Should be happy but i'm not

[J5MBF]

Well, thats how i felt on saturday. Had 9 holes with my FIL & BIL, started par, par. Double'd our first par 5 then had a shocking 8 on the next hole (very short, simple par 4). Went on the par the next two holes, 1 a short but tricky par 3, next a long par 5 of which i was greenside for 2. A Double at the next, followed by a par on the 8th (190yrd Par 3) and a bogey to finish after a poor par putt (4ft). Left me +9 for 9 holes but 5 pars!!

+ points were ball striking, irons imparticalur as recently I've developed a case of the shanks. Really slowed my swing down & take one more club than previous and its really helped. Putting, other than the last hole was pleasing, all 5 pars were tap ins as I left all my putts short (Greens were alot slower than normal) but i felt confident when addressing the putt.

- points were two poor tee shots which killed my card!! Had problems slicing off the tee recently & was thinking hard about keeping arms close to body on downswing & keeping head straight. I tend to lean back on my downswing when teeing off which i don't think helps!

Plans are to keep trying to play as much as poss over winter & have some lessons early next year. Have been playing for 18-24 months but have no handicap despite being a member. Will make it an objective to play some medals/stablefords & get a handicap next year! Just need to try & cut out the 1/2 bad holes somehow.............

 

[bobmac]

was thinking hard about keeping arms close to body on downswing

Did that help cure the slice?

 

[J5MBF]

It seemed to! Alot of my diagnosis is by myself via reading various bits & pieces, hence the desire for lessons. I hit 3 really good drives & I really did concentrate on keeping arms in tight & not leaning back, seemed to help. Could that actually be a possible cause & correction or is it self taught b*ll*cks?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Rather than guessing see your PGA pro and get it sorted once and for all. He (or she) will show you what you are doing wrong and give you drills to fix the faults and then you just need to go away and work on them until you can take it to the course and trust it. On the plus side it sounds like the basis is there with some good scores Get rid of the bad holes (course management and taking your medicine) and enjoy going low

 

[pbrown7582]

Chill we all make silly mistakes the hard part is minimising the damage, that will come the more you play and as homer mentions course management.
Your scoring well for a fairly new player and if you cards like that in for handicap you would be looking at 14-16 which is a terrific starting point.
Just go out and enjoy!

 

[J5MBF]

I hear ya! Which is why lessons will be started early next year. Also, course management is a big factor. The hole i managed to get an 8 on, I could have easily got a 6 but tried to play a Seve like hero shot which cost me more shots as it didn't work (not suprisingly).
On the whole, i'm really pleased with my golf & really enjoy getting out and playing.

 

[bobmac]

I think keeping your arms close to your body in the downswing is a mistake but if it helps you, go for it

 

[J5MBF]

Ok, thanks. I Respect you opinion & input. I think my priority is to stop self teaching all the wrong habits & get a lesson asap. Even if i just get one or two before next year, then have them more frequently after.

 

[Bucket92]

I tried for months to cure my slice by reading magazine and online tips and watching youtube videos, but nothing worked. 1 45 minute lesson with my local pro made my driving 10 times better. The always usually flies straight now, so I definitely reccomend you get a lesson and your driving should be fixed for good