How to put it all together.... Frustrated

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By wormburner

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  1. wormburner

    wormburner
    hawaii

    Hi Team,

    Just wondering if any of you have any tips on putting the game together. I'm very lucky to get out on the course once or twice a month due to personal and family obligations but, I do go to the range once or twice a week.

    It seems sometimes the driving is in the pits, but second shots are just off the green. Some days I find 5 or 6 bunkers in a round. Having highs and low points during a round is really frustrating. Sometimes I'm putting for a birdie and the next hole I find myself in the bunker or 3 putting. Just can't get it together and keep it there like before. Is it a mental lapse, lack of playing on the course, lack of confidence and second guessing myself?

    I feel like I'm guessing distance and club usage. Yesterday was a prime example where on a par 3, I thought I had the perfect hit going straight towards the pin when it went splash, just 5 yards too short. It felt good, just a little thin that I could get by with but, it just didn't get there.

    The swing seems fine, just not confident that every shot I take is the right one. Should I play like its all or nothing and just keep plugging away. Will the results come?

    Any suggestions?

  2. masamitsu

    masamitsu
    Parker, CO

    A couple of thoughts.

    On the range : are you just banging balls or are you doing more focused practice?

    On the course : what's really helped me is working on my course management. Like the par 3 you mentioned. On the tee you need to decide where can you miss it and still manage par. If there is water short, you miss has to be long.

    My swing hasn't really changed but course management and working on the short game and putting has helped me drop 10 strokes off my index in 2 year. You can do it, just devise a plan and stick to it.

    Good luck and play well!
  3. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    masamitsu said:

    A couple of thoughts.

    On the range : are you just banging balls or are you doing more focused practice?

    On the course : what's really helped me is working on my course management. Like the par 3 you mentioned. On the tee you need to decide where can you miss it and still manage par. If there is water short, you miss has to be long.

    My swing hasn't really changed but course management and working on the short game and putting has helped me drop 10 strokes off my index in 2 year. You can do it, just devise a plan and stick to it.

    Good luck and play well!

    Masamitus pretty much said it all... Great tips all around...

    The only thing i'll add is the range part. Before I had a lesson last year, the pro asked me the same question; banging around or focusing? I was more just banging around looking to make good contact with the ball. He basically told me i'm wasting my time. You need to find a target and hit it, not just once but 5-7 times. Start with the wedge first and work your way up but don't move onto the next club until you reach your goal (hitting the target X amount of times).

    I know the range balls will not fly far but at least you're working on your target (accuracy) which i think it's the most important part of the game.

    IMO, accuracy over distance any day.

    Only other thing is maybe get a few lessons. Seeing the pro last year really helped my game. The small things he pointed out really made a huge difference. Now it's up to me to work on it.

    Good luck and remember have fun!
  4. Keith M

    Keith M
    Acworth, GA

    If I didn't know better, I would have sworn I wrote your post. Same issues here.

    Distance, contact, swing, all feel inconsistent. You make it to the range more than I do, but I know what you mean. Lately, I'm struggling with a case of the shanks. It's like I've forgotten how to play golf.

    My suggestion is just keep fighting. Some days you reach back and all is good, other days you feel like a blind man in a cave, trying to find his way. You mentioned lack of focus, which is something I think I struggle with as well, but I think the key is not over thinking and just let your body do what it knows it should be doing. The mind has too much of an opportunity to get in the way in golf.
  5. Craig G

    Craig G
    Lubbock, TX

    Bob Rotella's, Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect, and Golf Is A Game Of Confidence, really helped out my mental side of the game and improved my consistency quite a bit.
  6. Dwayne N

    Dwayne N
    Island, KY

    Read a few articles lately that stated 90% of all amateur misses are short. One article was how Johnny Miller once won a Major by clubbing down on every approach shot on the final round. The just of both articles stated that the majority or amateurs would benefit from clubbing down on every approach shot. If you can hit a 7-iron to 150 play it 140 and use the 6 -iron for 150. I know exactly what I can hit every club to when struck well problem lies in that I am not consistent as a pro most of my shots are not on the screws. I have tried it if it is a 160 yard shot into a green I hit my 170 capable club with a smooth swing and usually its on the green where as if I had hit my 160 club a little off it will fall short, Give it a try one round and see if your GIR doesn't improve and you'll putt better because you will be closer to pin. Well hope it helps, has me.
  7. D. MARSHALL

    D. MARSHALL
    Anchorge, AK

    you guys really made me think about this and what I came up with is. I was almost late for a tee time and no time to practice with I always do before a round.so when I was in the parking lot loading my clubs i'm thinkin ok no practice what is my swing thought. so I remembered telling my son about 20 year prier. I saw him using a bow saw just hackin at it and getting the blade stuck. and I said don't force it just let the saw do the work and it will go easy. so ok down to the the tee box I go thinking nice and easy. easy back easy forward and the club won't get stuck . i've been thing that ever sense it works for me
  8. Chris G

    Chris G
    Washington, UT

    If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting.

    Driving range practice is all good for fine tuning your swing and ball contact but if you're not swinging correctly, it's difficult to improve.

    I would take one of those range days per week or at least every other week and see a PGA Pro. They will get your swing on a better track and this will help you with contact and consistency.

    Once you pick up a little confidence in your swing and ball contact, then your course management skills will improve. I took a group of lessens last year and dropped my handicap 10 strokes just by refining my swing. I never thought I could get any better but working with a Pro was all I needed.

    To get good at this game takes real commitment and a lot of practice, practicing correctly.

    I had similar issues with my game as you do. Seeing a PGA Pro helped me work through my faults and I learned to manage my game better. It helped me a lot!

    Good luck, "easy swing, easy game".

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