I love these shots! A benefit you didn't mention is how much more fun the game is when every single shot is unique. I play off 7 and am a bit rubbish at driving, but my recovery shots get me through. I never hit 2 shots the same way in a row in practice unless I muck one up. I practice up a rugby field, usually on the worst lies you can think of. So bad lies on the course, or being in a divot, hold zero fears for me compared to most of the folk I play with who tend to be in the 10 to 20 handicap range. If you've never tried doing lots of funky shots, it makes the game much more fun!
On my journey from 10 handicap to scratch over the last 2yrs, your pt 1, controlling where on the face you strike it was critical for dramatically improving my long game with hybrids, fairway woods & driver - but especially for those 195-230 yard hybrid shots - learning to use the toe & heel of the club to control curvature
Love it… This is the stuff I love. Just having so many little shots that can be executed and create something from nothing is what I love about golf. Thanks Mark!
Absolutely loved watching this. I’m currently trying to get from 5.6 to 4 and I feel this could help me massively. Def going to try this when practicing next. 👌🏻
What a great post! I’m going to get back into my lessons after a lengthy hiatus. Need to practice way more. I never realized the need or the ability to hit each club differently for different purposes’ thank you.
I love Tiger’s 9 windows drill- brings a lot of this together. Do it with each club and you quickly learn a lot about your strengths and weaknesses. And agree on the chip outs - trying to hit low shaped 100m or 140m etc with a partial 4i is so much fun and remarkably useful on the course.
That was an excellent video, thanks Mark. I do practice chip-outs and shot shaping from time to time but this was a great reminder that golf isn't a game of perfect full swings. Rather, it is a game of continually modified swings utilising a full bag of the skills needed to adapt to a myriad of situations. Cheers.
I do love playing these sort of shots on the course, particularly 3/4 or punchier shots. I do practice them, but not as much as I should, particularly curving shots
Great video Mark! I usually just try to make a solid strike and reach the green comfortably. Working on hitting different parts of the face from different setups so I feel more control would be great practice. Mishits are my biggest misses on the course, thins and fats, etc.
I spent hours, days and weeks practicing awkward shots together with my dad in the 1980's... Hitting over and under trees, bending left or right, long chip shots and high flops... Took me down to scratch. I had a fairly decent fundamental swing, but it was definitely the recovery shots that knocked those last shots off my handicap...
Great ideas Mark. I often play many different shots on course, when practising by myself, Much Better feedback from on course, poor lies, under trees etc.
Ah! Advanced techniques are welcome. I managed to get a decent chip out game due to poor accuracy off the tee, but those in-round adjustments elude me. Thanks Mark!
Maybe it's just me, but in all the golfing vids I've watched, none of them talk about the things that you do. I try to practice as many different shots as possible, but you've added a couple more to add to my arsenal. Cheers Mark.
Mostly parkland courses by me so I’ve been practicing my 4 to 6 iron chip out shot since the start, because I’m often in the trees lol.. it’s also fun to try and ping one off the 50 or 100 yard markers at the range, my local range has metal barrels so it’s a satisfying ping haha
Mark something i've wondered for a while which you touched upon a bit in this video is this - i can understand the benefit to being able to move strike up or down but is there a benefit to being able to move from heel to toe? I've tried this the last few range sessions and the most common benefit i've seen is being able to recognise and recover from big heel shots but are there any other benefits you would see?
I feel I do a lot of the back, middle and front of green with my hybrid. I feel confident to hit my "calm" hybrid on a par 3 or then push it harder into a par 5. I hope to work on this during the winter with my new irons
One of the best shots in my arsenal is a chip out off the back foot with a 5-iron - keeps it low and straight. My Dad taught me how to play it 30+ years ago and it has saved me on multiple occasions.
I can be a magician around the course, but the key for most of us amateurs, is developing ONE standard swing, and practicing that. Find the swing that's comfortable for you, where you get the best results, with great fundamentals, and NEVER change, tinker yes, change NO!!!!
