I'm a feel player and I don't like it...

[Chief Broom]

Seems to me there are two kinds of players; those who play more by feel and those who are more mechanical in their approach to the game. I play pretty much by feel. I have a set routine for what ever it is I'm doing, but I set up, aim, and swing (espacially swing) more by feel. If I'm feeling it that day I can play pretty well, but inversely if I'm not feeling it I'll struggle. I'd like to remove this uncertainty and learn to be more mechanical in my approach to playing. But it seems to me for me to get away from feel and rely more upon mechanics I really need to be taught that and so far I haven't been able to find someone who is able to do that. On my own I've begun to learn more mechanics than ever before, and my handicap has been improving, but ultimately I'm still relying upon that feel and whether or not that feel produces results. Which still leaves me at the mercy of fate as to if I'm feeling it that day or not.

[bunkerputt]

Seems to me there are two kinds of players; those who play more by feel and those who are more mechanical in their approach to the game. I play pretty much by feel. I have a set routine for what ever it is I'm doing, but I set up, aim, and swing (espacially swing) more by feel. If I'm feeling it that day I can play pretty well, but inversely if I'm not feeling it I'll struggle. I'd like to remove this uncertainty and learn to be more mechanical in my approach to playing. But it seems to me for me to get away from feel and rely more upon mechanics I really need to be taught that and so far I haven't been able to find someone who is able to do that. On my own I've begun to learn more mechanics than ever before, and my handicap has been improving, but ultimately I'm still relying upon that feel and whether or not that feel produces results. Which still leaves me at the mercy of fate as to if I'm feeling it that day or not.

Everybody is a "feel" player. Even the one's who think they are mechanical, rely on feelings in the body to perform mechanics. This is really a false dichotomy. Moreover, "mechanical" players have up and down days like everyone else on the planet, so that's no refuge to the difficulty of this game. I think the question you really want to ask is, "How do I feel proper mechanics?" Well, that's easy: perform them. If you haven't been, it will feel totally foreign because you've never moved in that way before. Then, once you know the motion you are trying to achieve, perform it a few thousand times. You will "get the feel of it". I started out as a "mechanical" player that became a "feel" player once my mind was programmed to move my body correctly. Now, sometimes the feelings come and go. When they're gone, I double check things like my alignment and grip, course management, do some short-swing drills like the 9 to 3 and practice putting. Those are all things which don't require flawless tempo, flexibility, and loose supple muscles with a keen sense of awareness to add some benefit to your game. Don't have the same expecations of yourself every time you go out to the golf course. Your body and feelings change day to day. You should try to figure out before you start off whether the day is one where you're drinking wine or crushing grapes, as the saying goes.....

[Juice1499]

Of course everyone has "feel" in their games but I do agree with Chief that there are players that rely more on personal feel than having the cookie cutter swing. I am defintiely a self procalimed feel player and have had a lot of success in the Amateur circuit. So first of all there is nothing wrong with it. On the other hand I defintiely understand what you are saying about how some days its just not there. Here is the key for you. Try to gain an understanding of your swing "video is the best" of what causes YOUR misses with whatever swing you have got. Depending on swing types, grips, etc. the fix is different for each player . So in my opinion I would try to see with YOUR swing, find out what is causing YOUR misses. And address them accordingly.

[ks8829]

Everybody has off days even the pro's, when they are on they shoot low numbers of 5 - 6 under par, when they are off the top players still shoot 1 - 3 under par. The top players can win not playing with their "A" game. What is the difference. they all know how to scramble and get up and down from everywhere around the green. I watched the pros on one hole and everybody missed the green but everyone scrambled and got up and down for par.

It took me many years to discover that to achieve perfection in your golf swing is not the answer to my game, but a consistent short game of putting and chipping around the green. use the strength of your game and improve on it with a super short game.

When your irons, drives are on and your short game is at its best you will be a consistent player and I think happier and glad you are a feel player.

[WUTiger]

Spent 30 years giving mechanics the big lead, but found a list of ever-changing swing thoughts confusing if I wasn't playing well.

Now I approach it from a learning standpoint: Practice the basics until they become automatic, and then be more of a feel player out on the course. I think mechanics on the range, and when doing motion drills at home, but mainly focus on alignment and smooth takeaway when on the course.

My putting is completely non-verbal now - no self-talk: Envision the path the ball will take, and stroke it.

[sean_miller]

Practice the basics until they become automatic, and then be more of a feel player out on the course. I think mechanics on the range, and when doing motion drills at home, but mainly focus on alignment and smooth takeaway when on the course.

Pretty much - staying in the zone means simplifying the process. Where do I want the ball to go? Which club do I need? Do it!