Desperation

[edhalsim]

I just can't seem to hit the ball anymore.  I feel like I've tried everything, like the fat person who's tried every diet out there with no success.  I've been to four or five instructors for lessons over the years and spent a bunch of money;  I've looked a videos online, but I still have the same two swing faults:

1. To start the downswing I have a slight over the top move that starts the club down too steep.  Somehow, and this is weird, I manage to shallow out the swing plane right before impact, maybe as a result of issue #2

2. About half way down my head moves away from the ball by a good amount.  It doesn't go up, but it goes back away from the ball.

These lead to a great deal of inconsistency.  My big miss is a pull hook because I flip my hands at the ball.

You can view my latest swings here:  http://thesandtrap.com/forums/topic/81520-my-swing-edhalsim/?do=findComment&comment=753758

At this point I really don't care what I shoot, I "just" want to hit the ball solid again with some consistency.  I'm also fighting my emotional demons as well (frustration, feeling like a loser).  I welcome any advice (please be gentle;  I don't think my ego can take it).  I'd prefer not to quit golf entirely.  Thanks I appreciate it.

[boogielicious]

I just can't seem to hit the ball anymore.  I feel like I've tried everything, like the fat person who's tried every diet out there with no success.  I've been to four or five instructors for lessons over the years and spent a bunch of money;  I've looked a videos online, but I still have the same two swing faults:

1. To start the downswing I have a slight over the top move that starts the club down too steep.  Somehow, and this is weird, I manage to shallow out the swing plane right before impact, maybe as a result of issue #2

2. About half way down my head moves away from the ball by a good amount.  It doesn't go up, but it goes back away from the ball.

These lead to a great deal of inconsistency.  My big miss is a pull hook because I flip my hands at the ball.

You can view my latest swings here:  http://thesandtrap.com/forums/topic/81520-my-swing-edhalsim/?do=findComment&comment=753758

At this point I really don't care what I shoot, I "just" want to hit the ball solid again with some consistency.  I'm also fighting my emotional demons as well (frustration, feeling like a loser).  I welcome any advice (please be gentle;  I don't think my ego can take it).  I'd prefer not to quit golf entirely.  Thanks I appreciate it.

Have you tried Evolvr for lessons? Your swing looks pretty good to me. I would stick with what @mvmac mentioned in your post. You will get more detail from Evolvr, which Mike and Erik are part of.

[Righty to Lefty]

What troubles me about what I read is that you have you mentioned nothing about making setup adjustments. Your swing is your swing and I don't feel like you should be micro analyzing it.  You should be analyzing very closely how you are setting up to the shot and carefully noting the results of the ball flight from that spot.  If you are physically healthy then your problem is that where you are setting up, and what you are intending to happen with the shot, do not match. 

I had the pleasure of playing golf with a +3 handicap former touring pro for 6 months and over the course of the 110 rounds that we played, the most glaring thing that I noticed about him was his ability to set up to his intended shot day in and day out.  His swing was no better than mine and I actually hit it 20 plus yards further than he did, but he was like a robot in how he setup to his shots and I could literally predict what was about to happen before he even hit the shot. 

If you are trying to hit a fade, everything in your setup should scream fade, and vice versa for a draw.  Your miss is a pull hook because you setup in such a way that a pull hook can occur.  Your ball position probably crept forward a lil too much and your body realized that on the downswing and tried to save the shot. You don't have to have a perfect swing, but you do have to have an understanding of your setup and where the low point of your swing is at all times.

Ask yourself this question and I think you will see what I am getting at.  Would you rather have the most beautiful swing on the planet, but an inability to get setup properly. Or would you rather have your own swing, but have the ability to set up to your intended shot with 100% precision, every time?  Just because you have a visually pretty swing that in no way means that you will play good golf because if that was the case then Adam Scott would have all the majors.  When you learn to setup perfectly and repeatedly to your intended shot then you will begin to take impact for granted because you know what's coming. Then you can play golf.  I will attach some videos that helped me realize this and I hope it helps.

 

 

 

 

 

[Kenny Lee]

Your hdc index reads 7.7. Is that accurate? If yes, that ain't bad.

It's obvious you have talent. More lessons and time on the range would be my suggestion.

Keep fighting, brother. 

 

[mcanadiens]

I'm not qualified to talk about swings, but on the frustration standpoint ... 

After suffering a brutal breakdown in my club championship in early August, I simply stopped scoring my rounds for two or three weeks. I knew I wasn't going to play another event that depended on the HI. Constantly thinking and worrying about the number was getting in the way of my enjoying the game. Taking a break from the scorecard reminded me why this game is fun and simply beating some number isn't it.

I've carded some rounds since then and it's much better.   Will probably get the HI fired back up next spring.

Edited October 16, 2015 by mcanadiens

[vangator]

Time to go back to basics.  Start slow until you start making solid contact.  At 7.7, you used to.  Looks like lots of range time.  Go to some execs to get your confidence back.

[mvmac]

 I would stick with what @mvmac mentioned in your post

Yeah @edhalsim, how is it going with the stuff I recommended? If the hips don't sway back it'll make it a lot easier to swing outward/less across your body.

[ncarlsongolf]

With the handicap and the way the swing looks, I would keep checking the basics. Just to mentally know that you have done everything correctly and can have a clear mind to start your swing.  I do think at the level you are getting to, you start thinking more.  It's even more important to be strong mentally.  Start doing some mental training and get that side of your game right.  It sounds like you are very worried and possibly over trying to make good contact. Keep fighting the good fight!

[edhalsim]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.  Lots of good ideas here.  I do believe a large part of it is mental.  I've noticed I tend to lurch at the ball on the course, probably due to excess tension and fear of what's going to happen.  I don't feel like I commit to the shot on the course like I do on the range.

Technically, yes @mvmac I am working on turning more, especially my upper body, and not swaying back.  I also am working on getting my lower body to sequence better on the downswing and turn all the way through as my tendency is to stop turning my lower body and my upper body takes over and I throw the club at the ball and flip my hands.  I had a good practice session today where I was hitting some nice high draws so there's hope!

[ncarlsongolf]

I rely on a lot of good coaches, not just golf coaches but just good coaches, as they all have to deal with the mental aspects of their sport.  In football, many of the great coaches have talked about "Calmness at the Moment of Truth"  You can venture your own guess as to what this means.  Its simple to say and know what it means but it very hard to do throughout an entire golf swing.  I would suggest really applying this and working towards making it a reality.  Let nothing creep in throughout the swing and let nothing deter you from being calm and hitting the shot you want!