How to play better from 150 and in?

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By Padraic S

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  • 16 Replies
  1. Hey need help. Need to make more birdies. Please give some advice
  2. Richard H

    Richard H
    Grand Prairie, TX

    Play smart. Practice a lot. Take some lessons. There really isn't a lot of specific advice I can give you without knowing your game or how you swing the club.

  3. MADGOLFER

    MADGOLFER
    HENDERSON, NV

    DITTO !!
  4. Edward K

    Edward K
    Wesley Chapel, FL

    Military
    IMO, the quickest way to improve is to work on the chipping and putting. For me, when I'm playing well around the greens, I am more apt to be aggressive with the short irons. I understand your question very well, so I'll just say this. Be patient with a scoring club in your hands, as we tend to get quick the closer we get to the greens, especially with a wedge that we expect to get close to the hole with. When I am patient, and "swing the club", I'm a pretty good player. When I get quick, and "hit the ball", I'm not very good.
  5. Chris Hatem

    Chris Hatem
    Boston

    On average 70% of a tour players practice time is spent around the green according to Mr. Breed.
  6. NCBob

    NCBob
    Hampstead, NC

    Know your ave distance with your clubs.  Not your best which is only once in a while.  Know the green and where to put the ball to score.  Smart play is better than risk taking.  I found I was hitting at pins but my distance control was off and ended up with a lot of down hill putts.  They get tougher and lead to three putts, started playing a little below the hole and have had a lot more good opportunities.  Practice your ground to ground distance with each club.

  7. Jim OD

    Jim OD
    Des Plaines, IL

    thanks for that last comment about being quick close to the green: I know this in my head, but having it pointed out and knowing other good golfers have the same issue makes it more clear: SWING THE CLUB

    thanks

  8. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    All of the above advice is good but here is another way to really hone in on your issues. Play a practice round by your self and on all the par 4's and 5's start on the 150 yard marker in the middle of the fairway. Play a couple of balls if you will not hold up anybody behind you. This will give you a reality picture of any issues you will have in scoring well from this range and then you can work on these to become a better golfer.
  9. Spudstarch

    Spudstarch
    Walnut Creek, CA

    I think more birdies come from risk taking. You are not trying to avoid penalties and bailing out, you are trying to nail the hole with the best possible score. Taking that into consideration, I believe you just have to practice until high risk shots do not feel like a risk at all, so you can attack with confidence.

    But hey, If that's you winning the Magnolia Grove Junior Classic, you are already on the right path, just give it time. Physically your body is still growing. Soon you will be able to reach all the par 5's in two, no sweat. Then you'll complain you aren't making enough eagles. Just try not to be so hard on yourself, since you are probably going to have to go through the growing pains of having to adjust to increase distance gains.

  10. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Swing conservatively, especially on the par 3s. I know I'm capable of 200+ with a 7 wood but play it 180 (I've hit one 225 before).  Also capable of 130 with a 9 iron but play it about 120.

    Most of your practice should be with your wedges and short irons.

  11. Clinton M

    Clinton M
    flowery branch

    practice at the driving range and get some lessons.
  12. Joe D

    Joe D
    Minooka, IL

    There are no short cuts to making birdies,practice practice and more practice, I like to go out to the course at twilight  on a slow day and play anywhere from 150 yds and in.and work on my short game on the course.Yeah you could hit those shots on the range,but I get to play the course,practice different chips and get a better feel for the greens and where I want my shots to hit on the green.If you got a partner to play with make a competition out of it closes to the pin. etc I also work on fairway bunker shots greenside bunker shots ,just depends what I want to work on.Remember this is just practice.

    That and spend more time on the chipping greens and putting greens at the course.When at the range spend more time dialing in your wedges.Good Luck. and above all have fun.

  13. Jake R

    Jake R
    East Aurora, NY

    My main points for scoring better from 150 yards and in are simple:

    First of all, you should know the exact carry and total yardages of your irons. Usually, if I have 145 in and my nearest club goes 140 (an 8-iron) I will not club up and I will make an agressive swing with my club. Second, making birdies starts with good position off the tee, and even if it means sacrificing ten yards off distance, try hittting a three-wood. But most importantly, I think putting is the key. It is where the best pros excell and win tournaments. Mainly though, focus on straight solid shots and you will find yourself making a lot of birdies!!!

  14. Jake R

    Jake R
    East Aurora, NY

    Joe D said:

    There are no short cuts to making birdies,practice practice and more practice, I like to go out to the course at twilight  on a slow day and play anywhere from 150 yds and in.and work on my short game on the course.Yeah you could hit those shots on the range,but I get to play the course,practice different chips and get a better feel for the greens and where I want my shots to hit on the green.If you got a partner to play with make a competition out of it closes to the pin. etc I also work on fairway bunker shots greenside bunker shots ,just depends what I want to work on.Remember this is just practice.

    That and spend more time on the chipping greens and putting greens at the course.When at the range spend more time dialing in your wedges.Good Luck. and above all have fun.

  15. Jake R

    Jake R
    East Aurora, NY

    Practice smooth swings and be aggressive on short-mid iron shots.
  16. Allen L

    Allen L
    Clarington, OH

    Just something to think about from a non-expert senior player.  150 in is my favorite part of the game.  Where I learned to score better was to cut down my backswing on the short irons, the 7 thru wedges.  I use a three quarter swing where the clubhead comes to about shoulder level and then I accelerate through the ball and finish with a complete follow through.  My distance is actually almost the same as with a full swing, but far more accurate.  Also, with the three quarter swing my ball hits and stops which I like because it is more predictable, full swing it will usually spin back.  Bottom line is that I get shorter putts this way and give myself better chances for birdies.

  17. Double Bogey

    Double Bogey
    Priceville, AL

    Someone mentioned going out at twilight and practicing.  That is what I love to do when I can get time... mainly due to the fact that the range is level and fairway cut.  I play many many shots out of the rough and want to practice that, although I also need to work on being in the fairway. 

    I also hit shots from the Red tees on par 3s if I am playing with my wife and not pushed for time.

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