How do I get consistant?

**Iowa Hawkeye** · March 17, 2009

When I make a good swing I usually hit great shots. I've pretty much fixed my push-slice I had, but I can't seem to make a consistent swing. Its about 33% each of good, top, and chunk. When I hit off of the fake grass at the indoor range this winter I started hitting consistent but when I get out I mess up. I'm not sure if I'm more relaxed at the dome and on the course I get the mindset of "I get one swing better make it good."

Also, I'm starting to be able to put good spin on my wedge shots, but I need to learn how to control direction.

Any advice would help. Thanks

**jambalaya** · March 17, 2009

When I make a good swing I usually hit great shots. I've pretty much fixed my push-slice I had, but I can't seem to make a consistent swing. Its about 33% each of good, top, and chunk. When I hit off of the fake grass at the indoor range this winter I started hitting consistent but when I get out I mess up. I'm not sure if I'm more relaxed at the dome and on the course I get the mindset of "I get one swing better make it good."

Hitting off the mats can mask some otherwise bad shots. You won't hit it fat nearly as much off the mats like you do on real grass. Bringing your game from the range to the course is often elusive. Yep, having only one chance to do it right makes a difference.

**montru** · March 17, 2009

Re: How do I get consistant?

A: Practice

But seriously, I have found that the mats will give you an almost fluffy like lie so the club will slide under the ball nicely, when out on the course and asuming your in the fairway you'll probably have a tight lie (espesially this time of year) and the club will not slide under the ball and take a divot on hard ground, it may be a factor!!

**PiKapp23** · March 17, 2009

Key to consistency: Lessons to instill good habits, the practice, practice, practice.

Practice alone is not enough because practicing the wrong things or bad habits will not help you get better. Another thing that can help (especially after lessons) is visualization. It's amazing how much it can help when you can't practice for real (and hitting off mats is only barely practice).

The mats are fine for driver (if the tee height is right), but that's about it.

**Jay-Bird** · March 17, 2009

Practice until your hands bleed. Rinse and repeat daily.

**itzzzberny** · March 17, 2009

you have to play a bit more conservative. every shot doesn't have to be the highlight of the day. 230 yards to the green: maybe instead of trying to reach it in one, go for a lay up leaving a easy 20 yard pitch.
sometimes trying to reach for a shot will leave you a crappy lie behind a tree/bush or even in the trap a bit too close to the lip.
if it were me i would always keep my swing very relaxed (75% effort)
my shots won't be as long but i can manage the course better and be much more consistent.

**soloredd** · March 18, 2009

you have to play a bit more conservative. every shot doesn't have to be the highlight of the day. 230 yards to the green: maybe instead of trying to reach it in one, go for a lay up leaving a easy 20 yard pitch.

This is great advice and something I've been incorporating into my game. Last year (my first full year of playing) I would have taken a 3 wood out on 230 to the green. I usually hit my 3 wood about 215 so I wouldn't make it with a typical shot let a lone a great shot. I'd end up putting myself in trouble. This year, I've been using my 22 hybrid and putting it about 50 yards from the green and leave a nice pitch shot. Even if I mis-hit the pitch, it's usually because its short - and I'd rather have that than a wayward 3 wood to recover from. I'm now bagging the 3 wood unless it's a tee shot or on a long par 5 from the fairway.

**Iowa Hawkeye** · March 18, 2009

I don't mean that every shot has to be great, I guess its more like I have one chance to not mess it up. I find myself cutting a 2 shotter into say a 7 and a bit longer wedge than say a 5 and that same wedge distance from a crappy lie.

**KwSipp** · March 18, 2009

This is great advice and something I've been incorporating into my game. Last year (my first full year of playing) I would have taken a 3 wood out on 230 to the green. I usually hit my 3 wood about 215 so I wouldn't make it with a typical shot let a lone a great shot. I'd end up putting myself in trouble. This year, I've been using my 22 hybrid and putting it about 50 yards from the green and leave a nice pitch shot. Even if I mis-hit the pitch, it's usually because its short - and I'd rather have that than a wayward 3 wood to recover from. I'm now bagging the 3 wood unless it's a tee shot or on a long par 5 from the fairway.

I wouldnt neglect the long distance part of the game although it can get you in trouble, its very important to learn and polish.

**Ben** · March 18, 2009

Positive thinking goes a long way, along with practice of course. But as long as you remember and build off the good, that's what you need. Take notes when you think of a really good swing thought. That way if things start to go wrong, you can read your notes and revert back to that frame of mind.

**Ian** · March 18, 2009

I wouldnt neglect the long distance part of the game although it can get you in trouble, its very important to learn and polish.

i agree with that completely, if you work on that 3 wood and polish it to the same level of your hybrid you will be that much closer.

**itzzzberny** · March 19, 2009

don't get me wrong. if you can reach it in one, do it. but for the sake of trying to play consistent, you gotta make wise decisions. its okay to play aggressive but there is always the time and place to do so.
ie: don't go for the gusto if the green is surrounded by bushes/trees/cliff. i mean thats just common sense. if you got a green and its surrounded only by grass and maybe 1 trap, it could be good time to be more aggressive. but it all depends on each player and how comfortable they are w/ their long shots.

good luck w/ your game.

**1dayIllBaPro** · March 20, 2009

have you tried writing down your swing thoughts? I wrote them down. I also wrote down what I always do wrong.

and about repeating your body movement, do you play another sport? Have you tried throwing a tennis ball through the same hole or to a target over and over? Throwing a tennis ball to a spot on the wall over and over, and catch it with one hand? Shooting basketball from the same spot? I play so many sports since I was young and I realize these stuff help me with my consistency.

Wonder why I type "over and over". Because golf swing is about doing the same thing, over and over.

**KwSipp** · March 20, 2009

don't get me wrong. if you can reach it in one, do it. but for the sake of trying to play consistent, you gotta make wise decisions. its okay to play aggressive but there is always the time and place to do so.

You make a good point about that but one thing your forgetting is if you neglect one part of your game you put more pressure on other parts if your worried about making par or better, short game inparticular...but like alot of guys know theres tour pros that make a living off their short game so its not unlikely to play well with your way...

**wannabe** · March 20, 2009

with your index, you already have a lot more consistency than I do. Maybe you have learned to groove certain clubs, but have a swing flaw that is keeping you from always getting results?

just be the ball, Danny. (sorry, just had to use that once on here)

Seriously, I'm lessons & practicing. I figure I gotta be pretty near awesome on the range to be able to get the kind of consistency I want to see on the course. I also want to be able to hit my woods & long irons well, with good form. Grass tees for irons at the range, definitely. And you gotta be able to hit those iron shots from balls on the ground at the grass tees, not propped up on a short tee. Try and put the same pressure on yourself on the range as you do on the course -- every shot has to count. Anyways, that's what I'm doing.

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