Done with the range for a while

[opie]

OK.. I'm all ranged out. I practice and practice and practice but just can't take it to the course. Since I've joing a CC and golf is "free" now I'm just gonna play for a while. I'll still practice short game and putting but a few swings here and there and go to the course. I used to not have this problem but after a 4 year layoff I just worry about my bad swings when I play and that equals bad shots. Once my bad shots happen and my don't give a shit attitude takes over I start to hit the ball like I know I can. I expect too much of myself, I'm 100% sure of that. So what can I do to take it to the course. What to think about to trust what I've worked on? To aim at something and be confident that I'm going to hit it?

[shankapotamus]

I would suggest a book by Dr. Bob Rotella.

[Mizzy57]

I would suggest a book by Dr. Bob Rotella.

Hehe, they say the hardest 6 inches in golf is between the ears and the longest walk is from the range to the tee.

When at the range, you need to hit balls with a purpose. Each shot I go thru an abbreviated pre-shot routine, aim, and shoot at a target. I don't mean I'm gonna aim for the third post at the back of the range net, I mean if I'm hitting my driver I pick out a target at 250-260, maybe a bush or the edge of the last target green and say I want my shot to be there. If I hit a draw, I do my alignment for it etc etc. Wedges do the same, Don't just aim for the 100 yd flag. Aim 5 yd's left, right, behind etc. Be specific. This will hopefully help you when you get on the course, same tempo and routine. You're a 13 HCP so you should already have the fundamentals and what yardages you hit. I've read somewhere that the Pro's focus on clumps of dirt or spots/discolorations on the closer target greens when they practice. If you've ever been to a tourney and watched the Pro's at the range you know what I'm talking about. They are slow, relaxed, but methodical. I've never seen one hit more than 10-15 balls with the same club at one time.

[BallStriker]

I will play the course over the range any day....the best days are the one's where I get out alone and can play multiple balls.

Confidence comes from hitting good shots on the course, not on the range....that is my opinion....go play and play and play...once you get past the anxiety of "being on the course" your range sessions will become more and more productive.

My opinion....

[sonomajake]

I will play the course over the range any day....the best days are the one's where I get out alone and can play multiple balls.

yeah im going to 2nd this. just go out and play. most golfers need to work on feel anyway. pitching, punching, fairway sand, etc. those type of shots you cant practice they just happen. maybe take notes while you play? dont go to the range with a general idea of getting better, work on specific stuff. hitting fairway woods off the tee, long irons, 75% swing shots, etc.

[opie]

Played today and was MUCH better. Took the pressure off myself. relaxed and swung easier and made every shot have a purpose. Didn't worry about the bad ones, just accepted it and tried to make the next one good. I also played a lot more conservative. Had a chance to break 40 on the back nine before I started thinking about it and got tense. Will have to work on that. Carded a nine on the closing par 4. Par would have put me at 39.. lol

[Mizzy57]

Had a chance to break 40 on the back nine before I started thinking about it and got tense. Will have to work on that. Carded a nine on the closing par 4. Par would have put me at 39.. lol

I hate that. When I'm playing good, I don't wanna know what I'm shooting, esp if it's close to my low. The 2-3 times I came close to 80 I was in the zone and was only metally keeping score of birdies and bogeys.

It screws me up if one of my buddies starts adding and calling out scores because I too will start to tense up and "work" at making perfect shots which of course are anything but.

[OnePutt]

The losing pressure thing is great. I have an idea, this will work for you especially since you play free. Every shot that you mis hit - top, blade, shank, whatever - rehit it. Drop a ball and hit it correctly (guaranteed you'll get it the second time). Remember to pick up your ball and don't count the stroke.

Only redo mishits, not balls that you over estimate distance, etc. If you do this correctly, you're essentially preparing yourself to play with better ballstriking, and getting confidence back for each shot. You might just find that you have to drop fewer as the rounds go on! Just a little thing that works for me. May not for you, but worth a try!

[powermatt99]

I have the same problem. I am trying to get into better practice habits on the range, instead of just trying to hit the ball 300 yards. It seems though, once I get things worked out on the range, in can't translate them to the course. I get out there and my ego takes over and I try to drive the ball to the moon, only to shank it left or slice it like a mofo. Last night, after playing four really bad (for me) holes, I stopped keeping score (except for total strokes) and worked on making good shots. I was alone so I was able to play multiple balls if I mishit one. I hit fairways with my last two drives and was even able to work one a little right-to-left around a dog-leg par 5 and reached in two.

[retexan599]

One thing that helps take my range learnings with me is to have a small notebook with me at the range. I jot down whatever useful things I think I have learned. Then I type them into a document on my computer. On the day I am going to the course, I print out the recent learnings and review them so I have them fresh in my mind. This is better than remembering about hole #5 that I had forgotten to be sure my hands are leading the club when chipping, for example. This is not a miracle cure for anything, but it does make interesting reading when I review what I have learned and then modified over time. (Yes I am an engineer by training....)

[sonomajake]

yeah i take a lot of notes while i play or practice. i say a lot but its really only maybe 3 or 4 things that i feel i need to focus on or think about. i find it keeps ideas around longer and makes me feel more consistent.