What can I do to improve my GIRs?

[vance astro]

I got out today and came a hair from finally breaking 90 - a triple on 17 was all that stood in my way. However, my stats from the round were weird as hell.

 

My drives were great until the last few holes - 9/13 overall. I averaged exactly 2 putts, which isn't terrible. However, I only hit a single green in regulation.

 

My chipping can be improved, for sure - I rarely left myself short putts to get the up and down for par, I was usually a good 15 feet out - but holy s***, I just could not hit the green with my irons. I'm not really sure how to fix this. My issue is both accuracy and distance. I have a general idea of my club distances, but nothing specific. Partly because I just don't know, and partly because my swing is inconsistent. When I got the distance right though, I was off line - almost always pulled left.

 

Aside from just playing more, what can I do on the range to give myself a better chance to hit the greens once I'm in the fairway (or teeing off on par 3s)?

[shortstop20]

I got out today and came a hair from finally breaking 90 - a triple on 17 was all that stood in my way. However, my stats from the round were weird as hell.

 

My drives were great until the last few holes - 9/13 overall. I averaged exactly 2 putts, which isn't terrible. However, I only hit a single green in regulation.

 

My chipping can be improved, for sure - I rarely left myself short putts to get the up and down for par, I was usually a good 15 feet out - but holy s***, I just could not hit the green with my irons. I'm not really sure how to fix this. My issue is both accuracy and distance. I have a general idea of my club distances, but nothing specific. Partly because I just don't know, and partly because my swing is inconsistent. When I got the distance right though, I was off line - almost always pulled left.

 

Aside from just playing more, what can I do on the range to give myself a better chance to hit the greens once I'm in the fairway (or teeing off on par 3s)?

 

Work with a teacher. Either online with one of the coaches here(highly recommended) or in person.

[SNIPERBBB]

Gotta get some kind of consistency with the irons first of all.Then, if say your good shot is straight and your miss is short right, aim for the back left portion of the green.

[vance astro]

I'd love to get good lessons, but it's way too expensive for me right now - probably not going to be able to take any lessons until next year.

[Giantsfan]

I like to break out my practice sessions by the percentages...I hit very few drivers and long irons in favor of anything 165 and in and putting then it's about putting your shots in position so that if you miss your target you've got a good angle to score. That's what it is for me anyway. If you're missing a lot of greens and not scoring below 90, I'm willing to bet your pitching/chipping game isn't up to par no pun intended. ;-) That's where I'd start.

[jbrunk]

How are you measuring distance to gain? GPS, phone, laser? (Or just guessing?) When I got a laser last year, it was a revelation for truly knowing my iron distances.

On the range, do you use alignment rods? Just setting one parallel to your target line helps getting your toe line, hips, and shoulders all in alignment. Also sometimes where you think you’re aiming isn’t really where you’re aligned.

[vance astro]

How are you measuring distance to gain? GPS, phone, laser? (Or just guessing?) When I got a laser last year, it was a revelation for truly knowing my iron distances.

On the range, do you use alignment rods? Just setting one parallel to your target line helps getting your toe line, hips, and shoulders all in alignment. Also sometimes where you think you’re aiming isn’t really where you’re aligned.

 

Just guessing based off experience (golfed on and off for about 10 years, mostly off until this year), don't have a laser. I'd love one, but again - money is a pain.

 

No, but I really should. I have an shaft that used to belong to my 7 iron that I keep in the bag and try to use as an alignment tool sometimes, but I just can't get comfortable with it. I know that means my setup is probably very weird, but I can't tell what specifically is wrong and trying to line my feet up to the shaft just feels so uncomfortable.

[oikos1]

I like to break out my practice sessions by the percentages...I hit very few drivers and long irons in favor of anything 165 and in and putting then it's about putting your shots in position so that if you miss your target you've got a good angle to score. That's what it is for me anyway. If you're missing a lot of greens and not scoring below 90, I'm willing to bet your pitching/chipping game isn't up to par no pun intended. ;-) That's where I'd start.

Not only does he want to, he needs to hit more greenies. Pitching/chipping is not the place to start. Full swing wedge or 9i every night would be a good place to start.

