I often have a scenario like this one during a round: 142 yard shot. A 9 iron for me will probably be short unless I kill it and an 8 iron goes too long. The choices have pros and cons: over swing on a 9 I could push right or hook it. Try to baby an 8 I could push right or chunk it. Another choice is to take an 8 or even 7 and choke down while making standard swing. Tom, curious on how you handle this scenario.
Matt
Hi.
There aren't any gaps in between clubs.
Simply grab down a bit. 1 inch ~ 5 meters.
The only gap u can argue is If U haven't the complete club order.
E.G. PW 44° and only 56° SW.
Matt Kelton any update on this one?
I have been playing a lot more half shots lately instead of full shots.
As an example, I took a launch monitor out to the course. I can fly a hard PW 150yards. But I can do an easy 3/4 9i the same distance. The amount of effort to hit the 9 iron is considerably less.
I do club everything off my PW with 10 yard carry gaps between clubs See below as sample.
Full swing, 9i 160
3/4 swing, 9i, 150
Full swing, PW 150
3/4 swing, PW 140
Full swing, GW 140
3/4 swing, GW 130
Thanks the the great feedback!
@Matt Kelton you are playing some good golf and it’s fun to read your posts. I completely agree with Tom’s comments on the choke down 1-2”. I was coaching a high school kid going to state and that’s exactly what we worked on to take off 5 yards without changing anything. There is another consideration too. Green size, which miss gives easiest up and down, trouble around green. Sometimes instead of making any change, recognize that the target doesn’t have to be the flag. Sometimes getting an easy par and moving on is an easy way to avoid over thinking. 142 yards. But how big is the green? Let’s say front edge was 132 yards, back edge was 152 yards. When you think about it, you don’t need to hit 142 yards for a good shot. In that case, anything over 132 yards is also a good shot. Or anything short of 152 yards. For me, the club choice would have come down to the most common miss that would result in the easiest up and down. This process gives best chance for success and even with best strategy, you still have to execute. My thought is that on every shot I want to increase my odds for the best outcome. I play the odds and make decisions based on those odds.
"Almost" only matters in horseshoes and hand grenades, @Matt Kelton... 🤣🤣
Just kidding. Well done!!!
If you're falling off balance then your swing tachometer is red-lining! My "wrath" swing is generally around 80%. I can dial it up from there when I want to, but we never want to swing so hard that we knock our balance and sequencing out of whack. Find the level of wrath that provides you with consistently crispy impact. It may feel somewhat effortless, but that just means the big muscles are in control - and that's what will maximize your swing speed. As always, let your ball striking and shot shape be your guide.
70's soon...............
After reviewing this feedback and other comments-Tom videos on reducing tension I almost broke 80 yesterday! I read this article on Brooks Koepka on second shots and there are some interesting takeaways:
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/brooks-koepka-my-advice-to-make-your-second-shots-matter
First, he stresses the importance of left shoulder down. Classic S&T.
Second, he swings at 75% max effort. He also suggests taking a club more than you think you need. Tom, just curious on your thoughts here. Tiger has talked about swinging at 90% and Jack at 80%. I couldn't remember if you touched on this in the school.
I was trying to keep my arms super straight and was become super tense which restricted my swing. I was also swinging with "the wratch of God" (full 100%) and falling off balance to the point I could use a chair behind me to fall into. Trying to swing with a smoother balanced finish seems to really be helping.
The challenge never ends!
That is very timely! Thanks so much for sharing!
Ex pro golfer and now Sky Sports golf analyst Nick Dougherty does a series on Instagram called Tee time tips and posted this today from none other than new Open championship winner Collin Morikawa and what he does
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRg7r22IwXW/?utm_medium=copy_link
@kelton4 - A few thoughts:
1) If at all possible, compare your yardages and ball flight at the range - without changing your normal swing speed - at full length, choked down 1", and choked down 2". Hit several balls with each scenario to get your averages. Toss out any bad mishits from the accumulated data. This should give you an indication of the relative effect of gripping down, understanding of course that range balls do not typically fly as far as your playing balls.
2) Perfect the Flying Wedge to the point where you can execute the knock-down shot predictably at will with a variety of clubs. Then record your distances to determine - for example - how a knocked down 7 compares to a nuked 8, etc.
3) Understand that how you are feeling while playing is going to affect your distances. For example, if you're having a good day of ball striking, scoring well, and it's getting to be later in the round, you may be jacked up to the point where you are effortlessly carrying your 9 iron 8 iron distances. This is an "in the moment" variable that only you will know while you are - well - in the moment. 😎
I hope that helps!