At my wits end....

[Neddy]

First of all, Hi! Long time reader, first time poster.

I'm really struggling at the moment to the point where I almost don't want to play anymore and quite badly need some help.

Some background, started playing earlier in the year with a friend who used to play but had lapsed, and ocassionally on my own aswell. As you'd expect at the beginning it was pretty dire, regularly shooting between 110-130, but i improved, really worked on the short game and my scoring improved to around the hundred mark by July/August and then regularly in the 90's by September time.

At this point I would have described every bit of my game as "adequate" considering how long i'd been playing and the fact I was completely self taught. I still hit bad shots/had bad rounds of course but I was consistent enough to get round in a half decent score and was really enjoying it.

Over the winter I have gradually got worse and it has now got to the point where I can barely hit the ball. With the irons I am hitting massive fats, the club is hitting the ground anywhere between 1-6 inches behind the ball. Even when i do feel i've hit it ok my shots tend to balloon in the air and got nowhere near the distance I'd be expecting (I've never been a long hitter but a 6 iron was about 150-155 for me when hit well in the autumn). With the woods I feel like I am always hitting the tee before the ball and I seldom find the sweet spot or find any distance. I am hitting them on the heel quite a bit too.

My grip and setup don't feel any different to what they were in the summer but obviously something is seriously wrong with my swing. It must have changed from then to now ....I go to the range and try different things but with the same results. I have zero confidence with a golf club in my hand at the moment. Went out on the course by myself last sunday and just felt embaressed to be playing the way i was in front of people and walked off after 9.

So what do i need? A break from the game? A series of lessons? Am I living proof that you shouldn't teach yourself and always get the fundamentals nailed down with a pro when you take up the game? I will admit there are lots of thing about the swing I don't fully understand but that was also true when i was hitting it ok!

Any views or comments appreciated. I'd love to rediscover my game and the desire to play but right now it feels a long long way away. I can handle playing badly but this is riciculous.

Thanks for reading....

p.s on the bright side, my putting is solid

 

[JustOne]

Probably have a lesson. Maybe video your swing and post it here on the forum. Just be calm and understand that you've done really well but your swing has gone on a little Winter break


..and welcome to the forum.

 

[G1BB0]

I would book a lesson as it may just be a tweak of the basics and a decent pro will soon put you on the right path. I just hit the range when I first started thinking as I was decent at most other sports golf would be the same... wrong

I had a couple of lessons and it helped massively. I score regular 90's now and had an 85 this week. I still plan to have more lessons aswell. One other word of advice, after the lesson (should you have one) really practice the drills the pro gives you until they are fully bedded in as its easy to have a couple of sessions up the range, hit the course and go straight back to the flawed swing

 

[backwoodsman]

Welcome...

A lesson or two.

 

[coolhand]

Best options lessons.

But as a guess you've started sliding backwards rather than turning - I recongnise the symptoms.

 

[Phil2511]

Best options lessons.

But as a guess you've started sliding backwards rather than turning - I recongnise the symptoms.

I was thinking the same thing. Best to book a lesson to find the exact cause and remedy for why you are staying back on your right side at impact.

Could be a few reasons u do this so best bet is have a pro look at it.

Whereabouts are you? Perhaps someone here can recommend someone in your area that is a good coaching pro.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I think that this is the scenario that I found myself in.

Gone from a uber hacker, to a 26 hcp, then down to 22, then plateaued out and with a long series of .1 rises im now off 23.

Everyone will hit the point where there game stagnates, my answer was to try to hit the ball harder, and that made it worse.... So I tried to hit the ball even harder and things went to hell in a bucket.

Now im playing with more of an even tempo and things are starting to improve

It could be that you are trying too hard, but the only answer is to book a lesson with a pro, he will probably tell you that everything is wrong from grip, allignment, stance, ball position etc, and it is almost certain that you will go backwards for a short while, before you leap forwards.

But it sounds like that is your next step, where do you play, have you got a handicap yet?

Fragger

 

[bobmac]

I can understand why some people want to teach themselves.
Whether it be due to financial restrictions, not getting enough pocket money from HID or just the extra satisfaction to know you've achieved all your success without any help from anyone must be fantastic.

If you have played good golf in the past, the chances are something small has changed so don't panic.

I suggest you get someone to film your swing, transfer it onto your computer and compare it to the 100s of tour swings you can find on youtube.
I'm not going to tell you what you're doing wrong as that would spoil your self taught record, but here's a clue.
Compare your swing at impact with someone on tour, paying special attention to your right foot (if right handed)

And welcome to the forum

 

[pokerjoke]

Welcome to the forum Neddy.
Dont give in,get yourself a lesson.
You have obviously lost confidence,a pro will help you build it back up.