[jbrunk]

How are you measuring distance to gain? GPS, phone, laser? (Or just guessing?) When I got a laser last year, it was a revelation for truly knowing my iron distances.

On the range, do you use alignment rods? Just setting one parallel to your target line helps getting your toe line, hips, and shoulders all in alignment. Also sometimes where you think you’re aiming isn’t really where you’re aligned.

 

Just guessing based off experience (golfed on and off for about 10 years, mostly off until this year), don't have a laser. I'd love one, but again - money is a pain.

 

No, but I really should. I have an shaft that used to belong to my 7 iron that I keep in the bag and try to use as an alignment tool sometimes, but I just can't get comfortable with it. I know that means my setup is probably very weird, but I can't tell what specifically is wrong and trying to line my feet up to the shaft just feels so uncomfortable.

 

Yeah, turning your discomfort into comfort, then comfort into second nature; that’s what practicing is all about.

 

Fiberglass driveway stakes are only a couple bucks each, get two (I like fluorescent yellow). Set them up in a cross: one parallel to your target, the other at 90° pointed at the ball (in the center of your stance). Actually, you don’t even need a ball, just set two tees a little wider than your iron head, and swing the club between the little gate. Start with small swings, halfway back to halfway through. Think about staying in balance, and brushing the grass just in front of the tees. Keep everything the same when you put a ball in between the tees.

 

Maybe you can find a free GPS app for your phone? I use Golfshot, but there’s others that are just as good. Sure beats counting your steps, or eyeballing it from the 150 bush.

[vance astro]

Do the alignment sticks work better on mats? I had trouble when I tried to use it because I'd leave a divot and have to keep readjusting where the market was. I've basically been waiting until I can afford lessons to mess with my setup, I feel like it's hard to do yourself.

[Giantsfan]

I like to break out my practice sessions by the percentages...I hit very few drivers and long irons in favor of anything 165 and in and putting then it's about putting your shots in position so that if you miss your target you've got a good angle to score. That's what it is for me anyway. If you're missing a lot of greens and not scoring below 90, I'm willing to bet your pitching/chipping game isn't up to par no pun intended. ;-) That's where I'd start.

Not only does he want to, he needs to hit more greenies. Pitching/chipping is not the place to start. Full swing wedge or 9i every night would be a good place to start.

 

My point was also addressing his scoring issue. Hitting greens isn't always a reality for anyone. Short game shots count the same as any other stroke. You can improve your score quickly with short game practice until you're hitting more greens.

[jbrunk]

Do the alignment sticks work better on mats? I had trouble when I tried to use it because I'd leave a divot and have to keep readjusting where the market was. I've basically been waiting until I can afford lessons to mess with my setup, I feel like it's hard to do yourself.

 

Sorta maybe yes, you don’t need to move the sticks around as much. But you also can’t always tell where you’re striking the ground.

 

Lessons are cool, you’ll probably get better faster if you stick with them. I’ve only had 4 lessons, so maybe I’m not the right person to ask. Still, you wouldn’t be asking for help here if you didn’t believe you can improve right now on your own.

 

There are some truly great teachers on here. Maybe post a video of your swing and see what they say.

[Hstead]

Online lessons aren’t that expensive. No more than two green fees, maybe only one depending where you live. Take one round off and get an online lesson. If you want to improve, you’re going to have to improve mechanics.

 

Worst case, either start watching free YouTube videos or post your swing here for some direction at a minimum. That is free.

[ryan983]

I got out today and came a hair from finally breaking 90 - a triple on 17 was all that stood in my way. However, my stats from the round were weird as hell.

 

My drives were great until the last few holes - 9/13 overall. I averaged exactly 2 putts, which isn't terrible. However, I only hit a single green in regulation.

 

My chipping can be improved, for sure - I rarely left myself short putts to get the up and down for par, I was usually a good 15 feet out - but holy s***, I just could not hit the green with my irons. I'm not really sure how to fix this. My issue is both accuracy and distance. I have a general idea of my club distances, but nothing specific. Partly because I just don't know, and partly because my swing is inconsistent. When I got the distance right though, I was off line - almost always pulled left.

 

Aside from just playing more, what can I do on the range to give myself a better chance to hit the greens once I'm in the fairway (or teeing off on par 3s)?

