Can't hit a provisional

[JustOne]

Yesterday I hit 3 provisionals all 3 were EXACTLY the same as the original shots, I might aswell not have bothered hitting them. It seems that once I've 'dialled in' a shot I have trouble changing. First was a high draw with a 5-wood when I was trying for a fade, the provisional went the same way and ended up 10 feet from it. Second was a 5-wood that basically went vertical about 160yds, and so did the follow up. Lastly was a cut 3-wood, the reload also had a cut on it and was 12 feet from the original.

When you hit a provisional do you envisage a totally different shot to the one you've already hit?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I tend to have a minimum of 150 yards difference on my provisionals. If I hook the first you can guarantee the second will be a huge wide slice.

 

[Twire]

Provisionals normally go fine for me, so much so I've been scouring the Internet to try and find someone who sells provisional balls.

Alternatively, could we not introduce the second serve rule, like they have in tennis?

 

[Whereditgo]

Provisionals always seem to ge well for me too, so much so I am trying to figure out how to hit my provisional first!

 

[Macster]

Yup, the Provisional is the one I never want back, usually goes like an arrow straight to the intended spot, which only makes it more frustrating that the 1st one didnt !!

 

[User 105]

Yeah same here. Always come off muttering 'Why didn't you do that with the first one you idiot'

Except for Sunday when I swiped 2 OOB then nailed the 3rd straight down the middle. But that is rare.

Follow up question.

How often is your provisional drive the best you hit all day ?

With me it's pretty often. Which just makes even more annoying.

 

[USER1999]

Currently the provisional is the best shot in my bag. However, I used to have issues with it, and found the best option was to change club, and also change strategy.

I rarely hit two balls the same now with any club, so if anything a bit of repeatability would be nice.

 

[RGDave]

Same for me I must say.

Horrible - pull one o.o.b. let the others play, tee another up and hit the same shot again.

Or, take the Homer route and go for pick and mix.

 

[Bobirdie]

alot of people tend to try and over compensate on a provisionsal shot.eg if you hit a slice you try your hardest not to hit another then its tits up from there

if i have to hit a provisional i take my medicine and knock a 4-5 ion off the tee.95 percent of the time il keep it on the short stuff

 

[viscount17]

I have a solution to hitting the provisional the same way - move! move yourself (another reason for not carrying the provi) and move the tee.

and yes, provi - nailed it (but why didn't I do that before!)

 

[Smiffy]

Yesterday I hit 3 provisionals all 3 were EXACTLY the same as the original shots, I might aswell not have bothered hitting them. It seems that once I've 'dialled in' a shot I have trouble changing. First was a high draw with a 5-wood when I was trying for a fade, the provisional went the same way and ended up 10 feet from it. Second was a 5-wood that basically went vertical about 160yds, and so did the follow up. Lastly was a cut 3-wood, the reload also had a cut on it and was 12 feet from the original.

Do you fancy a game for £50.00 James?

 

[Herbie]

Play them as though they dont matter. get used to playing them by playing one when you roll into the first cut but expect to find it, that way you will get used to playing them.

 

[bobmac]

Yesterday I hit 3 provisionals all 3 were EXACTLY the same as the original shots, I might aswell not have bothered hitting them.

This is why I teach 'SELF ANALYSIS'
By analysing your bad shot and understanding what causes the 'bad one', my pupils can correct themselves on the provisional and not hit the bad one twice in a row.

James, I suggest you find out what causes the bad shot so you can guard against it when you have to hit a provisional.

 

[RGDave]

Play them as though they dont matter.

You know, this is often my mental approach to the whole game.

Maybe not on hard driving holes, but certainly when I get "stressed" on the course, I just hit the thing without too much plan, knowing that there are more than one way(s) to make a par or bogey, as long as I'm still on the course, so to speak!

It sounds a bit unfocussed, but rather than getting all yip-ey over a shot, I just bosh it and go find.

 

[justhitthething]

Yesterday I hit 3 provisionals all 3 were EXACTLY the same as the original shots, I might aswell not have bothered hitting them.

This is why I teach 'SELF ANALYSIS'
By analysing your bad shot and understanding what causes the 'bad one', my pupils can correct themselves on the provisional and not hit the bad one twice in a row.

James, I suggest you find out what causes the bad shot so you can guard against it when you have to hit a provisional.

I have to say I take the opposite view. I never analyse a bad shot, preferring to forget it immediately and getting back to remembering how I hit good shots. Concentrating on the negative makes the negative more likely IMHO.

 

[bobmac]

Yesterday I hit 3 provisionals all 3 were EXACTLY the same as the original shots, I might aswell not have bothered hitting them.

This is why I teach 'SELF ANALYSIS'
By analysing your bad shot and understanding what causes the 'bad one', my pupils can correct themselves on the provisional and not hit the bad one twice in a row.

James, I suggest you find out what causes the bad shot so you can guard against it when you have to hit a provisional.

I have to say I take the opposite view. I never analyse a bad shot, preferring to forget it immediately and getting back to remembering how I hit good shots. Concentrating on the negative makes the negative more likely IMHO.

Sorry, I obviously didnt get my point accross very well.
I meant if for example you hit a hook and you know it was because you held the club with your old strong grip by mistake, you make sure that you hold it properly for the provisional.
That way you dont hit the hook again

 

[roccokj]

Yeah same here. Always come off muttering 'Why didn't you do that with the first one you idiot'

What's really bad is when you hit your provisional dead straight and then your playing partners say "You should have done that the first time!"

 

[nulassilb]

I tend to hit provisionals well. With me, the tension in the first swing is usually to blame (recently it's been grip and stance, however). I usually feel a little looser when I hit a good second ball and am searching for a way of finding that with the original tee shot.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think its the mixture of anger, frustration and embarrassment that makes me hit the second one better.

 

[viscount17]

irrespective of where the ball ends up, the reason for me having to hit a provisional usually comes down to over-swinging, too fast, etc

consequently come the provi, try to find the flow