If you wanted to start all over?

[swalker]

Where would you start? Because right now I'm so inconsistent I want to quit!

[Hacker James]

BTDT....Don't know how long you've been practicing or what you are working on, but sometimes it helps just to back off completely for a week or so, don't even think about it and then approach it from the fundamentals one piece at a time.  Its like quitting smoking, Hell I used to tell people:  "Quitting smoking is easy, I've done it hundreds of times".   (actually that is true, but the last time about 40 years ago took).

[Shorty]

One bad round - forget it.

Two bad rounds - check your fundamentals

Three bad rounds - have a lesson

[birlyshirly]

What do you mean by "start over"? If you mean "change everything at once", then I don't think that's feasible or necessary.

If you're a 15 handicap, there are probably fewer issues standing between you and improvement than you think. On the other hand, you probably have some ideas about the swing that you might never escape.

I sliced the ball when I learned as a kid. However I've spent the last few years playing, if not fighting, a draw. However I was never truly comfortable aiming right into trouble. Aiming left and trying to fade the ball back always felt more "do-able" even when I was hooking everything.

In other words, I don't think you can simply tear up your golfing history - but then, you probably don't have to either. If you're truly ready to quit, you're probably ripe for trying some decent instruction!

[swalker]

If you're truly ready to quit, you're probably ripe for trying some decent instruction! That's one of the problems, in my area there are no true instructors. Every time I think I've got something really good. I mean I shoot in the mid 70s and then the next time, you'd think I've never seen a golf club. I don't have a one way miss during these times neither. I realize I'll never be as consistent as the pros but I'd love to have something I could count on. How would I lock some thing in,be it a draw or fade and nail it down?

[PirateJim]

Yep. Go find a pro you feel like you can develop a decent working relationship with. This may require interviewing a few. Tell them how you are feeling and that you are willing to "start over" if that is what it takes. That way they won't approach your lessons trying to bandaid over swing flaws to fix specific symptoms. It may take a while, but if you are carrying a 15 I bet it really won't take all that long to sort out what swing problems you may have. Don't forget to practice.

[APrince]

Where would you start? Because right now I'm so inconsistent I want to quit!

grip, set up, weight distribution, turn, weight transfer, hips. balance, swing path. one of those things will always surface and bite my swing.

im basically just finished with rebuilding a shorter RH stroke and now doing enough reps to make it muscle memory is my goal.

just start over and swing slow - get a mat, some plastic balls and hit into a fence.

[RandallT]

Where would you start? Because right now I'm so inconsistent I want to quit!

Last summer, before instruction, I had bad rounds (in 100s) and horrible range sessions that lasted a couple weeks. I was baffled. I took a couple weeks off. Then I came back fresh and was in the mood to just swing nice and easy at the range, just to see what happened. Lo and behold, the ball flight returned to where it was before the funk, and I could swing full speed by the end of the first range session back. Scores returned to normal (low 90s).

It's amazing what time and distance from golf can do when you are in a funk. Oh, and slow down. Easy half swings incorporating what you remember about fundamentals.

And yes, then lessons. In my case, I did that when I realized I wasn't truly improving after a few more rounds. Mid-90s with no improvement in sight lost its appeal.

[JCRuzanski]

I'm basically starting all over myself. Haven't played a round in 8+ years. I've started with basic... grip, stance, ball placement, posture... Been watching as many videos as I can. Bought a hitting mat, use "paper towel balls" and swing when I can... been to the range twice now, just trying to concentrate on tempo, and allowing my body to lead... Biggest problem I have is consistency in setup... distance from ball, and maintaining spine angle... Tuesday I will play my first official round... hoping to keep it at 100. When I played basketball competitively I'd always have a ball in my hands... my favorite was laying on my back and shooting to the ceiling... repetition is key... at least that's my approach this time.

[swalker]

Went out this morning and matched my personal best. 75. Didn't think about swing mechanics just wanted to hit the ball. Didn't hit it as far but much better.

[JCRuzanski]

Awesome job man. Sounds like you enjoyed yourself too!

[swalker]

Awesome job man. Sounds like you enjoyed yourself too!

Absolutely. No frustration except the double on #7. :-)

[JCRuzanski]

Think you may have solved your problem... [quote name="swalker" url="/t/69819/if-you-wanted-to-start-all-over#post_894110"] Absolutely. No frustration except the double on #7. :-)[/quote]