What happens between the lesson and the course?

[Dragonsrock]

Hi, I have been taking lessons lately and at the lesson, I am hitting it so pure, its just great, to the extent that the pro actually said lets go do something else, this is a waste of time....so I get out on the course and hit them fat and thin and hook and cut them...its devastating. Its driving me nuts! So...what is it, what happens, why is it so much easier on the range?

[James_Black]

Because there's a pro there to check if old habits are kicking in.

You have to ingrain that new swing down at the range, if you don't you'll end up with a mix of your old one and the new one. (which doesn't work)

[PingGKEN]

Do you get lessons on mats? I spent all winter getting lessons on mats and felt like I was going somewhere. Now that there is actual grass under the ball, it's like I've never played before. The grass is playing mind tricks on me. Maybe its doing the same for you?

[JML22]

A pro should still beable to feel fat shots on the mat and you should feel them too and just ignore that you hit it in the air.
Basically whenever you take a lesson and you get changes, be prepared to spent 2-4 weeks at the range

[CoolBreeze20]

You most likely have a nice, easy tempo between your upper and lower body at the range. When you get on the course, you tense up, which causes your tempo/timing to be thrown off, causing fat shots and thins. Next time you start that at the course, just think "slow and easy". We all do it.....even pros. Watch pros on the range at an event, and you can't see how they can ever hit a bad shot. Throw them on the course when the strokes count, and even their swings can change.

[drglew]

I think this not only applies for lessons, but for range sessions in general.

One of the main reasons is that at a lesson, you're likely hitting the same shot over and over--it's pretty easy to get into a groove. On the course, you have ONE chance. In retrospect, at a lesson or range session, think back to how many times you hit your FIRST shot with any new club perfectly-- as compared to your 4th or 5th attempt. Yes, you need to repeat the same shot during practice to hopefully ingrain those good habits and body positions, but it takes a while before it's so natural that you can randomly pull a club on a course and repeat that "grooved" swing from the range!

[JML22]

Make sure you do your pre shot routine on the course no matter how long it is

[CoolBreeze20]

I wouldnt say "no matter how long it is". If your pre-shot routine routinely takes 4 minutes for you to hit the ball, like a lot of PGA pros, you are gonna have a lot of (rightfully so) unhappy groups behind you. Pre-shot routine is great to have......but it has to be short and concise. If the group behind you watches your 4 minute routing, then you proceed to duff it, you may get hit into a bit. :)

[The Recreational Golfer]

Did you get the key points that made the swing change work, did you write them down during the lesson so you would remember, then practice like a dog to get those points ingrained?

[nuck81]

Did you get the key points that made the swing change work, did you write them down during the lesson so you would remember, then practice like a dog to get those points ingrained?

If you;re not making the same swing on the course as on the range then you haven't really learned it.

[Dragonsrock]

Thanks for the comments, it feels good to know I am not alone, I am very confident that I have not ingrained the changes into my swing and obviously I need more work on this. Its been going on about 5 weeks now, I am having a lessona week and practicing twice a week plus 18 holes, the range seems ok, but the course is up and down, more practice I guess...
Again, thanks for the comments.

D

[.J.Smith]

You most likely have a nice, easy tempo between your upper and lower body at the range. When you get on the course, you tense up, which causes your tempo/timing to be thrown off, causing fat shots and thins. Next time you start that at the course, just think "slow and easy". We all do it.....even pros. Watch pros on the range at an event, and you can't see how they can ever hit a bad shot. Throw them on the course when the strokes count, and even their swings can change.

Great advice. Just relax. Try to bring the course to the practice tee. Picture the first hole and play it out on the range. Here is a great quote also, Bobby Jones: "Golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course, the space between your ears."