This game can be so frustrating

[mcintoshmc]

I've only been playing for about 4 months now, and will shoot anywhere from a 45 and 50 on average on my 9 hole home course. I've played on a few other courses unsuccessfully, so I said that I won't play again until I can consistently shoot in the high 30's/low 40's (par 31) on this course (it is known as a good course for beginners, but easy for experienced players). Yesterday I played terrible, I played about as bad as the first time I ever played, and some shots where worse than ever before. I had guys that i joined up with that were playing worse than I normally play giving me advice. It was embarrassing.

I wish I had a swing coach because I didn't know what I was doing wrong. The only thing was I didn't go to the range first which is what I normally do, but I've done that before, and still have never played that bad. I managed only 1 par in 18 holes (I played twice).

I hope it's not in my head now. We'll see how I do on labor day? I almost dont want to go.

[kafka01]

Oftentimes even when you know what you are doing wrong wont help you since your body says otherwise.

Just take a couple of days off and come back strong - always works!

Oh and btw - the frustration you are feeling, thats just the beginning in this lovely game, it will get worse ;).

[senorchipotle]

best thing to do is take some DTL and face on vids and post your swing here. there are many swing theorists here, some give good advice some give bad advice. nonetheless, you will get feedback which will allow you to understand your swing and why you're hitting certain undesirable shots and how to fix it.

[GaijinGolfer]

Id suggest getting some lessons so that you know what you are doing wrong. Recently I started working with a swing coach and its made some huge improvements in my ballstriking. I used to never know why my swing would suddenly go wrong but now Im able to pretty well diagnose my swing when I hit a bad shot.

[mcintoshmc]

Yeah, I've taken lessons. Maybe it's time for some more. What is DTL?

[Gordon McTavish]

Yeah, I've taken lessons. Maybe it's time for some more. What is DTL?

Down The Line. Recommended reading for taking video of your swing >

http://thesandtrap.com/playing_tips/filming_your_swing

[mcintoshmc]

The Taylor Made Burner Superlaunch irons interest me.

[PiustheDrGolf]

Typical Golfing Transition for golfers:

Beginners, High Handicappers :

Practice at Range -> Course -> Range -> Golf shop -> Course s -> Range -> Course s -> Golf shop -> Course s

Mid Handicappers :

Range -> Course s -> Golf shop -> Course s -> Golf shop (Repeating this routine for years)

Low Handicappers :

Range s -> Course -> Range s -> Course

[Dr. Griefo]

Ha ha, I was thinking about replaceing my x-18's this winter even though deep down I know it's me more than the clubs. How many times do low handicappers hit the range a week and how many games do they play? I'll assume the range includes chipping and putting. Thanks

Typical

[SuperSonic]

You are correct. Sometime it is frustrating.

[tshapiro]

Yes, this game is largely about managed frustration...just look at Tiger. I've had many lessons and have read many books 'the' answer to my games improving has been largely trial and error where I figure out which concepts work for me. The golf swing is complex and everyone seems to perceive it a little bit differently. You can't go wrong studying the classics from Bobby Jones "How I Golf", Ben Hogan "Five Fundamentals", and Jack Nicklaus "Golf My Way". While all the advise, YouTube vids, etc.all help, the fundamentals can be found in those books.

[PiustheDrGolf]

Ha ha, I was thinking about replaceing my x-18's this winter even though deep down I know it's me more than the clubs. How many times do low handicappers hit the range a week and how many games do they play? I'll assume the range includes chipping and putting. Thanks

Please do understand that I was referring '

Typical '. :) I can't speak others but me. I do (at least try) to go to range at least 2 times per week. Having 2 kids under 3 years old, I don't find time to do that on top of my work. So I practice on lunchtime (80% scoring irons, PW, 9, 8 and 20% 30-80 yards shots). Any decent practice green is not around me so...no putting practice session. Obviously, I shoot 3 over with FIR 50%, GIR 73% with 34 Putts!!!. Guess what I'm going to work on from now on.

[JWL1957]

I've only been playing for about 4 months now, and will shoot anywhere from a 45 and 50 on average on my 9 hole home course. I've played on a few other courses unsuccessfully, so I said that I won't play again until I can consistently shoot in the high 30's/low 40's (par 31) on this course (it is known as a good course for beginners, but easy for experienced players). Yesterday I played terrible, I played about as bad as the first time I ever played, and some shots where worse than ever before. I had guys that i joined up with that were playing worse than I normally play giving me advice. It was embarrassing.

Just relax and try to enjoy a great day out doors with friends. If you keep up with the pace of play..... your already ahead of quite a few experience golfers out there today. Golf is always two steps forward and one step back. We all have gone throught what you are experiencing. If your etiquitte is good, thats all that matters right now. :)

[Stretch]

Just relax and try to enjoy a great day out doors with friends. If you keep up with the pace of play..... your already ahead of quite a few experience golfers out there today.

Great advice. I played today with my aunt and cousin, who I rarely get to see, and started off great before progressing to three-putting and skulling chips and other stupid mental **** that killed my round. Began to get all clenched up and then just thought what the heck, it's a beautiful morning and I'm out here with people I like -- just enjoy yourself. And I did.

[CalBoomer]

Good golf, even mediocre golf, requires that you learn how to perform correctly many different types of shots. You do not, and cannot, learn how to do this on a golf course. You simply do not repeat the same shot enough times on the golf course to learn much of anything. So read or take some lessons and spend the bulk of your time on a grass driving range. Think of the course as an exam and the driving range as study period.

[mcgriff]

I hear ya. Had a few extra hours late morning today so I went to the range and got an XL bucket. Talk about madness. It felt like day one all over again. I was freakin slicing my gap wedge it was so bad. Nothing I did could correct the results. My strikes were all over the club face, my divots were fat or invisible, thought my 3 wood was going to make rain I was launching it so high. But, having been here before I know that's the way it is. Some days you just have to forget about. Try not to go mental and keep things simple.

[soloredd]

I've only been playing for about 4 months now, and will shoot anywhere from a 45 and 50 on average on my 9 hole home course. I've played on a few other courses unsuccessfully, so I said that I won't play again until I can consistently shoot in the high 30's/low 40's (par 31) on this course (it is known as a good course for beginners, but easy for experienced players). Yesterday I played terrible, I played about as bad as the first time I ever played, and some shots where worse than ever before. I had guys that i joined up with that were playing worse than I normally play giving me advice. It was embarrassing.

One piece of advice I can give (I think it's applicable to all levels of play) is to not be negative about your game. Yes, when we are playing bad we want to get away from it and feel insecure about the next shot or round. You can't do that to yourself. You need to want to go on Labor Day, you need to convince yourself that it's ok to go out there and whatever happens, happens. You can't take the good and dismiss the bad - nothing that is enjoyable in life works that way. You have to embrace the negative and learn from it - or else how would you know the difference between negative and positive?

Also, look at the Tour players. How is it Rory McIlroy can shoot a 64 one day and then shoot 80 the next (or whatever it was)? It's a bit crazy to think amateurs should somehow be more consistent or not have these peaks and valleys like the pros. Last thing (sorry for the ranting): don't listen to people you join up with. EVER. I don't care if they are scratch golfers, that doesn't make them knowledgable of anything other than their own game. They haven't seen your swing or your game over and over, they are just getting a tiny glimpse at a bad moment.

[O.B. Right]

agreed - golf is very frustrating. I think this happens to everybody - including, as other have said, pros. The only difference is Rory goes from 65 to 80 and you and I go from 95 to 160. I wish I knew how to get back to my 95 game when my 160 game comes out . . .but so far, I'm still searching.