Ask Lloyd

I am always delighted to hear your questions, and hopefully answer them. If you would like to ask me anything, please  email me at lloyd@lloydsaltman.com. I’ll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

COACHING

1. I play off 3 and am trying to work hard during winter to get down to scratch - can you give me some advice about my short game?
2. Do you have a regular practice routine?
3. Do you have any key thoughts - especially for your downswing?
4. Do you have some good short game tips for me and how you usually prepare for a round (mentally). I'm a 2 handicapper, 17years old and my short game could be better the same as my mental part of the game
5. i am 13 and play of 12 and play at the royal musselburgh. what tips could you give me on practicing.
6. I am a 5 handicapper but just cant seem to get it down. For me it is consistency with my driving. I just can not seem to hit the ball straight for a full round of golf. Do you have any tips for me or practice drills which will help me improve this?
7. Under pressure and during tournament conditions what are your preperations the night before?. Im an average golfer but would i always get nervous the night before.
8. What was your handicap when you were 15,16,17,18? I play off two at 15 and currently one at 16 and in my third year of competitive golf. Any tips on making the transition to your national boys team

1. Rating: +3

   

   I play off 3 and am trying to work hard during winter to get down to scratch - can you give me some advice about my short game?

   There are three things that I find important in my short game. Firstly I always try to visualize the shot I am attempting to play, especially where I want to land the ball. I almost forget about the flag and focus on where I want the ball to land. Secondly, soft hands! Don't grip the club too tight, if you were to imagine it is a tube of toothpaste then you should grip it so lightly that no toothpaste would come out. Lastly, practice practice practice! The short game is all about touch and feel, practice is the best way to improve this. I find drills like putting a towel down 5 yards in front of me then trying to land the ball on it to be very helpful.

2. Rating: +2

   

   Do you have a regular practice routine?

   I do have a regular practice routine which I try to stick to when I am not playing tournaments. I generally hit balls on the range (natural grass) for about 90 minutes in the mornings, starting with short clubs and working up though the bag (unless I am working on something specific with my coach when I will spend more time on that). I then play at least 9 competitive holes either before or after lunch (usually with my brothers) and then concentrate on my short game in the afternoon, usually spending two hours on chipping putting and bunker shots. Where possible I will carry out this routine six days a week.

3. Rating: +0

   

   Do you have any key thoughts - especially for your downswing?

   A would say that a good thought for starting your downswing is to feel it starting from your lower body i.e. your left hip.

4. Rating: +4

   

   Do you have some good short game tips for me and how you usually prepare for a round (mentally). I'm a 2 handicapper, 17years old and my short game could be better the same as my mental part of the game

   Before every round I have a 55 minute set routine. This consists of stretching, long game, pitching and putting. After I have completed this routine I feel physically ready which in turn helps me be mentally prepared. I believe short game is all based on feel and can only be improved through practice, so make sure you dedicate equal amounts of time to your short game as you do to your long game.

5. Rating: +3

   

   i am 13 and play of 12 and play at the royal musselburgh. what tips could you give me on practicing.

   Spend an even amount of time practicing all aspects of your game. Don't forget to practice your short game, chipping and putting.

6. Rating: -1

   

   I am a 5 handicapper but just cant seem to get it down. For me it is consistency with my driving. I just can not seem to hit the ball straight for a full round of golf. Do you have any tips for me or practice drills which will help me improve this?

   Set yourself a skills test by picking two reasonably narrow targets and see how many balls out of ten you can get through the target. Keep repeating this until you are happy with your percentage of successful target shots.

7. Rating: +0

   

   Under pressure and during tournament conditions what are your preperations the night before?. Im an average golfer but would i always get nervous the night before.

   Having a good meal and bed early. On the course taking one shot at a time and try to stay relaxed.

8. Rating: +0

   

   What was your handicap when you were 15,16,17,18? I play off two at 15 and currently one at 16 and in my third year of competitive golf. Any tips on making the transition to your national boys team

   Being in the top ten in national competitions gets you noticed by the selectors, but keep working hard and you will reap the rewards.

GENERAL

1. I play off 3 and would like some advice on what clubs I should be looking at buying. Should I stick to my current manufacturer or should I look at something else?
2. I am a junior (13) and I want to join a golf club nut local clubs are either too expensive or don't have juniors. Have you any ideas?
3. I play off 3 and would like some advice on what clubs I should be looking at buying. Should I stick to my current manufacturer or should I look at something else?
4. Who have been your greatest influences in your golf career?
5. What was your handicap when you were 14 years old ?
6. i am a 5 handicapper and cant seem to get my handicap down. For me it is the consistency of hitting the ball straight off the tee i just cant seem to do it for a full round. do you know of any practice routines or do you have any tipsyou could give me?

1. Rating: +0

   

   I play off 3 and would like some advice on what clubs I should be looking at buying. Should I stick to my current manufacturer or should I look at something else?

   It's wrong to recommend clubs to someone without seeing their swing. Factors such as your height, length of swing, club head speed and stance all affect what clubs would be best for you. You should, wherever possible, visit your local pro and get clubs fitted for you (type, shaft, etc). In addition, I think it is very important when choosing any club that you actually like the look of it.

2. Rating: +0

   

   I am a junior (13) and I want to join a golf club nut local clubs are either too expensive or don't have juniors. Have you any ideas?

   I have been really fortunate to have been a member of several local clubs since I was very young, but I do know its not so easy to do that in different parts of the country. Obviously you should ask other junior golfers and also the PE staff in your school. Also, different parts of the UK have organisations which support junior golf - there is Clubgolf in Scotland (www.clubgolfscotland-youth.co.uk) which has a 'find a club' section. In England there is information about golf clubs for junior members on the English Golf Union website and you will also find stuff on the site for the Golf Foundation (www.golf-foundation.org).

3. Rating: +0

   

   I play off 3 and would like some advice on what clubs I should be looking at buying. Should I stick to my current manufacturer or should I look at something else?

   It's wrong to recommend clubs to someone without seeing their swing. Factors such as your height, length of swing, club head speed and stance all affect what clubs would be best for you. You should, wherever possible, visit your local pro and get clubs fitted for you (type, shaft, etc). In addition, I think it is very important when choosing any club that you actually like the look of it.

4. Rating: +0

   

   Who have been your greatest influences in your golf career?

   Without doubt my mum, dad and brothers. We are a very close family and we all work hard as a team to make sure that we can be successful. Its important to have a good team around you to support you when things are not going well as well as to enjoy your successes with you. My coach Colin Brooks has also been a big influence in my progress as a golfer.

5. Rating: +0

   

   What was your handicap when you were 14 years old ?

   My handicap was 6

6. Rating: +0

   

   i am a 5 handicapper and cant seem to get my handicap down. For me it is the consistency of hitting the ball straight off the tee i just cant seem to do it for a full round. do you know of any practice routines or do you have any tipsyou could give me?

   I would recommend that you set yourself a skills test by picking two reasonably narrow targets and see how many balls out of ten you can get through the target. Keep repeating this until you are happy with your percentage of successful target shots.