Excellent tips. I've played golf, off and on, most of my life--miserably. Now that I'm retired, I've had a few months to practice regularly and, especially, think about consistency and course management. Not surprisingly, my game has improved significantly. I did so by essentially doing what you advocate in this video--I keep my game simple, I've mastered four clubs (3w, 7i, PW, and putter), and I've learned to play the shots I know I can hit. I no longer try to muscle my way around the course by overpowering each swing or by going for "the miracle shot," etc. I just hit what I know, play it safe, and aim for a bogey on every hole. It works. I soon broke 100 and am now regularly hitting in the mid 90s. I rarely attempt to go for the greens on my second shot, opting instead to lay up for an easy pitch to the hole and a two putt (possibly even a one putt). As my game improves, I'll work on mastering more clubs and shots. But for the time being, your points are excellent and from my experience work well.
@@USGOLFTVshow I do have a question: What's the trick for properly taking a divot? I understand that the bottom of the swing arc should ideally hit the ground just ahead of the ball, thereby taking a divot after hitting the ball cleanly. But it seems like a very tough skill to master, especially for beginners like me and also when most driving ranges today have artificial turf. Is there a way to practice the swing so the bottom of the arc hits just ahead of the ball? And can you effectively practice that skill on artificial turf? Does the same swing arc apply to hitting a fairway wood? Should you try to hit the bottom of the swing just ahead of the ball when hitting a 3-wood off the fairway? (I can't hit a fairway wood off the grass to save my life.) Thanks.
Peter Davis on the fairway wood you want to catch the ball at the bottom of the swing arc...on driver you want to hit up and on an iron you want slightly down. There are many factors that can play into mastering this skill. However one of the most important is proper weight shift. Make sure your weight is on the lead foot at impact for your irons. That will definitely help!
Todd- I tried this plan today. Driver off the tee box and then 6 iron until I was within my 8 iron range. The 6 iron plan worked great, each shot 140-150 down the fairway it felt so good to play what to me is good golf. I am waiting for my maxvert 22 degree hybrid to arrive any day now. I hope I don't go backwards from today . Thanks so much. Calgary Alberta 🇨🇦
Hey Todd, this was awesome. I am so guilty of putting pressure on myself to make shots that I'm really not ready for. Perfect example is going for my 3 wood out of the rough thinking I need big distance. It rarely works but I still go for it. No more thanks to this instruction. Thank you!
Going to sound stupid but made a huge difference for me. Take your glove off to putt. You can feel the ball much better as it comes off of the putter and will be able to control your distance much better. Works for me. Give it a try if you are not already doing this.
Rikk Baker we agree and your idea is far from silly....taking the glove off can help improve feel for most all golfers yet many still putt with their glove on...👍
Sir, you are an excellent Teacher. I am going to try the tips you described and use the clubs suggested and get back with you. I lose more strokes from Chipping than any other club(s). I can hit balls onto the green beautifully with my irons and finally got over my slice but within 100 yards, things break down. I am improving though since practicing Dave Pelz’s Book on the Short Game. One has to hit hundreds of balls correctly where the Pros is thousands. Thanks for sharing skills.
Hi Todd. This was a great help last game I played I shot 134 on a fairly easy course local to me but after watching this video I followed the 4 club strategy on the Roman road course at Celtic manor golf club and took 10 shots off and the course was a 100 times harder than what I would of played locally and could of been 20 but my putting was still so bad. Thanks for the helpful videos James.
What about hitting the 7/8 irons for chipping around the greens as Dave Pelz suggests? 7 with little rough between green and edge; and, 8 for rough shots needing loft. Everyone has a different club for chipping suggestions. What is the truth so we can nail this down. Thanks again for sharing.
I leaned that, slow my tempo by 100%, I was able to hit much much better driver off tee. I would randomly break 100, but if I can just get better with pitching, then I should be consistent. I would also suggest people to get a GPS watch. I rely on my friend’s watch. I typically misjudged the distance for the 50 yards. I would think it is like 20-30, they would be like Na it is 50, even 70 ish lol.
What had helped me the most is what I call "free practice" the chipping, putting, and the swing drills. Being deadly within 80 yards. I've been playing a little over a year and concentrating on these has gotten me into to the low 80s
@@USGOLFTVshow 😊 Thanx for your nice reply. I just started playing again after almost 12 years so just sucking up all the help I can get 😅 I played my first 9-hole yesterday and played a 52 (HCPI 30)..but my biggest issue was my driving i.e no consistency at all and after that it was which club to use in which situation/distance. So I guess if you can direct me to more such videos, then that would be great. Thank you. 🙏
4-club concept is interesting. Got me thinking. I have same-length irons. Maybe I'll put tape on driver and fairway wood to make them same length also (choke down). Then, same swing with each club. Wedge and putter different of course. Ball position depends a bit on golfer's arm length and height to get ball at bottom of swing. (I have long torso, but average leg length, and average arm length). Am going to experiment to find bottom of swing.
