I got the blues

[golf_bug]

hi guys and gals.

Been off the forum for a few months. My love affair with golf in general is being tested to destruction at the moment....I got the golf blues bad.

Have managed to play only 3 times in the past 3 months, which doesn't help. I stand over the ball and think "oh no I've got to hit this now, could go anywhere", rather than "right ball, you are getting hit sunshine - obey my command". I am currently playing with about 4 different golf swings - each of which aims to fix the fault of one of the others. It came to a head today when I was stood on the 6th tee, sodden, facing a torrent of hail, and proceeded to hit the mother of all slices.....at that moment I hated golf. The banter of my playing partners was the only thing that kept me out there.

Is anyone else struggling (worse than usual) at the moment?

 

[Putting_Green_Pro]

No completely the opposite. Playing about 5 underneath my handicap but still win sweet fa

 

[Owen_Thomas_14]

Sort of. When snow was here in december/january i had more time with my family but couldnt wait to get back. Now as the snow has come back im thinking sod it why should i play the snow is just going to come back so i might as well spend good time with family. Then ill hit one good shot and then im hooked again

 

[JustOne]

I am currently playing with about 4 different golf swings - each of which aims to fix the fault of one of the others.

That's not going to help, but neither is not playing. No driving range or practice ground?

 

[CrapHacker]

There's only one thing worse than playing golf...

and you know what that is.

 

[Midnight]

Mate,

I was going through a crap time quite recently, could not hit anything, each time I stepped up to the ball I thought 'oh my god, here we go again, best get a spare ball ready' I was not enjoying it and each game seemed to be a chore. (lost 8 balls in 2 holes)

I then went and paid for a lesson, I am now enjoying golf again, still not playing great but I am not worried about each shot. The pro I went with altered a few things and this seems to off worked.

My advice would be don't sack it mate, you play off a better h/c than me but you may need a refresher lesson just to clear your mind.

Cheers

Midnight...

 

[Spinn77]

I agree with Midnight... I was stuck on about 20 for about 18 months and become a bit sick and tired of making the same mistakes and not gettin g any better, was taking the enjoyment away from playing. I booked a block of 4 lessons and have used just three so far in a year. The pro changed just a few minor things and its all fallen into place a bit and ive been coming down since. Really enjoying playing again now

Stick with it, and if you can, get a lesson or two in and you'll be back on track

 

[sliceanddice]

me personally i dont get "the blues", i have bad days then go back the next and sort out what went wrong.

i think it helps with the mentality of the golfer. if you see golf as something to do to pass the time then naturally when you hit a rough spot then you will be thinking whats the point. i see it as a sport that i now want to excel at.

i am just getting back into it after being a 5 handicapper at 16. i didnt have the drive at that point and no one advising me that i shouldnt be giving it up. i went back to golf for a few months of years past but not seriously, although the first round back would always be a 72-75 after a range visit the night before. i play at the falkirk tryst golf club and its widely regarded as one of the best in the area.

had a few rounds recently and while the weather has been horrendous the scoring has been ok (74,76,77), the errant shots are there but not getting me down, because the next shot is a good one.

i think the point i am trying to make is that everyone is different and everyone has differing opinions on golf and what it means to them. what works for one man may not work for another

 

[golf_bug]

I am currently playing with about 4 different golf swings - each of which aims to fix the fault of one of the others.

That's not going to help, but neither is not playing. No driving range or practice ground?

Have been to the range when weather has permitted, but its not been constructive practice......I am practicing the wrong things. In summary - i don't know how to swing a golf club properly anymore.

Midnight and others are probably right - need some lessons. But the lessons I have had in the past have not contained any silver bullets. During lessons I have i have been told that there are some good moves in my swing and that its better than my handicap would suggest - why then can I not hit 2 balls in a row the same?

Maybe I have reached an impasse: Either I accept that I play off 15 and just enjoy the fact that I can get out there, have a laugh etc. Or, spend time ironing out my swing issues and try and get down to single figures, which I believe I am capable of.

 

[Andy]

No completely the opposite. Playing about 5 underneath my handicap but still win sweet fa

You using the AP Irons to shoot -5 Pete?

Andy

 

[TRS30]

I went through this about this time last year golf_bug. Couldn't hit it out of my way and totally feed up with the game.

I was determined to turn it round, so went and got a lesson, sorted out a couple of things. Then went and got c/f irons, sorted out another couple of things and then practiced a lot for about a month.

When all this came together about April/May my game was in much better shape and I started enjoying my golf again.

 

[JustOne]

Maybe I have reached an impasse: Either I accept that I play off 15 and just enjoy the fact that I can get out there, have a laugh etc. Or, spend time ironing out my swing issues and try and get down to single figures, which I believe I am capable of.

To be honest - that's golf!

Only you can decide just what you want to do and where you want to go with it. Let's say you get to 5 h/cap, then what?
You'll still feel like shots are getting away from you and at times you won't be able to hit a cow's banjo with a rolling bird in hand

If you've not been hitting balls enough then that makes those feelings doubly, tripply, quadrupplieish as bad, but it should be a GOOD feeling to want to be better at a sport.

Start by trying to make your practice more enjoyable. Stick an mp3 player in your ears... Britney of course, "Oh baby baby...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its obvious there is way too much going on in your head as you stand there to hit a ball on the course and I'm guessing the same thing is happening when you get to the range. If you are like the way I use to practice you'll probably hit a shot on the range that doesn't go great and make a change for the next and I'd constantly be fiddling around and not using the same swing on consecutive shots.

I had a lesson at the start of January before all that snow and was beginning to nail it big time. Had the forced lay off and lost the plot including the dreaded sh**ks. Had a lesson with another pro and he got me turning much better and changed my address. I'm not hitting great but the swing is good enough to get it round which at the moment is all I'm looking for.

If I was you I'd get a lesson booked asap. It might be something really simple that'll get fixed and with a few range sessions to bed it in you'll be back to normal and a much happier golfer.

 

[golf_bug]

Thanks for the advice guys. I really want to be as good as I can be at golf. I may have peaked, but reckon I can get down to single digits (I have lofty ambitions!). I guess its time to put some hard work in on the practice ground, stop the moaning, and get on with it!

 

[Smiffy]

Is anyone else struggling (worse than usual) at the moment?

My game is a bit "hit and miss" at the moment. Had a couple of good games, but have also walked off the course a little dejected, knowing I can do better.
My only consolation is those couple of good games.
This time last year, I hadn't had one. Didn't start playing well until the end of April so in my head I've got a bit of a head start.
Crap weather hasn't helped. Roll on the sunshine and the fairways playing a little firmer.

 

[jammydodger]

You play at Kingsdown dont you ? Thats got more practice facilities than i've seen at any other club i've been to. You should be ok , have you used Andrew butler for your lessons ?

 

[golf_bug]

You play at Kingsdown dont you ? Thats got more practice facilities than i've seen at any other club i've been to. You should be ok , have you used Andrew butler for your lessons ?

No mate I play at Cumberwell - good facilities there too