Why does my mind go blank, and empty when I step foot on a course?

[robert.redmile]

Now, we've all heard the golfer who says "why am I playing so badly, im so much better on the range"
well, I try not to say it, but I AM that golfer.
on the range My short game is something that gives me so much pleasure - I hit shot after shot between 50 and 100 yards and hit them beautifully.
i hit maybe one bad drive in 10.
i hit pure irons time after time.

then I step on a course and it changes.
i hit 50% of my drives straight right.
I hit most of my pitches into bunkers, or off the green.
i chunk many iron shots.

i know it's only a game, and there are many more important things to worry about, but it's making me sad!

any tips gratefuly received!

 

[Vardon11LDN]

Not sure how you can be "that golfer" because I am! Looking forward to the responses on this one.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Possibly putting pressure on yourself to score well on the hole

When you go to the range your not looking to put the ball in the hole - it's just hitting the ball then hitting another - there is no thinking about course management and shot selection and line into the hole or from the tee and club selection etc

The range is just swinging

I would forget the range for a bit and just play the course

 

[Hacker Khan]

The range is not a true reflection of your golfing skills really. You are always on a nice lie, you can change something instantly and there is no pressure on you at all.

I am very similar to you, play off around 15 on the range, capable of shooting well over 100 on the course. That's golf

 

[davemc1]

Im sure a lot of us high hcs are the same. For me though, I wish my mind went blank. I got endless swing thoughts, tip do's and dont, if i can just get up and down here... I'm one down in matchplay i need to do something.
None of this on the range, it doesnt matter if you play a bad one. plus the mats offer a more forgiving strike.
So I'm working on clearing my head, and just trying to hit the thing

 

[garyinderry]

Rock hard distance ball bounding through the green? Yep that will happen.

Winter is here so soon if you hit the green with any ball it will stop.

Contact sounds like an issue with you. The matt will mask this but the grass takes less prisoners.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

The range is a great resource, but practice with a purpose. Fewer shots maybe but get the best value out of each of them. Sounds like you enjoy the range so it's just about moving it over to the course.

Practice specific distances for pitches and learn what that feels like to replicate on the course later - do you use a DMD on the course? Knowing yardages for shots 100 yrds and in is invaluable. Use your pre-shot routine (or alternatively develop one!) for range shots and practice it - when you get good at this it will translate over to the course really well as you'll feel familiar and comfortable and confidently strike the ball.

In addition, practice hitting to specific targets on the range and don't be afraid to use your imagination to visualise the shot (I've won many Open's at the range). Then, when you're on the course fire up that imagination as you approach your ball and see the result you want. No guarantee of instant success but with committed practice you'll reap the rewards soon enough.

I've been doing this for years and the number of times I stand on the course and relax over a shot knowing I've hit hundreds on the range isn't worth knowing. Life is a little easier at the range (lie, conditions, no pressure!) but we can all close the gap between it and the course considerably with thoughtful practice.

 

[virtuocity]

Tempo.

 

[SugarPenguin]

Tempo tempo tempo.

stop trying to perfect your swing. Perfect your tempo. Its so much easier to do this than adjust your swing.
Working for me right now and im playing some fantastic golf.

 

[Matty]

I think it might be worth you getting some practice in on the course rather than at the range if your club allows it. Range balls don't travel the same distance as real balls and the yardage markers on ranges frequently seem highly suspect in their accuracy to me.

Get on the course and (when it's really quite and time allows) hit a few shots into a green to get an idea of the distances you get on a course, of grass with non-range golf balls.

An also critically important - remember you play this silly game for enjoyment, so try to relax and enjoy yourself on the course.

 

[patricks148]

as many others have said range is nothing like the course and makes no difference if you hit a bad or off line shot. Plus you always have a nice lie and its almost impossible to hit a fat shot off a mat.

 

[ShankyBoy]

Tempo tempo tempo.

stop trying to perfect your swing. Perfect your tempo. Its so much easier to do this than adjust your swing.
Working for me right now and im playing some fantastic golf.

What's the right tempo? I seem to struggle when I try to execute the perfect swing, but when I swing a bit faster, I seem to get better results. Hard to know what is the right tempo!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

What's the right tempo? I seem to struggle when I try to execute the perfect swing, but when I swing a bit faster, I seem to get better results. Hard to know what is the right tempo!

Think to yourself - severiano Ballesteros as you are swinging

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Tension. If you work it out, other than taking wacky pills then let me know. I am dreamy on a range but then there is no consequence to a bad shot. Because of that I swing freely through the ball, no jerky motions, strong follow through. On the course I see endless problems and so tighten up. Instead of hitting cleanly through the ball I try to steer it, squeeze the life out of the club etc. I try to relax, easier to do on wider more forgiving courses, but if a hole is tight then it is harder to do than say.

Try to breathe slowly over shots, loosen your grip on the club, count slowly in your head. It works for me on occasions but I have to really push myself to do this. Don't worry you are not the only one out there doing this.

 

[ruff-driver]

On the range after i've warmed up i 'play the course'
1st is a mid iron, then a 9 or wedge at the range markers
2nd driver, mid iron
3rd pw-8 iron dependant on the wind ,
all whilst picking targets on the range

I played at your place back in march in a pro-am, par 5 start iirc,
my last few shots on the range before i head to the tee is that tee shot
getting the first one away well can usually sum up what is to follow, for me anyway,

Nice course, wouldn't mind another round there, hint hint

 

[User 105]

I can suffer from this from time to time. Usually with me it's because I'm very technical in my thinking and I just over complicate things and just plain confuse myself.

Having a good pre-shot routine has really helped me. It helps me clear my mind and focus before I step over the ball. Not thinking about "oh, must remember to do this and that in my swing, mustn't hit this left because of trees, right because of OOB etc etc etc"

 

[SugarPenguin]

What's the right tempo? I seem to struggle when I try to execute the perfect swing, but when I swing a bit faster, I seem to get better results. Hard to know what is the right tempo!

Its not really swinging faster. Its more of the speed and smoothness of the transition at the 'top' of your swing. Nice and slow winding takeaway and at the top - a smooth downwards motion. Nice and rhythmic. Everything is connected and not 'jerky' if you focus on the tempo.
Like phil said - think of seve.
Think of that in your shot and your swing will improve naturally and the ball striking/results will follow.
Its all I think about now during my swing and this includes putting as well. My lag putts are really solid now and I really struggled with long putting.

 

[woody69]

Stop going to the range. Practice on the course.

 

[Mozza73]

Welcome to Golf.

In all seriousness repeating shot after shot off a rubber mat gets you nowhere, stepping off this scenario onto a golf course is like experiencing an entirely different sport.

 

[pendodave]

Stop going to the range. Practice on the course.

Can there be any other answer?

If a swing doesn't work on the course, why bother to practice it over and over at the range? There could be a number of reasons why it doesn't work, but it doesn't really matter what it is. Just stop it !

If you're a member of a club, just go along when it's quiet and work on your game with a couple of balls until you have something that works on a proper golf course.

I would go a little further and say that if it doesn't work in a comp when there's a tiny bit of pressure, then it isn't working either, but one step at a time...

Good luck.