 feet.
What to do:
You'll need your putter, 2 golf balls and a handful of tees. Find a hole with enough green to allow you to hit a 50 foot putt. Pace off 20 ft, 30 ft, 40 ft, and finally 50 feet, marking each distance with a tee. You're going to hit 2 putts from each distance, 8 putts total, measuring the proximity of each putt to the hole, then giving yourself points based on how close each putt came to rest from the cup. The point system is as follows:
Holed-putt = 3 points
0-3 feet = 2 points
3-6 feet = 1 point
6-9 feet = 0 points
over 9 feet = -1 point
Go through it, giving each putt full effort, then total your points to see how you've fared.
How I did:
I scored 15, leaving all but 1 putt within 3 feet.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Intro to Shortgame Assessment and #1 Short Putt
Objectively measure and improve your skill for the most critical shots in golf
Intro:
Recently I was made aware of a book entitled You're Not Lifting Your Head, written by Charlie King, a Top 25 Golf Instructor. Contained in its pages is a short-game assessment for the reader to attempt. King took 6 different types shot from 100 yards-and-in and created a scoring game to objectively measure a golfer's skill in the "Red Zone". Based on this score, King claims to be able to predict one's actual handicap. So of course I dove right in...
What to do:
The Author recommends that you have a partner complete the test with you. The main purpose is so he/she can keep score while you focus solely on the shots at hand. It is possible to do it alone, however it's MUCH easier the other way.
Ok, so here are the 6 different types of shot you'll be hitting:
1. Short Putt
2. Lag Putt
3. Chip Shot
4. Pitch Shot
5. Bunker Shot
6. Wedge Shot
Each shot has its own scoring key and detailed explanation, so I'll have to spread this out and give you 1 explanation a day, starting with the Short Putt.
#1 Short Putt
Take 2 golf balls, a handful of tees and your putter and find a hole on the practice green with some break. Place a tees in the ground in a straight line starting at 3 feet, moving to 6, then to 9, and finally 12 feet away. Do the same thing directly opposite the hole, one the other side, placing tees at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet, marking where you'll be putting from.
You'll hit 2 putts from each tee, alternating the sides of the hole (hit 2 putts from 3 feet, then move to the other side of the hole and hit 2 more putts from 3 feet, then return to your original side, hitting 2 from 6 feet, then moving to the opposite side and hitting 2 more from 6 feet, and so on...). Your objective is to make as many putts as possible, as you'll get points only for a putt that is holed. You'll be hitting 16 total putts (4 from 3 feet, 4 from 6 feet, 4 from 9 feet, and 4 from 12 feet).
Once you've finished up at 12 feet, count how many putts you made. Give yourself 2 points for each putt drained. For instance, if you made a total of 8 putts, you've scored a 16. The maximum score is 32 (16 makes x 2 points = 32 total points). Your actual score will likely be much less than this.
How I did:
I made 9 total putts, scoring an 18. I missed all of the 6 footers, however, so I felt that I underperformed a little. According to Charlie King, 18 is what a 3-handicapper would typically score. (For the detailed scoring/handicap chart rent or buy his book You're Not Lifting Your Head. )
Intro:
Recently I was made aware of a book entitled You're Not Lifting Your Head, written by Charlie King, a Top 25 Golf Instructor. Contained in its pages is a short-game assessment for the reader to attempt. King took 6 different types shot from 100 yards-and-in and created a scoring game to objectively measure a golfer's skill in the "Red Zone". Based on this score, King claims to be able to predict one's actual handicap. So of course I dove right in...
What to do:
The Author recommends that you have a partner complete the test with you. The main purpose is so he/she can keep score while you focus solely on the shots at hand. It is possible to do it alone, however it's MUCH easier the other way.
Ok, so here are the 6 different types of shot you'll be hitting:
1. Short Putt
2. Lag Putt
3. Chip Shot
4. Pitch Shot
5. Bunker Shot
6. Wedge Shot
Each shot has its own scoring key and detailed explanation, so I'll have to spread this out and give you 1 explanation a day, starting with the Short Putt.
#1 Short Putt
Take 2 golf balls, a handful of tees and your putter and find a hole on the practice green with some break. Place a tees in the ground in a straight line starting at 3 feet, moving to 6, then to 9, and finally 12 feet away. Do the same thing directly opposite the hole, one the other side, placing tees at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet, marking where you'll be putting from.
You'll hit 2 putts from each tee, alternating the sides of the hole (hit 2 putts from 3 feet, then move to the other side of the hole and hit 2 more putts from 3 feet, then return to your original side, hitting 2 from 6 feet, then moving to the opposite side and hitting 2 more from 6 feet, and so on...). Your objective is to make as many putts as possible, as you'll get points only for a putt that is holed. You'll be hitting 16 total putts (4 from 3 feet, 4 from 6 feet, 4 from 9 feet, and 4 from 12 feet).
