Swing Thoughts - The voices!

[Unkynd]

disclaimer : I'm terrible, lowest round so far is 116.

Since I started working on my swing, and getting great advice from everyone on this forum, I've found that when I do all of the things that I'm supposed to, I hit some really good shots. The negatives are, when I get up to hit the ball now, I'm thinking "weight left, arm straight, don't swing back so far, start downswing with hips, keep head down, keep eyes on ball" ... etc. I end up hitting a lot of shots that are just plain bad. Behind the ball, topping the ball, etc.

Today at the range, I decided to try to clear my head and focus on just one thing. Making solid contact with the ball. It made a huge difference for me. Normally out of a bucket of 75 balls, I'll have about 30-40 that are terrible. Today, I only had 6 that were terrible.

Going to have to try out the single thought routine on the course and see how it goes. Just thought I'd share, in case there are any other very high handicappers out there that are having the same issues.

[uttexas]

This is typical. I'd played golf for 20 years and had grooved a repeatable swing that could get me into the low/mid 80s with the rare high 70 and occasional 90something. After my first ever full swing golf lesson, I shot a 134.

A good (emphasis on good) instructor will have you work on one or two things at a time until the corrections are acceptable before moving onto the next issue. A good instructor has the knowledge and experience to fix swing issues in the best order, so that each correction improves on the last.

When you are on the course, think "target". Visualize your target, visualize your swing and intended ball flight to get the ball to the target, hit the ball.

[nhwoj]

I feel like sometimes I have the same issues. Thinking about my swings and what to do to hit good shots can actually make me worse. My lowest legitimate full round to date was a 108 yesterday. On the final hole, a long par 5, it was getting dark and my main concern was to finish up quick and get home. I ended up hitting 3 wonderful 4 irons in a row without even thinking of any sort of swing mechanics. Remind yourself of what you need to do before you take your shot or during your practice swings, not when you're actually swinging. But your last range visit sounds very good, so try to replicate whatever you did then every time. Keep up the good work!

[Topper]

You're not the only one! This is my first year and I don't feel I made much progress. If you hit only 6 bad ones out of 75 then you're ahead of me.

But I did OK on the driving range yesterday where 75-80% of my shots were OK out of roughly 140 balls. This includes practicing with a 14* driving iron and 3 hybrid off the grass which are difficult clubs for me. I wish I could do as well on the course.

[luckyluke699]

Practise on the range (swing thoughts etc), but never on the course... just enjoy the game on the course...

[texastechster]

same here. hit 'em good on the range, and then wiff the course.

[Topper]

same here. hit 'em good on the range, and then wiff the course.

Then I'm definitely on track. I'm an expert at "whiffing" the course if you count topped shots as whiffs!

[Chicago Lefty]

I struggle with "the voices" as well. Recently it go so bad that during a tournament I just began to freeze over the ball and couldn't move. That was the breaking point for me. For the last month I have made a conscious effort to think about the shot prior to standing over the ball, address the ball, count 3 waggles and pull the trigger no matter what. I find counting the waggles actually clears my mind from every other thought and by the time I start thinking again the ball is already in the air.

[Yukari]

I think one of the greatest golfers (Jack, Ben, Sam??? I don't remember who) said you should not have more than one swing thought during a golf swing. Words to live by.

[nhwoj]

Practise on the range (swing thoughts etc), but never on the course... just enjoy the game on the course...

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[tgwise]

I think one of the greatest golfers (Jack, Ben, Sam??? I don't remember who) said you should not have more than one swing thought during a golf swing. Words to live by.

Mine would be to "stay sitting" If I don't have this thought I will top it every time. I tend to want to stand up.

Anytime you let your head into this game you will be at a disadvantage. lol