Forums

Shot Lessons From WGT Members

• Dubfore 4,350 Posts

  Thu, Jan 16 2014 10:52 PM

  I don't know if this has been done already, but I had this idea of a post dedicated to WGT members giving details and showing images of particular successful shots that they played. Explaining how and why they chose that shot.  It's not a replay post.

  As good as the video tutorials are on WGT, I thought lessons from the members with videos of the actual shots would be of great benefit to players looking for shot tips and learning the game here. I hope more players contribute to this post.

  Flop shot from the rough:

  Remember the type of ball used makes a difference, so you may have to adjust for the ball. My ball was a 10c WGT XD.

  The roll on the  legend tournament green is from left to right (from players viewpoint). In the 1st still image notice where I place the marker. It's roughly where I think the line the ball will take after it lands. The shot is 31 yards, from 20-25% rough with slight l-r wind. 

  Before I shoot, I have to decide how much power to use. 

  First I choose a flop shot,  then I set the power to 31 yards (shot distance), and for 20-25% rough, I add roughly 1/10 extra power, so my power is about 34 yrds.  In flop shots, the ball always flies right.  Notice also where the white X is on the meter, all flop shots should be hit on the line left of the ding.

  For shots from 20-25 ydrs rough add about 10% extra power, 30-40yrds , add about 25%, from 40-50% about 33%.  If the roll/slope on the green is downhill, I usually leave the flag in as an aid to stopping the ball. Uphill or flat I always remove the flag.  Adjust those percentages for different fairway lies and greens speeds.  

  Remember the type of ball used makes a difference, so you may have to adjust for the ball. Mine in the video was a 10c WGT XD.  Also, newer players won't have the longer wedges to play some flop shots, but the main principals above still apply, hitting left of ding etc.  Whatever clubs or balls you use, practice will soon save you many shots.

  The flop is my favourite shot and has been a round saver many times.

  I hope this helps you with your flop shots. See what happens in the video below.

  

   

  

  Replay VIDEO LINK: 

  replay.aspx?ID=43bad45f 0711 4792 a2ca a2b6005a4d3d
  

   

• keidan 311 Posts

  Fri, Jan 17 2014 9:01 PM

  Nice idea and contribution!  I imagine in the long run, with, say, 100 or 200 posts or more, it might get a little difficult to parse through and find something that helps a specific individual, with specific equipment and specific styles of play... in a forum thread.

  Maybe your idea can be implemented in the WGT Community/Golf Courses section where categories are already in place for courses and holes.  The comments section can be strengthened to accept video/images (if not already there).  A comment can specify  (e.g. via drop down menu) equipment/tier levels, etc. to find useful information more easily and help individuals adopting similar approaches to shots, particularly for the more challenging holes (IOA pebble beach CTTH #2 comes to mind at the moment ha ha).

  Anyway, thank you.  In your example I am fascinated by your use of the off-ding shot.  My approach is always to get as close to the ding as possible to find reasonable repeatability vs a reference point, i.e. the ding line.  The further from the ding (for me) the harder it is to reproduce the shot... mainly because there are no ref lines "out there" where your white X resides. Variability (again for me, off-ding) is a wide range of power (distance) outcome.

  So, my approach would be to place my marker further out, by some number of squares, use slightly different power settings, and strive to keep near the ding line.  Then again, maybe I'll explore off-ding shots after seeing this :)

  -Keith

• Dubfore 4,350 Posts

  Sat, Jan 18 2014 3:20 AM

  I only use the off ding shot for flops, because the ball always goes to the right  when it's played. I see what you mean about accuracy, but that's the way I've being playing the flop shot since I learned it and it seems to work.

  I will have a look at the community/golf course section. Nice ideas usually work.

  Thanks for that Keith.

• SafariMan62 222 Posts

  Sat, Jan 18 2014 3:45 AM

  Well done & informative !...In my case for a 31 yard shot, (especially on this hole) i always use a FULL shot and with a ding or close to it, end up always in a gimme range...Have you tried the full shot ?

  Best of luck,

  Johnny

• fatdan 3,379 Posts

  Sat, Jan 18 2014 3:52 AM

  Another option:

  On that same shot I use a full shot w/ a cleveland 64 degree wedge full backspin,  62% power and it hops once and lands within 2 ft of the hole every time(usually within 1 if I hit it right....no rollout with this shot unless you have a big downhill slope past the hole

  58% 28 yds/ 55% is 25 yrds/ 50% 21 yds/ 45% 17yds/ 40% 15 yds....adjust aim slightly with crosswinds.

