Ready to give up this game

[trickymicky69]

I took up golf under two years ago.

My first round was a 115 but within 12 months I was breaking 90.

I started off being a slicer and can now draw the ball if I want to.

Trouble is since it has started to become wet and soggy I cant hit the ball.

I am a digger type of player anyway but its getting that bad I cant even break 100

Its even affecting my tee shots because I am so tense from the last hole.

It doesnt seem to affect my partners as badly and they are the people I am beating all summer

[Stretch]

Sounds like you generally hit the ball slightly fat, but can more or less get away with it when the course is dry. You're probably also too steep into impact, so you're really sticking your club into the turf when it's soggy. To mitigate fat shots, you need to get the low point of your swing further forward -- in front of the golf ball. If you hit the ball first, then the ground, the condition of that ground becomes of far less concern! Anyway, to get your low point forward you need to get your weight more forward at impact. You can do this quite simply by pre-loading more weight on your front leg at setup and -- in the longer term -- by working on pushing your hips further toward the target on the downswing. To shallow the club out into impact, which will give you more margin for error, try and "stand up" a little faster as you swing into the ball. Straighten your left leg/raise your belt buckle/tuck your butt under your body are all good feels to keep in mind.

Also, please listen to the following and go ask someone for a hug.

[trickymicky69]

Thats some good advice there

I am slightly confused though

I am being told to stand up earlier but everything I read tells me to maintain my spine angle?

[Stretch]

OK, new can of worms.

The angle of your spine changes throughout the swing. What should remain relatively constant is your overall angle (or inclination) relative to the ground. You can straighten your left leg and "stand up" without changing that inclination (or raising your head) because your hips are also pushing forward and creating a secondary tilt in your spine away from the target. It's one of those things that is easier to show than tell. Take a look at this.

[trickymicky69]

great video that

I am gonna get back to reading the imapct zone

[EverythingGolf]

Do you get lessons? If not, I would go and get a couple so they can put your swing on video and see what is causing the bad shots.

[trickymicky69]

I agree.

Trouble is I can hit shot after shot perfectly on the range

Playing off a mat doesnt highlight my swing flaws at all

Stick me on wet grass and its a different story

[basscat348]

I never ever ,ever never hit off mats.I gives a false sense of hitting the ball.It highly magnifies the sweet spot sorta speak and makes bad shot great shots IMO.

[trickymicky69]

thats what I am finding atm

[The Gill]

Micky-

Place a towel down behind the ball on the mat. If you hit it fat, you'll move the towel. Over time you'll get the difference in feel between hitting it fat or not, even on a mat. I'm willing to bet your swing on the course isn't the same as on the range. As soon as you think you're going to hit it fat, you're going to clam up and not shift your weight forward.

You got to get a video up of your swing man. I hesitated to do it for a long time, but it's the best thing you can do for yourself.

1. There's a lot really knowledgeable people on the board and you get the collective input of thesandtrap's hivemind.
2. If you go to the range, why aren't you recording it? You're making the investment of time and money to go, why not make the most of it?
3. In a weird way it's liberating. It's like confessing your sin but at the same time increasing your awareness.
4. It will give you (and us) a view to your progression which is extremely motivating. Golf isn't a game of hitting the ball far or shooting the lowest score. It's a game of incremental progress and continuous improvement.

[trickymicky69]

thats a good idea, will definitely try that one

here is a video of my swing http://thesandtrap.com/forum/thread/43771/my-swing-trickymick69

[Harmonious]

Here may be a quick fix idea.  When the ground is wet and soggy, your feet actually sink a little into the soil.  If you are not aware of it, you could be taking your normal swing but, with a lower position, hitting it fat.  When it is wet out, try choking up 1/2" or so.  It could be as simple as that.

[trickymicky69]

Thanks for the tips guys I will try all of them and report back