i feel like giving up, i can't even hit the ball

[twinke masta]

every shot i take is either fat or thin, i been trying everything. I've taken numerous gouges out of my lawn, deck, etc and now my 8 iron is messed up. I just can't hit the ball right, i know i have only been playing for about 4 weeks but its really frustrating. I dont know if this is the right sport for me, i feel like i should give up before it is too late and i pour all my soul, time and money into this.

[MA5Bergey]

i know i have only been playing for about 4 weeks but its really frustrating.

I stopped reading here. Trust me, from one beginner to another, golf is a game that takes time and time and time and time to master. Even Tiger shanks a few balls every round. You can't expect to be great, or even good, after a month. I'm sure you have a great golfer within you just like everyone does. It's just a matter of patience and practice.

[jamo]

Even Tiger shanks a few balls every round.

I wouldnt say he shanks a few, mishits is more like it

[chad1043]

Find someone to go hit balls with. Go to the driving range and ask for help. Fat and thin is beginners golf... I still do the same thing. Don't give up and keep at it.

If all else fails, go talk to a pro at a clubhouse. You might get some lessons and see where you go from there.

[twinke masta]

Yeah i been getting lessons for the last month on and off, it do well at the range but when I am hitting or chipping in my backyard i lose that confidence and start hitting like i just picked up the club for the first time

[chad1043]

I guess... Don't practice in your backyard.

[RocketSauce]

if you're gonna quit, ill take that FT-i squareway off your hands, hehe

[Marinemike]

Don't lose faith. It's all about confidence, and yours is in the tank right now. Read 2 books. I know you've seen them talked about on here (I don't shut up about them): Ben Hogan's 5 Lessons; The Fundamentals of Golf, and Bob Rotella's Golf is Not a Game of Perfect.

They are both right up your alley. BTW, I busted my 6 iron off just above the hosel when I started from hitting so fat. I got stress fractures in my rear hand thumb because of a mix of improper grip and hitting it fat. You got nothin' on me when it comes to hitting fat. So open a beer, sprawl out on the couch with good golf books, and remember that somebody out there has it much worse than you!

[twinke masta]

Thanks guys, I feel like I am overreacting. I will head over to another lesson this week and try to fix this fat, thin jazz.

[wabobbo]

don't get discouraged. just keep at it and you'll do better.
every one has problems with thier game.

[HSip]

Thanks guys, I feel like I am overreacting. I will head over to another lesson this week and try to

Just relax, don't give up. Take the lessons and remember that somewhere between fat and thin is JUST RIGHT! Good Luck

[blackxpress]

Trust me on this. If you're able to quit after 4 weeks, DO IT! When I had been playing 4 weeks I was a horrible golfer but I was hooked so bad there was no way I could've quit. The thought didn't even cross my mind.

[willman611]

i know how ya feel cause for the past month and a half i have been playin the worst ive ever played in over a year but im still playin in tournaments and stuff. but if you give up now ull regret it later and just because you hit the ball thin or fat doesnt mean you have to quit. it just means that you have to practice some more until you get it right. but first in my opinion i would say take a week or so off then start practicing again but it takes a long time to get good at this game. i would know cause i didnt even start making any progress until about a year or so after i started and ive been playin for a bout 5 or 6 years now and i still have bad weeks or months like everyone else does. but once again dont give up just try even harder and break through!!

[sdped1]

Golf has got to be one of the toughest sports to learn. For most of us it takes years to even get half way descent and then we have periods when we too can get discouraged. When I'm at the golf course and see all the golfers I wonder about the type of personality we have in common. I think part of it has to be stubborness. I had a friend that finally gave up after a few years, he never could break 100. I never could talk him into lessons, which I thought was strange becsause he really wanted to play better. I think your on the right track, keep your expectations realistic though. It might take a whole season to get the swing down. If your having a bad practice session stop and try it again the next day. That brings me to mental part of the game, relax, have fun. If you get too serious you won't relax and that's the worst thing in the swing. Try to have fun when practicing, your going to have bad swings,mishits etc. But try to take something positive out of each practice session. Hang in there- Steve

[shankapotamus]

Don't lose faith. It's all about confidence, and yours is in the tank right now. Read 2 books. I know you've seen them talked about on here (I don't shut up about them): Ben Hogan's 5 Lessons; The Fundamentals of Golf, and Bob Rotella's Golf is Not a Game of Perfect.

I don't think anybody could have put it better.

[squaddie]

Thanks guys, I feel like I am overreacting. I will head over to another lesson this week and try to fix this fat, thin jazz.

That's the right attitude. Just keep practicing and stay focused and your swing will gradually improve.

I've only been playing a year and I still have quite a few swing problems, including hitting it fat every few swings. But 1 out of 5 of my swings are really good, and those are the shots I look forward to and keep me going in my practice and studies. I was at the range today trying to teach a buddy of mine to swing, who never hit a ball before. After 50 balls each he told me I was too modest about my swing and I thought I hit really well, as I was really being critical of myself after every one of my mis-hits. Though I had a number of mis-hits and two bad shanks, but over half of my shots were straight and perhaps 20% straight and long. Be sure to set some specific goals and milestones to work on (perhaps set them with your instructor) and you will see continued progress (see my sig for an example).

[ApocG10]

Its a frustrating sport. You will hate it some days, and that will make you love it more. Lol..

Just enjoy yourself, and play one hole at a time. If you get off to a bad start, take a few deep breaths, and remind yourself that its going to get better.

[freakybayar]

My first 5 rounds were total disaster, thank god i was playing with friends who were good and gave me small tip here n there and now i'm breaking 100 :P

one of the tips that helped me was "imagine yourself in a phone booth that you have no room to move"