• Dubfore 4,350 Posts

  Sat, Jan 18 2014 5:03 AM

  What ball do you usually use?

  I don't use a full shot for anything under 36 yards, that's the max distance with my clubs allow a flop shot,   but I'm always looking to improve and will try some of those full shots you mention. My wedges are are not as accurate as Cleveland.  I do pitch and chip, but rarely. 

  On that point about hitting on line left of the ding,  Because flop shots fly so much to the right, in certain situations, there isn't enough screen to place marker where needed to compensate, using the left line next to the ding makes up for this.

• fatdan 3,379 Posts

  Sat, Jan 18 2014 2:51 PM

  I use a lvl 61 nike ball...I have used the lvl 33 Cally too with close to same result but extra spin on the nike helps keep it to 1 hop...

   

  I use the flop too but I do it with my own style and really don't know how to explain it LOL....

  It is just feel, I aim left and hit late to add loft and spin....I couldn't figure out the pitch mode when I started playing so I used this all the way down to 10 yrds.....lol

   

  don't worry about accuracy of your wedges just spin, I never aim very far off flag into the wind and even on mishits your still about 3-4 ft away....

   

  edit: I looked at your clubs, not sure it will work w/ 1 hop with the wedge you have, I would invest 895 - selling your wedge for one with more spin...you will love the results around the green.....and it won't work as well with the starter ball if at all.

• oneeyedjohn 9,589 Posts

  Sat, Jan 18 2014 3:01 PM

  The full shot is most reliable for 30 yards and above.

  Cleves & Callys

• Dubfore 4,350 Posts

  Sat, Jan 18 2014 4:30 PM

  Yes I thought as much. With the more expensive balls, you get much better spin and ball control, that's not the case with the 10c XD (above) or similar. So as I said, adjust for the ball type.

  Have you an example with a ball that has more spin dots?

• andyson 6,415 Posts

  Sun, Jan 19 2014 8:12 AM

  Dubfore:

  Have you an example with a ball that has more spin dots?

  Here's a few examples of that same shot.  Not wanting to play the first 3 holes I used the Play One Hole feature under the WGT Community/Golf Courses tab above.  Therefore green speed on these shots is Standard.

  Yes, the full shot works at 67% full back spin with the Ping 64 Tour W and a Cally L35

  As does a 100% pitch with my 90yd wedge no spin Cally L35

  As does a 100% flop with my 90yd wedge no spin Cally L35

  Of course on Tournament speed greens I'd need to adjust power or spin.

  As a L97 Legend my choice for this shot would be the choked down full shot as it carries closest to the hole and eliminates accounting for slope and break of 20ft of green.

  And that's a tip in itself.  Choose the shot type that lands as close to the hole as possible allowing for slope of the landing spot and speed of the green.

  (In fact I don't play this hole to that spot.  I either lay up to 53 to 55 yds so I can hit a full 60yd wedge with full back spin or I'll go at the green with a Nike iron.  Depends on the wind.)

  Dubfore, please take my next comments on your OP in the spirit of constructive feedback, I'm not attacking you, your lesson, or your idea for shot lessons.  I think the idea is great.

  I consider your lesson as Short Game 301, of most benefit to mid level players with a poor short game. A limited audience IMO.  Yes, there are things a new player can learn from your lesson.  But what new player has a 100yd wedge in their bag?  Or a wedge that can flop 31 yards?  Or plays on tournament greens? Advanced level players have been in that spot and done that many times already.  (In fact, advanced level players with Nikes are now firing at the pin on the 2nd shot and having a putt or the 18 to 20 yard shot from the fairway across the green.)

  When choosing a lesson,

  Consider who your audience will be and choose equipment and green speeds that fit with that audience. The biggest audience that will get the most benefit is new and low level players.  So maybe Short Game 101 lessons with starter clubs and unlimited balls?

  Choose a hole that is easily accessible so players can go and replicate the shot easily.  The 1st hole and 10th hole of any course come to mind and allows practice rounds with mulligans and all green speeds but champ.

  I hope my feedback helps this lessons thread soar because it is a great idea.

  Best to the OP!

  Andy