Do some people just never get it?

[hovis]

Maybe you didn't improve because you didn't do what the pros were asking you to do ?

i followed what they said to the letter. whats the point having lessons if you're not going to do what they say?. i would hit at least a 1000 balls between lessons and still no improvement. the pros would see me hit one good one in ten and say "see! you've just got to get used to it".


i never did het used to it. the problem is a pro cant see what you're feeling. i constantly told them my follow through felt horrible but because it looked ok they said it was fine. it wasn't!!!

 

[drewster]

I am truly rubbish off of mats, back to beginner level with shanks, wormburners and general duffs. I bought some wedges of a kind gentleman on here took them to the range and honestly didn't hit one decent shot in 75. Played on course on Saturday and can honestly say my 80 yards and in game was the best it has ever been. Likewise i've never had lessons either and any tutor would probably be horrified if they saw what i had on offer but i've managed to plot my way round and manage my game to the point where i've had my best season ever and i'm now close to the holy grail. Each to their own i guess.

 

[muttleee]

Have heard it said that pretty much anyone can be coached down to 5 if they're willing to put in the effort. Not so sure, myself!

 

[Foxholer]

If the strike isn't any good then I suggest either
1. The ball position could be wrong
2. You are swaying about during the swing
3. Your head is moving up and down.

Check the ball is in the centre of your stance (for a 7 iron) and keep your head still

But please, not ABSOLUTELY still!

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Every day is completely different, and anyway, golf is about the people, not the score. Go out, have a laugh, even at your own expense, if a score comes along, great, but if it doesnt, why ruin a good day out.

Completely agree, life is for fun.

Those early days playing golf are such a laugh and when you hit one it is great. Two examples to compare to yourself and to help put things into perceptive, played with nephew at weekend who has played a number of games before, he only hit 3 properly in the air over 12 holes and he was taking 10ish a hole, so not many as a percentage. My wife has played many many games(over a 100 at a guess) and still tops half the balls she goes to hit.

Just laugh about it, and keep believing the next shot is going to be your best shot ever.

 

[Beezerk]

Have heard it said that pretty much anyone can be coached down to 5 if they're willing to put in the effort. Not so sure, myself!

I agree, not a chance in hell, I'd wager there's plenty on here who've shoved lots of money at lessons and gone backwards if nowt else.
It's like a lot of sports, you could play for 30 years and still be crap at it, I've seen lots of awful Sunday morning footballers who will never ever be able to play a decent pass, no matter the amount of coaching they receive. There's only so much talent you have in a given area, it's all about maximising what you already have, ignoring the bad days and enjoying the good.

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

Some days I feel like what is the point lol, perhaps some people just do not have the motor function required!

Given the variation of strokes, ages, genders, physical abilities (one armed golfers etc), then I think it would be very small percentage who don't have the motor function to propel a ball enough to get round the course. You just have to find the swing that works for you and get it repeatable.

Maybe that's a shorter, slow swing to just get it off the tee, maybe it's a John Daly rip at it with everything you've got. Just have fun trying to find it!

 

[Tommo21]

If the strike isn't any good then I suggest either
1. The ball position could be wrong
2. You are swaying about during the swing
3. Your head is moving up and down.

Check the ball is in the centre of your stance (for a 7 iron) and keep your head still

That's it in a nutshell. Even if you have a bad swing, one or two basics will get you on your way.

 

[muttleee]

I agree, not a chance in hell, I'd wager there's plenty on here who've shoved lots of money at lessons and gone backwards if nowt else.

Yes but maybe that just means they haven't really practised what the lessons taught them? I know I can hit the ball really well during a lesson but even later the same day I can see my shots get worse. If I could find a way of keeping my 'lessons' swing on the course, I would be a lot better player than I am. However, I'm not in a position to put in the amount of practice I would need to really ingrain those changes.

 

[Beezerk]

Yes but maybe that just means they haven't really practised what the lessons taught them?

Possibly, but there's only so much "some" people can be taught, there's a limit to what they can physically achieve if you will.

 

[xcore]

Iv been playing for just over a year and my best score is 105, i feel the frustration! Got my first few lessons booked over winter so hopefully i improve for next year

 

[woody69]

If it all goes totally wrong, go right back the to the basics, i.e. grip, stance and just try half swings. When you start getting that right, try to lengthen the swing a little.

