Are you getting better?

[saevel25]

No, I've not improved this year, but it's my fault for getting lax in my practice habits. I intend to rectify that over the winter but at this point I'm not even interested in hitting a golf ball.

Then don't hit a golf ball. Do a lot of slow swings with video or mirror. Just work on your one priority piece all winter. Don't worry about anything else but that. See what happens in the spring. When you look at the video don't look at all the faults, just focus on that one piece. That is the pitfall of using video, getting so obsessed with how everything looks and getting lost.

[billchao]

Swing is better, scores are a mixed bag. Feels like I'm just one step away from playing better consistently. Just in time for winter.

[Jeremie Boop]

Then don't hit a golf ball. Do a lot of slow swings with video or mirror. Just work on your one priority piece all winter. Don't worry about anything else but that. See what happens in the spring. When you look at the video don't look at all the faults, just focus on that one piece. That is the pitfall of using video, getting so obsessed with how everything looks and getting lost.

I'll work on things through the winter, doing slow swings with a mirror isn't something I like/care to do. Regardless, right now I'm just trying to shake off the frustration and I'll get back to it soon.

[saevel25]

I'll work on things through the winter, doing slow swings with a mirror isn't something I like/care to do. Regardless, right now I'm just trying to shake off the frustration and I'll get back to it soon.

Well that is your choice, but you will be missing out on a great training tool.

[whatwoodtigerdo]

Yes I am getting better. But not at what I am actually always working on. Go figure.

[bste]

I am getting better (if I keep telling myself that, I just might start to believe it). Keep changing out equipment, I wasn't fit for, looking for that something to click, no range time, play 9 holes once a week. So, with cooler weather coming, I'll get some time to practice, work on some things and maybe next year.

[iacas]

Granted, I just enjoy playing (alot) - don't practice much unless I'm trying to fix a dramatic hook or some other issue.

…

The not improving thing is a bit discouraging considering the amount that I play (2-3x a week).

It might be discouraging, but it's not surprising given the first sentence.

[Chris223]

Well last year I was shooting low 90's almost every time out, broke 90 2 or 3 times.  This year, started off the year ok with a 91 on my first 18 hole round and then just downhill from there and I haven't broken 100 in 3 rounds now.  Can't get off the tee.  I am duffing 1 out of every 3 tee shots.  And by duffing yes I mean duffing, not even reaching the fairway.  I'm a mess with a driver so I use either 3 wood or 3 hybrid.  Still can't get the ball out there with any kind of consistency.

[Big C]

Yes, but in a "1.25 steps forward, 1 step back" sort of way. I'm still capable of god awful rounds, but my scoring range has shifted downward ever so slightly. I do think my mental approach to golf has gotten better over the past few years, which helps my enjoyment of the game, if nothing else.

[mvmac]

Yes

- I read Lowest Score Wins

- Better understanding of my Shot Zone

- Better Game Planning, center of the green vs aiming at the flag.

- Swing is always a work in progress but my typical faults are lessening.

- Maybe the biggest change mechanically has been my putting stroke, less "loopy", more float load more pendulum like. It's still not great but it was horrible last year.

- Pitching has gotten better for sure. Better off tight and hard pan lies. Left knee sagging less so my timing doesn't have to be perfect.

[scorpion12]

No honestly my game has not improved. I play 9 holes weekly and I consistently shoot between 52-64. I don't practice. I have no excuse.

I have somewhat tamed my slice thanks to the proper grip thread.

I've got a wedge to the green seminar scheduled next month with Golftec at my local Golfsmith. The following month I've got a drive it longer and better seminar.

I'm hoping those help me some. I also plan to try to play some during the fall and winter if it's not too cold which it shouldn't be down here.

[Golfingdad]

Have you improved this year?  If so, why? What did you do different that made you better?

Ummm, yes:

(For the record, my previous best was 6.8 last July, and I started 2013 at 9.9. - a few months before that I started with Evolvr)

This year, the biggest gains were due to:

• Continued full swing improvements from 5SK/Evolvr lessons and practice.
• Reading LSW and implementing a smarter gameplan, most notably, going for the center of EVERY green when outside of 90-100 yards.  (Second most notably, understanding the concept behind shot zones)
• Reading, understanding, and implementing things learned in this putting thread.
• Lastly, continued improvement on my short game (pitching) using technique I learned late last year, and explained in this thread .

Additionally, and some might consider these "famous last words" or tempting fate, but; I strongly believe I am not at my ceiling yet.  These rounds I've been playing lately still include silly little mistakes that I'm continually improving upon with focused practice, and my putting has gotten so much better that many of my misses are really close.  I believe I will start having rounds occasionally when those putts are dropping.

[CarlSpackler]

No. Quite the opposite.

[NJpatbee]

I had an unusually rough start to the season yanking the ball to the left on every other driving hole and going over 100 5 times 7-8 penalty strokes/round.  I did get my drive working and spent time on my short game and had a half dozen excellent rounds with nothing higher than a 92 and an 86 as my low score.  I then proceeded to need a month off due to a non-golf back injury and am just starting to play again.  I cannot bend well and I am averaging 3-4 strokes higher - my biggest problems are pitches and chips due to the occasional sharp pain when bending.  Bottom line, I had a goal of knocking a full stroke off my handicap which I probably will not make with the cooler weather coming.  But I have been put on a back strengthening and spine stretching exercise program, so wait till next year.

[Dave2512]

I improved this year and pretty much met all of my goals. Unfortunately getting ready to shut it down for the year. Should be interesting to see how winter inactivity affects me next spring. I intend to practice but I won't have many scores to use as a measuring stick.

[Club Rat]

I peaked years ago and as I get older try to maintain my swing.

As a Midwest golfer, playing during winter, spring can cause a disruption due to the bulk of required clothing needed to keep warm.

Swing usually needs serious attention in the spring.

Improvement comes is very small increments for low handicappers. (I now enjoy the game with less frustration to improve a low handicap)

Becoming better? Some days are sad and some are glad !!!

Practice? I LUV to practice? But I also LUV to Play !!!

I'm one of the fortunate old guys who get's to play very frequently...

Attitude? Living the dream !!! Thank you Lord !!!

Swing Flaw, needs work. Doesn't everybody? Unless your great like some on the site !!!

Story? Not really a story, just love to rock and roll and play golf.

Club Rat

[Strandly]

I'm definitely getting better, I think my handicap might be in the 12-15 range now actually.  I plan on saving 10 or 15 scorecards between now and the end of the year and using them to start a handicap first thing next spring so I guess that's when I'll see the damage.

[jgreen85]

Yes, not at the pace I wanted, but I am getting better. Last four rounds over the last 1.5 months were 82 > 85 > 86 > 81. I still struggle off of the tee, but my irons are solid, I've developed a 50% swing with my 52,56,58 and now a two hop and check with my 52. Finally, thanks to the putting stroke like a pendulum thread, my putting stroke is getting more and more consistent. Since implementing the thoughts from that thread, I haven't had a 3 putt (2.5 rounds) on some fairly hairy/bumpy greens (AZ courses preparing for over-seed). I'm getting confident in my distance control, which is allowing me to focus on the line.

My goal was to be sub-5 by 1/4/15 (my 30th birthday). Doesn't look like that will happen, but sub-10 looks to be doable. I owe pretty much all of my success to this site. Swing in the mirror, 3 wedges, and the putter. Perhaps, i should re-visit the swing in an upline pattern with driver thread. I had some success with playing a fade off of the tee earlier in the year.