Really Down about Playing

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Not dreadful today in 4BBB match (wasn't going to play today but had forgotten about this - until yesterday evening when 4BBB partner reminded me). But not really great at all. Mind you managed to play to my handicap (10) by holing some good putts. I guess if I can play to my handicap when playing pretty poorly and hitting some awful shots then that''s not too bad.

 

[Curls]

Not dreadful today in 4BBB match (wasn't going to play today but had forgotten about this - until yesterday evening when 4BBB partner reminded me). But not really great at all. Mind you managed to play to my handicap (10) by holing some good putts. I guess if I can play to my handicap when playing pretty poorly and hitting some awful shots then that''s not too bad.

It's never as far away as it seems, glad you were able to put in a decent showing and hope it results in a bit more confidence

 

[garyinderry]

Not dreadful today in 4BBB match (wasn't going to play today but had forgotten about this - until yesterday evening when 4BBB partner reminded me). But not really great at all. Mind you managed to play to my handicap (10) by holing some good putts. I guess if I can play to my handicap when playing pretty poorly and hitting some awful shots then that''s not too bad.

i feel your pain hogie me old chum. i can just about hack it round to handicap not hitting a great flush shot all day. so frustrating. spent a good deal on time on the practice ground today then a few hours hitting countless balls on the course today. hit a handful of decent shots and loads fat.


finally got my backside in gear and got Mr Dransfield to have a look at my swing tomorrow. fingers crosses this is the first step back towards good golf.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

i feel your pain hogie me old chum. i can just about hack it round to handicap not hitting a great flush shot all day. so frustrating. spent a good deal on time on the practice ground today then a few hours hitting countless balls on the course today. hit a handful of decent shots and loads fat.


finally got my backside in gear and got Mr Dransfield to have a look at my swing tomorrow. fingers crosses this is the first step back towards good golf.

With you...

I'm going to book another lesson.

BIG plus for me is that my club has just very recently introduced a range ball dispenser and collection - and it's FREE.

I now have no excuse for not going to the practice ground (I couldn't be bothered hitting my own balls down the range and having to go collect them - so didn't practice)

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

First step is change your screen name

Couldn't possibly

I had Hogan's book down off the shelf yesterday morning and after a bit of reading about 'arm-binding'; 'right elbow fold', and a nice simply practice exercise - I went to the club and onto the range. Put his exercise into practice - little half swing and 6irons pinging away beautifully past the 150yd marker (well maybe 50% were - but that's a definite start)

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

I feel I am starting again with my game and I don't think I can face building a new swing from scratch. Two years ago had a major infestation of the s****s that I thought a couple of lessons and a fair bit of practice had sorted. But a month ago it became obvious that I'd drifted back to my 35yr-engrained swing that had caused me so much heartache 2yrs back. I have had another lesson - but it feels so odd - and my swing and striking are so shockingly poor - that I don't know that I can be bothered any more. The thought of going out and playing - knowing that it's going to be awful - just makes me feel really, really down about playing.

Anyone been there and can help 'buck me up'

I really feel for you, I have always been prone to the J Arthurs, like you I had an awful bout in the spring/summer of 2014, I got so down that I didn't play at all for 6 months, however eventually I got back into the game and re-assessed what I wanted from playing golf. I still have to fight the shank but if I get one now I just laugh it off and carry on rather than break clubs (yes, I know it's stupid and expensive). My enjoyment for golf has returned and I really try hard not to get too focused on results, my average for the last 10 games or so has been pretty much bang on h/c, however sunday saw a nett 81, but I enjoyed the company, the weather and the game as much as if it had been 10 shots lower.

In respect of the J Arthurs I cant help you with your affliction but I can say try and put it in perspective and enjoy golf for what it is to you.

Good luck.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I really feel for you, I have always been prone to the J Arthurs, like you I had an awful bout in the spring/summer of 2014, I got so down that I didn't play at all for 6 months, however eventually I got back into the game and re-assessed what I wanted from playing golf. I still have to fight the shank but if I get one now I just laugh it off and carry on rather than break clubs (yes, I know it's stupid and expensive). My enjoyment for golf has returned and I really try hard not to get too focused on results, my average for the last 10 games or so has been pretty much bang on h/c, however sunday saw a nett 81, but I enjoyed the company, the weather and the game as much as if it had been 10 shots lower.

