A few rounds from quitting

[inc0gnito]

After two years I still don't break 100 consistently. That's embarrassing. I was always semi decent at sports growing up so I know there's a better player in me. But golf recently has got my number. Whether its practice in the back garden at home or on the course I can shift from hitting the ball well to looking like a complete beginner. For example, the previous two nights I was chipping the ball so well it felt so natural. Low shots, high shots, left right, it felt so good. Then today shanks thins pulls out of nowhere. This is a repetitive story over the two years and any gains I make come and go like the weather. I just want to be able to strike the ball consistently. I'm under no illusion that there's always improvement and things to work on, but damn I just want to have some level of consistency in my ability to strike the ball. I know you're going to say get lessons, and I will. But Jaysus, I've got to be better than this after two years. Does it get any better? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Or should I just call it a day.

 

[duncan mackie]

A professional will be able to see what's cause, and what's effect.

You are only really seeing the end result - and interpreting cause and effect.

Your choice - millions of people play the game their whole life without a single lesson.

I was recently fortunate enough to have a GM session with a top professional. In 40 minutes he was able to explain to me the underlying cause of inconsistencies in my swing (as well as convincing me to leave a whole load of other stuff to one side for another 40 years!). I'm now grounded - where I manage to take this over the next season will be interesting.

Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[USER1999]

Um, that is golf. It just is. If it was easy, it would soon lose its alure. The secret is to relax, not give a stuff, and it will come. It is something you cant chase. Zen out.

 

[inc0gnito]

Um, that is golf. It just is. If it was easy, it would soon lose its alure. The secret is to relax, not give a stuff, and it will come. It is something you cant chase. Zen out.

There’s golf, then there’s olgf. I’m of the latter.

 

[chrisd]

A professional will be able to see what's cause, and what's effect.

You are only really seeing the end result - and interpreting cause and effect.

Your choice - millions of people play the game their whole life without a single lesson.

I was recently fortunate enough to have a GM session with a top professional. In 40 minutes he was able to explain to me the underlying cause of inconsistencies in my swing (as well as convincing me to leave a whole load of other stuff to one side for another 40 years!). I'm now grounded - where I manage to take this over the next season will be interesting.

Good luck with whatever you decide

I cant wait for that GM edition 😁😁😤

 

[williamalex1]

After two years I still don't break 100 consistently. That's embarrassing. I was always semi decent at sports growing up so I know there's a better player in me. But golf recently has got my number. Whether its practice in the back garden at home or on the course I can shift from hitting the ball well to looking like a complete beginner. For example, the previous two nights I was chipping the ball so well it felt so natural. Low shots, high shots, left right, it felt so good. Then today shanks thins pulls out of nowhere. This is a repetitive story over the two years and any gains I make come and go like the weather. I just want to be able to strike the ball consistently. I'm under no illusion that there's always improvement and things to work on, but damn I just want to have some level of consistency in my ability to strike the ball. I know you're going to say get lessons, and I will. But Jaysus, I've got to be better than this after two years. Does it get any better? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Or should I just call it a day.

Sounds familiar, just enjoy the good shots while you can there's a lot more bad ones to come yet , believe me ,i hope that cheered you up lol.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

If you can afford it, a good pro is the way to go. Trouble is, how do you know you have a good one.?
If not that route, then maybe this will help. As I read your post I recognised the scenario-good shots, then the bad shots coming from where.? I had the same.
I recently saw a couple of YouTube videos about wrist hinge. Finished up pressing forward on address just before starting the backswing, to give me some wrist hinge, and when I concentrated and did that I struck the ball well.
If I lapsed a bit by rushing, back came the slice etc.
It's now down to my concentration for me. Best of luck with your problem, but whatever- don't give up. It's too beautiful an experience when you do flush one😀

 

[ManinBlack]

If you go to a pro make sure it's one who explains the cause of the bad shots. Know your own swing & understand what the swingpath & clubface were doing when the bad shot happens. Study the ball flight laws, plenty of places on the interweb, like here https://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/ball_flight_laws. Lots of people don't understand. A mate of mine who has been playing for years didn't know that you could cure a slice by strengthening your grip. Some people, including pros, didn't know, until slow motion photography & physics told them that the ball leaves the club at right angles to the face. Some folk will say "That went left because you swung out to in" That may be true but it went left because that was where the face was pointing at impact. You only know what the swingpath was doing by looking at the ball flight.

