My game is regressing

[Slim 11]

Since I started playing regularly and keeping stats, etc (about 4 years ago), I have seen steady improvement. I have dropped about 5 strokes each year to the point that my average score (not handicap, average) was 87 last year. Understanding that it gets more difficult to improve each year, my goal for this year was to drop another stroke or two and get to about 85. Last year I shot regularly in the 80's and could see where I could gain strokes around the green, etc.
This year (although I haven't been keeping my stats as well) I am averaging around 92. It hasn't affected my handicap greatly because I keep posting a low score here and there, but I am definitely playing worse on average.
I know there could be a hundred reasons, so this is mostly just a rant, but has anyone else had that kind of year? It's still reasonably early in the season (for Michigan) and the weather is just now being cooperative to where you can play regularly in decent conditions, so I am holding out hope for improvement, but...
Anyway, got that off my chest. Thanks for listening.

[RCF]

  Slim 11 said:

It's still reasonably early in the season (for Michigan)

Maybe you're putting too much pressure on yourself too soon.

[Mr3Putt]

This game makes no sense... I feel like I'm playing better than ever yet my scores and handicap have gone up again...

There's really no need to fret about it though, I mean in the whole scheme of things, who really cares? As long as I get a greenie here or there, maybe a skin, and win a couple of Nassaus.... I don't mind shooting bad, but I hate getting skunked!

[goblue107501]

I was in a similar position 5-6 years ago. I was stuck in the low-mid 80's. Occasionally I would break 80 but I would need a near flawless day to do it. I wanted to get better and get over that hump so I took a lesson. The first time there the guy showed me my faults and how to correct them. After 6-7 lessons over the next year my swing was changed for the better and now I am more consistent and shooting in the mid-high 70's pretty regularly.

I guess my point is that if you feel like you are stuck take some lessons to see what you problems might be. You might find that someone adjusting your posture, or stance, or grip, or takeaway, etc., will get you on the right track to better scores.

[umpiremark]

Two of the best purchases so far this year that has VASTLY helped my game in the last 3 weeks ... not new clubs, shoes, bag or balls ...

Effortless Swing by Michael McTeigue - great read, great advice on building a solid, useful swing from the ground up;

Tour Tempo Swing by John Novosel - another great read and great advice on getting the swing tempo in the prefrered 3:1 backswing to downswing ratio.

I recommend both books and practice EXACTLY what they teach and you'll see improvements. Truth ...

[Slim 11]

Some good advice so far.

I have been thinking about trying to take another lesson or two. I took a series of them back a few years ago, which really helped me out but, back then, there was so many things I was doing wrong that improvement was fairly easy.

I think you may be right on and I may need a "fine tuning" sort of lesson now to get past the hump. Now I just have to find the time and money.

[$2 Nassau]

You have been experiencing a lot of improvement year after year, and now you have simply hit a wall. I think that is common. I was in the same boat, knocked a lot of strokes off quickly. Then I got stuck around a 15 for a while and felt like I was getting worse. Then last year towards the end I had a breakthrough in my game and got down to an 11. Now I'm back up to a 12 or so, but starting to come around. You are not alone my friend.

[jaragon126]

Similar situation for me ... a couple years ago my handicap was down to a 7 but now I'm back up to 10 or so. This year has been tough. I took a lesson from GolfTec rather than my regular instructor and they made a pretty significant swing change that I've been struggling with. They told me to try to keep my left wrist more flat (which is actually what I see the pros doing when I watch video of them swing) ... which in turn closes the club face more (hopefully promoting more of a draw shot). But unfortunately I think a case of "out to in swing plane" has crept into my swing so I'm hitting low left hooks all the time.

I was about to either revert to my old swing or go see my regular instructor to get help, but yesterday I went to the driving range rather than to play & my swing was awesome! So that tells me there is still hope!

I kinda feel like I am at a wall too. I keep a few stats, and my FIR/GIR are pretty poor at around 40% each. My putting is pretty decent ... rare is a 3putt. Ball striking with my new swing & course management are the areas I think I need to improve. I haven't played much in my tournament league because I have been playing poorly this year ... it's embarrasing to shoot 90s around the guys when I'm used to shooting 80s & high 70s.

[Leftygolfer]

Same boat. I was an 8 at the start of the season, now I am a 10.2. For me it is big numbers. I just got a lesson and I am planning another and this seems to help. My scores don't reflect improvement but I am leaving so many out there. My last round, I had 5 doubles, missed 4+ putts inside of 5 feet, and just not sharp. I know I have my best golf in me right now. It just isn't happening. I am the best I have ever been off the tee, hitting 65-70% of fairways, but just not getting it done with my irons and my misses are so bad I could puke. It is crazy. I mean easy iron shots, and I am pull hooking them into really difficult spots.

I hope this changes, my club championship is this weekend. If I can not make anything bigger than a bogey, I will be ok.

[JLA_8]

Start keeping up with your stats again. It's the one thing that you have definitely changed.

Perhaps you are not focusing as much due to not keeping your stats after each hole.