The Green Fee This year one of my golf goals in 2021 is to shoot 5 rounds in the 70’s. To get there I wanted to use my Arccos data and really digest where I struggle. With it trackign every shot I hit it is truly an unbiased look into my game. I have always thought I was a good iron player and an awful putter. After looking at my Arccos dashboard it is fairly obvious I am a good driver of the ball, an awful iron player, and a decent putter. So with know that, whats the plan for the offseason? How do I get better?
Mental Toughness
One of the biggest issues I ran into was compounding a bad hole with another and watching it come unraveled. Going through my rounds there was often a double bogey followed by a 2 or 3 hole bogey streak. Those turn 78s into 82s in a heartbeat. I also would hit a bad shot and follow it up with a bad shot. That turns a 5 into a 7. Sometimes bogey is ok.
How do I fix this? The simple answer is something I have needed to do for a long time but it is actually to create and commit to a preshot routine. Anyone who has played with me comments how fast I play. Im going to start with putting routine and not hit a putt even during practice without using this preshot routine. In a short experiment it worked pretty well. I did try one for a full swing but it may have slowed me down too much. Itll be tough to slow down and relax.
Work on hitting more greens
The issue is almost strictly wedge play. I hit more 58 degree shots than I do any other club beside driver and putter. From 50-119 yards I hit the green an abysmal 58%. For perspective my GIR with a 3 hybrid between the yardages of 200 and 235 is 50%. So I am only 8% less accurate from 200 yards than I am from 50-120 yards. If we move to a 54 degree the percentage jumps to 65% from 50-120. With a 50 Degree it drops to 58 and finally the PW is 37%. Im more accurate with a 3 hybrid from 200 than I am with a PW 130 yards out. Jeez thats horrible.
How do I fix this? Well its not a total swing rebuild but I need to develop a consistent shot shape and actually play to that shape. I miss a lot short and left. That tells me a few things. The first thing it says is I hit a draw that sometimes gets over cooked and misses left. I should probably be aiming slightly further right and letting it draw in there. The other thing is says is I am not making consistent contact. The short shots are chunks or more likely a thin shot that just doesnt get the air it needs. The pre shot routine will help with the aim but just swing work and maybe a few lessons will help with that consistent shot shape.
Short Game
The next biggest struggle is my short game. I simply need to get chips closer and hit pitches tighter. From 50 yrds and in my average distance to the pin in 25 yards. How embarrassing. That means multiple time I have had 30 yards in and ended up 35 from the pin.
How do I fix this? Well simply its practice. I need to find a better technique. It will also take the dedication to go out and figure out how to hit a 40 yard shot. I struggle to hit that shot. I dont really know how to practice this shot so it is a little hard. That being said excuses are no good. Its my job to figure out how to make it better.
Final Thoughts
Overall Im not upset with where my game is but it needs to get better. I have hit a handicap plateau this year and its time for it to drop a little more. I would love to drop it low enough to qualify for a mid am. I am in no way thinking I could compete for a title but I want to qualify!
