Trying to get better but get worse

Watching the golf telecast today and heard the story about the former champion who won then 3 years later out of pro golf.  Apparently he tried to get better and make changes but lost his ability to compete.  This isn't unique in pro golf.  Similar thing happened to me.  3 years ago I was much better than I am now and I've worked hard (went from shoting 81-83 really consistantly to 90+).  Just curious to if this is common.

Everyone that strives to be better has to make changes. Some are a step backwards initially or permanently. Kuchar made swing changes a few years back and it's taken a while to get used to the changes and win again. Funny the commentators didn't tear him apart like they do tiger. .....

I've worked on full swing methods that did not work for me and abandoned them. If you attempt to teach yourself a new method, the process is slow and and one can go back before going forwards. I think your body and mind takes better to some methods than others.

I got worse before I got better making my changes.  I hit the ball alot more solid but, I had a problem taking it to the course and when it went bad how to fix it.  After about 8 months I have started to hit it really solid and when it gets going bad I can adjust to feels instead of mechanical fixes.  It gets worse before it gets better at least for most of us.

Sometimes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" really makes sense.  Didn't something similar happen to Seve Ballesteros?

The golfer you're referring to is Craig Perks the 2002 Players champion. Just to clarify, he was not considered to be a good tour player before that victory. He played remarkably well that week, chipping in on the final few holes to win, etc. (not the take anything away from his victory). After that, he changed swing, caddy, management, coaches, everything, in an attempt to get better. So it's not just that he got worse, a lot of people blame his falling out on his ditching what he already had and replacing it which completely messed with him and it was a downhill spiral from there. In other words, in an unusual case not something to generalize from.

But yes, it is possible to go downhill like that. Happened to my father. He used to shoot in the 80's for years now he's back into the 90's. He played much more back then though so logically that can be blamed. I think for players other than professionals it just has to do with efficient practice and a lesson or two to get back on track if you're falling off.

What does "better" mean?  Better scoring average?  I changed my swing and got much better tee-to-green.  Didn't change my scoring average much because I didn't work a lot on putting.  I still have maybe 3 3-putts inside 20 feet per round.  Am I a better golfer?  I have a better swing.  That's all I can really say.

Also, people aren't golfing machines that you can plug some magical formula into and out comes the correct output.  It just doesn't work that way.  Even if you make changes that are technically correct, it takes time to get your brain to let you stop making compensations to hit the ball.  I still flip it left sometimes even though the face is square and I know it's square.  It's just a habit that takes time to undo.

Seems to be a pretty common thing to be honest...one step back for every 2 steps forward they say...

happens to us all from the mere amateur to the highest pros...

Keep at it - remember it is a game! ;)

I don't think it is uncommon for pros.  There are so many that do well on tour then lose it for whatever reason.

I understand changing is a process and you can hit the ball less solidly during that time.  But for me, it was unbelievable how badly I played.  The changes I was attempting to make on video made sense.  The top of my swing has always been a mess but that extra time/compensations to get the club in deliverable position helped slow down my arms.  When I tighten up my backswing I get so quick I've hit toe shanks, flat out miss the ball, lots of totally horrible shots that make the game not fun.  I'm sure what I was working on didn't mix with something I was doing or it was just the wrong thing.  Now at the range I work on hitting it solidly and having a tee shot I can repeat.  To do that, I pretty much am trying to forget everything I was working on for the last 3 years.

I'm at the point I just want to have fun.  I really don't care if I'm playing a pull cut, coming over it, whatever I do.  I'm well aware I don't have the most effective swing and it could be better.

I look at the champion's tour, PGA tour, and what I consider highly skilled golfers swings.  There are so many that are unorthodox but can play at a high level on tough courses.  To me, a good move is one you can repeat.  And I don't think everone can have a perfect move and repeat it.

Maybe I'm weak minded, not cordinated, or whatever.  But I just want to get back to playing to a good 10.  I had fun playing that way and that is why I play.