Extreme inconsistencies day by day

[SamS]

Hi everybody -- I am starting to get more serious about golf and one thing that has kept me away is the inconsistent swing I have round by round. I know everybody has good and bad days but I take it to an absolute extreme. I played a round two days in a row several days ago -- the first round I was so awful that I couldn't finish a hole. I was shanking every single shot and probably shot around a 130 -- my swing was just awry and there was nothing i could do to get it back together. The next day I was hitting beautiful high irons and 280 yard drives consistently almost every hole. My swing felt smooth and I was confident and I was able to relax and swing through it.

What can I do to start getting rid of these rounds that are just awful? When I am playing well I hit the ball really well and consistently so I know I have it in me. I haven't played much and have only just recently started really practicing so it might just come with more practice.

Also -- any tips on drills or ways to practice at the range?

[Mr. Desmond]

Welcome to TST.

Without knowing more, I guess you may rely too much on tempo, timing, and rhythm - if it's off a little, you are off a lot.

It may be a disconnect between arms and body, or it may be that you did not get enough sleep the previous night. On the good days, do some self observation as to how you feel physically, what you ate, and sleep. On the bad days, do the same.

If you sense a bad day coming, relax, smile, and slow down your tempo - get a marker and write "SMOOTH" on your golf ball or some thought to get you to relax your arms, body, etc.

But video your swing and check it out.

[boogielicious]

Also, check out all the great videos in the Swing Thoughts section.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/61376/5sk-video-thread

And this thread on how to practice

http://thesandtrap.com/t/54840/simple-specific-slow-short-and-success-the-five-s-s-of-great-practice

[inthecup]

I'll second the tempo theroy.  If (when) I get fast things can go far south in a hurry.  Now, I usually don't get fast for a whole round but only a couple of swings.  My warm up is designed to find a smooth tempo.  I start with half swings on a short iron like an 8 iron.

When you get off you have to find a way to get back to zero.  There was a thread about this recently you may want to find it.  My key is to club up so I know I can't swing too hard or I'll fly the target.  Reduce my back swing and SLOW DOOOOOOWWWWWWNNNNNNN.

The feeling is a half swing but the reality is that it is not.  Try it.  Finding the center of the clubface with a smooth swing will make the ball go further than an errant rip at the ball.

Good luck and by the way what you describe is part of the process of getting better.

[BirdieNumNums]

Play more!