Hi Mark, I noticed you have your dots for the quad on the 3rd-4th groove of your irons when Foresight recommends between 6th-7th groove. Any particular reason for this?
So question about taking speed of your shots. You say in the video how you are trying to always hit the shorter shot eg a slower swing speed. How does that affect the shaft flex? If you are fitted into a certain flex (knowing that most of us dont include different typ of speeds in fittings) with your standard swing and then more then most play a slower shot, doesnt that affect wich flex you really should have? Example, fitted to a stiff flex barely , and on the course you play these 3/4 shots wich would really benefit more from a regular flex rather than stiff. Does it make a difference or not? Thanks as always for a very interesting video!
I've done it for years. Not practided these shots otten enough though. I used to have stock swings for -10 m & -20 m. Trajectories are lower which is handy in stronger winds.
5 iron 24* ping 525 reg shaft Swing speed 85mph Ball speed 114 Smash factor 1.34 173 yard carry Do I go to stiff shaft to get more carry or swing speed up 58.8 years old In door numbers
6 hcp… I used to practice the chip/recovery shots a lot more as pulling off a great recovery shot is so much more rewarding and a dagger to the heart of playing partners than a stock approach shot. I definitely play with ball position depending on lie (mostly) and intended shot. I used to prefer the flat out shot more than feathered shots but I’m the complete opposite now.
I actually do practice lots of the longer funky shots on the range when I have time. It's the short ones (ex. lobs, low launch spinning pitches, bump and runs under trees close to the green) that give me trouble because it's hard to practice those anywhere but the course.
Golf in the UK is a challenge. Most courses are closed or it’s depressing playing in the cold and wet. So you go to the range and practice all those shots and largely get them dialled in. Course opens up again and you have all those shots but with sloping lies which changes the dynamic completely.
Yep. Scratch player here, and I have a “shot” in mind, every time I step up to the ball. I’ve developed these skills through experimentation, throughout the years, often by testing out “extremes”. I’m NEVER setting up perfectly neutral, to hit a perfectly neutral shot. I can’t stand the possibility of a 2-way miss. I need my ball flight to be predictable. I have certain things that I’ll do to guarantee that I’m not missing left, or not missing right, according to the requirement. For this reason, I’ll rarely hit a drive out of play, or leave myself an impossible up n down. Don’t get me wrong tho…. I’m pin hunting inside of 150 yards.
@@MarkCrossfield well since I have you, I was curious about head weight on those drivers. Guessing it's not a COR (?) Issue. More of a head weight issue maybe?
One skill Mark does not have is the skill of cleaning his clubs! I have only one of the skills in the video (chip out - a function of youth spent on links courses where that is essential), so the video gives me something to work on once the weather improves
I had a lot of practice hitting recovery shots on the course, got pretty good at it too, sometimes better results than a stock shot from the fairway, those weird shots made me think and create. All five are must have skills and they're all connected.
Chipping out, tick. 😂 Ball position , tick. 😊Half shots, tick 😊. Extra long results only in more spin and more height not extra length.😢 But moving face contact, nope…. 😢
Don't agree with skills 1 and 4. Skill 1 especially is a bit ridiculous. Better players are not purposely hitting the ball all over the face. NO WAY! Skill 4...never ever been suggested to me that I use hand height at address to alter shot shape. That's done with skill 3.
I do practice the chip out game with different clubs because we are not or are seldom on a level or unobstructed lie, great tips all Mark, those clubs look like they could use a wash me please sign on them, 🫣 cheers.
I used to have some of these skills, back when I practiced a couple days a week and played a couple times a week. I’m going to get some of these skills back this year, I will have a lot more time. Years ago I used to go to an open field and hit all kinds of shots for hours. Fun times. ⛳️🏌🏽♂️
I love these shots! A benefit you didn't mention is how much more fun the game is when every single shot is unique. I play off 7 and am a bit rubbish at driving, but my recovery shots get me through. I never hit 2 shots the same way in a row in practice unless I muck one up. I practice up a rugby field, usually on the worst lies you can think of. So bad lies on the course, or being in a divot, hold zero fears for me compared to most of the folk I play with who tend to be in the 10 to 20 handicap range. If you've never tried doing lots of funky shots, it makes the game much more fun!
