Is this normal for new players?

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Parbados

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Hello everyone,

I've been playing golf for 6 months now and just got my first handicap, I'm off 23.
What's puzzling me is that I seemed to start off very well, not the first 2 rounds but pretty much after that there was steady progress up to the point where I got my first sub 90 round (85) which I was very happy with, I was swinging without too much thought except for making good contact. Now I think I've entered the physiological side of the game, I felt I was striking it well and that I needed to create a swing that I could repeat with proper results.......

Well all I can say is that I've been going to the range to work on things I've read and watched on YouTube and now I can't seem to hit anything at all, this game is a massive test of character.

Is this normal?

What are your go to swing thoughts?

Thanks folks
 
Don't have swing thoughts. As soon as you start thinking about it it will screw you up. And if you want some help have a lesson, as as good as the you tube stuff is, it can be very generic. So for instance if you are trying to cure a slice there can be a few reasons why you are slicing it. And if you watch a you tube video sorting a slice out one way, but that is not the reason why you slice it, it will make you worse.

And welcome along, enjoy the forum and the game. It's a wonderful thing as long as you don't think about it too much.;)
 
Thanks for the advice HK. I've noticed on YouTube that everyone has a different way or drill to practice to achieve the same results. Sometimes when I'm playing it feels like I'm the only one with swing thoughts and everyone else is just a natural.

It seems that there are basic fundamentals but everyone swings it differently.

Oh the joys.....

Cheers bud
 
You're right, golf is a massive test of character. Really knows how to test your patience and ability to stay optimistic when everything's going pete tong. One of the reasons I love it!

As for swing thoughts, I agree with HK. The fewer the better. Practice until it becomes muscle memory and then when you're out on the course, it's all about managing risk and benefit with course management. The swing itself should occupy a minimal amount of your thoughts.
 
As someone who has over complicated things in the past, you need to keep it as simple as you can. If you lose technique then get a lesson but don't make the mistake I did and over analyse. I'm trying to get it down to the mere 35 swing thoughts per shot these days
 
Thanks FF that's sage advice, I'm finding managing my expectations is the big test at the minute, it's an amazing game though. Just got to go out and play with the swing I have on the day.

Appreciate how you feel there HS, I have 35 thoughts for the set up alone at the minute lol
 
Last edited:
Golf is a simple game, hit the ball, find it and hit it again, how much easier can it be?

Most important thing is to enjoy the game, it isn't a matter of life or death
 
1. Don't try to hit the ball too hard
2. Concentrate your practice on hitting the ball, then the ground first
3. Find out where your shots normally go (right, left or straight) and aim accordingly
4. Build your course management around staying out of trouble
5. Lessons, if you can afford them, and have the time to practice drills.
 
The problem with learning off of YouTube is two-fold. First, you don't know if the thing you are working on was actually broken in the first place and second, at the range you have the old feel vs real problem in that what you think you are doing and what you are actually doing are generally two very different things.

Clearly it works for some people but unless you get some professional advice specifically about your swing and not some generic textbook YouTube thing, the chances are you will end up in a very big mess that takes a long time to put right (I have experience of this)
 
You do have to go backwards to go forwards, golf is full of ups and downs.

I went from being unable to hit a ball to finishing runner up in two consecutive board comps off the back tees (7000+ yards) within about a 10 week period.

Get regular lessons, like once a month, work on stuff all the time.

You will have days where you don't score as well, some where you cant even hit the ball then suddenly a purple patch will appear.

If you let one setback get to you then you will be selling your clubs before the end of the season.
 
Thanks for all the responses and links, it's nice to hear other people's take on it.

The next money I spend on golf will be for some lessons. It's funny how the more you seek perfection the harder it gets, I'm a fairly decent putter so at least I've got that to help save my card when it's really tough out there.

Would anyone one agree that it's better to make progress by playing rounds rather than hitting balls at the range?
 