In respect of the J Arthurs I cant help you with your affliction but I can say try and put it in perspective and enjoy golf for what it is to you.

Good luck.

Thank you Sir!

I'm just now accepting that I got to 6 simply on good hand/eye coordination - the swing was probably always rubbish and on a 'knife-edge'. In fact I was in denial - I knew it was dodgy as an occasional J Arthur would jump out of the bushes all the way through the good years. This is an opportunity to put things right and put in place a swing that we see me good for the rest of my golfing

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Thank you Sir!

I'm just now accepting that I got to 6 simply on good hand/eye coordination - the swing was probably always rubbish and on a 'knife-edge'. In fact I was in denial - I knew it was dodgy as an occasional J Arthur would jump out of the bushes all the way through the good years. This is an opportunity to put things right and put in place a swing that we see me good for the rest of my golfing

It may or may not be of any use but I watched a video tip which was to practise with two balls side by side about an inch apart, set up on the furthest ball but hit the nearest, it works a treat for me, I now (when playing on the course) set up with the ball near to the hosel and then imagine I have the two balls (ooo er !!) as above, this really helps my swing path. Your affliction may of course require a completely different remedy.

Stay happy

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

It may or may not be of any use but I watched a video tip which was to practise with two balls side by side about an inch apart, set up on the furthest ball but hit the nearest, it works a treat for me, I now (when playing on the course) set up with the ball near to the hosel and then imagine I have the two balls (ooo er !!) as above, this really helps my swing path. Your affliction may of course require a completely different remedy.

Stay happy

Yup - I get that - one of the things my pro had doing on the first lesson two years back (once he'd stopped me hitting s****s every shot) was to have me address the ball with the hosel - eeeek! He told me not to fret as I'd flush it (relatively so) - and I did.

My real problem I know (and now accept) is that: my hip turn is/was almost non-existent; as a result (I guess) my shoulder turn was very limited, and as a result I never swung more that a 3/4 swing; that swing was (had to be) pretty flat - and of course I hit low draws.

So I start with getting my hips turning and 'connect' my upper arms to my hips - if I do this my hip turn will start my arms, and hence the club, on a better backswing swing-path.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And so hope springs eternal. Early evening half hour down the practice ground - hitting a half swing 6i off a low tee. 90% of couple of dozen balls OK to good. I think I'll just do this every evening this week. Just to get the feel of a hip turn.

 

[Face breaker]

I feel I am starting again with my game and I don't think I can face building a new swing from scratch. Two years ago had a major infestation of the s****s that I thought a couple of lessons and a fair bit of practice had sorted. But a month ago it became obvious that I'd drifted back to my 35yr-engrained swing that had caused me so much heartache 2yrs back. I have had another lesson - but it feels so odd - and my swing and striking are so shockingly poor - that I don't know that I can be bothered any more. The thought of going out and playing - knowing that it's going to be awful - just makes me feel really, really down about playing.

Anyone been there and can help 'buck me up'

Sounds like a normal round for me, I feel like a 'drill Sgt' sometimes, left, left, left, right, left !...:rofl:

 

[williamalex1]

I feel I am starting again with my game and I don't think I can face building a new swing from scratch. Two years ago had a major infestation of the s****s that I thought a couple of lessons and a fair bit of practice had sorted. But a month ago it became obvious that I'd drifted back to my 35yr-engrained swing that had caused me so much heartache 2yrs back. I have had another lesson - but it feels so odd - and my swing and striking are so shockingly poor - that I don't know that I can be bothered any more. The thought of going out and playing - knowing that it's going to be awful - just makes me feel really, really down about playing.

Anyone been there and can help 'buck me up'

If it's any consolation you would've fitted in perfectly in our 4ball 2day at Cawder.
Super Hans was the only one to play well from the start, but we eventually brought him down to our level.
Luckily he was my PP so HE alone gubbed Williep and Virtuocity.:whoo:

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Back in glumsville. Played a foursomes match yesterday morning - we won but only really due to opponents missing a lot of putts and my partner putting up with an AWFUL lot of AWFUL golf from me.

And so I went out on my tod for a few holes in the late afternoon sunshine - and thought - play two balls - - no pressure - relax. And I proceeded to hit 6 s****s in the first two holes. So I had to really, really concentrate on my backswing take-away to stop me doing it - and even then I still do it. It seems that I can no longer relax and just swing the club - that's gone. If I do that I s****k it. Guaranteed. It's bizarre - it's horrid.

