On the verge of giving up again

[Mozza73]

Last night I had the kind of round that makes me question why I ever attempted to take this game back up again.

I played 12 holes, lost 7 balls, was unable to even get the ball in the air most of the time, and when I did finally manage to get it airborne it either sliced or hooked so deep in the long grass it wasn't worth looking for. Not a single aspect of my game was memorable or worth building on.

I don't mind the odd bad round, it happens to everyone, but after hitting 50-100 balls at the range most weekends for the last 12 months and getting to the point where I can comfortably and routinely spank a bucket of balls high and straight why do I find it so utterly impossible to translate this ball striking onto the golf course !?

Sorry for the rant guys and girls but I don't think I've ever been at a lower point with this game, a hell of a lot of work has resulted in a standard of golf that frankly would embarrass a beginner.

It does get better doesn't it ?

 

[woody69]

Last night I had the kind of round that makes me question why I ever attempted to take this game back up again.

I played 12 holes, lost 7 balls, was unable to even get the ball in the air most of the time, and when I did finally manage to get it airborne it either sliced or hooked so deep in the long grass it wasn't worth looking for. Not a single aspect of my game was memorable or worth building on.

I don't mind the odd bad round, it happens to everyone, but after hitting 50-100 balls at the range most weekends for the last 12 months and getting to the point where I can comfortably and routinely spank a bucket of balls high and straight why do I find it so utterly impossible to translate this ball striking onto the golf course !?

Sorry for the rant guys and girls but I don't think I've ever been at a lower point with this game, a hell of a lot of work has resulted in a standard of golf that frankly would embarrass a beginner.

It does get better doesn't it ?

Not always. Take a break if it gets you down that much. Golf is meant to be enjoyed.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Eye, man up. You would not believe the amount of money I have spent on clubs, golf shoes, magazines and training aids. And I am still rubbish, if anything I am getting worse.

Some people are naturally good at golf, and some are not. Just accept your lot, if you are rubbish then so be it. Just go out and enjoy the good shots and don't worry too much about the bad ones. It's supposed to be an enjoyable pass time.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

When you say "a hell of a lot of work" what is your practice routine?

Do you have lessons? Do you really test yourself when you're at the range? I mean put pressure on yourself to hit a specific target, hit shots as if you're playing a round (i.e. driver, 8 iron, chip, driver, 4 iron, 4 iron, chip) or just hit the same club over and over?

I found that I had to be really honest with myself to discover that my range time probably wasn't actually that great quality practice.

However, lessons and structured practice have got me moving steadily in the right direction - and I'm by no means naturally talented!

 

[Foxholer]

Forget the golf.

Just laugh and drop another ball down about where the previous on should be and continue to enjoy the other wonderful aspects of a round of golf!

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Look at doing some lessons to get you going again you may just need a small tweak to get you hitting the ball properly. It cant be a bad thing what have you got to lose?

 

[Canary_Yellow]

It's very easy to over complicate golf - if I get a bit down about my ability / progress I take a break for a few days (or a week) read a bit of Bob Rotella and return feeling positive.

 

[Fish]

:thup:

 

[Darlophil]

After picking the game back up following 4-5 years not playing what I found worked for me was not going to the driving range.
There is a tendancy on the range (for me anyway) to just try and leather the ball or not be overly concerned about the disperssion.

Get yourself some cheap nasty balls (dunlop ddh, wilson smartcore etc) that you don't mind losing and keep at it on the course.
Sod's law dictates in this case that you can't lose a crap ball, you will only lose the premium/expensive balls.

Also give a few par 3 courses a go as it helps improve short game and swing accuracy.

 

[shivas irons]

If your hitting the ball well on the range but not on course its obviously a confidence issue.Go out by youself mate dont score and just play the holes, build this up and when you confidence on course starts improving get your pencil and scorecard out! Good luck.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Always easier on the range, no hazards, pressure etc. Play a few rounds by yourself hitting multiple shots on each hole if it is quiet and you will soon build your confidence up. Smacking hundreds of balls at the range is clearly not working.

 

[Mozza73]

Thanks guys.

I'm annoyed because I'm perfectly capable of hitting the distances, with regards to my range sessions I hit range balls at my local course 145 -150 yards with a 7 iron and around 175 with a 5 iron. I never practice off the tee (always off the matt unless using a driver ) I can draw and fade my shots at will, I was even hitting low punch draws with my 3 wood that were noisily clattering off the 200 yard fence.

