Taking bad game to the course

[albatross]

When you guys are having a swing problem like the shanks on the range, do you work them out before playing a real round? I've been struggling with certain things and putting in range time but I still want to play rounds of golf.

The problem is that it's hard to leave the practice at the range when you still haven't figured out the problem. What do others do about this?

[wedge player]

When you guys are having a swing problem like the shanks on the range, do you work them out before playing a real round? I've been struggling with certain things and putting in range time but I still want to play rounds of golf.

play your misses if your shankin aim left hooking aim right

[ctw262]

Just go play. It seems you are in your own head at the range, so take time away from the range and go play the course. You may find you are thinking about it too much.

[kevin.chan]

My only bad game is my putting and i still bring in to the green . LOL!

[ApocG10]

actually, I do. I try to forget it and not think, and hope it goes away. Sometimes it does, others it doesnt.

[microcrayfish]

The key is to lower your expectations and expect to have a bad day because of the problems you're having. If you get frustrated because you're playing badly you'll probably only make things worse for yourself and you won't be having any fun. Think of it as an opportunity to try new things and practice those recovery shots that you're certain to need.

A little trip back to when being good at golf wasn't so important and you were content hacking your way around the course can actually do you some good, and you never know, sometimes things just suddenly click when you've been struggling for a while and you have a great round. Get to that golf course!

[wannabe]

I just tried this both ways, and waiting was better for me. I'm in the middle of major swing changes however, with lessons, so this may be different than where you are in your game.

Specifically, I took two lessons, then went to play a round -- shot 137. Didn't go back to a course until I felt good on the range -- nearly three months and 4 more lessons later. Shot a 113, had a blast, and my confidence is higher than ever.

You may need a lesson to help you find your swing flaw and get things in shape before you go play another round. Only you can really determine this.

[lumpuckeroo]

When you guys are having a swing problem like the shanks on the range, do you work them out before playing a real round? I've been struggling with certain things and putting in range time but I still want to play rounds of golf.

That is part of the game also, figuring out how to play when your game is not at it's best. I have found when I hit good at the range, it doesn't translate to a good round, conversly, a bad day at the range doesn't mean a bad round. Go play, that's what the game is about.

[moparman426]

I have been going through this exact same dilemma this week. I was even spending my lunch hours at the range, and my slice was getting me so furious that I ended up flipping out and smashing the ball with all my might after half a bucket or so. There is something about standing on those mats that irks me. I find it so much easier to unwind and relax on the course than I do at the range. By the third hole yesterday, the slice had magically disappeared.....not really magically, but I was able to relax and get back to the basic swing principals without worrying about that 250 sign out in the middle of the fairway.

[GaijinGolfer]

I go to the course with whatever swing I happen to have that day. IMO, if you are shanking, going to the course would be better for you because instead of focusing on swing mechanics you would be focusing on whatever shot you need to hit.

[flopdarock]

whatever happens with me on the range never translates to the course...
so i dont really sweat it...
when im on the range im working on specific aspects of my swing/swing flaws...
when im on the course im working on getting the ball into the hole in as few swings as possible...
heck ive stopped hitting warmups cuz they have no bearing on my game when i step up to the first tee... on the range everything will be hooking/drawing... on the course ill be slicing because im overcorrecting what was happening on the range...
the only thing i really really try to get a feel for before a round... is putting... i definately hit the putting surface before a round to see how the greens are playing

[kyhunter]

funny you should post something like this. I hit some balls monday morning before i played. I probably shanked 5 wedges!!!, could get my driver airborne, and mid-irons were iffy. Got to the course and only hit 3 or 4 "bad" shots (topped). No shanks, irons were crisp, and driver was pretty solid. My wedge game was probably the best i've ever had. Still don't know what happend in that hour between the range and the course, but it all had to be in my head.

[McGolf-Doggie]

The key is to lower your expectations and expect to have a bad day because of the problems you're having. If you get frustrated because you're playing badly you'll probably only make things worse for yourself and you won't be having any fun. Think of it as an opportunity to try new things and practice those recovery shots that you're certain to need.

Well put.

One of the last times after a poor range session, things worked out pretty well on the course. Glad I went. (Not sure I'd go if I had a real bad case of the shanks tho. )

[leftcoastsrt04]

Brought this same question up to a (what I consider a pro) golfer friend. He told me practicing on the range is good. But don't let it keep you off the course.

[Lotok]

If I hit the ball at a driving range I have mainly good, straight shots yet when out on the course I tend to slice alot. The driving range is not always a good place to fix your swing problems. i would say the best way to learn golf is by playing golf.