Need help on an improvement plan

[Guinness23]

With young kids my game has regressed from high single digits to ridiculous (averaging 100 over 4 rounds). I still am not in a place where tons of time or money can be devoted, so I know that will limit me, but I need a plan to get back some of what I had. I typically have hit a slight fade, and now have a strong hook. I feel there are several flaws in my swing, not just a simple fix at this point. Bottom line is I am confused and lack confidence, and feel I need to almost start over with my swing. For anybody who cares to respond, I would love an opinion on what steps to take next, and why you feel i should. Start on a lesson plan that will be limited? If so, how to choose an instructor? I have access to the 1 and 2 top teachers in the state if I choose. The pros, I am learning from supposedly good teachers. The con to this is that money and time will be limited. The second option, find a "guru" or some program that is somewhat do it yourself. Cons are it is do it yourself. Pros, more economical perhaps. Or is there some amazing swing trainer that can help me get back to a good spot fundamentally (see how desperate I am . My plan is to start building a foundation for a couple years down the road where I can devote more time to it, and then improve to a point where I am better than ever. I just want progress in the right direction that I can build on. I appreciate any help for this frustrated golfer.

[GamerJG]

golfswingmasterkey.com, thank me later. took 10 strokes off per round in a month. no lessons, do-it-yourself.

[ks8829]

If you want to see improvement with your game simply work on your short game from the hole backwards.

putting
chipping
pitching within 20, 30, 40, 50 - 100 yards

you can practice putting on your carpet to work on your temp and distance control focusing on straight putts and distance control

chipping and pitch so that you can get up and down 60 percent of the time.
most golf courses have a practice area for your short game.

If you miss your drive and miss your approach shot you can still save par with a good short game everytime.

Everyone feels they need to hit the ball pure and straight but without the short game especially putting it will not get your lower scores.

My suggestion is change your plan to short game focus first!

[Guinness23]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. For the short game, i feel quite comfortable when I am practicing, and i enjoy it so that would be easy for me. One thing i struggle with is putting (even though I practice quite hard at this). I am not a bad putter, but I make what I should and little of what I don't, basically 32-36 putts per round. Any drills or things you work on to help your putting. I have Pelz tools like the clips and the trac, but what really strikes me is that I have always felt like i am hitting the ball, not stroking it. It just never feels pure.

[R7Player]

Have a local pro check your grip and get as much feedback as you can. Work on the short game is key inside 100 yards. You tube has excellent videos. Practice every week and game will come back. Know your limits on all clubs. Swing inside your self , not outside your capabilities, watch out for injury as you are in the zone for them just coming out of hibernation, swing thought: if a helicopter can fly so can this.

[GamerJG]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. For the short game, i feel quite comfortable when I am practicing, and i enjoy it so that would be easy for me. One thing i struggle with is putting (even though I practice quite hard at this). I am not a bad putter, but I make what I should and little of what I don't, basically 32-36 putts per round. Any drills or things you work on to help your putting. I have Pelz tools like the clips and the trac, but what really strikes me is that I have always felt like i am hitting the ball, not stroking it. It just never feels pure.

i recently purchased the phil mickelson dvd "secrets of the short game" and it's a great dvd. the putting section may help you alot. i'd recommend working on reading the greens better(slope, grain, break, etc.) also you said your short game is good, maybe you're not getting your chips and pitches close enough for easy finishes. that's something that may help also. good luck.

[ks8829]

Putting Tips

I believe that your putting per rounds should be under 30 for 18 holes. below are some tips that might help your putting. the tips are for straight putts and distance control.

all putts are straight putts regardless of the breaks so you need to learn to hit the straight putts. Practice on a level putting surface or a slight uphill straight putt and work out your putting stroke.

Straight Putt Tips
1) grip with the life line and not your fingers.
2) keep your wrist and arms one piece without any movement
3) stroke should be with your shoulders and not your arms
4) try keeping the putter as low too the ground on your backstroke.


Distance control is more important than direction and will eliminate three putting.

Distance Control Tips
1) keep the same tempo
2) putt with one piece and eliminate wrist movement
3) judge distance with your foot as a guage
3a) inside the right foot backstroke and same distance forward stroke will give you a predicatable distance roll
3b) outside the right foot backstroke and same distance forward stroke, so you can use your feet position as a way to help you judge distance putts
4) watch the great putters, Tiger Woods putt and you can learn from the best pressure putter around
5) pre-putt routine for every putt

If you are not one putting enough you need to work on either your short putts or your chipping and pitching to compliment your putting.

I played yesterday and had 28 putts for 18 holes with 6 out of 9 attempts for up and down from around the green which gave me 6 one putts.

[WUTiger]

As others have said, definitely start with your short game.

Then, find a way to get your tee shots into the fairway. I see you use all hybrids, no fairway woods.

Then, if a bold shot doesn't feel good, play it safe. If you formerly played a lot, you once may have pulled off some fairly exciting shots which are no longer "game ready" for your swing.

Also, don't feel your practice sessions have to be three hours each. If you chip and putt for a half-hour one day, and thoughtfully hit 45 iron or wood shots later that week, you keep your hands warm and slowly rebuild your swing.

[pounc007]

I'm in pretty much the same boat you are. I was about a 4 handicap around six years ago, then decided to join the army and was stationed several places where it was impossible to play any golf. I've been playing again for about two months, and I am still rarely breaking 90. I mostly practice on my short game, just going out to my local course's practice area and trying different things from the same spot over and over till I can get most of the shots inside of a 5 foot ring around the hole. Then I move to a different spot and spot and try to figure out a shot I am comfortable with from there. I'm usually out there for less than an hour, but it has really helped my game.

[bunkerputt]

There is no easy route. You have to find time to practice. I've been coming in early to work so that I can get in about an hours practice/day. Getting time is a must.

Now, you should also be considering how to efficiently practice. 32-36 putts/round is pretty high, but I can't tell from that stat whether you are a good ballstriker, hitting a lot of greens to reasonable putting distances, and just two-putting most of them (work on your ballstriking and a little putting), or a really great ballstriker, getting everything to within 10 feet and always two-putting (work on your putting), or a really crappy ballstriker, not getting the short-game shots close, and leaving yourself in two-putt range (work on your short game and ballstriking). You have to find out exactly why you have that many putts per round. Knowing just the number is pretty much worthless because it leaves too many options open for what you need to work on most.