Ready to throw in the towel

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site and I was hoping I could talk to a few people that could convince me I can fix my swing and not walk away from the game.  I am 26 and have played recreationally for about 15 years.  I am 6'0", 190 lbs, and in good shape.  However, I have never had any consistency in my game and have battled a slice for a long time.  I have been practicing more over the last few years and taken lessons from pros as well as instruction from a local golf learning center (since I am now working full-time and can afford it).  I feel like the putting and short game instruction has really helped me, but I am completely lost on my full swing.  I thought I was making progress this year until my last outing and the last 2 times to the driving range.  It's as if I've completely forgotten how to hit a golf ball.  I hit behind it every time, even if I try to keep my weight forward the entire time.  It's embarrassing to even go to the range and try to work on something.  I feel like old bed habits have been ingrained in my swing and getting instruction from several different people has me all confused.

Has anyone been in a similar rut before and found something/someone that really helped?  What's my best option at this point?  Just keep working with the local pro and hope for the best?  Or try to find somebody help me completely rebuild my swing from scratch?  I have no illusions of being a tour pro, but I would at least like to hold my own and not feel like I don't belong on the golf course.

Sometimes taking a break from the game for a month and coming back fresh can do wonders.  Maybe take a short break and then start back with lessons.  Find a good instructor who has a methodology that makes sense to you and stick with him.  Schedule one lesson and then work on what they've taught you.  Don't go back for another until you feel you have it down.  Have someone video tape your swing often.

Sometimes you need to burn the prairie to allow for new growth. Radical changes are sometime required to give light to improvement.

When I got so bad I could not stand it, I radically changed my swing to an entire new swing concept. Started with what was then Natural Golf in 2001 and then found Grave Golf (teaches Moe Norman's swing and now owns Natural Golf Instruction -- for about a year -- and has made it pure Moe and is out of the club selling business.)

When I changed in 2001, my grip, setup, takeaway, position at the top, downswing, contact position... everything was new. I went from very bad but comfortable to very bad and uncomfortable before I improved. That was 2001 and my index was 18.0 with my high scores of my last 20 being really high. Last year my index reached a personal low of 6.1 with no rounds in the 90's at one point. Playing less this year and my "bad" index has ballooned up to 9.6. In 2001, I could not image getting as low as 9.6.

I'm straighter, more consistant, can self-correct, LONGER, and have more fun. I'm 52 years old, overweight, have bad knees and a bad back, and am playing the best golf of my life.

Even if Moe's swing is not for you, I suggest you make radical changes and commit to those changes rather than give up the game. If you think you suck now (I knew I sucked in 2001), then what's the worst thing that can happen? Make no small changes. This is your time to start over and learn the swing you hope to have for many years.

You might also just need to work on your mental game.  I used to struggle with negative internal dialog and it really hurt my game.  Theres a number of great mental game books out there but the one that really helped me was, "Zen Golf".  If youve taken lessons you already know how to swing a club.  You may just need to learn how to improve your mental game so that you can get out of your own way.

I didnt quite go through what you are going through, but I did have my struggles.

I started off on my own. A lesson here and there. Reading out of Golf Digest, websites like this, taking tips from anyone. For the first season and a half, I progressed at a fair pace, to where I was shooting low 90's. It seemed like I was 'stuck', just the same scores over and over and over. Playing three times a week, and not getting better. I was completely overloaded with a lot of information that I truly did not understand.

I have been blessed in my life both with athletic ability, and financial security, so I decided to do what I have always done. Get coached and compete.

The first thing I did, put away the instruction books, magazine advice, and on course tips. From now on all of my swing information would come from one source, and I didn't yet know who that source was. So, I narrowed down the things I was looking for in a trainer. He had to believe in true ball flight laws, which I studied at length. He had to believe in a classic style of swing, and striking down on the ball. He had to be willing and able to teach me, at the pace he thought appropriate, and be willing to put as much effort into my game as I was. That is a lot of effort. He had to have a launch monitor available at least bi-weekly, to see my true technical improvement. The rest of the work would be done at the range.

