When will I know Ill hit the ball?

[Cupcakus]

I've taken up golf seriously for about 5 weeks now, and I hit a bucket or play a quick 9 hole executive about 5 days a week. I'm much better than when I started but even today I had two tee shots that I just shanked straight left of the tee about 30 feet. After giving myself a stroke and distance penalty my second shots from the tee were right on the money. I guess I'm just looking for a sanity check about how long it should take me to at least always hit the ball every time, I don't care if it always goes straight or far just yet, I just want to make solid contact every time so I don't look like a complete dufus out there. And in case it matters my miss hits were with a 4h and a 5 wood, both on long (for me 150yds+) par 3 holes.

[Duff McGee]

You will get to the point where you will likely make contact every time, but the contact won't be good on a consistent basis for many years most likely.

[Abu3baid]

You will get to the point where you will likely make contact every time, but the contact won't be good on a consistent basis for many years most likely.

Ain't that the truth!

[Kenny Lee]

I don't care if it always goes straight or far just yet, I just want to make solid contact every time so I don't look like a complete dufus out there.

I'm a single-digit handicap, and I look like a complete doofus at times, too.

Don't sweat it. Just keep working on your game and enjoy yourself.

[Club Rat]

And in case it matters my miss hits were with a 4h and a 5 wood, both on long (for me 150yds+) par 3 holes.

Try using a 7 iron on 150 yard shots.

If you were to catch the 4h or 5 wood, it would probably be a "goner" or "long & wrong"

Set a goal to improve your skill level one step at a time.

When I started playing, I hit wedge and the 9 iron for a month everyday.

Then I hit the 8 & 7.

It was a slow progression, but I was taught to learn and practice the fundamental principles of the golf swing.

Consider taking lessons, they help with improving.

Club Rat

[Grinde6]

Practice taking the club back slow and controlled and to the inside.  Do this with your irons, driver, and fairway woods and it will help out with the consistency.  If you are getting too quick with your swing, there is a pretty good chance you could miss the ball or shank it.  Practice that slow backswing to the inside and you will be on the way to good consistent contact.

[alleztom]

Consider taking lessons, they help with improving.

Very much so. It is worth investing the time and money especially at the beginning.

[Hatchman]

I've taken up golf seriously for about 5 weeks now, and I hit a bucket or play a quick 9 hole executive about 5 days a week. I'm much better than when I started but even today I had two tee shots that I just shanked straight left of the tee about 30 feet. After giving myself a stroke and distance penalty my second shots from the tee were right on the money. I guess I'm just looking for a sanity check about how long it should take me to at least always hit the ball every time, I don't care if it always goes straight or far just yet, I just want to make solid contact every time so I don't look like a complete dufus out there. And in case it matters my miss hits were with a 4h and a 5 wood, both on long (for me 150yds+) par 3 holes.

Glad your playing my friend. Good ideas already stated. I use my best club to keep in sync and take many many swings, strike hundreds of balls, with it. Did you read MANY? Give yourself time.

[dbuck]

Since you have determined that you like this silly game, now is the time to take a couple of lessons as others have suggested. Learning the correct fundamentals at the outset is infinitely better in the long run. A few gifted folks have successfully taught themselves, but they are generally the exception. The correct grip feels weird at first, as does the correct stance, alignment,  turn, and so on and so on. You may think you are correct, but a qualified instructor can see in a second if  some of these key fundamental points are in need of adjustment. As much as you are playing, you are somewhat "grooving" any flaws you may have, which in the long run will cause you to compensate and slow your long term progress. Find a QUALIFIED teacher, and take a couple or three lessons. Allow enough practice time between lessons to absorb the information. Grip the club the way you are taught, and line up the way you are taught, even if it feels a little strange at first. In the long run, you will be happy that you did.

[Cupcakus]

Thanks everyone, I probably should have mentioned originally that I have taken a few lessons , and video analysis, and my swing is on plane and looks good which is why it's frustrating that I don't always hit the ball. I don't hit any one club any better than any other, my odds of missing seem to be the same regardless of club. I find if I swing too slow and deliberate things get worse, my coach tells me this is normal as the motion needs to be an athletic movement for the body to keep things consistent. A 7 iron for me will go 130 max even with nice solid straight contact, I can get my 6 iron to 150, but I was into the wind yesterday and hit a club up, I dont own a 5i, so after 6 I'm in the hybrids.