A different practice
This afternoon, I practiced at the Golden Bear Golf Center on a cool, sunny, breezy afternoon.
I started off hitting the lob wedge at the red flagged green. I had some difficulty striking the ball cleanly at first, tending to hit the ball thin. I was a little frustrated, so I decided to hit bump and run shots with the pitching wedge, and that helped get my feel and tempo back. I hit a variety of low shots with all the wedges, and hit some nice gap and sand wedge bump-and-run shots at the white flagged green.
Next, I got out the long clubs and hit the ball over the blue flagged green. With the driver, I tended to hit draws or pushes, though did hit one monster slice and a moon ball. I then hit some good shots with the 5-wood and 3-hybrid off tees. I then went through a stage where I was hitting hooks with all of the longer clubs.
Next, I went back to the irons, starting with the 9-iron. At first, I was hitting pulls well left of the blue flagged green. After a few of those, I put the ball more forward in my stance and that seemed to help me straighten out my shots, and even get a little fade into them. I then went through the bag, trying to hit a good shot with each club. I succeeded in doing that, with the exception of a duck hook with the 4-iron. I then finished up the bucket by hitting the hybrid and 5-wood off the deck and then a drive or two.
Since the short game area is closed for renovation, I went to the putting green and practiced short chips with the 8-iron. At first, I hit all the shots thin and past the hole. It took quite a few chips, but I eventually worked it out and hit some nice chips, including one holed.
Next, I did a few speed drills, making myself redo any putt left short (my most common fault). I then practice long putts from 18 to 45 ft. I was pretty pleased with my putting practice today; I seem to be making some progress on fixing my primary fault, putting short. I also made myself be more consistent with my routine, making the same number of practice putts and making sure not to stay over the ball too long.
A strange and inconsistent practice, but I did manage a pretty good practice.