I was able to narrow it down to 3 instructors. Some of them seemed particularly dismayed at the idea of practically doing a job interview to be my trainer, but this was something I was extremely serious about. I took a series of 3 lessons with each coach, and at the end of those sets, I knew, firmly, who I wanted as a swing coach. I worked out a salary deal, lessons twice a week, plus an hour on the launch monitor every second saturday to compare how my swing has changed, and wether its getting closer to or farther from where he wants it.  Hedley is intelligent, quick-witted, and as stubborn as I am. At 64, he has that rough, only hard work will get you where you want to go attitude. I like that, because I enjoy hard work when it comes to sport. I also made an indoor shooting alley, so I can work on my swing anytime, even in the ice, snow, and hail. He also has an indoor facility.

Thats what it took for me to get past that block of low to mid 90's, and recently shot my best ever rounds of 78 within 10 or so days ago, and again tuesday I think it was.I am competing as often as possible in local leagues and tournaments, and plan on doing lots more in the future. I have no delusions of being on tour, but I will be scratch someday, no matter how hard I have to work.

My friend

I am 64 and have just started playing the game again.

If I can build a swing from scratch...(which I am doing now)...so can you...

My advice would be, with the aid of a mirror and U tube lessons by Paul Wilson which

I have discovered recently, you can rediscover your passion for the game, and maybe

improve the swing you originally had...

The enjoyment I had was pretending I hadnt played before and commencing with the

basics like grip and stance.  I am now hitting my irons with a lovely ball flight and will

start on my woods next week...

Cheers all...

The hardest thing about golf, IMHO, is that the smallest change can have a dramatic effect on your swing. Stand a 1/2" closer to the ball than normal and you may not be able to get the ball airborne. Strengthen your grip 1/8" and you may suddenly be pulling the ball. And so it goes... We have all been there - one day you're shooting the best golf of your life and the next you can't hit it out of your own shadow. That's golf!

First thing to do is RELAX. The game isn't going anywhere. Take a few days off. The next time you go to the range your swing may be back. Second, I would invest in a camera capable of doing some high speed video so you can record your swing. There really is no substitute for being able to see your swing on video. "Feel is not real" and what you think you're doing and what you're actually doing are probably two different things. Post the swing in the My Swings forum and you'll get some great feedback on what you need to work on.

My radical advice is to play with the longest club that you can hit straight right now. Leave the rest of the clubs home. If your short game is OK, then you have the elements of a full swing working for you. Think of a full swing as a pitch, but just more of it. Gradually work your way into longer swings one club at a time, not adding a club until you have practiced it thoroughly on the range.

If you try this, you would be surprised at first at how well you can score if you hit nothing longer than a 7-iron, for example, but straight. Just don't be playing from the tips.

This doesn't speak to a slice cure, and short irons can hide a slice swing, but this might be a way to work it out on your own.

Thanks to everyone for the info.  I think I'll take it slow and work on pitch shots for a while and work back up to full swing.  Perhaps I'll invest in a camera, as that sounds like a great way to work on things by myself.

I'm self taught....mostly. I have taken 2 or 3 lessons thru the years but everyone wanted to rebuild my swing !.......but I  have physical limitations that prevent me from swing perfect. I worked on things at the range and as of late got a video camera and it helps alot to be able to see your flaws.

Now my Friend has taken lessons, gone to camps, clinics and so on thru the years and is a GOOD golfer. He will drop a hint ever now and then to me on my swing. One day, after he had returned from a 4 day clinic he told me that the 1st day they hit balls about 10 yards, for half a day. Second half they hit them 25 yds..  Second day same thing hittin the balls 40 yds, 60yds and up to 100yds. Then they went and played some golf. He told me he got more out of that clinic than any before it. I ask" What did U learn? "  To which he replied , " Control of the club face! It's the most important part of the club when it meets the ball."

So that is my swing thought nowadays....where is my clubface ?

Don't give up. I've played for about 50 yrs now and still enjoy a day at the course.....if U don't take it TO seriously

Everyone has an opinion....

1. Get yourself to a PGA professional. A set of eyes on your swing can do wonders.

2. What *really* changed my game? Leading the swing with the left / lead side.

Taking the club back with the left arm / shoulder (I'm a righty) has made such a drastic change....it is unreal.

Better should turn, more square at impact, and better trajectory. Plus I'm less likely to whip the club inside on the takeaway too quickly.
(Granted what works for me may not work for you...but wow.)

Also try putting with a leading left arm. Easier to get through the ball and more square at impact.

Good luck... I feel your pain.

Let me guess your professionals told you to practice your time on putting and short game to improve your game. You really should focus most of your time on your long game.

