Confessions of Ignorance: Share your Confusion as a Rookie WRX'er

[Palauan Hammer]

Another short game note, the one thing that really really helped me become better around the greens is really focusing on my landing spot, NOT THE HOLE LOL!! When practicing I always stagger landing point targets. I use brightly colored golf tees and actually try to hit them using all my "weapons". After an hour of that you'll be real sharp with your distance control for sure.

[Reasonability]

Gotcha - Ham. I should have asked if there has been any changes in the time frame - my bad!


Hey I was wondering what success you fellas mat have had with any of these around the greens:

1) The chip putt

2) Chipping with a hybrid or 3-metal

3) Blading the ball on the equator

4) Changing the grip for routine chips and pitches

[Reasonability]

Rad - some of these spin/laser milled faces are as rough as a cob! Surprised those things are legal whilst a few thousands of groove geometry are what is measured in terms of rules compliance. I have Clevelands and they will chew a ball up. Mrs. Reason got me the 52 for Xmas... even ordered it with the right bounce. What a lady!!!! LOL.

[Palauan Hammer]

No worries Judge!!!

1. When I chip I do use my putting stroke. Club selection will be 8iron normally, I also use a 9, and 7 depending on the situation.

2. I don't have any fairway woods yet LOL, but I do have a hybrid. I've never used it to hit a running shot, I does come off quite hot though. I just find it kinda clunky, I guess if I spent time practicing that shot it could come in handy.

3. I will use this shot if I need to, there is one course I play in particular here where that shot is quite useful. They grow the rough at this course above the ankles most of the year, and it's not fun stuff to hit out of. It's poofy bermuda that can't hold the weight of a golf ball, and it's that high around the greens up to the fringes so you get alot of balls that rest against or barely roll into that thick stuff. The bladed wedge glides right through making it easy to judge.

4. I don't change my grip for anything, even bump and runs using my putting stroke. For some reason my putting grip doesn't give me the control I need.

[DeNinny]

[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427690511' post='11243487']
Gotcha - Ham. I should have asked if there has been any changes in the time frame - my bad!


Hey I was wondering what success you fellas mat have had with any of these around the greens:

1) The chip putt

2) Chipping with a hybrid or 3-metal

3) Blading the ball on the equator

4) Changing the grip for routine chips and pitches
[/quote]

I am a big fan of 2). I set up and grip a 3W just like a putter for shots through long fringe. It is a very stupid easy shot to execute and you just have to practice the distances a lot like long putts. The 3W face can pop the ball so you have to be careful with that.

I've never been a fan of any of the other options.

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427690800' post='11243495']
Rad - some of these spin/laser milled faces are as rough as a cob! Surprised those things are legal whilst a few thousands of groove geometry are what is measured in terms of rules compliance. I have Clevelands and they will chew a ball up. Mrs. Reason got me the 52 for Xmas... even ordered it with the right bounce. What a lady!!!! LOL.
[/quote]

That's impressive getting the bounce right!!LOL And those Clevelands are some sweet scoring sticks!

[Conrad1953]

[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427690511' post='11243487']
Gotcha - Ham. I should have asked if there has been any changes in the time frame - my bad!


Hey I was wondering what success you fellas mat have had with any of these around the greens:

1) The chip putt

2) Chipping with a hybrid or 3-metal

3) Blading the ball on the equator

4) Changing the grip for routine chips and pitches
[/quote]

I can comment on some. I have taken my left (lead) hand and turned
it very weak on flop shots with some success. It helps keep the face
wide open.

I tried chipping with a FW and hybrid but with the longer shaft I'm
down below the grip holding the shaft and didn't like it.

I've putted with my LW. Does that count as blading it? LOL

I've used a putting stroke with an iron to chip. Is that what you
call a chip putt? Answer is yes if that's the case.

[Michael C.]

I've chipped with a fairway metal (see what I did there) and a hybrid. Not keen on the bladed wedge. I don't tend to change my grip much around the greens either. I do open the face varying degrees with my lob wedge depending on height and how far or short I need to hit it. I can open the face and make a 50 yard swing for a 30 yard pitch. The added loft takes the distance off. Lol. Who needs therapy? ??