One of your best, Mr. Cross!
Best info on any channel I’ve seen, thanks
On my journey from 10 handicap to scratch over the last 2yrs, your pt 1, controlling where on the face you strike it was critical for dramatically improving my long game with hybrids, fairway woods & driver - but especially for those 195-230 yard hybrid shots - learning to use the toe & heel of the club to control curvature
Congrats getting to scratch - thats a VERY impressive reduction in handicap.
How long had you been around 10 when you decided and managed to get to 0?
Love it… This is the stuff I love. Just having so many little shots that can be executed and create something from nothing is what I love about golf. Thanks Mark!
Thank you, this is something I need to practice this winter at the golf dome!
One of the best videos for a while, thanks Mark!
Absolutely loved watching this. I’m currently trying to get from 5.6 to 4 and I feel this could help me massively. Def going to try this when practicing next. 👌🏻
Brilliantly demonstrated.
What a great post! I’m going to get back into my lessons after a lengthy hiatus. Need to practice way more. I never realized the need or the ability to hit each club differently for different purposes’ thank you.
Mark, love these suggestions. I never practiced these skills, but will start. Thanks for the info. Cheers.
I love Tiger’s 9 windows drill- brings a lot of this together. Do it with each club and you quickly learn a lot about your strengths and weaknesses. And agree on the chip outs - trying to hit low shaped 100m or 140m etc with a partial 4i is so much fun and remarkably useful on the course.
🤤 oh the last skill....great work. Long chip out game is such a weapon to use around the course
That was an excellent video, thanks Mark. I do practice chip-outs and shot shaping from time to time but this was a great reminder that golf isn't a game of perfect full swings. Rather, it is a game of continually modified swings utilising a full bag of the skills needed to adapt to a myriad of situations. Cheers.
Love this type of advice. Definitely helps you get better. I certainly do practice some of these but perhaps not regularly enough.
Great tips!!!!
Thanks Mark great information
I do love playing these sort of shots on the course, particularly 3/4 or punchier shots. I do practice them, but not as much as I should, particularly curving shots
Great video Mark! I usually just try to make a solid strike and reach the green comfortably. Working on hitting different parts of the face from different setups so I feel more control would be great practice. Mishits are my biggest misses on the course, thins and fats, etc.
love the ball position idea- feel like I've been looking down the wrong end of the telescope
4 hybrid chip out game is something i practice and use a lot! 100-150 yards, low running draw.
I spent hours, days and weeks practicing awkward shots together with my dad in the 1980's... Hitting over and under trees, bending left or right, long chip shots and high flops... Took me down to scratch. I had a fairly decent fundamental swing, but it was definitely the recovery shots that knocked those last shots off my handicap...
Great ideas Mark.
I often play many different shots on course, when practising by myself, Much Better feedback from on course, poor lies, under trees etc.
Well done mark 👏 👍
Still trying to develop a consistant standard shot with my irons. Once I have that I will give these ideas a go.
Trying these kind of shots will help u alot in finding your standard golf swing as well👌🏌♂️
Love this Mark, but is there a version of you out there that cleans their clubs? Happy New Year!!!
Do you hinge your wrists right away or past your leg and in front of the toes for a wider swing?
My chip out game is the only one of those 5 that i practice. Nice video!
Great video mark I have been trying to use my 2 iron to get out from under trees 👌perfect
I can get about 130 yards at 10 foot high
Ah! Advanced techniques are welcome. I managed to get a decent chip out game due to poor accuracy off the tee, but those in-round adjustments elude me. Thanks Mark!
Glad to see I'm not the only one NOT cleaning my clubs!!! LOL
Working on moving strike around is something I've worked hard on in the driver never the irons definitely going to work on that!
