this is my target improvement plan...currently stage 1.


1. putting / chipping = easiest to improve so putting more time in these areas. Also have to most impact in scores

2. Pitching / short irons (below 100m) = relatively easy to improve and get decent % of good shots.

3. Driver = with proper technique and proper fitting..can get 10m improvement = one iron down = automatic improvement in iron proficiency as most people will be better as the irons get shorter. 20+m = 2 iron down..using 8 instead of 6...automatic GIR improvement.

4. mid to long irons = very difficult to master, especially if we are talking approach to green

5. hybrids / woods = good for distance on par 5s but going for green? who can stop a 3 hybrid on the green like YE Yang did to beat Tiger.

Let's see if the stats support the assertion of the "THE IRON TRUTH".

2011 PGA TOUR (186 players)

Luke Donald was only middle of the pack in Long Game:

Top 150 in Driving Distance
Top 60 in Driving Ascuracy
Top 40 in GIR.
Top 40 in approaches from 200 yrds
Top 40 in average distance to pin after "CHEONG" or going for it in 2 (par 5)

but check his stats in the Short Game:

No 2 in approaches from 50-125yrds
No 1 in birdie or better % from < 125 YARDS
Top 10 in birdie or better % if Driver hit fairways
Top 10 in scrambling
Top 5 in Sand Save
No 2 in proximity to hole from Sand shot

Most Tellingly his Putting Stats

No.1 in Strokes Gained Putting
No.1 in 3 Putt Avoidance
No.1 in Avg Putts per hole
No.4 in No. Putts per round

I think it's more like "THE WEDGE TRUTH" and "THE PUTTER TRUTH" for him

Buy those MPT11!

@Mizzy, his iron swing is beautiful but actually not the best (as you had inferred). He's the best wedge player and putter last year.

http://www.pgatour.com/2011/r/12/13/shotlink-luke-donald/index.html

see report..is it coincidence that his GIR %, scoring improved with his improve driving distance and accuracy? his putting and short game has always been good but the his improve driver is what pushed him all the way to the top.

Just show one need a relatively good drive..no need to be tops, just good enough. It makes a whole lot of difference

BTW i also agree...TM driver, Mizuno irons and Odyssey putter is a very good combo (the best in each category..sorry SC fans)

Played with a retiree once. Par 4.
Hits drive - 180m. Pulls out iron - short of green. Third shot - within 4 feet of pin. 1 putt - par.
Repeat strategy every par 4 and 5.
Long par 3? Lay up. Second shot - next to pin. Par.
Nine holes score - 39.
Me? Lose 2 balls to undergrowth.
Sian

Btw long drive don't need to be being strong. played with medium built slim elderly gentleman (he claims to be almost 60). Ask to be gentle on him, pull out 3 wood claiming driver erratic.... Boom 240m With 3 wood!!!!. did it almost whole game. Use driver once 250m. He claim technique and equipment helps (he using PRGR spoon). Lucky never bet with him. Ended up giving us a few lessons while the flight behind Waited LOL.

True, but still u need to hit a decent distance with a driver

that's about right bro. also because once you start breaking 90, your handicap will allow you to play blue tee or your kakis will force you to play blue tee [/quote]

Alamak, so true bro... betting all from blue tees...

Perhaps instead of looking at the whole things as a "my way of getting to the top is the right way", we should take the different styles of players on tour as inspiration that there is more than 1 way to get to the top, or translated to us, become half-decent players.

Luke Donald's game is built around his short game and his iron game, improving his driving allowed him more opportunities to play to his strengths, but he is definitely a short hitter compared to his peers on tour.

Bubba Watson's game is built on distance and imagination.

Tiger's Game is build on technique and determination

Steve Sticker and Jim Furyk build their games on consistency and accuracy

Just a few examples, but all these guys are among the best in the world (even ranked 200 means that there are only 199 guys above you and about 100 million below you).

Some of us believe the way to improving is distance, some long accuracy, others short accuracy, others scrambling. It is just a matter of where you choose to focus, and perhaps what your physical limitations are. For some, it may be easier to increase distance by 30m for each drive, for others, increasing distance may no longer be a viable option or it may just be easier to work on short game or whatever other area. It is definitely not a one size fits all approach.

At the end of the day, to be a half-decent player, you are going to need to be competent in every aspect of the game, i.e. driving, long approach, short approach, pitching, chipping, scrambling, putting. However, there will always be parts of your game which are relatively stronger than the others, which is part of our individual golfing signature I guess. No real need to impose our method on improvement on others.

Wow .. you are so deep. Well says