losing your game?

[getinthehole]

Hey guys, I was wondering, is there such thing as losing your game?
It seems to have happened in the past month or two, where my iron play has gone from my best part of my game, to a truly awful part of my game?
Is it due to a lack of confidence or is there some other reason for this?
Thanks.

[lamebums]

Every golfer has his ups and downs. There's days where one day you can't break 150, and another you'll be on your A game and shoot the round of your life. It really comes and goes.

What's the problem with your iron play? Hitting it off the toe, hitting it thin, shanking it, or what? If it's all over the place then a lesson may be in order to find out what's going on, but if it's one particular miss over and over again, that can usually be fixed easily.

I was in a slump for most of the spring - spending three months in the hospital will waste away your muscles to nothing - so I struggled to get back to where I was last year, and finally have done so, more or less, but it took a long time.

[thumper07]

I know what you mean. i just a post up about an hour about this. it feels like i'm in the movie space jam and some alien stole my talent. thats the best i can describe it.

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6624

[gaz d]

even pros have an off day or week!
It will pass.

[jb1982]

I know exactly what you mean. I was playing great up until about a month ago. I was at the range one day and just started hitting terrible iron shot after terrible iron shot. It's been in my head for the past 3 weeks. I don't know what the hell is wrong with me!! I think it's mostly mental but have no idea how to fix it. I know that doesn't help you at all, but at least you know you are not alone.

[is 120 respectable]

Yea, I definitely know where you're coming from. I just got out of a slump where every iron shot headed at a 45* angle to the right in regards to where I was aiming with a tailing slice. It seemed easy to cure, but was not. I was horrid for a long time, went from consistently shooting low 90s (irons were best part of game) to not breaking 105. I can't speak specifically about your case, but for me a mental problem turned into overcompensating in my swing, which then led to a mechanical issue along with the demons in my head .

Again, I don't know what you're having trouble with, but for me one thing that really helped was to approach the ball, no waggling, no looking around, NO THINKING, and just take a pretty hard swing. This led to some straight shots to greens, some confidence, and eventually better iron play. I'm now back to where I was, although it did take a few weeks and a grip change. Doubt this helps lol, but I felt compelled to share and you're definitely not alone.

[Spectrums]

For me, it's been my driver. I still have my distance (250-260) but it goes right like CRAZY. With help from my coaches, I've figured out my problem and it's swinging better then ever (still need to buy a stiffer shaft). But they also changed my stance and grip. But give it time, it will pass.

[lamebums]

  is 120 respectable said:

Yea, I definitely know where you're coming from. I just got out of a slump where every iron shot headed at a 45* angle to the right in regards to where I was aiming with a tailing slice. It seemed easy to cure, but was not. I was horrid for a long time, went from consistently shooting low 90s (irons were best part of game) to not breaking 105.

I'd hate to be the bringer of bad news but it seems you have a case of

el hosel . You know, the S-word.

[fluxcapacitor]

I think this is why NO ONE will ever perfect the game. Its also what keeps us coming back for more. A horrible round will push me to play more and go to the range even more than usuall to try and fix the problem. And a great round, well, that hasn't happened to me yet, but a decent round will do the same thing to me.

[is 120 respectable]

  lamebums said:

I'd hate to be the bringer of bad news but it seems you have a case of

Haha, so true. I've almost corrected things, it is so related to confidence. The other day I hit a perfect drive on the first tee and ended up shooting a 41 after my nine (par 35) despite one shank, and one tee shot that went about 20 yards lol. So it depends, but I still mess up with my irons and shank one at least once a round, which tells me I haven't corrected things YET (someday hopefully).

[You're Away]

  Spectrums said:

For me, it's been my driver. I still have my distance (250-260) but it goes right like CRAZY. With help from my coaches, I've figured out my problem and it's swinging better then ever (still need to buy a stiffer shaft).

Unless you're left handed a stiffer shaft will likely make you go even more right.

And to the OP, welcome to golf! Chris

[Leek]

  getinthehole said:

Hey guys, I was wondering, is there such thing as losing your game? It seems to have happened in the past month or two, where my iron play has gone from my best part of my game, to a truly awful part of my game? Is it due to a lack of confidence or is there some other reason for this? Thanks.

Work more on putting chipping and pitching, then two things should happen:

1. You will be very confident over approach shots, knowing you'll make par no matter what. 2. Your irons will improve. Chipping and pitching practices makes your full swing better for two reasons: you can't consistently chip well without a flat left wrist at impact. You can't hit consistent irons without a flat left wrist. Also, the pressure will be off your irons so you'll hit them better.

[ben619]

I have also been in one of those slumps, and I just got out on the course more and I was so much better.=

[MountainHip]

Yup the passed 2 weeks I have not hit my driver. Usually the best part of my game, making over 80% of fairways, with the driver.

All of a sudden *for no reason* I now duck hook it, and it only goes about 150 yards. I am swinging to fast, and my shoulder's are turning too fast, and my head is moving all over the place.

I started to hit my 5 wood off the tee, and discovered it goes on average the same distance as my driver.

But I now have started hooking that too. The passed 3 weeks I am averaging 90, my handicap has gone from 9 to 11.

Just today I hit my driver half decent, by slowing to what I feel is WAY TOO SLOW (but it's not)

I need a lesson.

[Reefer_Madness]

I'm in a slump right now, and it seems I have one every summer. I don't mind though, because I always come out of slumps, a better player. It forces me to hit the range and work on my game.

[lamebums]

I'm never in a longer-term slump, but there are days where the wheels fall off my game. Last time that happened, I couldn't hit the ball to save my life - carded in a 61 for 9 holes, and decided to call it a day to nurse my battered and bruised ego.

Without fail though, there's at least one part of my game that always lets me down. If my driving's good, my iron play is bad. If my iron play is on fire, I can't make a putt. And if I can putt, I'm spraying my drives into the wrong area codes.

Currently my biggest issue is duck-hooking the driver - I do that five or six times a round, and it's just throwing away strokes. That's followed by inconsistent ballstriking (I have more than my share of absolute duffs in the middle of the fairway), lag putting, and sand play. I can get the ball out of fairway traps with no problem, I can chip out of sand, I can even putt out of sand. Hell, I'm better with a putter out of a greenside trap than any of my wedges.

[lhshurdl3r]

idk whats up with my game right now. my irons were going to hell and yesterday they were fine. shot a 43 back nine (par36) but couldn't putt for sh*t. driver seems to be going to hell right now as well. idk

[VinnyM10]

I have found that when going through some swing problems to the extent where the dreaded "S" virus pops up, I've learned to just take a few days off. Its hard because I do play every day either a round or practice but when I've stepped away for a few days and return with a basic swing thought. Everything falls back into place.

I've also found that the Inside Approach is a big help (for me anyway) to fixing any swing flaw. If you dont have access to a Pro for lessons, its a very helpful training tool.