Punch shots for par 3s? and distance control.

[dorkwad]

What to do when lose swing during round

Let me start by saying while I may be a low 80s shooter, my ball striking with my irons (even hybrids)has been crap all summer long. I'll hit 13 fairways in the 260-270 range then subsequently squander all my good drives with a series of chunks, shanks, and the most common short and right scoops. Thanks to some solid pitch and chips I'll recover par quite often. The killer though has been the par 3s irons off the tee. This morning I par'd 4 straight to start my round then got to a par 3 only to triple. My bad swing has gotten in my head to the point of ridiculousness. I stand over the ball on par 3s lockjawed and trembling.

So today, I decided to change tactics after that triple. On the next par 3, which played 165 (6i for me when hit clean)to the front, I grabbed my 20* hybrid, did a half to 3/4 pitching swing and whammo it was perfect. It sailed low and long with a tad of a draw bounced and rolled up on the green, hit the flagstick, and stopped 2' from the hole. The next par 3 I ended up 30 yards short, but had a decent lob shot to a tucked pin to save par. Most importantly I didn't lose a ball to the drink on one side, nor the environmentally sensitive area on the other. It got me thinking about playing this way on the par 4s as well. Why waste a nice drive with a horrible 2nd? I figure my one true strength is the short wedge shots, so even if I miss the green, at least I'm straight. Mainly, I want to avoid the 2 or 3 disaster holes that always find their way onto my card. Maybe then I can finally break 80.

My main question is should I spend a lot of range time trying to iron out distances with say 3H, 5i, and 7i punch shots, or go more on feel like I do with the 20-50yd. PW. Is there a method? Or will I only complicate things, and I should take full swings with everything and work on fixing my swing flaws?

[crew_138]

I would work on your full swing... making solid crisp contact. Ironing out your distances will give you that confidence you need.

 

By the way does punching give you the solid feel your looking for? I used to think the same thing... try clubbing up and hitting knock downs 3/4 swings with the ball in the normal position and not back in the stance like a punch. Get the feeling of crisp shots for practice that way and go back to the full shot.

 

Helps me when irons get out of whack.

[ApexGrind]

Stick with the full swings and work on fixing the swing (or mental) flaw(s). I'd try to figure that out and fix it first. Get a playing lesson or whatever it takes. I think it's pretty common to try something very different like you did and have it work great the first few times... It sounds like you may have some fundamental that's gone a bit out of whack and you just don't have a clue what it is and now it's gotten in your head.

[stuckntx]

A punch is simply a mini full swing without the finish swivel. My thought would be that you may be coming out of your shots on you full swing irons. With a punch, you may be focusing on hitting down and through while staying in your posture.

Maybe try starting with some punch shots and then moving into a 3/4 swing and then to a full swing, all the while maintaining the same feeling that you had with your punch shots.

 

Good luck!

[ParkviewSounds]

Man, I am right with you. I went +8 on par 3's yesterday and havent found a green in weeks on them. They have gotten in my head. I can hit my irons fine on any hole but the par 3 tee shot. It's funny we are both going through the same exact thing. I was contemplating teeing the ball up super high and relying on a popped drive on one of the longer par 3's.

 

My par 3's are killing me.

[GolfMN]

Its a good idea to hit some punch and knock down shots when your swing goes on you, but dont start relying on them. You should develop a good full swing and save the 3/4 shots for when its just one of those days.

[ApexGrind]

Yes. If I had to take a wild guess, my first one would be that you're stopping your hips when this happens instead of bringing them all the way around. Why? 'cause that wouldn't effect a punch and it's what I've always struggled with so I'm looking for someone to share the misery ;)

[Young04]

i'd continue to work on your full swing, as others have suggested. what are you going to do on that 200+ par 3? punch a driver?

 

that aside, i lament with you, my friend. i'm probably near your handicap and i couldn't hit an iron to save my life yesterday. i maybe hit 3 greens all day (i'm usually 8-13 depending on the course)...got off the tee alright, then committed every wrong i possibly could with my irons...pulls, hooks, blocks, toe pushes, with a case of skinnies. luckily, i was able to get up and down ok and putted well, so my total score was only a couple off my handicap, but still led to a very aggravating day.

[dorkwad]

Thanks for the ideas gentlemen. I think I'll practice with some 3/4 swings. Even on a 200+ par 3 I could hit a 3/4 3w and if I'm short and straight, still chance at par, at worst bogey. I think I need to bite the bullet and go visit an instructor. I've put it off for too long. A year ago (pre swing mechanics mess) I thought if I'd only putt better I'd have 5-7 birdies a round. Now I can't even remember what birdie chances felt like.

 

The positive side is my short game has improved dramatically out of neccessity.

[raidernut1234]

If your swing is off, then it's off. We ain't pros out here. I have hit 6 iron from 140 if thats what I felt like would work under pressure. i'd work on those punch shots, and put pressure on yourself at the range. say you have to hit 5 shots in a row inside 30' from 150yds. that 5th shot will give you the pressure your looking for. (start with a bigger circle if you have to).

good luck, let us know how it turns out

[ezra76]

I've done the same thing with my 21*. 2 par 3's around 180 and into the wind. I used a punch draw, hit the green and parred both of them. I practice off grass only, no mats. I've been using no tees on par 3's for a few months and recently went back to tees. It's a lot easier now. I'd recommend finding a grass range and just practicing. I like to hit 3 or 4 shots 3/4 at a target then move into a higher flight fulller swing. There's nothing wrong with a 3/4 swing, I don't see Tiger hit too many full iron shots.

[mikpga]

Describing your shots, I would recommend working on your full swing with your irons.