[Conrad1953]

[quote name='Michael C.' timestamp='1427691662' post='11243527']
I've chipped with a fairway metal (see what I did there) and a hybrid. Not keen on the bladed wedge. I don't tend to change my grip much around the greens either. I do open the face varying degrees with my lob wedge depending on height and how far or short I need to hit it. I can open the face and make a 50 yard swing for a 30 yard pitch. The added loft takes the distance off. Lol. Who needs therapy? ??
[/quote]

Therapy??

I just need to "unsee" what has been "seen".....that being a wedge stuck
in the ground over and over and over, LMAO.

[Reasonability]

Barring anything strange about the grain or lie - I like the chip-putt from just over the collar. Grip it through the palms just like a putter which drops the toe down and raises the heel so you have to account for that if the lie is tight.

I blade the ball or putt with a hybrid when its into the grain and the ball is in a thick lie on or just off the collar.

Yes Ham - she is incredible! I married a fan of golf and student of my swing.

Rad - the chip-putt is essentially treating an iron like a putter - the shaft stands almost straight up with lots of choke-down and a putter grip. Then you just putt it. It has a little loft though so it flies a touch (barely off the ground) and then rolls out.

MC - We are all nuts my man! If we didn't have this forum we would be walking the streets holding imaginary discussions with dead presidents! LOL. Bring on the golf shrinks!

[Conrad1953]

[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427690800' post='11243495']
Rad - some of these spin/laser milled faces are as rough as a cob! Surprised those things are legal whilst a few thousands of groove geometry are what is measured in terms of rules compliance. I have Clevelands and they will chew a ball up. Mrs. Reason got me the 52 for Xmas... even ordered it with the right bounce. What a lady!!!! LOL.
[/quote]

I can see I've been missing the boat on wedges. I need to get out more.

I had an illegal wedge I bought at Walmart once for giggles. It had no
grooves. It just had a sandpaper like face. You could do some funny
things with that wedge, lol.

[Conrad1953]

So, is it true that the ONLY reason there are grooves on a club
is to channel away any water that happens to show up? Otherwise
grooves do nothing?

[Michael C.]

[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427692469' post='11243545']
[quote name='Michael C.' timestamp='1427691662' post='11243527']
I've chipped with a fairway metal (see what I did there) and a hybrid. Not keen on the bladed wedge. I don't tend to change my grip much around the greens either. I do open the face varying degrees with my lob wedge depending on height and how far or short I need to hit it. I can open the face and make a 50 yard swing for a 30 yard pitch. The added loft takes the distance off. Lol. Who needs therapy? ??
[/quote]

Therapy??

I just need to "unsee" what has been "seen".....that being a wedge stuck
in the ground over and over and over, LMAO.
[/quote]

Keep your right arm moving my man and feel the shaft pass your hands as your hitting the
ball. It's called using the bounce, duuuude!! It feels like a flip but as long as you keep the trail arm moving you'll still have a bit of shaft lean even though the shaft will feel like its vertical at impact.

Probably not the best definition but I'm a crazy person. Muuhahahahaha!

[Reasonability]

[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427692911' post='11243559']
[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427690800' post='11243495']
Rad - some of these spin/laser milled faces are as rough as a cob! Surprised those things are legal whilst a few thousands of groove geometry are what is measured in terms of rules compliance. I have Clevelands and they will chew a ball up. Mrs. Reason got me the 52 for Xmas... even ordered it with the right bounce. What a lady!!!! LOL.
[/quote]

I can see I've been missing the boat on wedges. I need to get out more.

I had an illegal wedge I bought at Walmart once for giggles. It had no
grooves. It just had a sandpaper like face. You could do some funny
things with that wedge, lol.
[/quote]

Oh its the easiest place in the bag to become a ho - even for a non-ho like me. D-grind, K-grind, spin milled, laser cut, every imaginable bounce, black ones, shiny silver ones.... LOL. Somebody stop now before I get all hot and bothered and go online right now! LOL.

[Michael C.]