I'm in a bit of a similar situation to the OP. Only difference being iv had a couple lessons and seem to have so much to think about now it's knocked my game quite a bit out on the course. But iv come to the conclusion that sometimes you have to take one step back to go two forward. And if I'm having to think about things out on the course, I'm not practising enough. Best sport for testing your patience and when you get the results it's definately worth while. Stick at it
 
Fore sure playing makes you a score golfer playing from here and there, with this club and that one, you become a feel player with instinct.
 
Parbados said:
Thanks for all the responses and links, it's nice to hear other people's take on it.

The next money I spend on golf will be for some lessons. It's funny how the more you seek perfection the harder it gets, I'm a fairly decent putter so at least I've got that to help save my card when it's really tough out there.

Would anyone one agree that it's better to make progress by playing rounds rather than hitting balls at the range?
Click to expand...

Progress is about balance. Balance putting green, chipping, pitching, irons and woods in a ratio that benefits you.

Some say 25% putting, 25% chipping, 20% pitching and 30% on the rest.

For me I just need to hit enough Drivers and woods to ensure I can get the ball out there and on the fairway, my standards for my shortgame are much higher so I practice them more.
 
Parbados said:
Hello everyone,

I've been playing golf for 6 months now and just got my first handicap, I'm off 23.
What's puzzling me is that I seemed to start off very well, not the first 2 rounds but pretty much after that there was steady progress up to the point where I got my first sub 90 round (85) which I was very happy with, I was swinging without too much thought except for making good contact. Now I think I've entered the physiological side of the game, I felt I was striking it well and that I needed to create a swing that I could repeat with proper results.......

Well all I can say is that I've been going to the range to work on things I've read and watched on YouTube and now I can't seem to hit anything at all, this game is a massive test of character.

Is this normal?

What are your go to swing thoughts?

Thanks folks
Click to expand...

I played my best golf with no swing thoughts and I know others that do the same. YouTube videos are good to get an understanding off stuff, but they can also have destructive results. I've spent the complete last season trying to self fix as I thought I knew what was wrong..., after playing very poor golf 2 lessons revealed completely different faults.

My advise if you want to improve would be:

Find a pro you can relate to, this is key.

Find a pre shot routine that clears your head, you can adopt any drills into this as abd went required but not YouTube ones, those that are given by your pro

Stand over your shot with no thoughts, that what a pre shot routine is for
 
selwood90 said:
I'm in a bit of a similar situation to the OP. Only difference being iv had a couple lessons and seem to have so much to think about now it's knocked my game quite a bit out on the course. But iv come to the conclusion that sometimes you have to take one step back to go two forward. And if I'm having to think about things out on the course, I'm not practising enough. Best sport for testing your patience and when you get the results it's definately worth while. Stick at it
Click to expand...


This is something I'm also guilty of to a certain extent. I had a brilliant lesson yesterday and my pro reinforced how important it is to play, or to practise when out on the course. If you play (try to score low) but still think about your drills/technique/swing, or pull out the driver when it's not working at the moment for you (my current situation!), it's almost inevitably going to affect your performance. If you're practising, throw away the scorecard, accept any bad shots, especially if they're as a result of your drills, and try not to beat yourself up if you score terribly.

If you practice enough, your swing becomes muscle memory, then when you play in a comp/play to score well etc, use the clubs that you feel comfortable with, use your shots within your handicap, and you'll play better and feel better. Over time you'll feel comfortable with more clubs, more types of shot and your handicap will come down! (That's the plan anyway, it's definitely not all plain sailing!) :thup:
 
I always play my worst golf if I have just read or watched an instructional item in a magazine/on-line.
Too many swing thoughts and mumbo jumbo.
Clear your head and just get out there and enjoy it.
 
Great advice from everyone, cheers.

I played this morning and apart from a shaky first 2 holes I played a decent round trying not to think of anything but completing my swing seemed to work (today anyway).....
 
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