Help!?

[Frito]

Just wanted some advice here's my situation.
Last week I took my first golf lesson started with 7iron all the usual stuff. The lesson seemed to really help then practiced all week at the range with mixed results mostly tho alot better then how i was previously playing. So I set out to play 18 today and couldn't hit shit , couldn't do shit got F&ckin; pissed off and left after 9. Not to mention for some reason i just really started F8ckin hating my golf partners lol. So i'm thinking of just playing by myself and at my own pace from now on and continue the lessons. either that or quit. I dunno what else to write i just need some inspiration to keep playing i guess.

[ks8829]

join the club, we all have gone through what you are experiencing, just remember that it will pass, just enjoy the game and keep chasing that white ball.

[Judah Ben-Hur]

  Frito said:

Just wanted some advice here's my situation.

I was kind of in your same boat. I just started playing in July. I signed up for 5 lessons and played/practiced at a quiet 9 hole. I stunk up the place but never got mad. Each time out I stunk it up less and less. The lessons really help a ton. If I would have tee'd off with irons, my scores would be respectable for a beginner. The driver was wild and I'd be playing catchup right from the start. lol I only played alone because I wanted to learn and let's be perfectly honest, some people are dicks. If your frustration is from your partners then go alone and come back later and paste their asses. Keep at it and it will eventully come. Slow things down and learn while your out there. My teaching pro had me write things down after getting home from a lesson and keeping it in the bag. Take it out and read it when things go downhill. I'd be doing it right now but my season is most likely over because of an accident and the injuries from it.

[MJP]

Go beat balls, work it out. if even at you're best you aren't having fun playing golf then stop playing, or take some more lessons, read some books, beat more balls, short game practice

basically, put some effort into it if you want to have more fun playing golf.

I've personally learned a ton from these forums. I've never taken a lesson, although I really should...but I practice at least 10 hrs a week (except when i choose to take a week off due to sensing myself on the edge of burnout).

For me golf is the perfect game because I love to be outdoors and I love to rely on myself for success. Plus, its one of the only sports you can practice by yourself. Finally, I love seeing progression, like really deep progression into anything in life. You can't progress much deeper than in the game of golf, because its essentially endless. Has anyone ever stuck all their birdie approaches to 10ft and made all 18 birdies? Nope, so there is room for improvement. Either off the tee, on your approach shots, your putting touch or even your green reading. One if not all of those are something you need to work on if you cannot shoot -18.

Then, it all comes down to competition. I love the competitive side to the game even more than practicing, because that's where you can truly see the progression of your game from practicing.

Also, you got to get in control of the mental side of it. To progress in golf you are constantly grinding, as in life. Getting through adversity is the only way to get better. Especially mentally. If you can get through adversity enough, slowly (or maybe quickly depending on how strong your mind can be) but surely you will be so good at it that you're game will naturally improve due to always having a positive "focused on the shot in front of me" mindset.

You can tell a strong mind on the course by seeing reactions of the players. A stronger minded player will likely react equally or slightly stronger to successes than to failures. Where as the weaker minded player will react strong to failures (maybe even throw clubs or swear) and when they hit a good one they won't react strongly, maybe they will simply say "I got a lucky one there" or "Oh finally I caught one good"

Just keep grinding or be a quitter, but either way make sure you choose the one that makes you happier

[CPT]

What you're going through is simply normal and it happens to every golfer out there. This is where your determination and patience will be put to the test. I've seen many people quit a short while after this stage. On the other hand, I also have seen many people hitting hundreds of balls at the range, just to work it out.

Keep practicing and hope your game is getting better quickly.

[clubchamp]

One lesson won't solve all of your swing flaws as you will revert back to old habits. I'd say just stick with the lessons and beat balls at the range until you get a feel for your new swing.

[Frito]

thx you guys

[grizfan]

Another victim of raised expectations ;) I've been through this cycle myself. Just when you think you might be learning something, you put in a round on the course that proves otherwise. As others have mentioned, gut it out. It does take time, but it is possible. Keep hitting the lessons, and pay attention to you major faults. During your lessons, learn to identify when you make your most common mistakes. This ability to catch and correct your top 3 or 4 swing faults will help keep your from going off the rails while on the course, and will help you get back on track when it does happen. Final tip - from your original post, I saw a lot of frustration (easy for me to recognize because I've been there myself). Learn to keep this frustration under control and learn how to put your mistakes behind you. Otherwise, it can spiral out of control pretty quickly (that's how a lot of clubs take flight and other nasty behavior). Keeping your head when your game turns to crap is a skill in its own that everyone should work on.

[WUTiger]

Practicing on the range is good, but make sure you get out on the course also.

When on the range, hit each ball with a purpose. This goes for partial-shot drills and full shots. Don't just beat balls without thinking. When practicing full shots, go through your pre-shot routine and line it up for real. That way it becomes automatic, and you don't have a dozen "swing thoughts" on the course.

See if you can find times when the course isn't too crowded, and just play a nine-hole practice round. Try out different shots from good places - and bad places - on the course. It will help you get past the "all my good shots are on the range" feeling.