[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427693155' post='11243563']
So, is it true that the ONLY reason there are grooves on a club
is to channel away any water that happens to show up? Otherwise
grooves do nothing?
[/quote]

No.....they grab the cover of the ball. The bigger the grooves the more room for debris
so the grovves can still grab. Like tire treads channel water so a tire can grip the road.

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427693155' post='11243563']
So, is it true that the ONLY reason there are grooves on a club
is to channel away any water that happens to show up? Otherwise
grooves do nothing?
[/quote]

I think the grooves are important for spin as well, without grooves I think the ball would fly further maybe, and there would be less control. Not sure though LOL

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427693499' post='11243571']
[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427692911' post='11243559']
[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427690800' post='11243495']
Rad - some of these spin/laser milled faces are as rough as a cob! Surprised those things are legal whilst a few thousands of groove geometry are what is measured in terms of rules compliance. I have Clevelands and they will chew a ball up. Mrs. Reason got me the 52 for Xmas... even ordered it with the right bounce. What a lady!!!! LOL.
[/quote]

I can see I've been missing the boat on wedges. I need to get out more.

I had an illegal wedge I bought at Walmart once for giggles. It had no
grooves. It just had a sandpaper like face. You could do some funny
things with that wedge, lol.
[/quote]

Oh its the easiest place in the bag to become a ho - even for a non-ho like me. D-grind, K-grind, spin milled, laser cut, every imaginable bounce, black ones, shiny silver ones.... LOL. Somebody stop now before I get all hot and bothered and go online right now! LOL.
[/quote]

I know exactly where your coming from! All the options. Plus the custom stamping as well, after all the "add ons" you have a $800 dollar set of wedges LOL

My obsession of late is finding the perfect driver head and shaft combo. Something less spinning than my current setup and possibly more forgiving as well. I'm afraid it's too late, and I'm gonna have to buy a driver soon. 8 hours of research a day for the past 2 weeks and I'm narrowing down the possibilities, finally LOL

[Reasonability]

The Judge Reason retirement plan....

Spend all day and all night custom building wedges. On the side there will be a little re-gripping and building other clubs.... but the core business will be making wedges. I'll just hang out by the practice green and get a few folks all figured out - then when they come back from a trip to the bathroom and are ready to head to the first tee box - their brand new custom made wedge will be ready for them. If they don't like it by the time they finish the 18th green - so long as its not damaged - I'll give them a full refund. (and clean up the parts for later resale).

Can't wait. Grinders spewing sparks... the whole nine. Things get slow - I play. Things get busy - I cha-ching my way through the day!

[Michael C.]

[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427693499' post='11243571']
[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427692911' post='11243559']
[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427690800' post='11243495']
Rad - some of these spin/laser milled faces are as rough as a cob! Surprised those things are legal whilst a few thousands of groove geometry are what is measured in terms of rules compliance. I have Clevelands and they will chew a ball up. Mrs. Reason got me the 52 for Xmas... even ordered it with the right bounce. What a lady!!!! LOL.
[/quote]

I can see I've been missing the boat on wedges. I need to get out more.

I had an illegal wedge I bought at Walmart once for giggles. It had no
grooves. It just had a sandpaper like face. You could do some funny
things with that wedge, lol.
[/quote]

Oh its the easiest place in the bag to become a ho - even for a non-ho like me. D-grind, K-grind, spin milled, laser cut, every imaginable bounce, black ones, shiny silver ones.... LOL. Somebody stop now before I get all hot and bothered and go online right now! LOL.
[/quote]

Not crazt about the the chrome. Too many rounds where I've had the sun bounce off the finish and blind me.

[Palauan Hammer]

Sounds like it would be a lot of fun Judge, and potentially quite lucrative as well! I too have been thinking about getting into club building/fitting as there are ZERO on this island. I hate to come up with a "backup plan" because that means I'm thinking I might fail, but it's an idea at least....I think you'd make a great wedge builder!!

[Reasonability]

Deeper/wider grooves (IMO) matter at higher swing speeds. Pitching, chipping, bunker shots, etc.... I see more value in the surface roughness of the entire clubface having more effect than the grooves.

