I'm so bad I can't enjoy golfing.

[BadGolfer]

Ok here's my story. I started golfing a few years ago when I was 15. When I started I could drive the ball pretty well, and hit the ball pretty fairly with my irons. I somehow got progressively worse until I could barely hit the ball. I stopped golfing for a couple years out of frustration, and I am now 19 and I want to get back into it. I went golfing today and, surprise surprise, I am still absolutely horrible. I am embarrassed whenever I try to hit the ball around people because of how bad I am. Taking 8 strokes on a par 4 is not fun.

I think my problem is in not hitting the ball squarely, and this is somehow due to a bad swing. When I swing back to wind up, I'm pretty sure the club face is rotating so that when I come down it is not hitting the ball straight on. I try to lock my wrists but then I can't fully swing back all the way... my arms don't work like that!!! Should I be locking my wrists and letting the head rotate, then relying on my wrists being back in the same position when I come back down? Or should I absolutely try to keep it straight throughout the full swing? Again, my arms just don't seem to work that way... my swing and connecting with the ball seems to be my biggest problem.

I also have trouble getting under the ball. Most of the time my drives hit the ground ten feet in front of me then skip along the ground for a while. I think this is because I am pulling up when I swing, but no matter how much I scream at myself in my head "STAY DOWN"while swinging I can't get under it.

I don't want to be a great golfer. I just want to be able to play. I'm normally very good at sports, I just can't seem to figure out golf, which is a shame because I feel like I would really love it if I was good.

[alomar123]

Whenever I move a lot when swinging(usually my head), I do the drill where you put a club behind your head with your arms on the club, like you are in a full nelson. Then on your backswing make sure the left side of the club is pointing down at the ball, and then swing and then make sure the right side of the club is pointing at the ball spot. This helps alot with staying on plane, and gets you used to not moving you head up.

[BadGolfer]

So I just got back from the driving range. For the first 15 or so balls I could hit about 1/3 of them straight and far. Then for the rest of the bucket I couldn't hit one ball that didn't hit the ground 20 feet in front of me and roll for 50 yards. I want to take lessons, but I've already spent so much money on this sport with nothing to show for it, and I'm afraid that just because I'm paying for lessons doesn't mean I can actually learn how to golf.

[Mrd19abhs]

practice half swings until you can make decent contact. then once you are starting to hit the balls better slowly add a little more to your swing until you figure out what works best for you. also go to your local driving range and see if they hav any beginner classes that will give you some of the fundamentals of the swing.

[taterlrsn]

if the club isnt coming through square at impact i would just start with your grip. make sure you can see at least your first 2 knuckles. then put your right hand accordingly. then line up to the ball, square your right foot (keeps you from over rotating) and flare your left foot (lets you get through the ball easier). then take half shot with a full follow through making sure your head stays at the same level. treat every shot at the range like a real golf shot. do your pre shot routine ( line yourself up, waggle, or what is best for you) after you hit the ball stay in your finish positin until the ball stops moving.. once your making good contact with half swings move on to full.

[Stretch]

Can you take some video of your swing? Doesn't have to be cinema quality, just prop a cell phone on a range bucket or something.

[BadGolfer]

Can you take some video of your swing? Doesn't have to be cinema quality, just prop a cell phone on a range bucket or something.

I won't be able to get out again for a few days but when I do I will try to do this.

[debitsohn]

i suck too but... without knowing whast really going on, in my humble opinion, i would have to say... for someone athletic, its gonna be weight transfer, swing tempo and swinging too hard. but yea what do i know.

[GaijinGolfer]

So your down on yourself because you havent played in 3 years and you swing is bad? Id suggest getting some lessons, working on your swing and putting the, "Im a bad golfer" thought process out of your mind.

[Meddle]

So your down on yourself because you havent played in 3 years and you swing is bad? Id suggest getting some lessons, working on your swing and putting the, "Im a bad golfer" thought process out of your mind.

I completely agree with all of this. Trying to go out and learn a complex motion like a golf swing without any assistance is a tall task. And it sounds like the desire is there, which is great. I would add to the above quote in saying try to stay on the range working on things for awhile, and play par 3 courses. When you feel more confident in your swing try the full course again.

[Philip9210]

So your down on yourself because you havent played in 3 years and you swing is bad? Id suggest getting some lessons, working on your swing and putting the, "Im a bad golfer" thought process out of your mind.

Yea I've noticed than when I think, "Oh no, I can't hit this shot", I make a bad swing. But if I think "I can make this, and even if it's not on the button, it will play up nice". I've noticed that when I'm more confident in my swing and my current abilities that I play better. No, you can't just say, this is going to be a draw into the green and leave me a birdie putt. But you can say, I'm going to aim here for a draw and hopefully get in two put range, but if it does draw I will have a chance at birdie. Also, don't be down on yourself, you just started back after three years off. I'm 18 and just started last year, so far this game has been up and down, but I see myself progressively getting better because I'm trying to. You have to make a conscious effort to get better, practice practice practice. Good Luck!