problems with consistency, should i see a pro?

[senorchipotle]

been playing for over half my life. but, for some reason i stopped playing regularly a few years ago. last summer i really got interested again and got to playing well and shooting relatively well again pretty quickly. but for some reason, i haven't been able to shoot consistently solid rounds. i'll have a round of 4 or 5 over here and there, and then i'll have a round where i'm struggling to break 90. it's not course difficulty either, because my second best score this year was shot on a course with a slope of 143.

as it is, i want to get consistent with my iron swing and my driver swing. should i suck it up and see a pro?

[right handed phil mickelson]

I knew the answer before I even looked at the post.

Yes.

Seeing a pro is beneficial at any stage in your game. Even professionals see professionals for a different view on any problems that they might be having.

Go see a pro, take some lessons, and you'll get back on track. It'll help immensely.

Good luck.

~RHPM

[senorchipotle]

I knew the answer before I even looked at the post.

thanks man... i think i will

[Cesar]

thanks man... i think i will

I'd try asking around for best one around. Unfortunately, not all PGA Teaching Pros are created equal.

Kind of like a chiropractor, if you can find a real good one, you're golden. But find a bad one, and you'll be paying a pretty steep price in the long run.

[Titleistgolf16]

I knew the answer before I even looked at the post.

thanks man... i think i will

I would I know a guy at my local course that is +4 handicap. He can beat the pro at our course. But the pro was still able to point out a little mistake that made the guy slice the ball a little bit.

[Knockglock]

been playing for over half my life. but, for some reason i stopped playing regularly a few years ago. last summer i really got interested again and got to playing well and shooting relatively well again pretty quickly. but for some reason, i haven't been able to shoot consistently solid rounds. i'll have a round of 4 or 5 over here and there, and then i'll have a round where i'm struggling to break 90. it's not course difficulty either, because my second best score this year was shot on a course with a slope of 143.

I second this. I've been getting lessons for a while only 30 minutes once a week and i'd say they're worth every penny! and I've seen an improvement

[ks8829]

The question, I have to ask you is have you seen a pro before and have they improved your game?

If you see a pro you also need to practice on your own so you get the benefit of the lesson

I have learned to score low you need to go back to basics:

putting
a) straight putts of 10 feet and in
b) lag putting from 15 - 30 feet

chipping
a) getting up and down from around the green
b) making solid contact and distance control

pitching
a) getting up and down from near the green
b) distance control from 20 - 50 yards

I started to practice before my round by doing the following:

1) putting for at least an hour the day before I play
2) chipping for at least an hour the day before I play
a) focus on solid contact and distance control
3) hitting PW, 9, 8, 7, or 6 iron on a grassy field
a) focus on solid contact and the direction
4) the day I play, I will putt for at least 30 minutes before
a) focus on straight putts
b) distance control of the greens and my tempo for that day

While I am playing I keep track of the two most important stat:
1) Putts
2) up and down percentage (to save a hole by one putting)

In summary, the benefit of short game practice is also solid contact with your mid, long irons, fairway woods and even your driver.

[tm22721]

An instructor won't help you with dynamics you need to experiment and develop feel.

And most golf problems stem from bad dynamics. Can't be taught, can't be learned. Must be earned.

[McGolf-Doggie]

My pro set me in a decent direction with a set of repeatable concepts, or I might still be floundering.

Game improved absolutely, but I had to put in plenty of practice time on what he taught me.

Still do.
There's always something that can be done better.

[bjw181]

I would not see a pro if you are under a 8 or so handicap. You already have YOUR swing. While the pro may be able to see things you don't, he may also try to change your GROOVED swing. Take Jim Furyk for example, He stuck with his swing, and how many teachers do you think would have loved to alter his swing? If you ask me, he does alright. Bottom line, don't change your ingrained swing if you are below a certain handicap where your swing has become to natural to make major changes to.

Here is what I do when my game falters.

When I practice, I try and move as LITTLE as possible during the entire swing. Most the time, when I am off, I have added an unnecessary change to my swing. When I move as little as possible during my swing, it usually results in me staying connected, compact, and most importantly, simple. The feel for me is;

Weight to inside of right leg on backswing
Head still
Keeping the hands and arms secondary to the rotating core
ROTATE the backswing and RELEASE not lift the backswing and throw

These thoughts usually keep my swing as simple as possible, which results of better consistency, with the cost of tiny losses distance.

[senorchipotle]

The question, I have to ask you is have you seen a pro before and have they improved your game?

so, i went to the range today and hit pitch shots with my 60* and my 56*. i noticed one thing that i was doing with my wedges that i wasn't doing with my other irons. i noticed i was following through with my right shoulder too high, instead of below my chin, forming a triangle on my release. ii took this to the range to hit full shots, and tried to re-incorporate this into my full swing. the change was immediate. from my 9 iron to my driver, i tried the same swing and had the same result, consistency, and more length. the only inconsistency was my driver which i was pushing a little bit, but it was better than the hook that i had been doing. so, i'm going to try a round with what i've got now, then reassess the situation. thanks for the info! everyone.