Does it really need to be that hard?

[CharlePL]

Hi Guys,

I have started playing golf 2 weeks ago. During this time I had 7.5h of group lessons and 1h of individual instruction and I am still really bad at golf.

I have hit up to 15 baskets of balls on a driving range and I still have 0 consistency.

I am able to name what have caused a good golf shoot - > proper body rotation, good grip, looking at the ball etc. but I am still not able to apply any technique consistently.

Is it normal? Golf is making me a little bit miserable at the moment. After how many hours a typical guy gets some level of consistency?

Help!

[JPK1988]

Lol. 2 weeks.

Hi Guys,

I have started playing golf 2 weeks ago. During this time I had 7.5h of group lessons and 1h of individual instruction and I am still really bad at golf.

I have hit up to 15 baskets of balls on a driving range and I still have 0 consistency.

I am able to name what have caused a good golf shoot - > proper body rotation, good grip, looking at the ball etc. but I am still not able to apply any technique consistently.

Is it normal? Golf is making me a little bit miserable at the moment. After how many hours a typical guy gets some level of consistency?

Help!

I started 5 years ago, have had about 30+ hours of lessons, have hit thousands and thousands of balls, could list about 100 fundamentals for you, and still have a minimal consistency.

Most people on this forum could list their numbers at a ten-fold increase of mine, and give you the same answer... still looking for consistency.

Golf might require the most time and patience of any game on earth.

[Bird E3]

Haha when I struggle, it's often because of to many swing thoughts. I got down to a 5 handicap with no lessons. I'm not saying lessons are bad, but I would recommend going up to your ball, and just hit it. Once your set up and balanced, don't stand over more than 2 seconds thinking. Just hit it.

[boogielicious]

Hi Guys,

I have started playing golf 2 weeks ago. During this time I had 7.5h of group lessons and 1h of individual instruction and I am still really bad at golf.

I have hit up to 15 baskets of balls on a driving range and I still have 0 consistency.

I am able to name what have caused a good golf shoot - > proper body rotation, good grip, looking at the ball etc. but I am still not able to apply any technique consistently.

Is it normal? Golf is making me a little bit miserable at the moment. After how many hours a typical guy gets some level of consistency?

Help!

Welcome to the forum @CharlePL .  Be patient!  It can take a while to develop some consistency.

I recommend a couple of things.  First, if you can film your swing the folks here can point you in the right direction toward consistency.  Second, check out this thread to get an idea of what a good consistent swing contains.  There are lots of good ways to hit a golf ball well, but they all have something in common.

[Party]

Welcome to the forum.  I have been playing since I was 5 which is about 26 years now.  I am around a 3 handicap (1.5 the lowest) and still haven't become a + handicap at any point in my life.  I don't practice as much as I used to when I was younger (all day, every day) as I find more enjoyment playing the game and I just don't have as much time.  Golf is one of those things where you can't expect perfection whether you are starting out or an experienced player.  When starting out you must set small and realistic goals for yourself, even on the range.  Hit 3 out of 10 shots solid or whatever it may be.  Put 3 out of 10 15 foot putts within 1 foot on the putting green, etc.  Each time you meet these goals you should look upon them as a success.  Each one of these successes will lead to better golf in your future.  Golf is one of those things where you need to find enjoyment in the small victories as none of us will be out there setting low score records (unless there are some tour pros frequenting this forum).  It isn't like fishing where anyone could go out one day and catch the biggest record fish.  If you have the right approach and frame of mind, golf is the greatest game ever and will be for you. .

And yes, golf IS hard.

But it is also a great time.

[Strandly]

Hi Guys,

I have started playing golf 2 weeks ago. During this time I had 7.5h of group lessons and 1h of individual instruction and I am still really bad at golf.

I have hit up to 15 baskets of balls on a driving range and I still have 0 consistency.

I am able to name what have caused a good golf shoot - > proper body rotation, good grip, looking at the ball etc. but I am still not able to apply any technique consistently.

Is it normal? Golf is making me a little bit miserable at the moment. After how many hours a typical guy gets some level of consistency?

Help!

I don't think grinding X amount of hours necessarily translates into success.  Success, I think, comes down to your ability to burn into your skull a few very basic things you need to do on every swing.

[boogielicious]

@CharlePL ,

Also check out these threads on how to practice smart and what to work on.  It is not the hours of practice that count, but the way you practice and what you practice.

[CharlePL]

Thank you for all the answers.

It's really tough but I need to start with baby steps. More or less I have a plan for the next couple of weeks.

I will be starting with a half swing, more or less to the moment in swing that arms and a club make a letter L. My feet will be together - I think this helps me a little bit to learn proper rotation. I need to learn how to relax during the swing because at the moment I am quite nervous and uptight.

Later on I will start splitting the feet and increase the swing magnitude.

Additionally I will devote 1h or 1.5h of practice into chipping and putting.

Ambitious plan is to repeat that up to 6 times per week + playing maybe a 3 rounds on a 9 hole course where I have a membership.

[isukgolf]

Welcome to golf ... :-D

[CharlePL]

Thank you everyone for very encouraging comments. It's not easy but there is no other way I suppose.

Today I have practiced some shots on range with iron 7 and it was much better than before. I was not trying to achieve anything but I was basically doing my routine and hit. Some very nice shots. Then I played couple holes (my elbow is aching) and I was positively surprised how easily I was able to hit a ball from the tee and how I played some chip shots. The only thing I was not impressed with was my putting. I am still searching my grip and balance.

[Hardballs]

Your current progress sounds about right! People forget how hard golf is at first, it seems it's easier to pick up from a young age, and harder the later we take it up! It's not good to have too many thoughts running through your head before a swing! So just concentrate on the basic set up, alignment, stance, balance, & grip! Once you have a set up ingrained, you are 50% more likely to hit the ball well! Then just remember the most basic of swing "laws" ...keep head still, slow takeaway and back swing, keep head still, allow club head to drop, keep head still, hit the ball! One thing I have been doing recently as a warm up, is take the backswing using only my left arm, then let it drop from the top to the point where your arm and club are straight at impact, you can really feel the weight of the club head doing the work and it reminds me I don't have it hit hard, just hit well! And remember to practice things on the range, but just play on the course, don't think too much when ya playing,.... it hurts!

[boogielicious]

Thank you everyone for very encouraging comments. It's not easy but there is no other way I suppose.

Today I have practiced some shots on range with iron 7 and it was much better than before. I was not trying to achieve anything but I was basically doing my routine and hit. Some very nice shots. Then I played couple holes (my elbow is aching) and I was positively surprised how easily I was able to hit a ball from the tee and how I played some chip shots. The only thing I was not impressed with was my putting. I am still searching my grip and balance.

@CharlePL ,

Don't overdo it.  Ice that elbow after practicing.  You do not want to get golfers elbow.  You can also wear a compression wrap during practice to reduce the stress.