If you know your own swing & what causes bad shots you've got much more chance of putting things right when it goes wrong.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Every golfer on the planet is 3 rounds from quitting.

Just remember that and you will do fine.

 

[bobmac]

The way I read your post was that it's the contact with the ball that's causing the problems, not so much where it goes.
If that's the case, (correct me if I'm wrong) the clubhead isn't returning to the ball consistently.
That would suggest to me there is too much sideways body movement.
Do you feel you sway at all?

 

[user2010]

What golf gear have you got, Woods, irons, putter, etc.

 

[Pin-seeker]

If golfs not for you,find another hobby.

 

[Curls]

Before I read Bobs reply I thought to myself I bet he’s swaying all over the place. That natural rhythm is a typical sportsman’s move, but you have to resist it and stay centralised to make good contact. I was a terror for it, and when your timing is spot on you’re fine. Anything a moment out, Choas. Bob wil see you right 👍🏻

 

[Robin Hood]

Stick with it.
Every golfer has gone through this, and most still are.
Invest in lessons with a good teaching Pro. Trust me some are better than others.
Most of all enjoy the game. The most frustrating sport you can play, but one of the best.
Keep us updated with your golfing journey 👍

 

[inc0gnito]

The way I read your post was that it's the contact with the ball that's causing the problems, not so much where it goes.
If that's the case, (correct me if I'm wrong) the clubhead isn't returning to the ball consistently.
That would suggest to me there is too much sideways body movement.
Do you feel you sway at all?

I used to hit a lot of fat shots but my contact has been much better in the last few months. I used to have a lot of sway especially on the downswing and that’s something I’ve been working on. In fact, the hip turn and especially the timing of the downswing between arms and hips is the main area my focus has been. It’s hard to get that right as my hips wanna turn quickly.

In saying that, there’s times when just the club doesn’t feel right in my hands and the swing just feels off and out of sync. Those days especially I can’t figure out what’s going on.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Welcome to golf. I'm in a similar boat. Hitting it well again in practice but can't translate that onto the course. I know I have the ability to get lower than I am but struggling to be consistent often enough. If I was the OP I'd get a couple of lessons and check out Bob's theory and not get too hung up about breaking 100 all the time which sounds like it's become a personal millstone

 

[Midnight]

Mate ,

I have good rounds (not so many) and bad rounds (loads of these), but I still go out there and play with a big grin on my grid. I remember one round where I scored a massive 9 PTS but hey ho crap happens.

You said you did other sports, what did you do when things went wrong there?

I enjoy each round I play and know that there are loads of people who would happily swap places with me on the course.

Hopefully you won't give up, but only you can decide mate.

 

[Shooter McPowick]

Chin up bud, it can be frustrating at times.

You’ve clearly got the ability, you just need to develop a cocky / confident attitude.

On the range, there is no consequence to hitting a bad shot so you don’t think about hitting a bad shot.

Play a round or 9 holes on your own with the sole purpose of applying a preshot routine to every shot - don’t keep a score. Consistency starts with a preshot routine. Keep it very simple and apply it to every shot.

 

[Carpfather1]

We’ve all been there I’ve had the worst two years I’ve ever had golf wise seems like I’ve gone backwards used to be a half tidy player then had a two year lay off (birth of my daughter).
Came back and just can’t get the consistency I used to have and put far too much pressure on myself and ,All i consistency think is break 80 break 80 starting to think maybe forget all the thoughts and just go play and see what happens at the end of the day golf is just a game just go out and enjoy .

 

[Orikoru]

Golf is funny, it's one of few games you can still really enjoy despite being pretty bad at it. But if the enjoyment isn't there anymore then there's no point forcing yourself to play. At the same time, deliberately not playing just sounds like stubbornness, I think that if you're really not enjoying it anymore you will naturally start to play less and less - rather than consciously saying "I'm not going anymore". So I would try not to think or worry about it really, if you still have the inclination to go and play, then go and play.

I had a few terrible rounds earlier this year, but I just decided to get back to basics in my head and just focus on one simple thing. Trying to keep my head as clear as possible boosts the enjoyment for me, which is also why I don't have lessons. But what works for me may not work for you of course.