You might be thinking your getting your weight forward, but you might actually be moving backward in the downswing. I recommend finding a professional that uses a video camera, you can really get work done there. You can try movements that look right and see how they feel, and you be suprised at how you would never thought that movement feels that way.

Too bad you don't live in Rhode Island, I could show you how to hit the ball straight in one day like I tought myself. Here's my deal, hadn't been to the driving range in ten years, went with my cousin, who's been golfing for years(still can't hit the ball straight) lol, so I am slicing, and hooking and skulling etc....very frustrating. Scored a practice net, auto ball feeder and driving range mat off craigslist 25 bucks good deal and went to work.

I am a research maniac, and one thing I learned about instructors is this......they say they can fix your slice or hook, blahblahblah, but they are not capable of hitting the ball with zero sidespin, so how the hell can they teach you how to do that. ALL YOU INSTRUCTORS OUT THERE: show me how to hit the ball with zero sidespin and perform it or don't waste my time.

The perfect shot has zero left or right spin. PERIOD. only backspin. Be it a driver or a wedge.THEN you learn how to draw and fade.People are learning backwards

Step up to the tee and what do you do? HOPE, PRAY, and FEAR the next 5 seconds. I can show you how to eliminate that thought process and train your brain to understand,learn,and feel the connection between the ball and the clubface at the point of impact.

I am going to bang out some youtube videos and I will post the links, I am not trying to sell aything, I just make videos that help people out.

My own results go like this:

Day 1: hook shank slice skull top SWEAR REPEATEDLY :)

Day 2: research and research and research and research

Day 3: hit 500 balls in the backyard with a 3 iron off the mat training my brain to understand that I should be able to do what I want in 1 day. DO NOT EVER DOUBT YOURSELF EVER.

Day 4: go to the driving range and try my new technique. REPEATEDLY dropped a 3 iron shot at 175 STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW with ZERO FADE and ZERO DRAW.

Of course at the range I still had some hooks, fades, slices and skulls, but remember, this is after 1 day

.

There is NOTHING like the feeling when you're watching that ball go absolutely dead straight and never veer off the target line until it lands. And the guy next to you says "nice shot" and he's been playing golf for ten years.

Now I am excited about hitting the ball, its fun, not frustrating, and I know what has to be done to hit what I am aiming at instead of hoping the ball does not slice 75 yards off target.

So with that said, don't give up hope man, I know what you're feelin. I am going to shoot some videos and they will help you out....golf is common sense and the swing is overcomplicated. If you're willing to retrain your thought process, I can help. Stay tuned

LOL

not understanding what is so funny.....I guess you have no desire to hit the ball with nothing but backspin and keep the ball straight? either that or you might not be capable? which one is it?

No desire whatsoever.  I am looking for a good miracle tonic.  Have any in stock?

Started out as a 30HC a few years ago and have worked my way down to an 11 and still working. I had zero clue what I was doing when I started and it was a real eye opener when I first got my swing analyzed on video.

1. Find an instructor you like and stick with him or her.  Instead of buying new clubs that you think will magically fix your game, use the money on lessons.

2. Quit taking tips from others on the course or on the range unless they are your instructor.

3. Get a mirror, take it home, and spend 15-20 minutes a day working on what your instructor showed you.

4. Do at least a 30 minute session once a week with your instructor for as long as it takes to change your bad habits.  My biggest mistake was taking an hour lesson, practicing and reverting back to my old swing, and then go get a lesson in a month.  Instructor looked at me and asked me if I was serious about getting better.  I said I was working hard and he simply said you may be working hard but not smart.  We now do a video session every 3 lessons to see what changes I have made and if I am falling off course a bit he can easily help me fix something now instead of letting it get worst.

5. Quit hitting so many balls at the range and learn the mechanics without consequences.  For me, the worst thing I did was hit buckets of balls, watch ball flights, not get the shots I wanted and go right back to bad habits to try and fix it.  Learn the mechanics at home and in the mirror and the results will come.

There are so many other things to do such as short game, etc. etc. but looking at it from a simple game improvement standpoint, speaking for myself and many I know who simply struggle at the game it all comes down to mechanics and belief in yourself.  I have literally talked myself into a 100+ round by simply making excuses on why I was going to play bad (haven't played in a while, etc. etc) instead of focusing on what I need to do and execute.

Everytime I start playing bad I get a video session and every single time it is because I am doing something wrong in the swing.  Mechanics and mindset is everything in this game and if you are failing at one or both, you are toast.