Worst practice session in a long time

[TN94z]

Well, as some of you may have seen, I have starting working with a teacher in hopes of getting my handicap down this year. We have changed a few things. It has been nothing really dramatic, basically just a few tweaks in my takeaway and hips. You would think that would be no big deal right? Wrong..for me anyway. I went to the range yesterday and all I was focusing on was getting my hips cleared much more than before. This really made a big difference in my swing speed which helps my distance. The problem is that when I clear my hips like I am supposed to, it feels like it has greatly increased my tempo and the transition from the top to my downswing has gotten uncomfortably quick. This is leading to very poor shots!

When I try to slow this down, it feels like it kills my hip turn and the upper body starts the downswing. I know that with this being new, that it is going to take me a while to get used to everything...I have had my old swing for years and years now. It just makes me feel like the more hip turn is making my swing uncontrollable. I have faith that this feeling will change with more sessions.

I almost felt like I had the old swing and new swing going at the same time yesterday. Everything was just off!! Needless to say, if anyone had asked what my hadnicap was at the range....I would have been called a liar! Anyway, I just needed to vent a little as I was very frustrated with the results yesterday.

[opie]

I understand your pain. I'm going through the same thing with the hips thing. I never thought it'd be such a hard thing to change. I found a slight pause at the top of my swing with my arms will help get my hips going first and then everything else comes though. My tempo got way out of whack with lower body changes.

At a 3 HC you'll get it and be scratch before you know it

[Scrape-o-TheClown]

Just stay with it......it will all come around in time for the summer season

[TN94z]

I understand your pain. I'm going through the same thing with the hips thing. I never thought it'd be such a hard thing to change. I found a slight pause at the top of my swing with my arms will help get my hips going first and then everything else comes though. My tempo got way out of whack with lower body changes.

The weird thing is that I had hip turn before and I am just trying to add more hip turn...I really need it earlier as my hip turn was also late. So its not a huge change.

Just stay with it......it will all come around in time for the summer season

That would be great! I am just impatient. I have gotten better and I will never rush a swing change or give it up.....I just can't wait to see the results!My main focus is to get everything ironed out by next year. I really want to hit the tournaments next year, so I have dedicated this entire year to trying to get my handicap as low as I can by then.

[billm408]

Personally, I think it's better to work on swing changes without hitting balls. The tendancy is to judge the value of the practice on where the ball goes or the contact, when that has very little to do with what you're trying to accomplish.

In the past, I've had better success doing this at home or a far corner of the range where I can concentrate on the move without a ball getting in the way. YMMV.

[TN94z]

Personally, I think it's better to work on swing changes

I have actually started spending a lot of time in front of the mirror to make sure I am getting close to all of the positions. I agree with you on this. I could see where the flight of the ball would really deter many golfers from having a descent practice round. While I didn't like what the balls were doing, I didn't let it change my focus on my hips. Usually even with a change I get it working enough to hit some good balls....yesterday was a different session though. I won't have any more time this week to get to the range because I am getting ready to go to Florida Saturday morning...so I will put your advice to work and work on it more at home with no golf ball. Thanks