Reminded this weekend how frustrating this sport can be

[PingDB]

Was at the range yesterday, having been away from the sport for some time I've been going to the range 4-5 times a week in the last month or so as I have a few outings with friends and colleagues coming up I want to be at least comfortable going on the course.

I've followed my normal practice method each time, I'll bring out my 7 iron, hit a few off the mat, pull out the 4 iron, hit a few off the mat then off the low tee, trying to get a little shape in the shot.  Always start with the 7 and 4 as they are my "go to" comfort clubs.  Always strike them cleanly, always a good feel to the shots.

I'll move on to the woods and driver, then finish off on some short game practice, chipping between 50-100yds to various targets

Yesterday was no different, pulled out the 7 and that's where things went wrong :-)

I couldn't get a solid strike, wasn't even consistent with how I was off.  Caught it fat, thin, toe, heel.....

switched to the 4 iron a bit frustrated, and the same thing.  Just could not get hold of the ball, so I did what any reasonable player does....started to completely screw with my set up :-)  ball placement, face open/closed, swing in to out, out to in and yep,  none of it worked :-)

Obviously at this point the only thing left to do was bring out the driver and go nuts!  Next ten shots, clean, straight, all hit the fence at the back of the range (it's not a super long range the fence is around 230-250).  I typically have a fade on my driver and have to work to straighten it out, yesterday, no concentration, my practice was over in my head and I just needed to swing.

Going to take a few days off, go back to the range Wednesday, reset and get re-acquainted with my trusty 7 and 4.

[MrDC]

It happens, golf is hard, and sometimes we just don't have it, could be a lack of energy, could be the mind is wandering, and when things go bad we grip tighter and just make things worse.

When this happens to me at the range I don't keep working, I walk away, I don't care if I'm only there for 10 minutes, if I feel wrong right off the bat I'm done, I don't push it, there's always tomorrow.

[PingDB]

I was going to wait until Wednesday, but an hour opened up this lunchtime, so obviously I took the opportunity.

I actually hit the 4 and 7 irons pretty well, only issues I had were when trying to either hit it too far and rushed the swing, or tried to get too creative after a while and shape the shots too much.  Feeling good this afternoon :-)

Gotta love cross country hockey!!!!