 

[Neddy]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Think the time has certainly come to seek some outside help so don't worry about giving me tips bobmac!

I was pretty pleased to get to where i did completely on my own. I didn't get lessons when i started because playing the game is what i enjoy. I hate driving ranges and lack practice discipline (although I'm sure if i paid £30 for a lesson i'd be able to bring myself to practice the drills I am given) To be honest if it means finding a certain level of consistency in my ball striking i am quite happy to be told my grip, stance and aim is all wrong!

I'll certainly give the video thing a go though.

To answer the other questions. Don't have an official handicap yet, wanting to reach a certain level before i splashed out on club membership. Thought I was close and was considering it for the new year but obviously things have unravelled since. I am in the Shropshire area if anyone has any recommendations.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Get a lesson and bite the bullet and hit the range for a couple of sessions and work the changes in. I imagine there won't need to be a drastic overhaul of the swing so go your local pro, get it sorted and get ready for the warmer weater. Once you find a club, get the handicap cards in and get stuck into playing the comps.

 

[Bikky73]

I'm exactly the same. I've been playing sort of off and on for a few years, just as a laugh. This autumn decided, time get better and concentrate and work on being better.

Now I can't hit nowt (bad inglish there lol) drives are awful, to the point i'd get a better shot with my putter. I'm getting booked in for a lesson soon to correct everything (hopefully).

 

[Neddy]

Had two weeks off in the vain hope that if I de cluttered my mind I might find SOME form when i got back out there. Tried it on Friday and shockingly enough I was dead wrong.....

My birthday next week so will have some extra money coming my way. A local Pro has 4 one hour lessons and two 30 minute short game lessons for £100.

Seems like a good deal to me. What do we think? Enough time to get me playing to a non embaressing standard?!

 

[beggsy]

Stop trying too hard

 

[SocketRocket]

A video would be great. I would take a guess that you are stalling your body turn and flipping your arms and wrists at the ball. The typical result is fat shots or a high weak ball flight. You will not be alone, most golfers do this by certain degrees.

Take a look at this video and see if it helps you. I think it may:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgv4hdVJ6_Y&feature=player_embedded#!

 

[sawtooth]

Nothing wrong with self learning, much depends what you read and believe though.

PM'd you what I've been studying for the past 2 years and it hasnt done me any harm. Learn this way and you will not go wrong.

 

[DaveyG]

I am exactly the same mate, when i say this i genuinely wish you all the best but its nice knowing someone else feels the same about the game we love. I have now had two lessons and worked on the range 6 times in the last 10 days... I have already improved massively with the help of a pro. My golf is starting to come together... Until today!

I decided to play my local 9 hole with a mate who also is new to golf and if im honest isnt very good at all. ( he is first to admit it)

I started decent on the 1st just slightly missing the green - thinking... This is great, but from then on i was nothing short of woeful... I did think i was playing a course too early but also i knew i could now hit the ball cleanly everytime i thought why not!

I was pants... Full on pants i cant explain it because every hole i said to myself lets reset and do everything i have done on the range... It just didnt work everything was hooked and not at all handsome.

I have decided to take a break for a few days then get abit of practise in ready for a week mondays lesson. I think i might be overdoing it.

I won by 1 shot over the 9 holes x 2. Unbeaten still after playing every weekend this year but boy it was close.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think playing with a mate who has just started can be damaging as it can sub-consciously drag you down to their level. If you are hitting it properly on the range without these destructive hooks then it must be working. I'd suggest finding someone slightly better than yourself or playing a round on your own so you can just focus on your own game will give you a better indication of how well you're doing. That and you are clearly thinking and trying way too hard on the course

 

[Neddy]

I think playing with a mate who has just started can be damaging as it can sub-consciously drag you down to their level.

Personally I don't find it to be a problem. My two best scores have both come when my playing partner shot over 120!

Thanks for the encouragement Davey, keep at it, you clearly have much better golf in you. I don't feel that way at the moment. In fact I have had a round planned for Feb 6th with a friend which i am considering cancelling. I really don't belong on a proper golf course at the moment!

Have just e-mailed the pro to check when he is available before i book a lesson with him....

 

[DaveyG]

Personally I don't find it to be a problem. My two best scores have both come when my playing partner shot over 120!

Thanks for the encouragement Davey, keep at it, you clearly have much better golf in you. I don't feel that way at the moment. In fact I have had a round planned for Feb 6th with a friend which i am considering cancelling. I really don't belong on a proper golf course at the moment!

Have just e-mailed the pro to check when he is available before i book a lesson with him....

I would mate... Im done with putting pressure on myself for the moment. I play at the range and have random people complimenting me... Get on a course and i look like im playing hockey. Homer i totally agree i am trying not to get mad at myself but expecting too much.