Mental problem or something else?

**picrig** · February 21, 2009

Here's my problem. I'm working on getting down to a 10-12 by the end of the summer. I've shaved about 2 strokes off my handicap since the beginning of the year. After a lesson 3-4 weeks ago in which we worked on a body release and finishing over my front leg (I have a tendency to hang back on my right side) I really started striking the ball well (was hitting 5-7 GIR instead of 3-4). We've switched focus in my lessons to short game for a while, and my ballstriking has started to regress.

Now the problem. When I'm on the range or taking my practice swing on the course, I take a nice swing, good balance, nice divot in front of the ball, solid contact (generally--obviously there are exceptions). I step up to the ball on the course, take my swing, and suddenly my weight is hanging way back and I hit it fat. I have a feeling it's related to tempo. When I have a half wedge shot (40-70 yards) and I'm taking a nice easy, half swing, I rarely make anything less than solid contact. Is this a mental block? Or something else? Any suggestions? Opinions? Ideas?

**elchene** · February 21, 2009

I'm no expert, but it just seems like you are trying too hard on the course. Play naturally on the course, practice mechanically on the range.

**hrossroth** · February 21, 2009

Sometimes a particular approach to practice can create a golfer who does well on the range but struggles to bring that game out to the course. I have spent time in the past just banging balls, one after the other. If you practice like that you might be interested in a technique that I am bringing to my own practice. This approach to practice includes recreating situations that you would actually find on the course. Try creating imaginary (or real) holes on the range, where you hit the drive with one club, switch, then hit an approach high, low or shape it, all to a target. While you are hitting the individual shots, hit maybe one out of two with the preshot routine that you employ while on the course.

**picrig** · February 22, 2009

I'm not a ball banger at the range and used to not have this problem which is why I kept the "or something else" in the title. I normally do recreate situations on the range, try to visualize each shot, and go through my preshot routine on at least half my shots. I was just out at the range actually and noticed that as I shifted my weight back in the backswing, my weight got out over the outside of my back foot. I was only able to 20-30 balls (dark, cold, and windy), but contact was a lot more solid. We'll see. Thanks for the insight, guys! It's always helpful.

**Quinn07** · February 22, 2009

I don't know what swing thoughts you have however maybe try just having one or two that will force you to shift your weight to the left side. I think when amateurs are trying to change something in their swing, their head gets in the way. Try just using one or two swing thoughts, and like it was said before, just get out of your own way.

**shortstop20** · February 26, 2009

If your weight is moving on the outside of your back foot your body is probably swaying back as well and then you have a hard time adjusting on the downswing leading to a fat shot.

I think you should try bending your knees in at address and have the feeling of your weight being on the inside of your feet and that your feet are screwed into the ground. Make a conscious effort to keep your weight centered more over the ball while you take your backswing.

**lumpuckeroo** · February 26, 2009

Mental block, like the commercial on TV, you know how you are suppose to keep your left arm straight, get to your left side, forget all of that, just hit the ball.

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