[Reasonability]

[quote name='Michael C.' timestamp='1427694547' post='11243597']
[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427693499' post='11243571']
[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427692911' post='11243559']
[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427690800' post='11243495']
Rad - some of these spin/laser milled faces are as rough as a cob! Surprised those things are legal whilst a few thousands of groove geometry are what is measured in terms of rules compliance. I have Clevelands and they will chew a ball up. Mrs. Reason got me the 52 for Xmas... even ordered it with the right bounce. What a lady!!!! LOL.
[/quote]

I can see I've been missing the boat on wedges. I need to get out more.

I had an illegal wedge I bought at Walmart once for giggles. It had no
grooves. It just had a sandpaper like face. You could do some funny
things with that wedge, lol.
[/quote]

Oh its the easiest place in the bag to become a ho - even for a non-ho like me. D-grind, K-grind, spin milled, laser cut, every imaginable bounce, black ones, shiny silver ones.... LOL. Somebody stop now before I get all hot and bothered and go online right now! LOL.
[/quote]

Not crazt about the the chrome. Too many rounds where I've had the sun bounce off the finish and blind me.
[/quote]

Have to agree. I'm half-pregnant right now. The 48 and 52 are black. The 56 and 60 are not. (but by this summer they probably will all match knowing me and wedges - LOL.

[Reasonability]

[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1427694675' post='11243599']
Sounds like it would be a lot of fun Judge, and potentially quite lucrative as well! I too have been thinking about getting into club building/fitting as there are ZERO on this island. I hate to come up with a "backup plan" because that means I'm thinking I might fail, but it's an idea at least....I think you'd make a great wedge builder!!
[/quote]

Hey go for it Ham. Its not planning for failure - its planning for your own success. Sergio grinds his own wedges. Arnie was always fiddling with his clubs in his shop between rounds and during the off season. What the heck.... slap a little glue and components together and if it doesn't work - donate it to some kid learning the game or weld ten of them together and call it modern art!!!!

[Conrad1953]

[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1427690500' post='11243485']
Another short game note, the one thing that really really helped me become better around the greens is really focusing on my landing spot, NOT THE HOLE LOL!! When practicing I always stagger landing point targets. I use brightly colored golf tees and actually try to hit them using all my "weapons". After an hour of that you'll be real sharp with your distance control for sure.
[/quote]

This is so true Ham and spoken like a pro. I hear it all the time in
tournament coverage on the radio. The pros aim for their landing spot
and plan the spin or lack of, and play the contours of the green.

Once they decide where they want to land the ball they're just
focused on that and not the hole.

They had a tough time in San Antonio cause the contours of the
greens were taking their balls away from the where the pins were
placed and they were getting long putts for pars.

[Michael C.]

[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427695403' post='11243615']
[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1427690500' post='11243485']
Another short game note, the one thing that really really helped me become better around the greens is really focusing on my landing spot, NOT THE HOLE LOL!! When practicing I always stagger landing point targets. I use brightly colored golf tees and actually try to hit them using all my "weapons". After an hour of that you'll be real sharp with your distance control for sure.
[/quote]

This is so true Ham and spoken like a pro. I hear it all the time in
tournament coverage on the radio. The pros aim for their landing spot
and plan the spin or lack of, and play the contours of the green.

Once they decide where they want to land the ball they're just
focused on that and not the hole.

They had a tough time in San Antonio cause the contours of the
greens were taking their balls away from the where the pins were
placed and they were getting long putts for pars.
[/quote]

I was watching the European tour this morning from Morocco. Some of those
greens were diabolical.

[Reasonability]

Domed greens are straight from the loins of Satin - especially when on a course like Rad plays where there is almost no bail-out places for course management tactics. This WILL BE the year I get my pitches and wedges working better from 100 yards in. If the full swing tanks, so be it. The days of a ten stroke swing in my game with essentially the same FIRs and GIRs has to change.

Well Old Judge needs to wind it down for tonight. Looking like limited or no travel this week so I hope to check in a few times. There is talk about the local weather being half-decent starting mid-week. Who knows - maybe some chips and pitches in the cards! You fellers keep'm flying and have some fun out there!