Good tips but the major issue with most golfers is playing from the wrong tees. Most players should start at between 5500 to 6000 yards and graduate to longer distances over time.
These are the tips I teache my wife, but she is determined on using her dang 3 wood which she can't hit all that well maybe 3 times out of 10. use the 7 iron or 8 iron, you'll get it up in the air much easier. But she won't listen.
Todd , with all due respect, your statements are incorrect! The great Jimmy Ballard says the grip is the LEAST OF all importance! YOU can play cross handed, play without fingers. split grip, on and on and on! btw... Moe Norman play 10 fingers< (baseball). I am given you a "THUMBS down"!
JohnD appreciate you watching and taking time to comment. We certainly have nothing but respect for the Jimmy Ballard...one of the all time great coaches. Respectfully we simply do not agree with your assessment regarding the grip. Holding the club properly is important when learning to golf. Appreciate you comments.
Excellent tips. I've played golf, off and on, most of my life--miserably. Now that I'm retired, I've had a few months to practice regularly and, especially, think about consistency and course management. Not surprisingly, my game has improved significantly. I did so by essentially doing what you advocate in this video--I keep my game simple, I've mastered four clubs (3w, 7i, PW, and putter), and I've learned to play the shots I know I can hit. I no longer try to muscle my way around the course by overpowering each swing or by going for "the miracle shot," etc. I just hit what I know, play it safe, and aim for a bogey on every hole. It works. I soon broke 100 and am now regularly hitting in the mid 90s. I rarely attempt to go for the greens on my second shot, opting instead to lay up for an easy pitch to the hole and a two putt (possibly even a one putt). As my game improves, I'll work on mastering more clubs and shots. But for the time being, your points are excellent and from my experience work well.
Peter Davis wow...great post! Thank you for watching and sharing your story. Be sure to subscribe!
@@USGOLFTVshow I do have a question: What's the trick for properly taking a divot? I understand that the bottom of the swing arc should ideally hit the ground just ahead of the ball, thereby taking a divot after hitting the ball cleanly. But it seems like a very tough skill to master, especially for beginners like me and also when most driving ranges today have artificial turf. Is there a way to practice the swing so the bottom of the arc hits just ahead of the ball? And can you effectively practice that skill on artificial turf? Does the same swing arc apply to hitting a fairway wood? Should you try to hit the bottom of the swing just ahead of the ball when hitting a 3-wood off the fairway? (I can't hit a fairway wood off the grass to save my life.) Thanks.
Peter Davis on the fairway wood you want to catch the ball at the bottom of the swing arc...on driver you want to hit up and on an iron you want slightly down. There are many factors that can play into mastering this skill. However one of the most important is proper weight shift. Make sure your weight is on the lead foot at impact for your irons. That will definitely help!
Todd- I tried this plan today. Driver off the tee box and then 6 iron until I was within my 8 iron range. The 6 iron plan worked great, each shot 140-150 down the fairway it felt so good to play what to me is good golf. I am waiting for my maxvert 22 degree hybrid to arrive any day now. I hope I don't go backwards from today . Thanks so much. Calgary Alberta 🇨🇦
Let's go, progress my friend! Next up, let's break 90...you will love the MaxVert...it is a great club.
Hey Todd, this was awesome. I am so guilty of putting pressure on myself to make shots that I'm really not ready for. Perfect example is going for my 3 wood out of the rough thinking I need big distance. It rarely works but I still go for it. No more thanks to this instruction. Thank you!
You got it Liz 👊 Playing within our limits is a key to solid consistent golf...hope you subscribed
Going to sound stupid but made a huge difference for me. Take your glove off to putt. You can feel the ball much better as it comes off of the putter and will be able to control your distance much better. Works for me. Give it a try if you are not already doing this.
Rikk Baker we agree and your idea is far from silly....taking the glove off can help improve feel for most all golfers yet many still putt with their glove on...👍
Great tips Todd going to try these next time I play.
You got it! Time to bring those scores down. 👊
Sir, you are an excellent Teacher. I am going to try the tips you described and use the clubs suggested and get back with you. I lose more strokes from Chipping than any other club(s). I can hit balls onto the green beautifully with my irons and finally got over my slice but within 100 yards, things break down. I am improving though since practicing Dave Pelz’s Book on the Short Game. One has to hit hundreds of balls correctly where the Pros is thousands. Thanks for sharing skills.