 

Not trying to be a jerk here. To hit more greens, you need to........improve your swing. Take online or in person lessons from someone that knows what they are talking about.

[Nard_S]

Practice 3/4 knock down shots and heavily work on chipping and pitching. It will lower scores and take pressure off of approach shots, hence more GIR.

[Petunia Sprinkle]

Practice pitching and chipping until you’re bored silly. It’ll take pressure off your iron game, make missing greens less penal, and it’ll improve your contact on full iron shots.

[vance astro]

I mean yeah, chipping and pitching is good, but I was getting on the green in (par - 1) and two putting for bogey basically every single hole. I wasn't leaving myself tap ins for par, but I also wasn't usually blading it over the green to make big numbers. With that I'm not really sure which is the bigger issue to focus on, iron play or chipping.

 

And yeah, lessons would help more than anything, but I just graduated college and barely have money to get out on the course, so it's going to be a while. I feel weird asking random strangers on the range to record my swing, too...

[Petunia Sprinkle]

I mean yeah, chipping and pitching is good, but I was getting on the green in (par - 1) and two putting for bogey basically every single hole. I wasn't leaving myself tap ins for par, but I also wasn't usually blading it over the green to make big numbers. With that I'm not really sure which is the bigger issue to focus on, iron play or chipping.

 

And yeah, lessons would help more than anything, but I just graduated college and barely have money to get out on the course, so it's going to be a while. I feel weird asking random strangers on the range to record my swing, too...

 

If you’re missing every green and two putting every hole, you’re pitching and chipping is not good.

[vance astro]

I mean yeah, chipping and pitching is good, but I was getting on the green in (par - 1) and two putting for bogey basically every single hole. I wasn't leaving myself tap ins for par, but I also wasn't usually blading it over the green to make big numbers. With that I'm not really sure which is the bigger issue to focus on, iron play or chipping.

 

And yeah, lessons would help more than anything, but I just graduated college and barely have money to get out on the course, so it's going to be a while. I feel weird asking random strangers on the range to record my swing, too...

 

If you’re missing every green and two putting every hole, you’re pitching and chipping is not good.

 

I didn't say it was good, I meant it wasn't a disaster. It's firmly mediocre. I'm not leaving myself tap ins for par very often, but I'm also not usually blading it over the green to make a double or triple.

[Nard_S]

I mean yeah, chipping and pitching is good, but I was getting on the green in (par - 1) and two putting for bogey basically every single hole. I wasn't leaving myself tap ins for par, but I also wasn't usually blading it over the green to make big numbers. With that I'm not really sure which is the bigger issue to focus on, iron play or chipping.

 

And yeah, lessons would help more than anything, but I just graduated college and barely have money to get out on the course, so it's going to be a while. I feel weird asking random strangers on the range to record my swing, too...

 

If you're missing every green and two putting every hole, you're pitching and chipping is not good.

 

I didn't say it was good, I meant it wasn't a disaster. It's firmly mediocre. I'm not leaving myself tap ins for par very often, but I'm also not usually blading it over the green to make a double or triple.

 

That's exactly what you need to focus on. Having lots of taps ins. For U & D ,33% is just okay, 50% is good and 0% stinks to high heaven. Please leave tour averages out of this. We play in the kiddie pool, they swim in the Olympic.

[Giantsfan]

Practice pitching and chipping until you’re bored silly. It’ll take pressure off your iron game, make missing greens less penal, and it’ll improve your contact on full iron shots.

 

^^^ this. If you're really confident you can get up and down from a trash can, you'll feel less anxious about your shots to the greens, make a more relaxed swing which could result in more consistent gir as you don't get the "I have to hit this green!!" feeling. Just my thoughts..

[arbitrage]

Take one more club than you think you need. Most people overestimate their yardages and end up short or pulling/pushing because they swing out of their shoes believing they "should" hit x yards with that y iron. My GIR's almost doubled last year when I figured that out.

[Petunia Sprinkle]

I mean yeah, chipping and pitching is good, but I was getting on the green in (par - 1) and two putting for bogey basically every single hole. I wasn't leaving myself tap ins for par, but I also wasn't usually blading it over the green to make big numbers. With that I'm not really sure which is the bigger issue to focus on, iron play or chipping.

