Do some golfers try too hard?

All this makes me miss lessons, it was so much fun going to my monthly lesson, stocking up on the next little change and making good progression.

Monthly lessons got my 1st handicap of 17 to 12 in a season and a half. Including two competition wins and and only two matchplay losses, undefeated in representing my club and over the winter league!

I stopped for a bit after canceling my membership and went nowhere on my own. Got another series of lessons at a range, won their scratch cup. Back on my own again and I went backwards. More lessons and I got to 11 and shot 77, my best ever round, in a medal.

A pattern emerges here! I yearn for the days I can afford regular lessons again, I just need my job situation to settle down.

Yes I tried hard, very hard indeed! But it was all under guidance and with my V-Easy, I remember sinking 51 straight 4 footers in practice. It paid off and I got many rewards (especially around club champs with 2nd place in consecutive honours board competitions).

When not taking lessons I rarely tried hard, just played golf when I could and worked on the same drills from previous lessons and corrections I knew well from those lesson days (knowing your bad habits is good!). These were pretty much ADDRESS ONLY as I can see that in a mirror and I know my usual faults (alignment, shoulders, spine).

I admit I did a little bit of takeaway and this actually turned out to be the thing I was doing incorrect! I should never have worked on that alone and the "Lesson" has been learnt there!
 
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Some yes. Most no.


I also believe that some people get too bogged down in teaching that they fail to find their natural rhythms and body movements. They become obsessed with hitting positions on the way back and don't think about how the club is being presented back to the ball.

My mate had a few lessons a few years ago. If you watched him warming up and taking a practice swing, you would think it is a young Freddie couples. Super smooth finish. When he tried to hit a ball he was barely making any kind of decent contact. He never shot his handicap of 18 all summer. He probably wasn't too far away from becoming a magic swinger but he fell put of love with the game and now isn't even a member any more.
 
Just finnished Golf is not a game of perfect and amazed at the results. The idea of just thinking target instead of numerous swing thoughts has been a revelation. I found it great for not trying to hard.
 
Just had a lesson this morning and standing too far away from the ball was the problem. The pro took a photo of my stance and then compared it to pictures of Stenson, Kaymer, Furyk etc. I didn't realise how far I was stretching my arms. It now feels a bit cramped but there was certainly an improvement in ball striking on the holes we played.
 
id rather try too hard then not at all.

It depends on your outlook of the game tho, some treat it as a game others are passionate and obsessed by it.

Id certainly not knock those who are willing to try. It's better then not trying or else you don't know!
 
bobmac said:
I didn't say anything about not trying, I was talking about the golfers who try and fix too much including the things that dont need fixing.
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Better to win ugly than not win at all!

Hard work brings rewards and I am not after "Prettiest Swing In the Club" award!
 
3565 said:
id rather try too hard then not at all.

It depends on your outlook of the game tho, some treat it as a game others are passionate and obsessed by it.

Id certainly not knock those who are willing to try. It's better then not trying or else you don't know!
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And today's award for "reading the thread title, but not the actual post" goes to

............Drum roll............... ;)
 
I'm a believer of if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It doesn't matter how you hit the ball, if you can repeat it for every shot on a golf course, you will score the same every time, and win a lot more than you loose.
 
I may not articulate this well but why video your swing without reference to a Pro?? For example, I have become a keen student of the swing over my time playing and I even have a pro mate who has me look at his swing regularly..............however whilst I can tell him whats going on I ABSOLUTELY cannot advise him how to fix it...............thats why he is a PROFESSIONAL. Im really really lucky and I get taught by Alasdair Barr who used to teach the teachers and believe me whatever I have learned over 20 years doesnt scratch the surface. I would always say find a pro you trust and put your faith in them.
 
bluewolf said:
And today's award for "reading the thread title, but not the actual post" goes to

............Drum roll............... ;)
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BLUEWOLF...........

at at least ive put an opinion about it whether you think it's right or wrong, where as your post has nothing to do with the title thread at all. So congratulations..... :thup:
 
3565 said:
BLUEWOLF...........

at at least ive put an opinion about it whether you think it's right or wrong, where as your post has nothing to do with the title thread at all. So congratulations..... :thup:
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NO (in the capital spirit). You voiced an opinion on the thread title, or you didn't understand the actual post. Not great either way TBH.

Oh, and whilst I'm in a charitable mood. Yes, some golfers try too hard to learn on their own. The cache of stating "I've never had a lesson" means quite a lot to some. Not as much to others. Some golfers are naturally talented and will thrive without lessons. Others not so much.

Is is that better for you? Would you like some more of my opinions? I have them by the bucketload. :D
 
I try too hard, I want to improve. My swing isn't perfect and never will be as I've had too many back injury's over the years and took up golf on the wrong side of 40.

I won't ever be as good as I would like to be but as long as I enjoy it, I'll keep on trying. I totally agree with if it ain't broke don't try to fix it however where do you draw the line when you're reasonably happy with something and then the pro says I can improve that :confused:
 
bluewolf said:
NO (in the capital spirit). You voiced an opinion on the thread title, or you didn't understand the actual post. Not great either way TBH.

Oh, and whilst I'm in a charitable mood. Yes, some golfers try too hard to learn on their own. The cache of stating "I've never had a lesson" means quite a lot to some. Not as much to others. Some golfers are naturally talented and will thrive without lessons. Others not so much.

Is is that better for you? Would you like some more of my opinions? I have them by the bucketload. :D
Click to expand...

you mean a bucketload of very self opinionated views....... Go a head be my guest, knock one out.....
 
As previous posters have said,go see a PRO.for a check over.It should be money well spent.
Our pro has arranged 6weeks of lessons at the indoor centre in Glasgow at a fantastic price,kicking off tomorrow night.
Looking forward to it as he doesn't over complicate things!
Jimbo
 
Does it matter if they try too hard, it's down to the individual, it's his swing, his choice. Some have lessons, some don't, some try hard, some don't bother, either way, no right or wrong it's whatever works for you.
 
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