Mental game

[bnz506]

I started learning to play golf at the beginning of the Summer, so I am a new golfer. When I first started inconsistancy and poor technique was my problem, but I worked on technique and got better(ish).

Today I went to a heated driving range in Manhattan (Chelsea Piers Golf Club). Consistency with my irons have improved greatly (even the 4 iron). My biggest setback since the beginning has always been the driver. Im sure the majority of my strokes came from me trying to get the ball off the tee [I once took 6 strokes trying to get the ball off the tee (actually I hit 5 balls into the water about 10-20 feet in front of the tee), it got so bad I opted to hit my 3 wood off the ground], BUT i never thought about my swing it was just bad technique.

I improved a bit with my driver before school started at the end of the Summer which is when i stopped practicing, but today at the range my driver hitting has been worst than EVER. I can make contact more consistently but, im slicing the crap outta the ball, im coming down on the ball, and its because IM SO AWARE of my arms, my grip, my back swing, my feet, my legs, I just feel like its going to be crappy contact from address to follow through.

I get this outta my head its driving me mad... I almost rather take 6 strokes and not be aware of my swing than to try to driving completely aware of myself.

[msd3075]

I started learning to play golf at the beginning of the Summer, so I am a new golfer. When I first started inconsistancy and poor technique was my problem, but I worked on technique and got better(ish).

A couple things: - If you can't hit your driver consistently, don't hit it. If you are on the course and don't have confidence in it, don't pull it out of the bag. Instead hit a club you know you at least have a good chance at hitting the fairway with. - Almost every golfer that starts out thinks that since the driver goes the furthest that you have to swing it as hard as you can. Don't. Swing your driver at 80-85% and see what happens. Are you making better contact? Is your slice greatly reduced? You should see a noticable improvement. - If you are slicing the ball, it's because your clubface is open at impact and/or you are swinging across the ball. Try two things; grip down on the club a few inches, and swing "out" on your follow-through. Gripping down makes the club shorter, making it easier to square the clubhead at impact. As for "swinging out", place something on the ground (bag, towel, etc.) a couple feet infront of you and to the left of you where you can't reach it with your club but you can see it there. When you swing, pretend like you are reaching "out" to try to hit whatever you placed there. It'll get you to swing inside-out instead of across the ball.

[joepro23]

11 strokes to get off the tee is rough (factoring in the water hazard penalties of course ). It gets easier I promise! Keep that driver in the bag until you can figure it out at the range first. If your irons and 3-wood are fine and get you decent yardage just hit that until the driver comes around. MSD already had a bunch of great tips, but I would add to try videotaping your swings with both an iron and the driver. See if you can find any differences between them and things you can work on. Good luck.