quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Many believe that putting is the most important skill. It is important, but analysis over the past few years (made possible by the PGA keeping data about every single shot hit) shows that while putting is important, that the biggest contributor to lower scores (at least at the good golfer level) is the approach shot, or shot into the green. It makes sense - if your approaches land 10 feet from the hole, you will make a fair number of one puts and two puts. It is harder to three put from ten feet out.

If you are an atrocious putter, with six or eight three puts each round, you should practice your putting. But once you get to be a decent putter, practice your iron shots. Get them close to the hole.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Many believe that putting is the most important skill. It is important, but analysis over the past few years (made possible by the PGA keeping data about every single shot hit) shows that while putting is important, that the biggest contributor to lower scores (at least at the good golfer level) is the approach shot, or shot into the green. It makes sense - if your approaches land 10 feet from the hole, you will make a fair number of one puts and two puts. It is harder to three put from ten feet out.

If you are an atrocious putter, with six or eight three puts each round, you should practice your putting. But once you get to be a decent putter, practice your iron shots. Get them close to the hole.

on the third hand... it is very hard to make an 8 on a hole if you hit a good drive. so practice your driving!

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by slabsides45:
As I and others said, don't break the bank on the first set of clubs. If you find a set that work for you, stick with them. I play a set of Ping Eye 2 BeCu (Copper Beryllium) irons that are forever old, but for me the feel and swing just does it; they have a classic look and feel I don't get with any other clubs.

You'll find a set (likely not the most expensive, mind you) and will know it when you feel it. Look hard at craigslist and eBay this time of year, "season" is over for much of 'Merica and the costs are cheaper vs springtime.

You know a good clean set of Eye 2s in BeCu are worth thousands? Especially with ZZ Lite shafts. Condition is everything.

quote:

Originally posted by KMitch200:
Borrow a 6 or 7 iron for a day or two and use that to take a lesson. You only need one club.
That will give you the basics to concentrate on. Grip, stance, alignment, ball position, swing shape.
After that, a fitter will have enough to work with.

I wish you would have posted this 3 months ago!
I gave away a set of Callaway irons and some Taylormade fairway woods from an old set that were gathering dust.