Hot right out of the gate

[ArizonaDave]

Hi to everyone,

I asked this in the introduction area before I realized it would likely be more appropriate here.  Does anyone have any tips on how to condition your swing so that even after your first hole, you continue hitting hot and great through the round?  Seems that I can transfer the "heat" from the range to the first hole, but then lose it for the next five holes until I warm up.

Any thoughts and similar frustrations are greatly appreciated!

[kilbyman]

This is most likely because you have grooved a compensatory move into your swing with good enough timing on the range.  Unfortunately, since you don't beat balls on the course like you do on the range, the timing goes away.  You need to try to build your swing (like I am doing) by doing things right, not by avoiding a slice/hook/fat shot/whatever.  Focus on keeping that left wrist straight through impact and keeping the flying wedge intact until after contact.

[Steel]

When you go to the range you need to practice more specific's, sometimes I work on swing tempo, or balance, or swing path/plane or whatever the case may be.  Sometime I will practice game set up and routine, I think this is very important.  Practice your alignment and set up routine with every shot, take your time, use a different club for every shot.  Sometimes I will take some score cards and shoot a practice round, tee off, hit an approach shot according to how well you hit your drive etc.  another thing you can do to slow the pace down somewhat is to put your bucket of range balls behind your stall, along with your club's select your club for your next shot and get your ball at the same time, this prevents you from just standing there bashing them out.  Hope this help's, other than that you have to be confident in your abilities, how often do you go to the range and practice?  I go at least 3-4 times a week, and am trying to play at least 1 round per week.  lots of range practice for me is the key to hitting it well on the course, I don't want to have a head full of swing thought's i like it automatic. I make a decision on my shot, choose my club, go through my alignment/swing routine, step up and hit it, the only thing I have in my head when I'm over the ball is        BACK-SWING,     SWING

[DBC]

Steel, thats an awesome tip. Thanks.

[ND Fan]

This is a mental more than a physical thing.  If you have done this pretty consistently for years then it may be a hard habit to break.  It kinda like a 10 footer for birdie is a lot harder to make than a10 footer for double.  When your putting for double your mind set is nothing but I gotta make this when your putting for birdie most players get up there and say to themselves don't miss it.  One thought is all positive and the other is all negative.  If you think your way through playing all 18 holes like you play the first hole you'll be better off.  How do you get there?  The answer to that is different for everyone.  It may just take the experience of getting through a few times and you'll forget all about it.  Or you'll carry that baggage to every round and never get over it.  Play each hole as it's own event where the goal is par.