Trying to get everything working at the same time

[DDBowdoin]

Inconsistency is the name of my game, at least for parts of it. I have a 6.2 logged in now but there are days where I look at my game and think "wow, I could be a lot lower than this". It's something I really struggly with, one day... drivers working well with my desired trajectory, but the short game isn't there, next day the opposite. How do you guys, especially the lower handicappers, deal with this? I'm really ok with where I am now, a 6.2 isn't a shabby index but I would like to get better.

[TourSpoon]

Good thread. It's funny I was just reading your post nodding my head. Two weeks ago I had a round where I hit four balls into the hazard and ended up shooting 78 through some solid short game. Three weeks ago I hit my drives and approaches wonderful and putt marginally to shoot 78. Each time I see how I gave away shots on a different part of my game. I can't wait until it all comes together. Like you, I am not complaining about where I am, but I can see myself as a solid 5 if only I could put a few more things together. At this point I am trying to get more mentally tough and really focus on every stroke.

[Ben]

This may sound cliche but, practice, pracTICE, PRACTICE.

I used to HAAAATTTEEEE practice (except for chipping) and HHAAAAAATTTTE going to the driving range. As a matter of fact, about 2 years ago I vowed to never hit a range ball again. I lasted just over a year I think. I would say to myself. "what other practice do I need other than playing a round, that's real shots". I was probably around a 4 to 5 then. Look at me know. I had a not-so-special, so-so day today and shot two over. The difference. I practice now. I spend time on the range, time on chipping, and time on the putting green. This entire last summer there were MAYBE five days I didn't have a club in my hand.

[DDBowdoin]

I actually love to practice, almost more than playing. My home course (Ponkapoag Golf Club, Canton MA) may be the worst track in the United States. One element that is missing from my practice sessions is access to a grass range. As much as I love spending 11 dollars a bucket I just can't stand hitting off artificial mats. When I do go, I work primarily on driver.

I also feel as if I lack competition. I took up the game late and don't have many friends who play the game. Those who do are members at some of our nice private tracks and have limitations to how many guests and how often they can be invited. I play wherever I can get out and wherever I can afford. With that in mind I get paired up with all kinds of golfers. As nice as the guys are they just don't make me work hard. I want to get out there with a +2.6 and have my a** handed to me. So I think the most important thing for us better players is to get out there and join some form of a competitive amateur tour. I know of three here in Massachusetts that produce some good golf (their scores are posted in The Boston Globe). It's definately very expensive but I think it's what I need to get to the next level.

Haha, on a side note. I just graduated from college and accepted a job yesterday. I start on the 22nd, I have no idea how a 9-5 is going to affect my game. Not looking forward to being that weekend warrior.

[TourSpoon]

Ben, you are right. Practice is key. I have only played 15 rounds since a 5 year lay-off and I am trying to practice smart. Since I work for a living and have a family it has to be smart. I am shortening my backswing and can practice postioning in the garage and then take it to the range. At the range I will bring my shag bag and chip like a fiend. I haven't been out there lately, but I know that getting up and down is critical at this level.

Luckily, I found a group where we have a 4 and another 7 to play with, so I get inspired. I also have a friend that I have been working with who played on the LPGA and is a master teacher. This is why I feel that I am able to get it down to a 5 in a short time. We will see!

Good luck with the new job.

[play4him]

I agree about the practice, though I don't practice or play that much. My key is rhythm & timing. I've only averaged about 8-10 rounds the past few years, but I still shoot around par. I believe it's because I've honed my swing to where I know it, and I just concentrate on my rhythm & timing.
You have to have a repeatable swing that you can count on, and that only comes through practice.

[NM Golf]

As Ben said it takes a lot of practice to be consistant. I think the difference in my own game from when I was a 6 handicap to now is I get out of trouble much better. I make very few double bogeys. I still hit loose shots on occasion but I just don't make as many big numbers. That comes from having a much improved short game, and better course management as well. Short game, short game, short game. I know people hear it all the time but its true. The only way to get better at it is to practice.

[c_mack9]

man i sure feel sorry for you guys shooting 78s. try struggling to break 90 then ill give a little sympathy cause i can relate. until then i will just keep dreaming about playing as well as you guys are complaining about. good luck fellas.

[Diggitydog]

c_mack9 it's all relative. I'm a mid handicapper and can totally understand what the low handicap guys are saying here. I went and practiced my short game, (new long swing too) for 45 minutes a day for two weeks straight. My short game on the course was like night and day. I never liked to practice the short game because I felt I was giving away so many strokes off the tee, which was true, as soon as my long game became more consistent via the swing change I went right into practicing short game. It's amazing what that combination can provide. I know my handicap is showing a 10 but that's approximate, my last few games of the year would put me around a 6 handicap. I know, I know it's not a real handicap because it's only a few rounds.

I also feel the need to play with some solid players, I usually get joined up with whoever and honestly I'd like to play with some players that are better than me. Seems like I always end up with Hacker Joe or whatever.

[Ben]

You bring up a good point about playing with higher level players. That definitely helps. Just to see how they go about their business without ever getting too stressed about a shot or if they find themselves in a bad situation.

[c_mack9]

yeah i understand, the lowest round i had was a couple weeks ago. i hit my hybrid off all my trouble holes and played excellent wedges and had 36 putts but i couldnt hit an iron to save my life. i shanked them all over that course. i was really surprised to see my score when i finished cause it felt like i was playing bad all day long. i wish i could have hit better approach shots, who knows what i would have shot.

[TourSpoon]

You know it is all relative and I remember breaking 90 was a big deal to me. It took a long time to work it down to breaking 80, but like the others have said, a lot is short game, not freaking out, and getting out of trouble without a big number. Even if you get a big number, you know that with a couple of good holes you are right back in it.

One thing that helps is that I really try to make every putt. Now that sounds silly, but when I used to have a bad hole, I would sometimes want it to be over and rush everything just making it worse. Now I tend to concentrate even harder and try to get up and down or make that one putt. Making those 5 footers really save strokes whether it is for birdie or double bogey. Sometimes making it for double and finishing the hole with a good stroke can give you a boost to make that next putt, hopefully for birdie.

[MyGolfster]

Inconsistency is the name of my game, at least for parts of it. I have a 6.2 logged in now but there are days where I look at my game and think "wow, I could be a lot lower than this". It's something I really struggly with, one day... drivers working well with my desired trajectory, but the short game isn't there, next day the opposite. How do you guys, especially the lower handicappers, deal with this? I'm really ok with where I am now, a 6.2 isn't a shabby index but I would like to get better.

This is very true! I experienced the same experience when my handicap was a little higher. I used to wonder if the driver and iron swing was different because the days you were nutting your driver your irons were off, and the days you were striping your irons your driver was off. As far as short game, I feel the component that is either on or off is your distance control. Some days you hit your wedges pure and effortless with control, and other days it feels forced. I think a lot of it is mental. If you hit the first 7 greens in regulation, and miss the 8th, you put pressure on getting up and down as to not make a bogey. The round continues this way and you say "my short game was off". If your missing the greens at the beginning and save a few pars, you focus more on saving par to hang in there. In one situation you are focusing on "Not making a bogey" and another you are focusing on "getting up and down again". Notice one is positive one is negative. TIP: While your on the course, try to treat each shot as equals and not put pressure on one part of your game by noticing which is on and which isn't; just hit your shot, walk to your ball, and hit it again as best as possible.