I also wouldn't go to the range and just hit one club. If you are able to and have time, play 3 or 4 holes. Go to a pitch and putt course / par 3 to mix it up. If you're hitting bad shot after bad shot, sometimes you need to put the club down and trying something else, even if it is a quick pitching practice and then go back to it.

 

[Raging Beard]

Thank you all for chiming in great to be new here but get a response from so many already!

So after my awful time at the range yesterday, with great trepidation I stepped up to the first tee at Lavender Park... and played my best round ever!!!!

It's a 9 hole course so played twice. Each 9 is par 28, I scored 39 and 34, for a total of 73, which is +17.

I'm sure to many that doesn't sound great but I am very happy with it. It included 5 pars and a birdie!!!

I was in the bunkers 5 times, but did pretty well to get out of them too.


Also re. the range, I do usually take and hit other clubs. I was only using the 7 iron alone last couple times due to only focusing on my posture at address really. But yes in future I will be back to swapping between clubs and not rapid firing off one club.

I did notice today that I generally pulled my shots, which costed me bunker time. But they went straight!

 

[ScienceBoy]

Iv been playing for just over a year and my best score is 105, i feel the frustration! Got my first few lessons booked over winter so hopefully i improve for next year

See my sig for three goals method :thup:

 

[Sats]

Some people just aren't cut out to be great. Accept that and remember that we all have our limits

 

[Dasit]

Problem with this is you compare yourself to others.

I consistently shoot 90 to 95 now, while this time last year I rarely broke 110...and that was a few months after I started playing.


I play at my club with people who have been playing for 10+ years, but I see myself on a different curve to these guys. Most shoot consistent scores and have stayed at the same handicap for literally a decade.


Makes me feel silly and bad when I play with the guys who shoot sub 75 while I shoot a 95, but they have played the game far far longer...they might not even get below there 5 handicap, to the point of I may have a better chance of getting below that.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Over last 5 months or so I have had 3 lessons early on and another recently. I play on a course 1-2 times a week and hit the range 3-4 times a week most weeks, it varies of course. I just don't seem to be getting anywhere!


I just hit the range with a basket of 50 and a 7 iron, trying to practice what I was taught from last lesson. It was bad. No real good strikes, many awful ones, 4 hit the right wall of my bay.


Some days I feel like what is the point lol, perhaps some people just do not have the motor function required! I am due to play tomorrow and almost felt like calling can cancelling... I can't strike a ball on the range now so what chance to I have on the course?!


Right rage, whinge and moan over. Of course I will soldier on.

I would be doing a number of things. I'd be going back to the pro and telling him of the issues at the range and that the changes and drills aren't sinking in. I'd also be varying my practice routine and to me it's important not to get too bogged down in chasing technique and a textbook swing. Vary the clubs, work on the all round game, especially from 120 yards and in (scoring zone)

It can be difficult to make swing changes, especially big ones and a good pro should be able to break it into manageable chunks. I'm a fan of lessons and enjoy the process of working on my game, hopefully seeing some improvement to the overall consistency of my swing and game

 

[Raging Beard]

After yesterdays success, I went out at Wexham on 9 hole par 32 and shot 55 and one hole, a par 4, took me 12!!!! I couldn't stop on the green, miss hits sending me one side to the other and my frustration grew causing me to rush.

Some good hits, pulling left still with irons, but some good drives even with the driver.

Only in 1 bunker today and I got out pretty well.

So a bad result but with positives to take away.

 

[jusme]

Not directed at the op (as your good round I just read indicates potential) but in general I wonder how many people just quit as they realise its not for them? hard to know as i can't imagine they coming on a forum to say how crap they were and it wasn't worth it. I have quit other things as not being for me, but sadly golf has a strangle hold on me and I imagine me struggling on till they take me away. Bloody beautiful game it is

 

[User62651]

In the 80s the best and coolest UK athlete around was Daley Thomson, 2 x Olympic champion. Anyway saw him on a pro-celeb golf event on tv and could not believe how bad at golf he was, for someone so sporty you'd think it would be easy but no. Golf is different in that regard and an awful lot of it is natural god given ability, seen it time and again, some folks can roll up once in a blue moon and hit a good ball, others practice til the cows come home combined with lessons and remain fairly rubbish. We all plateau soon enough in golf and its really hard to get past that point.