Over the last six months I've been working hard retaining lag and getting into a good impact position and was really pleased with how this was reflected in my distances at the range.

Then I step onto the the golf course and I can't even get the ball in the air - how is that possible !?!

Appreciate the feedback guys, I will stick at it for now and probably a good idea to take a breather for a while, its just incredibly frustrating to see what I can do regularly off a matt but can't translate this onto the fairway in any shape or form.

Oh - there was a plus side after all - I chipped in on the last hole (after taking 5 to get there!)

 

[Mozza73]

Always easier on the range, no hazards, pressure etc. Play a few rounds by yourself hitting multiple shots on each hole if it is quiet and you will soon build your confidence up. Smacking hundreds of balls at the range is clearly not working.

Good call, I might just try that.

 

[woody69]

Thanks guys.

I'm annoyed because I'm perfectly capable of hitting the distances, with regards to my range sessions I hit range balls at my local course 145 -150 yards with a 7 iron and around 175 with a 5 iron. I never practice off the tee (always off the matt unless using a driver ) I can draw and fade my shots at will, I was even hitting low punch draws with my 3 wood that were noisily clattering off the 200 yard fence.

Over the last six months I've been working hard retaining lag and getting into a good impact position and was really pleased with how this was reflected in my distances at the range.

Then I step onto the the golf course and I can't even get the ball in the air - how is that possible !?!

Appreciate the feedback guys, I will stick at it for now and probably a good idea to take a breather for a while, its just incredibly frustrating to see what I can do regularly off a matt but can't translate this onto the fairway in any shape or form.

Oh - there was a plus side after all - I chipped in on the last hole (after taking 5 to get there!)

Have you ever had a lesson? It is going to be something minor that is the issue. Perhaps you have a bad habit you slip into, but are unaware of it. I had something similar where I was striking it really badly. Pro took a look and saw my right shoulder was dipped forward and down, stood me up a little and squared my shoulders and boom all was good with the world again. So simple and obvious to him, but for me I couldn't work out for the life of me why I was suddenly striking it so poorly on every shot. Once you identify your faults you can correct them.

 

[Mozza73]

Have you ever had a lesson? It is going to be something minor that is the issue. Perhaps you have a bad habit you slip into, but are unaware of it. I had something similar where I was striking it really badly. Pro took a look and saw my right shoulder was dipped forward and down, stood me up a little and squared my shoulders and boom all was good with the world again. So simple and obvious to him, but for me I couldn't work out for the life of me why I was suddenly striking it so poorly on every shot. Once you identify your faults you can correct them.

I have had a couple of lessons, only one since I took the game back up and that lesson really helped my ball striking, but it was 8 months ago and probably in need of a refresher.

Probably a good idea too!

 

[User 105]

I get like this from time to time. Fine on the range and garbage on the course. Usually because I'm over thinking things.

What I tend to do to get over it is no practice swing and no swing thoughts.

Just get the distance, pick the club and step in and hit it at the target.

I know that's contrary to the 'pre-shot routine' view. But it helps me get out of my own way by over thinking things.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I don't see giving up or taking a break as the answer myself but I am interested in your range sessions. When you go to the range...

Are you practicing anything or just bashing balls?
Do you tinker with your swing every time you go?
Are you really hitting every ball high and straight? Every single one?

 

[Fish]

I only use a grass range now but what I do is, I select my 3w (or driver in other peoples cases), then a 4 iron and 47* wedge and hit them no different to if I was on a particular hole, once! I'd then select a different range of clubs, 3w, 8i and lob wedge, then a 5i (par 3).

You get the idea

I've found that this has helped me rather than taking 1 club with half a dozen balls or more until I get it right only to put it back in the bag and then move on to another club with multiple balls. You won't do that on the course so I don't do it on the range.

Just my way of practising on the range, won't be for everyone but I like doing it.

 

[Robobum]

How do you get to "the verge of giving up"?

If you aren't enjoying it - give up

If you are enjoying it - game on

Black & white

 

[Doh]

The deference as to why we cant take our range game to the course is that at the range you only have to concentrate on hitting a good shot without the consequences. It's not going to end up in a bunker or in water or short or long.
That is what you have to take to the course, you have to try to hit the ball the best you can without fear of the consequences. Do that and there wont be any just good results. Now if I could only take my own advice.