 

And yeah, lessons would help more than anything, but I just graduated college and barely have money to get out on the course, so it's going to be a while. I feel weird asking random strangers on the range to record my swing, too...

 

If you’re missing every green and two putting every hole, you’re pitching and chipping is not good.

 

I didn't say it was good, I meant it wasn't a disaster. It's firmly mediocre. I'm not leaving myself tap ins for par very often, but I'm also not usually blading it over the green to make a double or triple.

 

Hm! Where could I have gotten such a silly notion, one wonders (look above).

‘Not disastrous’ is not something to be satisfied with. Well anyway, good luck.

[Swisstrader98]

Get fitted.

 

Best overnight fix for me with hitting more greens.

[MelloYello]

A better short game will at least make you feel better, haha. (cool) A few up and downs really do improve your attitude. I think that's what people are talking about. Being able to get up and down from the easy locations will also expand your landing areas for irons.

 

However, I'm also missing a bunch of greens right now, too and I'm with you. It sucks. It's really annoying and the strokes add up fast. Plus, it feels just awful missing a green with a short iron in your hand. I'm doing the worst thing you can which is missing in bad spots. So I'm doing something slightly wrong, missing in an awful spot and walking off with double or worse.

 

Best I can say is, work on the full wedges (a lot) on the range. Once you're comfortable, move back to the short irons. The simple fact is you just need to practice a lot with those clubs. And don't just beat balls. Aim at things on the range and take note of whether a good feeling shot it actually going right, left or straight.

 

Keep in mind a lot of range rats develop alignment issues where they feel great hitting a certain shot but never notice they're pushing or pulling those flush shots by 5-10 yards one way or the other. They get out there on the course and align properly only to feel uncomfortable.

 

 

 

I'd give you 2 real tips though:

 

(1) If you aren't striking anything in your bag solid, see an instructor.

 

(2) If practice feels fun, you're not practicing anything. ;)

 

 

Focus on quality during practice. Maybe that means you only hit half the shots you did beating balls, but you can learn quickly if you do the right drills. The two-tee drill is great for ball-striking. Yeah, you have to keep pushing tees in the ground, but deliberate practice is how you improve, not beating balls. You might do more for yourself with 5 good practice shots than a hole bag of balls hoping to find something through random feels.

[-GoldenHawk-]

When I'm struggling with hitting greens... I always adjust by only focusing on the fat part of the green. A good miss. It doesn't always work out, but if you take your focus off the pin, it is more likely that you won't be aiming as much.

[bobcat]

Move forward to the next tee box so the holes aren't as long. Shorter approach shots are the easiest and quickest way to improve your GIR, but you also need to spend time hitting to very specific targets with your irons on the range!

 

:golfer:

[vance astro]

I mean yeah, chipping and pitching is good, but I was getting on the green in (par - 1) and two putting for bogey basically every single hole. I wasn't leaving myself tap ins for par, but I also wasn't usually blading it over the green to make big numbers. With that I'm not really sure which is the bigger issue to focus on, iron play or chipping.

 

And yeah, lessons would help more than anything, but I just graduated college and barely have money to get out on the course, so it's going to be a while. I feel weird asking random strangers on the range to record my swing, too...

 

If you're missing every green and two putting every hole, you're pitching and chipping is not good.

 

I didn't say it was good, I meant it wasn't a disaster. It's firmly mediocre. I'm not leaving myself tap ins for par very often, but I'm also not usually blading it over the green to make a double or triple.

 

Hm! Where could I have gotten such a silly notion, one wonders (look above).

'Not disastrous' is not something to be satisfied with. Well anyway, good luck.

 

Oh, I see where that could be confusing. I only meant that having great pitching & chipping is good, not that my game in particular is good. As I said, it's not stellar but it's also not costing me a ton of strokes so I'm not sure where to focus on.

[vance astro]

A better short game will at least make you feel better, haha. (cool) A few up and downs really do improve your attitude. I think that's what people are talking about. Being able to get up and down from the easy locations will also expand your landing areas for irons.

 

However, I'm also missing a bunch of greens right now, too and I'm with you. It sucks. It's really annoying and the strokes add up fast. Plus, it feels just awful missing a green with a short iron in your hand. I'm doing the worst thing you can which is missing in bad spots. So I'm doing something slightly wrong, missing in an awful spot and walking off with double or worse.

