Bad times...

[Timberbonce]

Went out this morning and it was another in whats becominmg a long string of bad rounds.... i walked off after the 8th, I feltlike crying at times and i nearly through my new g10 driver over the hedge. thats the first time i have done this..I don't know whats happening... i started playing 18 monthes ago i got better a quite a good rate i was given a 22 handicap at the end of last season, i continuesd to get better to the point when i thought i was playing bad if i shot over 90...
Then things started to go bad first it was just in the comps then now it seems to be all the time..I have never had a lesson but i am going to start as soon as my job settles down a bit and i'm not working away so much..
Does any of this seem familiar to any one else..? Any advive would be greatly recieved.
Thanks.

 

[birdieman]

My advice would firstly be a quick check on fundamentals - grip, stance, ball position, you can get this info online or from a book.

Secondly I would say really SLOW everything down in the swing. Really slow takeaway, slower downswing, this way you'll start to get some rhythm back which will lead to better timimg then you'll get your game back in no time.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

As someone who is only now coming out of a deep trough (still haven't played to my handicap in a club competition in 2008) I can sympathise. I've never got to the point of walking off and even the worst round imaginable has at least one highlight be it a good approach, a sand save or a good putt holed.

Assuming you haven't developed some major swing flaw I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that every time you go out now you are convinced you will play badly. Once that first drive goes astray your rythmn gets quicker, your swing shorter and more jerky and you get tense and angry inside.

Do you practice down the range at all? How are you hitting it there? If you are hitting it ok at the range it will be a mental problem. If you are having problems away from the course the best fix would be a lesson. For the cost of a 30 minute lesson you'll be able to see if a) the fundamentals are correct and b) if you are actually swinging properly

The pro will be able to correct any problems you have and should be able to give you some drills to use if the problems reoccur

 

[Timberbonce]

I must admit i havn't been to the range for a while now. I think i will book a lesson and then go from there and then i will practice trhe right technique down the and try to bed it in.
The biggest problem i think i my inconsistant driving..
When the drive goes well i usually do well when its bad its tragic. Like for example i par'ed 3 holes today but then had 8s,7,s and 6's.

 

[barb]

Hi Timberbonce,
As someone who plays from 1 extreme to another I know exactly how you feel, you are right in booking a lesson and going back to basics. As already mentioned I find slowing everything down really does help.
Think positive and I hope you get your groove back soon, good luck

 

[Timberbonce]

Cheers guys! I feel loads better already just having talked about it.....Really appreciate it.. thanx xxx

 

[rgs]

We all have suffered the same thoughts at some stage or other.

I echo the comments of the other posters-check your fundamentals, go to the range, get a lesson. It may be a small thng which your pro should be able to resolve quickly.

 

[OldWindy]

You need to regain control of the swing and restore your confidence - see the pro ASAP.

 

[viscount17]

As one who can vary between the sublime (at least to me) and the ridiculous you have to learn what to keep and what to throw away from the last round. There will always be at least one shot/putt that you are proud of - that's the keeper. The rubbish we can do any time - throw that away.

Sounds easy I know but if you can get half way there you'll start to relax to the point where you'll start laughing at others temper tantrums.

(I have a friend who introduced me to golf, much better than me - <u>at the moment</u>. He gets really wound up, twitchy and hyper on tee and green; the slightest sound or movement blows his mind. Any error, a miss-hit drive, a lipped putt and ball or clubs are aerial. Every time he does it, it calms me down.)