I just don't "get it". What to try next.

I don't want to sound like a whiney loser, but I am so frustrated at this game. I'm sure everyone's been here and I'd like some suggestions before I actually give up.

Yesterday, I shot by far my worst round in years. It was so bad, I'm embarrassed to post the score.

I'm getting worse instead of better or even staying the same.

Over the past 5 years I've tried books, videos, private lessons, golf schools, range practice, etc, and I just can't "get it". I have occasional good days and good shots, but can't tell what's different about those days or shots from my typical crappy play. I'm reasonably coordinated for everything else that I do.

I'm not looking for scratch golf, just maybe keeping the ball in play enough to keep up with my friends that play. I spend time looking for my ball, they want to keep moving. I'm always one shot away from disaster, with virtually every shot being an unpredictable crap shoot.

Other than quit, what can I do?

Signed,

whiney loser

Do you have the time to spend on the range? Or to take a few lessons?  I came back to golf after a long layoff and don't have the time or resources to play a lot but I have a range card that gives me 10 large buckets for $80 with five more free.  I spend a couple of hours on the morning of every day that I'm off hitting balls, and although I know that lessons would be a great benefit hitting 1000+ balls a month can really help you to figure things out.

i would say, stay with one thing for a year. If you find a S&T; instructor, try it out for a year, don't go looking at other things. I think clearing the system and devotion to one system will help you out alot.

Put away the golf magazines. Do not read them ... they screw you up.

Sometimes, it helps to take a step back and think about what works or doesn't work for you ... what method worked or did not work.

I went to TGM, then after two years, am going through S&T; now - read the book several times and look at videos - taking time with it. It's tough to learn and play because it's tough to relax. So I learn on the range.

Have no ideal what goes right or wrong for you ... whether it's focus, flexibility (something physical) or mental ...

Chris Mulvey ... how's it going?

I would recommend taking a lesson and really try to nail down some basic concepts like grip, stance, and alignment. The guys I play with that are higher caps seem really inconsistent from the start.  We all have bad days, but it's the good ones that bring us back.  Hang in there.

I'm going to be contrary and ask you

Have you ever just played?  No thinking about being in this position or I gotta do this with my hands, I gotta swing in to out, I gotta get my weight shift right..blah blah blah blah blah.

Have you ever just let your athletic ability/coordination just have free reign?  I think that far too many golfers get screwed because they worry about every little thing and how "pretty" their swing looks and if they are doing everything by the book instead of actually PLAYING the game.

Do you track your rounds to see where you are dropping shots?

And don't say "everywhere".  Its usually one area - like you blade 2 of every 3 chips, or your irons are shanks, or your driver stinks.  Its usually not everything at once for someone who plays alot.  Keep track of your rounds.

Maybe something in here would help? http://thesandtrap.com/t/49746/post-mortem-130-to-88-in-6-months-what-worked-what-did-not

It took me about six months of playing six days a week to get to around 90 from the 100s.  Maybe your expectations are high?

Forget the range.  If what you're doing isn't working going to the range and simply grooving this won't break you out of your slump.  It's the old doing the same thing and expecting a different result.  Won't happen.  I like the idea of taking all the swing thoughts out of the equation, but again you've grooved your basic motion so if that is flawed you'll have a hard time breaking through the plateau that your natural ability sets for you.  Your best bet will be with a good instructor, but finding that person can be pretty hard.  Still having an experienced set of eyes on you as you practice with the intention of helping you to correct your swing flaws is probably the only thing that will help you get better.  Good luck like you I've been stuck at this same plateau for the last couple of years too.

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+1 on this.  Some lessons would probably help if you can find a qualified instructor.  An instructor should identify tips that are relevant to you and your specific swing issues.  An instructor should also prioritize what to work on first!

I can answer this without knowing any more details about your game.  It's the long game that is the killer....especially for new golfers.  Shots of the tee and fairway are erratic.  Either topped or fatted and go 10' or solid contact that heads into the rough, out of bounds, or some other undesirable location.  I'm also going to guess that you're so happy to finally be near the green that a few chips and 3 or 4 putts is relatively enjoyable compared with the "torture" of tee shots and fairways.  Even if the long game isn't your major score killer (which it likely is), it's definitely your enjoyment killer.  Been there and on some days I'm still there.

