A Bit Scunnered

FairwayDodger

FairwayDodger

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Guys, I think I need a pep talk...

I've got loads of free time this year and am working hard on my golf. I've had lessons to change my shonky swing to something more conventional, am practising a fair bit and now the good weather has hit I'm on the course most days.

Now this will sound bonkers.... I'm generally striking the ball better, my short game and putting has improved, I'm still not there with the driver but am probably less wayward than I was. The problem is, I don't seem to be getting any better!

In terms of actual score, that is. Haven't been any qualifiers yet but have kept my score in a few practice or social rounds and, broadly, I'm shooting around the same numbers as before.

What do you think - keep at it, it'll happen or back off a bit?
 
I think if you are happy with your swing and you feel you have improved your actual play then I assume its just the fact of doing it for 18 holes. It maybe worth a break for a few days or maybe go for a round at a different course?
 
I say keep at it and it will all fall into place. You're off a low enough handicap to shoot ok even if you feel that the effort that you're putting in still isn't being reflected in your scores
 
It'll come.

If you get every thing in order, then after that is is patience, application, concentration, and it will happen.

I always find that improvements come in quantum leaps, not gradually.
 
It WILL come together. I've been in a similar position for the circa four years since I started playng the game and it's only in recent times that things have started to move in the right direction.
 
I think that we always convince ourselves that our short game is better than it is. Generally simple shots are dropped or gained on or around the green. Lay off the long stuff and maybe "treat" yourself to a short game lesson or an hour or two on the chipping / putting green. Good luck in your quest.
 
FairwayDodger said:
I've got loads of free time this year and am working hard on my golf.

The problem is, I don't seem to be getting any better!

In terms of actual score, that is.
Click to expand...

First of all - jealous!!! Just as I was starting to see daylight at work another project lands on me, will be away next week and busy as a busy thing for months now, sigh.

Secondly - seconded! I had the same feeling end of last year and the same one creeping in now (though I haven't played enough yet to know for sure). First couple of rounds of the year I felt I was playing better tee to green than ever, but 40+ putts was putting me right back at my handicap. Worked on putting, that came good (~30 putts), long game went to crap, back at my handicap.

Frustrating to feel like you're making progress but not see it reflected in the scores, I just hope some day soon I'll be on here to say these chaps were right and that it just all fell into place.

Chin up though chap, there's a long summer in it yet, if you're at this point now you could have a stormer...
 
murphthemog said:
It'll come.

If you get every thing in order, then after that is is patience, application, concentration, and it will happen.

I always find that improvements come in quantum leaps, not gradually.
Click to expand...

Very true I think. Concentration is the big one. Last year I played all my best golf in competitive rounds so will be interesting to see what happens come the first medal.
 
Threeoffthetee said:
I think that we always convince ourselves that our short game is better than it is. Generally simple shots are dropped or gained on or around the green. Lay off the long stuff and maybe "treat" yourself to a short game lesson or an hour or two on the chipping / putting green. Good luck in your quest.
Click to expand...

True enough, always room for improvement on the short game. Interestingly, I have completely changed my approach for chipping and bunker shots following a couple of Phil Mickelson videos. "Hinge and Hold" is the only way to chip consistently, apparently. :) It's really promising though (I even holed from a bunker today) but I still need to work on it hone my feel.
 
I practised all winter - covered these aspects of the game - Driving, Irons Chipping and putting.

Each week at most I could only get 2 of the 4 to turn up on the course. Some weeks only 1 of them lol

Hadn't broke 90 since my last competitive round in November. In the last 2 weeks I have Broke 90 twice and even dropped 1 round below 80(79).

Went level par round the back 9 last saturday and there were shots in there that I had practiced alot in January.
 
Your obviously a good golfer your playing off of 10, and very close to single figures, have faith and belief in your own ability.

Come the better weather, better greens, and the competitive juices are flowing I'm sure you'll reap the rewards. Have a look at the instinctive golf website that could really help.


www.instinctivegolf.co.uk

I'm sure we'll see you boasting about single figure golf this season.

stick in, bum out, chin up!

:fore:
 
thecraw said:
Your obviously a good golfer your playing off of 10, and very close to single figures, have faith and belief in your own ability.

Come the better weather, better greens, and the competitive juices are flowing I'm sure you'll reap the rewards. Have a look at the instinctive golf website that could really help.


www.instinctivegolf.co.uk

I'm sure we'll see you boasting about single figure golf this season.

stick in, bum out, chin up!

:fore:
Click to expand...

Ha! Cheers Craw - good pep talk!

Site looks interesting at first glance - going out soon but will take a closer look later.

Yip - will be disappointed to not make single figures this year!
 
FairwayDodger said:
Ha! Cheers Craw - good pep talk!

Site looks interesting at first glance - going out soon but will take a closer look later.

Yip - will be disappointed to not make single figures this year!
Click to expand...

I was in your place about 6 years ago, head was full of mush and trying everything. Went to instinctive golf and within 24 hrs I played a championship course without losing a ball and just above handicap. A lot is in the head
 
Welcome to my world. Putting the work in, seeing the rewards on the range and the course but still racking up the 0.1's. There will be 14 or so great holes and still the odd blow out so I'm thinking my issue may be more mental than technical. I'm trusting everything I've done ont he range on the course and my head is a devoid of swing thoughts as it has been in many years. Even Hawkeye has noticed the difference and as my long suffering partner he's been up close and personal to a lot of my dross.

I'm pretty chilled about it and even happy to get up to 14. I know its coming and with a bit longer to work on the short game once the clocks change and playing more it is going to click soon. The more you chase it the further away it gets. Relax and let the good scores come to you
 
are you thinking too much? I find myself analysing all sorts of sh1t - and its ruining my scores!
just gotta let it happen

enjoy the time on the course! not jealous at all...:mmm:
 
Whats the breakdown on your scoring, is it a few bogies that are ruining your score or the odd howler of a shot leading to double or worse?

Maybe try and narrow that down and you can focus more on a specific area.

I would continue playing though. I think you can only get better by playing more and also practicing where it matters.

Get your name down for Machrihanish and see if these 2 gr8 courses can't get a score out of you.
 
Andy said:
Whats the breakdown on your scoring, is it a few bogies that are ruining your score or the odd howler of a shot leading to double or worse?

Maybe try and narrow that down and you can focus more on a specific area.

I would continue playing though. I think you can only get better by playing more and also practicing where it matters.

Get your name down for Machrihanish and see if these 2 gr8 courses can't get a score out of you.
Click to expand...

I think I'm maybe just not quite comfortable with the "new" swing. So I can go on a wee run of pars and throw in a birdie or two but can have a howler of a hole and follow it up with a run of bogeys. For example I was one under par on the eighth tee, which to my mind sees me through the hardest part of the course but took double bogey on the eighth, bogey on nine which is an easy par 4 and then played the back nine like an idiot and only just broke 80. I suspect once I hit a couple of bad shots I start over thinking it.

Would love to go to Machrihanish but am already committed elsewhere that weekend!
 
Just tell him your not going, and your off to spend the weekend with 27 blokes! Well 26 and Andy.

You'll have a ball.
 
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