Once you've finished up at 12 feet, count how many putts you made. Give yourself 2 points for each putt drained. For instance, if you made a total of 8 putts, you've scored a 16. The maximum score is 32 (16 makes x 2 points = 32 total points). Your actual score will likely be much less than this.
How I did:
I made 9 total putts, scoring an 18. I missed all of the 6 footers, however, so I felt that I underperformed a little. According to Charlie King, 18 is what a 3-handicapper would typically score. (For the detailed scoring/handicap chart rent or buy his book You're Not Lifting Your Head. )
Monday, August 6, 2012
Sand Ladder
Hone in your carry distances out of the greenside bunker
What to do:
Bring your sand-wedge and 7 golf balls to a practice sand trap. Give yourself at least 30 yards of room in the direction you will be hitting your shots, and a flat lie in the sand from which to execute. On your first shot try to barely land it outside of the bunker, just barely clearing the lip. With each successive shot, to to carry your ball just past where the previous one came to rest. If you fail to carry the lip on your first shot, start over. If you fail to fly any shot past where the one before came to rest, start over. Once you've finished, successfully executing all shots as desired, pace off the distance from your first ball to your last ball. The shorter the distance, the more precise your shots must have been.
How I did:
Had to start over twice... once I finished the distance from my first ball to the last was 18 paces. I think under 10 is a challenging yet attainable goal.
Scaling:
Beginner- hit only 5 balls
What to do:
Bring your sand-wedge and 7 golf balls to a practice sand trap. Give yourself at least 30 yards of room in the direction you will be hitting your shots, and a flat lie in the sand from which to execute. On your first shot try to barely land it outside of the bunker, just barely clearing the lip. With each successive shot, to to carry your ball just past where the previous one came to rest. If you fail to carry the lip on your first shot, start over. If you fail to fly any shot past where the one before came to rest, start over. Once you've finished, successfully executing all shots as desired, pace off the distance from your first ball to your last ball. The shorter the distance, the more precise your shots must have been.
How I did:
Had to start over twice... once I finished the distance from my first ball to the last was 18 paces. I think under 10 is a challenging yet attainable goal.
Scaling:
Beginner- hit only 5 balls
Monday, July 23, 2012
4 Putts, 4 Majors
Clutch putting
What to do:
You'll need your putter and just one ball for this game. On a practice green, pick a putt from 10 feet and prepare to make the putt. Read it just as you would on the 72nd hole of a major championship, say, the Masters. If you make this putt, you are Champion. Use your whole imagination, painting the scene in as much detail as possible. Once immersed in the moment, execute the putt. Do this 3 more times, once for the U.S. Open, Once for the British, and once more for the PGA Championship. How many majors did you win?
How I did:
I won the Masters and PGA Championship, making 2/4 putts.
No Scaling.
What to do:
You'll need your putter and just one ball for this game. On a practice green, pick a putt from 10 feet and prepare to make the putt. Read it just as you would on the 72nd hole of a major championship, say, the Masters. If you make this putt, you are Champion. Use your whole imagination, painting the scene in as much detail as possible. Once immersed in the moment, execute the putt. Do this 3 more times, once for the U.S. Open, Once for the British, and once more for the PGA Championship. How many majors did you win?
How I did:
I won the Masters and PGA Championship, making 2/4 putts.
No Scaling.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Indoor Chipping
'Rainy day' chipping game
What to do:
If you find yourself unable to practice outdoors for any reason, grab your most lofted wedge, a couple of golf balls and a cooler, hat, small trash can, etc. (something into which you're comfortable landing a golf ball, it will serve as a target for your chips). In a spacious room with carpeting, lay your target item down at an angle, then pace off 5 yards to the spot from which you'll chip. In 10 minutes see how many shots you can fly into your target consecutively. If you have a streak going and miss, start over and try again to beat your best number.
How I did:
This past week I vacationed in the Outer Banks. Last minute I decided to pack my putter, a wedge and two golf balls in hopes of getting some practice. Since no golf courses lay within 2 hours of this island, this game provided a way to have fun while keeping my short game sharp. My longest streak was 2... not very impressive. One of my fellow vacationers made 4 in a row which was pretty good. Make sure to turn any television screens away from your line of fire... we had a couple of close calls.
What to do:
If you find yourself unable to practice outdoors for any reason, grab your most lofted wedge, a couple of golf balls and a cooler, hat, small trash can, etc. (something into which you're comfortable landing a golf ball, it will serve as a target for your chips). In a spacious room with carpeting, lay your target item down at an angle, then pace off 5 yards to the spot from which you'll chip. In 10 minutes see how many shots you can fly into your target consecutively. If you have a streak going and miss, start over and try again to beat your best number.
How I did:
This past week I vacationed in the Outer Banks. Last minute I decided to pack my putter, a wedge and two golf balls in hopes of getting some practice. Since no golf courses lay within 2 hours of this island, this game provided a way to have fun while keeping my short game sharp. My longest streak was 2... not very impressive. One of my fellow vacationers made 4 in a row which was pretty good. Make sure to turn any television screens away from your line of fire... we had a couple of close calls.
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