Maybe it's just me, but in all the golfing vids I've watched, none of them talk about the things that you do. I try to practice as many different shots as possible, but you've added a couple more to add to my arsenal. Cheers Mark.
Mostly parkland courses by me so I’ve been practicing my 4 to 6 iron chip out shot since the start, because I’m often in the trees lol.. it’s also fun to try and ping one off the 50 or 100 yard markers at the range, my local range has metal barrels so it’s a satisfying ping haha
I practice those shots every range session good idea
Mark great video
Mark something i've wondered for a while which you touched upon a bit in this video is this - i can understand the benefit to being able to move strike up or down but is there a benefit to being able to move from heel to toe? I've tried this the last few range sessions and the most common benefit i've seen is being able to recognise and recover from big heel shots but are there any other benefits you would see?
So true. My game has improved no end having 3 shots for each wedge up to 9 iron. Noticed playing knock downs helping loads with dispersion
I feel I do a lot of the back, middle and front of green with my hybrid. I feel confident to hit my "calm" hybrid on a par 3 or then push it harder into a par 5. I hope to work on this during the winter with my new irons
Excellent video those skills will be very very useful. Mark if you play Yas Links Abu Dhabi again those skills will come in handy indeed.😅😁
One of the best shots in my arsenal is a chip out off the back foot with a 5-iron - keeps it low and straight. My Dad taught me how to play it 30+ years ago and it has saved me on multiple occasions.
I can do all these shots. Only problem is that I don't know before the shot which one it's going to be.
I can be a magician around the course, but the key for most of us amateurs, is developing ONE standard swing, and practicing that. Find the swing that's comfortable for you, where you get the best results, with great fundamentals, and NEVER change, tinker yes, change NO!!!!
Hi Mark, I noticed you have your dots for the quad on the 3rd-4th groove of your irons when Foresight recommends between 6th-7th groove. Any particular reason for this?
So question about taking speed of your shots. You say in the video how you are trying to always hit the shorter shot eg a slower swing speed. How does that affect the shaft flex? If you are fitted into a certain flex (knowing that most of us dont include different typ of speeds in fittings) with your standard swing and then more then most play a slower shot, doesnt that affect wich flex you really should have? Example, fitted to a stiff flex barely , and on the course you play these 3/4 shots wich would really benefit more from a regular flex rather than stiff. Does it make a difference or not?
Thanks as always for a very interesting video!
I practice my chip out about 5 time per round the other nine drivers I hit are rarely fairway bit at least full shot playable!
I do like taking less club and just having a nice easy swing. I feel that I control it. I’m prob talking rubbish but it feels decent
Love practicing raking slices taking it over the 50 yd flag aiming for the 100yd flag with a 5 iron. Do get some funny looks though.
I've done it for years. Not practided these shots otten enough though. I used to have stock swings for -10 m & -20 m. Trajectories are lower which is handy in stronger winds.
Think I have those options, do tend to lose strike a little when I try and hit the little ones but need to practice this more… 👍🏼
These are all great tips that most people ignore.
I have learned by practice a 3 wood 'low roller' for escaping from under trees getting the ball 100-150 yards up the hole.
5 iron 24* ping 525 reg shaft Swing speed 85mph Ball speed 114 Smash factor 1.34 173 yard carry Do I go to stiff shaft to get more carry or swing speed up 58.8 years old In door numbers
6 hcp… I used to practice the chip/recovery shots a lot more as pulling off a great recovery shot is so much more rewarding and a dagger to the heart of playing partners than a stock approach shot. I definitely play with ball position depending on lie (mostly) and intended shot. I used to prefer the flat out shot more than feathered shots but I’m the complete opposite now.
Please, for the love of god, clean your clubs😂
One must always keep the shaft and balls clean!!