 

[Curls]

Anything to be said for seeking professional help? I know you want to relax and not think about swinging, but if there's a flaw causing this and it can be fixed by putting in a bit of practice would that not be preferrable? Eventually with practice it would become natural again, got to be better than glumsville?

 

[stokie_93]

Back in glumsville. Played a foursomes match yesterday morning - we won but only really due to opponents missing a lot of putts and my partner putting up with an AWFUL lot of AWFUL golf from me.

And so I went out on my tod for a few holes in the late afternoon sunshine - and thought - play two balls - - no pressure - relax. And I proceeded to hit 6 s****s in the first two holes. So I had to really, really concentrate on my backswing take-away to stop me doing it - and even then I still do it. It seems that I can no longer relax and just swing the club - that's gone. If I do that I s****k it. Guaranteed. It's bizarre - it's horrid.

I feel your pain mate, having the s****s is the worst feeling in golf.

The most frustrating thing is them coming from nowhere and i'm quite prone to them.

I always notice a trend when I get them off trying to force down on the ball too much when I don't trust my loft.

Whenever I hit one i'll always lay another ball down and try and slow my tempo down and hit 'through' the ball rather than 'at it', as frustrating as they can be I never normally hit more than 3 in a round when I seem to have them and they pass quicker than they come.

I hope they pass for you soon and you can get back to enjoying the game a bit more.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I had a lesson a couple weeks back and will have another maybe next week. I know what to do to stop myself doing it - even although even then I can.

But what is really getting me down is that golf today is a struggle. I have to concentrate really hard every single shot (other than putting and woods off the tee) and on what I'm doing to be able to hit the ball without s***king it - and I haven't had to do that ever in 40+ yrs of playing the game. Golf for me has always just been a game I can go out by myself - wander around - casually swinging the club; knocking a ball or two around; enjoying the walk and being out. No more.

 

[garyinderry]

I'm digging my way out of crap golf. Hit it much better this weekend.

Keep plugging away.

Re: the shanks - are you sure it's always something you are doing in the backswing?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I'm digging my way out of crap golf. Hit it much better this weekend.

Keep plugging away.

Re: the shanks - are you sure it's always something you are doing in the backswing?

I suppose I will keep plugging away - after all - golf is what I do...anyway - thanks for your support - it is appreciated as I really need it.

I am pretty sure that it will be in my immediate take-away as that was what the pro spotted when I had a couple of lessons 18months ago. I have a fault so engrained in my golf muscle memory, that, having played with it and compensated for it for so long, I just do it unless I actually and consciously stop myself. I thought my golf was in a groove and that I had just come out of that groove - so just needed little adjustment to get back into the swing of things - but I was wrong - I was on a knife-edge and I have fallen off.

 

[garyinderry]

I suppose I will keep plugging away - after all - golf is what I do...anyway - thanks for your support - it is appreciated as I really need it.

I am pretty sure that it will be in my immediate take-away as that was what the pro spotted when I had a couple of lessons 18months ago. I have a fault so engrained in my golf muscle memory, that, having played with it and compensated for it for so long, I just do it unless I actually and consciously stop myself. I thought my golf was in a groove and that I had just come out of that groove - so just needed little adjustment to get back into the swing of things - but I was wrong - I was on a knife-edge and I have fallen off.

The reason i ask is it in the take away is, if you go to any club on any given day, you will see a million and one different backswings. many will be similar to yours no doubt but I think its something you must be doing in the downswing that's causing the shank.

Some guys wrap the club around their ankles going back, others a mile outside, some roll the wrists wide open, others shut the face down going back. Most won't be shanking.

What was it the pro spotted?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The reason i ask is it in the take away is, if you go to any club on any given day, you will see a million and one different backswings. many will be similar to yours no doubt but I think its something you must be doing in the downswing that's causing the shank.

Some guys wrap the club around their ankles going back, others a mile outside, some roll the wrists wide open, others shut the face down going back. Most won't be shanking.

What was it the pro spotted?

Immediately on taking the club back from address I was taking it on a line away from me - my hip turn to initiate the backswing was basically non-existent. So if I put a tee in the ground maybe 2-3" back from the ball and maybe 2" away from the straight line back from the ball - I'd knock that tee out of the ground