 

Best I can say is, work on the full wedges (a lot) on the range. Once you're comfortable, move back to the short irons. The simple fact is you just need to practice a lot with those clubs. And don't just beat balls. Aim at things on the range and take note of whether a good feeling shot it actually going right, left or straight.

 

Keep in mind a lot of range rats develop alignment issues where they feel great hitting a certain shot but never notice they're pushing or pulling those flush shots by 5-10 yards one way or the other. They get out there on the course and align properly only to feel uncomfortable.

 

 

 

I'd give you 2 real tips though:

 

(1) If you aren't striking anything in your bag solid, see an instructor.

 

(2) If practice feels fun, you're not practicing anything. ;)

 

 

Focus on quality during practice. Maybe that means you only hit half the shots you did beating balls, but you can learn quickly if you do the right drills. The two-tee drill is great for ball-striking. Yeah, you have to keep pushing tees in the ground, but deliberate practice is how you improve, not beating balls. You might do more for yourself with 5 good practice shots than a hole bag of balls hoping to find something through random feels.

 

My contact actually felt great yesterday. I've been struggling a lot with thin and topped shots this month, but I've worked out a better move with my hips through the downswing and have improved my contact a ton. So solid shots, just not... in the right direction.

 

But with regards to short game - I at least know how to do that, and how to practice it. I'm not usually skulling my shots over the green, I just haven't practiced enough to get distance control down, so a 40 yard pitch will come up on the near fringe, a lob chip from just off the edge will leave me with a ~15 foot putt, or a bump and run will go too far and run past the pin. That's much easier to practice and fix, in my mind, than not being able to accurately drop an 8 iron anywhere on the green (let alone close to the hole) from 150 yards.

[ousuxndallas]

A better short game will at least make you feel better, haha. (cool) A few up and downs really do improve your attitude. I think that's what people are talking about. Being able to get up and down from the easy locations will also expand your landing areas for irons.

 

However, I'm also missing a bunch of greens right now, too and I'm with you. It sucks. It's really annoying and the strokes add up fast. Plus, it feels just awful missing a green with a short iron in your hand. I'm doing the worst thing you can which is missing in bad spots. So I'm doing something slightly wrong, missing in an awful spot and walking off with double or worse.

 

Best I can say is, work on the full wedges (a lot) on the range. Once you're comfortable, move back to the short irons. The simple fact is you just need to practice a lot with those clubs. And don't just beat balls. Aim at things on the range and take note of whether a good feeling shot it actually going right, left or straight.

 

Keep in mind a lot of range rats develop alignment issues where they feel great hitting a certain shot but never notice they're pushing or pulling those flush shots by 5-10 yards one way or the other. They get out there on the course and align properly only to feel uncomfortable.

 

 

 

I'd give you 2 real tips though:

 

(1) If you aren't striking anything in your bag solid, see an instructor.

 

(2) If practice feels fun, you're not practicing anything. ;)

 

 

Focus on quality during practice. Maybe that means you only hit half the shots you did beating balls, but you can learn quickly if you do the right drills. The two-tee drill is great for ball-striking. Yeah, you have to keep pushing tees in the ground, but deliberate practice is how you improve, not beating balls. You might do more for yourself with 5 good practice shots than a hole bag of balls hoping to find something through random feels.

 

My contact actually felt great yesterday. I've been struggling a lot with thin and topped shots this month, but I've worked out a better move with my hips through the downswing and have improved my contact a ton. So solid shots, just not... in the right direction.

 

But with regards to short game - I at least know how to do that, and how to practice it. I'm not usually skulling my shots over the green, I just haven't practiced enough to get distance control down, so a 40 yard pitch will come up on the near fringe, a lob chip from just off the edge will leave me with a ~15 foot putt, or a bump and run will go too far and run past the pin. That's much easier to practice and fix, in my mind, than not being able to accurately drop an 8 iron anywhere on the green (let alone close to the hole) from 150 yards.

Watch Mickleson's short game video on YouTube. You need to hit most/majority of your chips and pitches within a 3 ft circle.

 

And take a lesson. Will change your life. Worth every penny.