I'm at my lowest ebb

[Bye Bye Ball]

As the title states, I've never in nearly 5 years playing golf been so disillusioned and so unenthusiastic about playing. I feel like I've gone backwards whereas 2 months ago nearly every shot felt good, I instinctively knew which iron to hit and could hit them a long way. Now the distance has gone, and they are all over the place. 2 months ago 90% of my drives were a nice gentle draw and I was pushing 310-320 yards with a few of them. Now every single one I hit is a hook, starting out quite nicely then hooking viciously left at the top of its trajectory. Once favourites in my bag, I no longer have any confidence in my 7 and 5 woods, not knowing whether I'll hook those as well.

A couple weeks ago I made a thread saying I'd had a lousy golfing week having been knocked out of 2 club competitions at the death. Well that week is turning into months - I lost another competition yesterday, a 9 hole knockout against a 24 handicapper, he only needed 6 holes I was that crap, I just couldn't hit anything and on the rare occasion I did I was punished for it.

I feel like I'm at my lowest point as a golfer, form-wise, confidence-wise and with enthusiasm. Each time I go out I come back more and more depressed with how far downhill my game has gone, wondering whether I actually want to play again.

[crayputter]

As the title states, I've never in nearly 5 years playing golf been so disillusioned and so unenthusiastic about playing. I feel like I've gone backwards whereas 2 months ago nearly every shot felt good, I instinctively knew which iron to hit and could hit them a long way. Now the distance has gone, and they are all over the place. 2 months ago 90% of my drives were a nice gentle draw and I was pushing 310-320 yards with a few of them. Now every single one I hit is a hook, starting out quite nicely then hooking viciously left at the top of its trajectory. Once favourites in my bag, I no longer have any confidence in my 7 and 5 woods, not knowing whether I'll hook those as well.  A couple weeks ago I made a thread saying I'd had a lousy golfing week having been knocked out of 2 club competitions at the death. Well that week is turning into months - I lost another competition yesterday, a 9 hole knockout against a 24 handicapper, he only needed 6 holes I was that crap, I just couldn't hit anything and on the rare occasion I did I was punished for it.  I feel like I'm at my lowest point as a golfer, form-wise, confidence-wise and with enthusiasm. Each time I go out I come back more and more depressed with how far downhill my game has gone, wondering whether I actually want to play again.

Take it easy, mate...that's golf... Put the clubs away for a while and then come back to it and see how you go.... Cheers Ray

[Adam Young]

Advice above is good. I am a pro golfer and have quit golf abut 5 times. Take a rest from it, will recharge your battereis and lower your expectations. The best thing I did was take 3 years off - thats too long for most, but it helped me come back with a fresh mindset and my plateau was broken after about 3 months of coming back.

Just have a week off or a month. Dont expect too much, and give yourself a new handicap 10 shots higher than it is now, and try to play to that instead. As you do it comfortably, bring your 'mental' handicap down further - you are simply applying too much pressure to be the best you can be.

[inthecup]

I have thought about a post like this for a while.  Golf is a 4 letter word.  My season started like yours I was on fire then it went sideways.

I think I put pressure on myself.

Generic golf tips!

Swing within yourself.  Slow it down a bit.  Hit it 80%.

Work on short game and putting.  60-70 yard partial wedges tend to bring my back to sync.

I am going on a 3 week vacation to Europe, that will be my break.

[Mr3Wiggle]

My golf game is like a pendulum that goes back and forth.  On one side I'm playing crappy.  Then I make a swing change and I start playing better.  Right in the middle I'm playing my best, then that swing change becomes too exaggerated and I start playing poorly until I hit the other side and make a correcting swing change.  And repeat, over and over again.  The progress I have seen over time is the extremes are less severe.  That's why you have to enjoy the good golf when it's happening.  Also realize when you are on a hot streak and don't beat yourself up when your game "goes back to normal".  I think sometimes people get on a hot streak, sometimes a prolonged one and then think that is their new normal.  Then when the hot streak is over they wonder where their game went.