Doesn't feel right

[Logan Gabriel]

Hi all.  I was wondering if others have this problem and what you did to correct it or what you are doing currently to get it corrected.  Here is my problem.  I go to the driving range at the course and hit balls for about 30-45 minutes before a round.  i run through all the clubs starting with my Lob wedge on up.  Everything goes great.  i'm feeling my trigger points and I'm hitting them great!  However when I address the ball at the first tee nothing "feels" right.  i get nervous and sometimes i hit an okay shot and other  times it's utter crap.  Do any of you folks suffer from this issue and if so how do you fix it?

[jmorg19]

I had/have (not completely broken) that habit as well. It usually helps me to use my driver the last 5 or 10 balls at the range and absolutely smash them. I guess the sheer grunt force swing makes a nice smooth swing feel like a cakewalk.

[Logan Gabriel]

Originally Posted by jmorg19

I had/have (not completely broken) that habit as well. It usually helps me to use my driver the last 5 or 10 balls at the range and absolutely smash them. I guess the sheer grunt force swing makes a nice smooth swing feel like a cakewalk.

I will try that.  At this point I'll try ANYTHING...even a little Voodoo.  It's the strangest thing.  I try really hard to do the same routine when I address the ball but it just never clicks.  I will try it though.  Thanks!

[Pablo68]

My routine is to hit a few balls at the range before a round but no where near 30-45 mins worth. I spend about 10-15 mins hitting a few balls then go stroke a few putts.

I'll start with a couple PW or 9 irons then a couple 7/6 irons followed by a couple 4/3 irons. I'll finish up hitting a couple 3 woods off the deck then 3-4 driver swings. Typically less than 15 balls hit because I'm just wanting to loosen up and not work on anything. I will try to focus on getting a swing key in my head for the day to quiet my mind. I concentrate on making sure my preshot routine is sound as well.

I view hitting balls before a round like cramming for a test; if you don't know it at that point, you're not going to. Just try to find something to key on to make a good pass at the ball.

[skillzwhogolfs]

Are you aiming at a target at the range or just hitting them? if you just go up and hit a ball then anything that feels good is a good shot, so when you have to aim at the course of course it feels weird since you have not been doing it at the range.

I would say when you are at the range pick a target with your clubs (maybe try 2 or 3 different targets per club.) try to line up your feet towards the target then see where the ball goes (you may be hitting a push or pull shot every time and don't know) and find where the ball lands more often in relation to your target.

Also if it is just the stress of hitting one ball off the tee then when you are at the range I agree with having a good preshot routine and having only those thoughts in your head ( 5 steps to ball, ball foreward in stance, swing on plane, etc.) rather than going to the ball and thinking of what could happen ( I'm going to hit it in the water, I hope I don't top it, don't slice it. etc.)

Hope that helps.

[Logan Gabriel]

@ Pablo  It makes sense what you're saying.  Perhaps I am spending too much time on the range pre-round.  i do notice that in that time I will find something "new" to focus on and that becomes my rush to cure before the round begins.  Bad news!

@Skillz  I never go to the range and just hit balls.  I will always have a target in mind and aim at that.  I do however on the first tee have those "What might, or What probably will happen" thoughts creep in.  Big mental breakdown.  Plus i think that I am too competitive with myself and then stress runs high causing my game to completely breakdown.

Thanks guys!  I've much to work on.

[NuclearMike]

I go to the range a lot between rounds but if I'm playing I usually don't hit more than 20 or so balls (after st, just enough to get loose.  I don't want to have any new swing thoughts creeping in that might have any effect on the work that I had put in before the round.