[Conrad1953]

[quote name='Michael C.' timestamp='1427695699' post='11243621']
[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427695403' post='11243615']
[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1427690500' post='11243485']
Another short game note, the one thing that really really helped me become better around the greens is really focusing on my landing spot, NOT THE HOLE LOL!! When practicing I always stagger landing point targets. I use brightly colored golf tees and actually try to hit them using all my "weapons". After an hour of that you'll be real sharp with your distance control for sure.
[/quote]

This is so true Ham and spoken like a pro. I hear it all the time in
tournament coverage on the radio. The pros aim for their landing spot
and plan the spin or lack of, and play the contours of the green.

Once they decide where they want to land the ball they're just
focused on that and not the hole.

They had a tough time in San Antonio cause the contours of the
greens were taking their balls away from the where the pins were
placed and they were getting long putts for pars.
[/quote]

I was watching the European tour this morning from Morocco. Some of those
greens were diabolical.
[/quote]

I didn't see it but I can relate. We have some diabolical greens here where
the difference between having a 10 foot putt and a 40 foot putt can be
pretty small on some holes. It's just luck sometimes where you end up
on your approach shot. In fairness though if you can hit your approach
inside 10 feet you're usually good......nevermind that the pros average
over 20 feet, LMAO.

[Conrad1953]

[quote name='Reasonability' timestamp='1427696191' post='11243633']
Domed greens are straight from the loins of Satin - especially when on a course like Rad plays where there is almost no bail-out places for course management tactics. This WILL BE the year I get my pitches and wedges working better from 100 yards in. If the full swing tanks, so be it. The days of a ten stroke swing in my game with essentially the same FIRs and GIRs has to change.

Well Old Judge needs to wind it down for tonight. Looking like limited or no travel this week so I hope to check in a few times. There is talk about the local weather being half-decent starting mid-week. Who knows - maybe some chips and pitches in the cards! You fellers keep'm flying and have some fun out there!
[/quote]

Donald Ross didn't come here, lol, so no domed greens but quite a
few have some severe slopes and mutiple tiers, etc. They ARE large
but that is really not much of a consolation.

Have a great week Judge and chime back in when you can!!

[Michael C.]

[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427696292' post='11243637']
[quote name='Michael C.' timestamp='1427695699' post='11243621']
[quote name='Conrad1953' timestamp='1427695403' post='11243615']
[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1427690500' post='11243485']
Another short game note, the one thing that really really helped me become better around the greens is really focusing on my landing spot, NOT THE HOLE LOL!! When practicing I always stagger landing point targets. I use brightly colored golf tees and actually try to hit them using all my "weapons". After an hour of that you'll be real sharp with your distance control for sure.
[/quote]

This is so true Ham and spoken like a pro. I hear it all the time in
tournament coverage on the radio. The pros aim for their landing spot
and plan the spin or lack of, and play the contours of the green.

Once they decide where they want to land the ball they're just
focused on that and not the hole.

They had a tough time in San Antonio cause the contours of the
greens were taking their balls away from the where the pins were
placed and they were getting long putts for pars.
[/quote]

I was watching the European tour this morning from Morocco. Some of those
greens were diabolical.
[/quote]

I didn't see it but I can relate. We have some diabolical greens here where
the difference between having a 10 foot putt and a 40 foot putt can be
pretty small on some holes. It's just luck sometimes where you end up
on your approach shot. In fairness though if you can hit your approach
inside 10 feet you're usually good......nevermind that the pros average
over 20 feet, LMAO.
[/quote]

Them guys can putt. They were talking on Golf Channel this morning
about how many putts Jimmy Walker had made from 10 feet. I don't
remember the number but it was unbelievable. Effingham unbelievable! !

[Conrad1953]

Oh and I forgot to say....Hats off to Walker, Texas Ranger! Won
in front of the home crowd. That is tough to do.

And props to Jordan, too. He couldn't catch Jimmy but birdieing
4 of the last 5 holes was pretty cool. A win and a solo 2nd in his
last 2 starts. Keep it going! Oh and Billy is rounding into form.
Go Billy!!