The long walk from the driving range to the first tee...

[chilly]

I think everyone has experienced this, striping the ball when practicing or warming up for a round, only to stink it up out on the course. I've been in a funk for the last four rounds or so, and it's getting frustrating. I've been practicing quite a bit and hitting the ball well (speaking relatively here, not claiming I'm a great golfer). Each of the last few rounds, I'll be hitting the ball very well on the range while warming up. Usually I actually hit the first tee shot well, then all goes to hell. I've been scoring pretty well so my scores are there, but I know the ballstriking is killing me. The odd thing, too, is that my "miss" on the range is a draw/hook...but I get on the course and it's s lazy push/slice. This is mostly driver/3wd/hybrid...irons stay pretty consistent.

So, any tips? I'm thinking because of the ball flight that I'm just getting quick and coming over the top, so I'll start there. Anything you guys have found as a good way to replicate the "range"? I'm also going to try some simulated rounds on the range. Also, when I say I'm hitting the ball well it's because I'm picking out specific targets on the range and hitting them (I know there's a big difference between a good feeling shot and one that actually will hit a target).

[kilbyman]

Try to get a feel for the tempo at which you are swinging at the range. You need to replicate range tempo on the course. Just like public speaking, while giving a speech, people tend to talk faster than normal because of nerves. I think what happens in these circumstances is similar to what you are going through. So really pay attention to your range tempo, and make a conscious effort to stick to that tempo on the course. It makes a huge difference.

[Randy4h]

Could be that tension is creeping into your driver swing out on the course. Since there is no penalty on the range, some people swing more freely. Then, when it counts, and there is OB left and water right, they tense up. No longer a free, easy swing.

[Oaksgolfer]

Over practicing !!!! I do it alot hit 4 or 5 good shots with 9 8 7 and 5 and 4 + driver and GO PLAY! Hitting over and over before you play will make you go crazy thinking about every motion.. thats my problem hope it helped!

[four13]

Try repeating some sort of mantra over and over or sing a song in your head. Basically tempo, like Kilbyman said, is the key to replicating "ranger rick" on the course. "Distracting" myself is what I tell myself I am doing while all I am really doing is not trying to think too much. I try to stay loose and free and not put too much internal pressure on myself when I'm on the course, as most of us do on the range (staying relaxed that is). But we all struggle with it, even the pros. Just try to find something that works for you.

It's all mental. If you can hit it on the range you can hit it on the course. Just get that little part between your ears to realize that and play on the same team. Belief/Confidence is also key. You know you can hit the shots, just don't allow yourself to forget that when you're out there.

[chilly]

Thanks for all the advice, I'll work on putting it in play.

My gameplan for now is to try running through a round on the range, Driver/7iron/wedge 3wd/5iron/wedge type thing, get me out of my rhythm. I also agree that I may be hitting too many balls in warmup.

Also, when I do practice, I'm going to end the session by walking from the range to the first tee and hitting a couple shots in a row to verify that I can make good swings under the "pressure" of the course. Then hit the second hole (par 3) to verify I can do it with irons. We'll see how this goes.

[EBA]

I think everyone has experienced this, striping the ball when practicing or warming up for a round, only to stink it up out on the course. I've been in a funk for the last four rounds or so, and it's getting frustrating. I've been practicing quite a bit and hitting the ball well (speaking relatively here, not claiming I'm a great golfer). Each of the last few rounds, I'll be hitting the ball very well on the range while warming up. Usually I actually hit the first tee shot well, then all goes to hell. I've been scoring pretty well so my scores are there, but I know the ballstriking is killing me. The odd thing, too, is that my "miss" on the range is a draw/hook...but I get on the course and it's s lazy push/slice. This is mostly driver/3wd/hybrid...irons stay pretty consistent.

I too have had the mis-fortune of your ailment...but you were right on when you said that you are coming over the top.

Here is my thinking....the pull hook and and push slice are both a result of coming over the top...the pull comes from squaring the club face (to the over the top swing target line) at impact and the push from leaving it open. The good news is that you are repeating your swing but are not repeating the correct impact position of the club face. I would say that your pull miss on the range is coming from the confidence of several good shots in a row and getting into the next one a bit harder and over rotating your hands. The miss on the course is probably from trying to swing easy (to avoid the pull you had on the range) and make solid contact but you get lazy with your hands. The bigger problem as I see it is that you are consistently coming over the top, what I am fighting with now. The best cure is too work on a longer straighter take away...which leads to and out to in swing path. Try putting a club head cover 10 inches or so behind your ball on your target line. Take your backswing and try to push the cover STRAIGHT back. Practice it several times and then hit some balls doing it. You will begin to be able to see the cover going straight back and developing the desired out to in path, which will ultimately cure the over the top swing. It will take some time to readjust the timing of your wrists but seeing that you were able square them before you should get it sooner than later. Good luck!

[sean_miller]

. . . my "miss" on the range is a draw/hook...but I get on the course and it's s lazy push/slice. This is mostly driver/3wd/hybrid...irons stay pretty consistent.

Sounds like you're not commiting to your natural shot - a draw - because you're afraid of overcooking it into a nasty hook. I used to fight a hook and eventually compensated to the point where I was fighting the push fade - even thought I was starting my ball on a line set up for a draw. Bad news.

Work on perhaps a slightly weaker grip, keeping more weight on your left side, and most importantly visualizing a tight driving hole when you're on the range. Focus your target smaller and your misses will be better.

[anthony]

Try to get a feel for the tempo at which you are swinging at the range. You need to replicate range tempo on the course. Just like public speaking, while giving a speech, people tend to talk faster than normal because of nerves. I think what happens in these circumstances is similar to what you are going through. So really pay attention to your range tempo, and make a conscious effort to stick to that tempo on the course. It makes a huge difference.

Bingo. This is me 100%. Concentrating on a tempo has been my missing link going from the range to the course.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Controlling your tempo will make a huge difference, as others have said. I would also suggest not hitting your driver off the first tee. It's the hardest club to hit, and you might wait until you're in playing mode before you pull it out. Besides, you're probably a little nervous no matter how well you warmed up. Teeing off an easier club will help you stay relaxed because you'll be more confident of a good outcome.

[chilly]

I hit the range last night with a plan for working on some of the issues mentioned here. Warmed up with a 7iron, hitting it very well. My misses, I noticed, weren't so much a swing breakdown but when I got quick, sounds familiar.

I then played a "practice" round. I counted 6 bad shots, 2 of them weren't too bad and were more swing faults. The four bad were definitely tempo related. That said, as a 15hcp, if I hit the ball that well on course I'd be absolutely ecstatic. I normally have trouble my first shot with my 20* hybrid for some reason, but with good tempo I striped it. Also hit 3wd off the deck with no problem, again due to tempo.

So, finish there and hit some chips, then head to first tee just to hit some driver shots. First two are pull/slices. I hadn't hit a single pull/slice on the range, my miss goes straight with more fade then I'd like at the end. Got to be tempo causing me to come over the top again. Hit more chips, then headed back to the tee. First ball is hammered, and I immediately noticed how much slower my tempo was. last drive was a normal missed "fade", but much better then the pull/slice. So, not a complete success, but at least I know now it's not so much a swing fault as a tempo issue. I'll keep working on this in practice and see how it goes.