Great video, makes sense, I started using only 8 iron and up on second shot and it does take shots off 👍
Sounds like a great strategy to save strokes, thanks for watching!
Hi Todd.
This was a great help last game I played I shot 134 on a fairly easy course local to me but after watching this video I followed the 4 club strategy on the Roman road course at Celtic manor golf club and took 10 shots off and the course was a 100 times harder than what I would of played locally and could of been 20 but my putting was still so bad.
Thanks for the helpful videos James.
Awesome post...made our day! Always fun when we can help our fellow golfers...hope you subscribed as there is more great content to come...
Thanks...will take this approach this weekend.
You bet. Be sure to let us know how it goes. Thanks for sharing!
What about hitting the 7/8 irons for chipping around the greens as Dave Pelz suggests? 7 with little rough between green and edge; and, 8 for rough shots needing loft. Everyone has a different club for chipping suggestions. What is the truth so we can nail this down. Thanks again for sharing.
We like the 7/8 iron club selection around the green...solid system with Dave Pelz.
I leaned that, slow my tempo by 100%, I was able to hit much much better driver off tee. I would randomly break 100, but if I can just get better with pitching, then I should be consistent. I would also suggest people to get a GPS watch. I rely on my friend’s watch. I typically misjudged the distance for the 50 yards. I would think it is like 20-30, they would be like Na it is 50, even 70 ish lol.
What had helped me the most is what I call "free practice" the chipping, putting, and the swing drills. Being deadly within 80 yards. I've been playing a little over a year and concentrating on these has gotten me into to the low 80s
You got it! Great insights here...
Here is a tip play from the correct tees for your Handicap and skill level cause most don't. As you improve you can move back
Good point...the game is much more enjoyable when you can hit a few greens in regulation with a mid iron...thanks for posting!
Great video, Thanx!
Our pleasure! What other topics would you like to see us cover?
@@USGOLFTVshow 😊 Thanx for your nice reply. I just started playing again after almost 12 years so just sucking up all the help I can get 😅 I played my first 9-hole yesterday and played a 52 (HCPI 30)..but my biggest issue was my driving i.e no consistency at all and after that it was which club to use in which situation/distance. So I guess if you can direct me to more such videos, then that would be great. Thank you. 🙏
Thanks, very informative 👍
Awesome, which part did you find the most helpful?
3W/6i / Pitch / putter ....works. No doubt!!
Andrew LeRoy thanks for watching and taking time to comment...hope the information helps your game. Be sure to subscribe!!
4-club concept is interesting. Got me thinking. I have same-length irons. Maybe I'll put tape on driver and fairway wood to make them same length also (choke down). Then, same swing with each club. Wedge and putter different of course. Ball position depends a bit on golfer's arm length and height to get ball at bottom of swing. (I have long torso, but average leg length, and average arm length). Am going to experiment to find bottom of swing.
Good stuff! Be sure to let us know how it goes.
Very very nice video! Thanks!!
John Pietrolaj thanks for watching! What idea/tip did you find the most helpful?
My recommendation to break 100, "move up to the middle tees"....
I instantly broke 100 by playing a round without the driver and woods lol but every shot was playable and in the right direction.
Awesome! Good for you, thanks for posting 👊
Good tips but the major issue with most golfers is playing from the wrong tees. Most players should start at between 5500 to 6000 yards and graduate to longer distances over time.
That's a good point too, playing a course at a shorter length is definitely a good idea for higher handicap golfers. Thanks for the comment!
These are the tips I teache my wife, but she is determined on using her dang 3 wood which she can't hit all that well maybe 3 times out of 10. use the 7 iron or 8 iron, you'll get it up in the air much easier. But she won't listen.
As a wife who plays golf with my husband, here is my suggestion. Send your wife to lessons and let the teacher make these suggestions.
How is a video that was released in July of 2019 have 2021 in the title? Click Bait that got me.
Get the Rimer at carsleygolf.com great training aid to help your game.
Majority of players dont break 100, but the vast majority of them will say they do
Todd , with all due respect, your statements are incorrect! The great Jimmy Ballard says the grip is the LEAST OF all importance! YOU can play cross handed, play without fingers. split grip, on and on and on! btw... Moe Norman play 10 fingers< (baseball). I am given you a "THUMBS down"!
wanna talk about bad advice.....I would say your comment is bad advice. Good Job Todd
JohnD appreciate you watching and taking time to comment. We certainly have nothing but respect for the Jimmy Ballard...one of the all time great coaches. Respectfully we simply do not agree with your assessment regarding the grip. Holding the club properly is important when learning to golf. Appreciate you comments.