Forums

PLEASE HELP - Approach, chipping,....the whole thing

• Sunfyre7896 51 Posts

  Tue, Jan 31 2012 12:21 AM

  I need severe help in calculating distances for approach shots and the 3 types around the green too, but especially approach and pitching. 

   

  Right now I shoot about 77 as a pro. However, if you saw my CTTH rounds, you'd think I shot 100. I don't even know how that's possible but it is. My approach shots are just atrocious. 

   

  First, I can't gauge distances on pitches if the green is above me with some rough thrown in. Is there some rule as to so many yards up per every foot above you the hole is, a certain percentage off pitches by hitting, say 50% power, how much rough takes off,etc?

  Also, on approach shots, I can't seem to figure wind and elevation changes,especially raised greens. I'm short a lot, but also long a lot. 

  Any help on distance calculation and also on the meter would be more than greatly appreciated. My drives are good, my putting is at least adequate (I know how to calculate on the green, aiming, etc.), but I'm just horrible on everything in between. I've been playing a bunch of CTTH's, but if anything, I seem to be getting worse and growing more frustrated. What works, sort of, and a big sort of on one situation, doesn't work in pretty much the same situation another time for me with maybe a slight difference involved. Again, any help on calculating distance would be great. I know the aiming, just don't have a clue on distances. I know it's sort of a "feel" thing, but there's got to be something that will help me so that I can return to enjoying the game and not getting frustrated from making NO headway on this. Thanks.

• mel1950 2,887 Posts

  Tue, Jan 31 2012 2:46 AM

   

  Here's a link 

  http://www.wgt.com/forums/p/7840/162149.aspx#162149

  Hope you find it helpful

  MEL1950

   

• Sunfyre7896 51 Posts

  Tue, Jan 31 2012 2:34 PM

  Thank you for that. That should help with short game. Now I just need to figure out wind consideration along with, most importantly for me, how much I need to add when the green is elevated and how much distance is lost on less than 100% shots when hitting the approach shot. (Normally the second shot on par 4's).

  This is just as bad as the short game, although I suspect that if I can shore up my short game and continue to improve on the green, that if I miss the approach it won't be so bad. However, I'd still like to be able toland on the green when the green is elevated 5 feet on all sides and the wind is somewhat stiff and I have to take off 10% of the full swing, etc. Thanks.

• JaLaBar 1,254 Posts

  Fri, Feb 3 2012 8:02 AM

  There is no 'set' rule for elevations and wind.  For elevations, you are usually safe when hitting to an elevated green to add 1y per 3' of elevation, so for a 5' elevation you'd add 2y, but...  this changes when hitting a wedge vs. an iron, or a low iron vs. a high iron.  A 10' elevated green from 170y, if I hit 170y, will come up 3-4y short whereas the same green from 85y, if I hit 85y it will go 85y, pretty much.  The reason being that the angle of descent is more vertical than horizontal, thus the elevation doesn't factor as much.  I have also learned that hitting downhill, the 1y per 3' is more like 1y per 4-5', and again doesn't effect wedge nearly as much.

  Wind is a different story.  Base rule of thumb is 1y per 1 MPH, but that varies based on the length of shot and angle of wind.  With a 20 MPH wind dead in my face, from 205 I probably need 225-230, but from 80 I probably only need 87-88.  And of course, the angle of the wind changes everything as well.  Playing wind, I have found the only aid is trial and error.

  As to how elevation and wind affects chips and pitches, I'm not the right person to ask.  I only ever play full shot when off the green (only exception... long shots from 50-60 or higher I may punch).  Otherwise, I only play full shots, and the very short ones are minimally affected by the wind.