From Single Digit to Hacker

[Game]

I've been golfing for about 2 years seriously now taking lessons all the time from the same pro but there is a part of my game that no lesson has been able to help. My consistency. My scorecard today was laughable. It was an amazing par (had to chip out for second shot) followed by double bogey followed by a string of pars and then the game fell into bogey golf.

My problem is that on the driving range my shots are fantastic for the clubs I have (clubs in signature are arriving from the oven in 2 weeks) I can manipulate the ballflight well and the contact is pure 29 times out of 30. However, get me on the course and my swing is completely different. I go from smooth draw that can drop and stop to a thin fade (my old old swing from years ago) and just can't think right. My practice swings are great, always just how I want them but behind the ball I cant catch it clean to save my life. Sure, I get some nice shots in but mostly really bad mishits.

So my question is: How do I get that smooth, controlled swing from the range that I have to come out on the course? Thanks!

[lhshurdl3r]

Usually works for me

[James_Black]

+1.

It'll help loosen your swing! Your trying too hard, take it less serious. Maybe take a break for a week or two?

[acegolfer]

Explain what you do on the range to hit 29 pure out of 30.

[imtomtomim]

Start practicing with your routine in it. Don't just stand there and hit 30 dragging balls from the pile. Practice the way you play on the course. Put the ball down, and go through your pre-shot routine, then step up and hit it, watch it land, and then put another ball down and step away.

[TourSpoon]

Start practicing with your routine in it. Don't just stand there and hit 30 dragging balls from the pile. Practice the way you play on the course. Put the ball down, and go through your pre-shot routine, then step up and hit it, watch it land, and then put another ball down and step away.

I was thinking something very similar as well...

Use the clubs that you will use on the course. Hit your drive then your approach and then maybe a pitch. Walk to the other side of the range and hit driver five iron using your preshot routine...if you don't have a routine, get one and use it when hitting the range balls. When you get on the course, clear your head and think target and swing through to finish. It sounds like your arms are long on the range and short on the course (ie long, loose, relaxed, through the ball as opposed to short, tense and not swinging).

[bkoguy07]

I'm opposite, when I'm on the range I have bad tendency to swing hard just because I see all of this nice open space in front of me..

[Chillmoon91]

Do you hit off mats at the range? because they lie so so badly, and you would think you're hitting it pure but in reality you are not

[ks8829]

Playing for only two years and playing as well as you are is a good accomplishment, but you are still new to the game and to understand your golf swing takes time, so be patient and let things develop.

1) Do you have a pre-shot routine?
2) Do you know what you do when things go wrong?
3) What are you working on?

[BallStriker]

You need to get out and practice on the course.....preferably alone with multiple balls....confidence on the course comes from hitting good shots on the course....you just need to become a bit more comfortable hitting shots on teh course...then the swing will become free and easy.

[sean_miller]

weeks) I can manipulate the ballflight well and the contact is pure 29 times out of 30. However, get me on the course and my swing is completely different.

As has been mentioned (and hinted at), driving range mats can be misleading. Also, your definition of "pure" might be including shots that are merely "decent". Practice on grass and by hitting multiple balls when the course is empty (like twilight) and the subsequent reality check might be just what the doctor ordered.

[Game]

Thanks for all the replies guys, so I practice at home off of mats at the range.. It's a necessary evil as the course I belong to which allows me to hit off of grass is 3 hours away. Thanks for the beer tip but I'm 18 so... not gonna fly unfortunately.

So I'll answer a few of the questions posed to me.

1. Do I swing off of mats all the time?

No I don't and the story is largely the same when I hit off of grass. Although off of grass the contact is solid the ballflight sometimes is not as good as off of the mats. So how do I copensate? Play more on the course? I was recently at the Nike Oven and they had me hitting balls all day long off of the grass. It was the most like playing on the course for me because I felt so pressured but eventually I got in a rhythm that made me feel like I couldn't mishit so..

2. Do I have a preshot routine?

Not consistently no... I've tried using one but it felt long and I had trouble sticking with it. Any good ones you guys could recommend to me? I think practicing it on the range would be a good idea.

3. Do I know what I do wrong when things go wrong?

Yes.. All the lessons I have taken let me know, for the most part, what I do wrong when I mishit. But i have a hard time correcting on course.

4. What am I working on?

Before recently I was not bringing my sternum back to over my right foot, not winding up enough. As a result I was losing power. Also I used to stand way too far away from the ball and couldn't be consistent like that so I've moved closer but not too close. So basically turning on the backswing and then releasing the clubhead on an inside to out plane.

Thanks again guys!

[Jay-Bird]

So my question is: How do I get that smooth, controlled swing from the range that I have to come out on the course? Thanks!

It's all in your head. To establish consistency y0ou must

Practice like you play. Play like you practice.

[atrapasuenos]

It's all in your head. To establish consistency y0ou must

I think this is a great advice. I used to have this problem, because at the range I just set up, grip the club and hit. So now I take that to the course, I make the same thing and worked well.

Good luck!

[Game]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice, I warmed up for my round today by taking the same preshot routine and I did the very same thing out on the course almost pretending that I was on the range. I finally broke 85 from the blue tees despite using my old clubs. I'm extremely excited and feel confident that although my round was far from perfect that I can now finally play how I practice.