[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference 7.286::golf

Title:	Welcome to the Golf Notes Conference!
Notice:	FOR SALE notes in Note 69 please! Intros in note 863 or 61.
Moderator:	FUNYET::ANDERSON

Created:	Tue Feb 15 1994
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2129
Total number of notes:	21499

149.0. "Hardpan wedge problems" by GLIVET::HUSTON () Wed Sep 09 1987 21:19

    
    I have a problem hitting off of a hardpan lie or an area of burnt
    out grass. (By hardpan I mean packed dirt).  This is especially
    a problem if I am not hitting with a full swing.  I will either
    scull the ball or more commonly will get under the ball and have
    it simply roll off the top of the face of the wedge.
    
    This is particuarly a problem on one hole that I play.  It is a
    driveable par 4, but if you leave the ball out to the right of the
    hole you will end up with about a 20 - 30 yard pitch, over a bunker,
    from an either burnt area or no grass, usually, I don't even reach
    the bunker.  I know that I am swinging hard enough for a normal
    lie shot of that length, because I have messed up the shot and dropped
    another ball on a reasonable piece of turf and hit it close to the
    pin.
    
    Any suggestions, comments or tips would be greatly appreciated.
    
    --Bob

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
149.1	Dont scoop It !!!!	USSCSL::MICHAELS	Why Soitanly... Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk	`Wed Sep 09 1987 23:11`	19
	This is always a tough shot but I have found I have been able to play it better by first of all using the pitching wedge not the sand wedge as I would normally. The smaller flange of the pitching wedge gives less bounce which cuts down the amount of skulled shots. Next I try to be very agressive (I think the main mistake I used to make was decelerating the clubhead thru the ball) and make sure you hit with a decending blow and not try to lift or help the ball into the air. Choke down on the club so that you may take as full and agressive swing as possible and finally allow for a conciderable amount of roll. Remember the loft of the club will get the ball in the air.... Don't try to scoop it. Good Luck Larry
149.2	hit the ball.... FIRST	NETWRK::GSMITH		`Wed Sep 16 1987 19:46`	8
	I, too, have problems hiiting from hard dirt. I think the main thing to concentrate on is ball contact. By ball contact, I mean hit the ball first. There is no room for error in hitting behind the ball on packed dirt, where as grass is somewhat forgiving. So, remember, hit the ball first... of course this is the proper thinking for all shots.... outside of bunkers.. Smitty
149.3	Easier said than done..hope this helps	ODIXIE::KLEIN		`Thu Sep 17 1987 00:04`	23
	I think .1 and .2 are exactly right but I would like to add a few things not mentioned: 1. Play the ball way back in your stance, just inside the right foot. Then swing down and thru the ball, very aggressively as mentioned in .1 Don't consciously try to 'pick the ball clean' or you'll either hit it 'thin' or bounce the club into the ball and line-drive it over the green. Just be aggressive, accellerate thru the ball. 2. Keep your lower body very still, like a fairway bunker shot. This will prevent you from swaying back on the backswing and forward on the downswing, assuring cleaner contact with the ball. 3. Assuming the shot is close enough to the green to get there with less than a full swing, don't break your wrists. Just take a firm punch-shot swing - like putting but take your hands back to about waist high. Notice I said don't break your wrists, but you will have to roll your wrists to be able to properly release the club thru the ball.
149.4	hitting on hardpan	AIMHI::PRINCE		`Wed Jan 20 1988 12:59`	11
	I am new to vax notes but hope this helps. On hitting on hardpan, move the ball furhter back in your stance. This will ensure that you hit the ball first before hitting the ground. Also, you should hit at least one extra club and expect to get more backspin on the ball. ALso, don't be concerned about not hitting off of grass.