I am not qualified to assess anything to do with swing mechanics but (as a fellow beginner) I can tell you a couple of things that have helped me.  Although my score stinks, I can usually get around a golf course OK now and I don't hold anyone up.......most days.  Some things that have helped include:

1. Using properly fitted ultra game improvement equipment to make this game as easy as possible...which is still too damn difficult BTW.  Don't worry about becoming too good for game improvement irons.  I still see excellent golfers on the course with Ping Eye 2s.  If this really concerns you, buy name brand clubs and sell them on Ebay when you become an expert.

2. Focusing practice on irons and hybrids because drivers and woods are ridiculously difficult for most new golfers. I love Ping G15s and these clubs have probably been the single biggest help to improving my enjoyment of the game by allowing me to advance down the fairway better.  Maybe you can find a hybrid (or wood?) that seems to "work" for you and use it exclusively off the tee and fairway.  Better to have fewer clubs and be more proficient that using the full array of drivers, woods, and hybrids and not having any proficiency in any of them.  If I could only take one club other than my irons and putter, it would be my 4h (although my 3h is a close second).  Even on a long par 5, hybrid-hybrid-mid iron or even hybrid-hybrid-hybrid is better than driver-trouble-wood-more trouble and so on.

3. Consider playing more 9 hole courses or shorter full-length courses.....without your buddies who may not want to play these courses.  These can really help you build confidence by reducing miss hits that are unplayable.  I found that I often play worse when I'm with my wife and brother-in-laws.  I think it's because I'm more relaxed when I play by myself or even with strangers that I meet on the course.

This game is inherently frustrating but I hope that you can at least get to the point where you're having fun.

I'm not taking about a "beat a bucket" session at the range.  Actually go to the range and pay attention to what your doing.  Take your time.. Start with one club make half swings until you hit it in a decent manner.  Then go 3/4 and so on.... When I get a nasty glitch in my swing, I don't play until I get it figured out.  Always at the range.  I go back and start from scratch.  1/2, 3/4, Full shots with each club until I get it back in order.... Watch your divots, flight path, etc.... The range takes the "score" aspect out of it.  Easier to "work" on your game at the range when your not worrying about your playing partners waiting for you and such.  I'm not opposed to the instructor thing, but he never really made it clear if he has 1. the time 2. the funds, to do so.

I appreciate all of the comments. Before responding in detail, I'd like to think about what you've all said, try to better analyze my specific issues if possible, and make a cogent useful post.

Thanks.

Agree with this. Start with a clean slate. Choose a golf swing philosophy that makes sense to you, immerse yourself in that philosophy, and stick with it. Avoid all other tips/advice/theories/methods/etc. Keep it simple. If you are at a breaking point, don't play a full 18 holes with 14 clubs for a while. I'd recommend just playing par 3 courses with wedges until you feel better again. If you feel the need to play 18 holes, grab the iron you hit the best and your putter and play 18 from the front tees with those two clubs.

I finally "got it" this last weekend. After shooting a career low 85, I went to the range to try and figure out what I was finally doing right. I basically forgot the last 4 months (just started this summer) of youtube videos and reading I had done and just let my swing do its thing. I hit about 250 balls during that session and now I can hit all my irons 4-9 effortlessly without fear of a shank.

Anyway, I suggest as others have said, try and minimize your thinking and technique and just naturally go out and let your body do its thing during your swing. With that said, you should still have a few good basics established - grip, alignment, ball position.

Find what will work for you. It took me 4 months, but man it feels great once you "get it".

When I got back into golf last year after several years of low activity I decided to go to golf school for a week.  Found a good one where the instructor worked with what I already had and didn't try to rebuild my swing.  Had a great time, made some nice changes to my swing and learned some other things to work on.  If you have that opportunity the continuity of a week with an instructor might be a place to start.