I’m in agreement - it ain’t a big ask 😉
Someone didn’t get a little brush club cleaner for Christmas 😆🤣😂 naughty boy……
While greasing your clubface to reduce spin and gain distance is illegal, reducing spin by not cleaning your clubs is not. Good players know that! 😉
Seriously, why does Mark have 3 kids, if not to tend to these matters?
I actually do practice lots of the longer funky shots on the range when I have time. It's the short ones (ex. lobs, low launch spinning pitches, bump and runs under trees close to the green) that give me trouble because it's hard to practice those anywhere but the course.
Golf in the UK is a challenge. Most courses are closed or it’s depressing playing in the cold and wet. So you go to the range and practice all those shots and largely get them dialled in. Course opens up again and you have all those shots but with sloping lies which changes the dynamic completely.
Yep. Scratch player here, and I have a “shot” in mind, every time I step up to the ball. I’ve developed these skills through experimentation, throughout the years, often by testing out “extremes”. I’m NEVER setting up perfectly neutral, to hit a perfectly neutral shot. I can’t stand the possibility of a 2-way miss. I need my ball flight to be predictable. I have certain things that I’ll do to guarantee that I’m not missing left, or not missing right, according to the requirement. For this reason, I’ll rarely hit a drive out of play, or leave myself an impossible up n down. Don’t get me wrong tho…. I’m pin hunting inside of 150 yards.
Good one here. Clean your clubs once and a while🙂.
I do practice the chippy shots but not nearly enough
Did you take down that Callaway video?
It will be back at 11pm
@@MarkCrossfield well since I have you, I was curious about head weight on those drivers. Guessing it's not a COR (?) Issue. More of a head weight issue maybe?
@@robderka watch the video it will all be explained 👍
👍
I spend half my time at the range hitting my irons to 50 and 100 yards. I've got a 50 yard swing for my 7W just in case. (I still suck though.)
I struggle with my irons but I was better with cavity backs...players distance irons Cobra forge Tec just can't strike them good enough.🙁
One skill Mark does not have is the skill of cleaning his clubs! I have only one of the skills in the video (chip out - a function of youth spent on links courses where that is essential), so the video gives me something to work on once the weather improves
This is great. I have no ability☹️
Great Video...Going to take a leaf out of your book and not clean my irons .....will that help🤣
You have to give that iron a scrub no?😂
How much % forgiveness do you think the mat gives you
Was a.dreaming today...did you put out a video on the new Callaway driver saying it's rubbish, then delete it?
It’s coming back at 11pm. I thought it was 11am release but it’s 11pm. It’s coming back. 👍
My "CHIP OUT" game is on an ELITE LEVEL !!! (Thanks to my poor driving skills)
I had a lot of practice hitting recovery shots on the course, got pretty good at it too, sometimes better results than a stock shot from the fairway,
those weird shots made me think and create. All five are must have skills and they're all connected.
You're my 'David Attenborough' to the 'Golf World'.
CLEAN YOUR CLUBS!!!!!!!
Did Callaway's lawyers pull the why so slow video? I was about 2 mins in and it stopped playing
No it’s launched tonight at 11pm. I thought it was 11am. 🙈🙈🙈
Chipping out, tick. 😂 Ball position , tick. 😊Half shots, tick 😊. Extra long results only in more spin and more height not extra length.😢
But moving face contact, nope…. 😢
Please clean your clubs 😂
Never. It’s always a full shot.
Don't agree with skills 1 and 4. Skill 1 especially is a bit ridiculous. Better players are not purposely hitting the ball all over the face. NO WAY! Skill 4...never ever been suggested to me that I use hand height at address to alter shot shape. That's done with skill 3.
Please clean your clubs
I do practice the chip out game with different clubs because we are not or are seldom on a level or unobstructed lie, great tips all Mark, those clubs look like they could use a wash me please sign on them, 🫣 cheers.
I used to have some of these skills, back when I practiced a couple days a week and played a couple times a week. I’m going to get some of these skills back this year, I will have a lot more time. Years ago I used to go to an open field and hit all kinds of shots for hours. Fun times. ⛳️🏌🏽♂️