9 Holes, 2 Clubs

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By Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

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  • 8 Replies
  1. Team Titleist Staff

    Hey, everyone.

    Just wanted to share a cool experience I had a couple weeks ago that really helped me to get rid of some winter rust.  I was on Cape Cod when the courses were first beginning to open again, but I hadn't brought my bag. I only had a 7-iron in the trunk, my backup Scotty Cameron and a shag bag. I stopped by a public course, thinking I might just hit a few, but the course didn't have a range.  It was still cold so the place was nearly empty.  I couldn't resist.

    With a couple shag-bag Pro V1s, my trusty 7-iron and my old Scotty in tow, I headed to the first tee.  What a blast!

    On most tees I played it way back off my right foot and hooded the face, trying to hit low hard draws that would have a little run.  Around the greens I played bump and runs and also laid it wide open for pitches, like the Seve stories you hear about.  I'm not going to lie - I bladed a few.  But I also hit some decent little lobs, too. 

    After a handful of holes I started to get in a great rhythm.  It was fun trying to work it both ways and alter the trajectory, swinging hard and swinging slow. Too often, I think I get caught playing stock shots instead of visualizing a flight and swinging creatively to match the image.  With one club, I had no choice.

    What do you guys think?  I can't recommend the experience enough, but I'm curious to hear if you have any other ideas for creative ways to practice. Thanks!

    Rick

  2. Richard H

    Richard H
    Grand Prairie, TX

    It's certainly a great way to practice some creativity and put some new fire in your game. I've done similar things in the past, but not the extreme that you did. For the most part, I go for stock shots. The only time I ever feel confident trying to do something off the wall is when I have wedge in my hands. One of my favorite things to do is lob the ball over trees that are way to close for me to be thinking about such shots lol.

  3. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Rick,

    Often at my club we will head out after the round on Men's day and have a 5 hole one club shootout. It is quite fun and as you said it helps you to visualize different shots and shot shapes.

    Glad to hear that it is warming up for you and the Scorpion was able to come out of hibernation.

    Tyler

  4. Team Titleist Staff

    Ha!  Thanks, Tyler.  Love the idea of a 5-hole shoot-out.  I think the game can only benefit when fun alternatives like that are welcomed.

    A couple quick questions -

    Do you putt out with that same single club?

    What club club do you typically choose?

    Thanks!

  5. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Rick,

    You have to putt with the club selected. I usually use a 6 iron and just belly the ball for putting. Putting usually isn't too big of a problem, but then I have a lot of practice putting with a 60 degree wedge. I find that occasionally putting with the wedge helps to smooth out the putting stoke. It is also a great way to take a few dollars off of my friends, many of them will not take bait to have a contest anymore.


    Tyler

  6. Team Titleist Staff

    That's a nice hustle, Tyler.  We'll have to start calling you "Titanic"!

  7. Team Titleist Staff

    Thanks, Richard.  I think it's smart to mess around with those high-risk shots.  Then they're not so daunting if you get in a pinch during a normal round.

    Appreciate your thoughts.

  8. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military

    It's pretty cool to go out with just two clubs and get some fun practice holes in.  I like to experiment with different clubs on different shots, but I'll usually try them on the range first.  I was able to try a couple different things this winter since we didn't get any snow until Feb.  Like your experience, the courses were pretty empty most days, so I tried some things that I would not normally do during a round.  Most of my experimenting didn't pan out to well, but is was fun to try something different.

  9. Team Titleist Staff

    Thanks, Barry.  You hit on a great point - I think discovering what doesn't work can be every bit as valuable as finding something that does. You can shoot some good scores by playing to your strengths.

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