Getting my swing back after a longer break

[Johnniz13]

Hi. I live in Norway, so golfing season here is from may to September. Last year I got my handicap down to 28 (from 33), shooting lower than 100 regularly (down from 115-125). The strongest part of my game became my iron shots, while putting and chipping were horrible, often 3 or 4 putting and struggling chipping. I did struggle with my 6 and 5 iron, but my 7 iron was solid and high averaging 150-180 yards. 

I went back to the range for the first time since September 2017 and I could not even get the ball airborne with irons. Of the 70 range balls, I hit one nice PW and 3 OK SW. I did not bother hitting anything less lofted than PW. So, less than 6% of the shots got airborne. Its like I never played golf, and starting all over again.

Is a 6 month layoff so much that improving would be too difficult?

[Vinsk]

10 minutes ago, Johnniz13 said:

Hi. I live in Norway, so golfing season here is from may to September. Last year I got my handicap down to 28 (from 33), shooting lower than 100 regularly (down from 115-125). The strongest part of my game became my iron shots, while putting and chipping were horrible, often 3 or 4 putting and struggling chipping. I did struggle with my 6 and 5 iron, but my 7 iron was solid and high averaging 150-180 yards. 

I went back to the range for the first time since September 2017 and I could not even get the ball airborne with irons. Of the 70 range balls, I hit one nice PW and 3 OK SW. I did not bother hitting anything less lofted than PW. So, less than 6% of the shots got airborne. Its like I never played golf, and starting all over again.

Is a 6 month layoff so much that improving would be too difficult?

Hello there! Welcome! No lay off is too long. Golf is a sport of lifetime improvement. I laid off for several years and back into it like never before. Hell sometimes a lay off can be beneficial. Consider starting from the basics, grip, posture etc. Browse through here and I’m sure you’ll make out just fine.

 

[sofingaw]

Yeah, try not to get discouraged. 6mo.  Is a long time, (though not a record by any means) but all you can do is to keep at it. 

I will say that some range sessions, I hit the first 50 balls or more pretty (very) badly. Then I get into a groove of sorts, and/or make some changes and hit them better for a while. 

It is recommended repeatedly by pros and great players not to simply bash ball after ball, and to limit how many you hit/take your time. That’s sound advice that many of us, myself included should take more often. But I must admit that in my own experience, sometimes you may have to get a bunch of bad ones out of the way first.

I also second the recommendation to read through a bunch, or all of the thread linked to above. Simple things like grip and stance can make a huge positive difference.

Good luck, and keep at it!

[Patch]

My question might be that during the months you can't play, do you do anything indoors? Like carpet putting, carpet chipping, or ( if your ceiling is high enough) maybe swing a mid/long iron with out hitting a ball?

Just because you can't play/practice out of doors, you have indoor options available to you. 

I know when I have had extended layoffs from the game, I found it easier to get the easier strokes out of the way first. I start with putting/chipping first. Then graduate to longer shots, and clubs from there. This is just the way I get my longer swings in shape, faster in the process. Might work for others too. 

At any rate, welcome to TST. 

[MarvChamp]

On 5/24/2018 at 9:45 PM, Johnniz13 said:

Is a 6 month layoff so much that improving would be too difficult?

Everyone has given good advice. I have now played 4 rounds since physical issues began Sept. 2017. I am improving slowly because I have to deal with healing that affects my current abilities. But I keep trying and enjoying. I doubt you will find it too hard to improve more quickly. Best wishes, -Marv

[Buckeyebowman]

Although I do not live in Norway, I do live in NE Ohio which can have some nasty Winters, one of which we just had. It's like I have to relearn the game every Spring. To make matters worse, a freezing rain and snow storm collapsed the local golf dome, which was a nice place to hit balls when the weather was bad.

So, it's back to square one. Just keep at it, if you work at it you will improve.

[DrMJG]

I have returned to golf after a 17 years of not playing.  We should not talks of my first few weeks at the range and first round on a course. I am lucky living in the Phoenix AZ area.  Very few days when it is not possible to to hit a few at the range.  Had to get more up to date clubs and started using senior flex shafts.  It took a while but have regained most of my old distance and for some reason lost the severe hook I used to own (maybe an old habit died!). I have taken a few lessons. So be patient.  I, too, started golfing in a short season part of the USA.  I just made the most of it.  Returning to golf took time, patience, and a great sense of humor!  I wish you the best.

[Johnniz13]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. We do have one indoor arena which it would be possible to practice a bit during winter, but I was recovering from biceps tendonitis in both my arms, so had to take the winter months completely off.

I have spent quite a few sessions on the range since i last posted, and my swing is more or less back. I have recorded my swing quite a bit too, and managed to remove my reverse pivot but discovered I over rotate, my left arm collapses in the back swing and my head moves 2-3 inches vertically during my backswing as well lol. 

The good news is that you guys cheered me on, but now I have other things to work on :) It was a big relief to see the ball airborne again lol.

[Shindig]

Glad to hear it's working out and you've come back.  Stick around and hang out, let's see if we can get that index down.

[Johnniz13]

Will do. My lowest score last year was 99, hoping to beat that and eventually breaking 100 on a regular basis 🙂

[Johnniz13]

Back again to write an update.

I have played 4 rounds of 18 hole courses over the past two weeks and it is progressively getting worse...

I have been working a lot on my swing, to the point that I now push all my irons to the right, quite severely, And the driver, and hybrid are now my most reliable clubs. Im now scoring in the 120`s and 130`s :( Its not down to the shortgame, as it takes me 6.7 and 8 shots to get in the vicinity of the green sometimes. Would you recommend keep playing, or use the money on lessons instead? Maybe just work on one specific thing?

Thanks

[MarvChamp]

1 hour ago, Johnniz13 said:

Would you recommend keep playing, or use the money on lessons instead? Maybe just work on one specific thing?

Hey! Glad you're still at it! I would like to suggest that you get Lowest Score Wins AND some lessons to work on what will be most valuable to your play in the long run. It certainly may be mechanics of the swing; but it could be,e.g., working on approach shots 150 yds. in, like me. LSW has helped me focus on what will bring my score down. Still a high GHIN but have shot and broken 90. Finally, I found my injuries mean I need to limit the practice sessions, so this method helps me get the most out of what I have while still healing. Best wishes, -Marv

[Shindig]

2 hours ago, Johnniz13 said:

Back again to write an update.

I have played 4 rounds of 18 hole courses over the past two weeks and it is progressively getting worse...

I have been working a lot on my swing, to the point that I now push all my irons to the right, quite severely, And the driver, and hybrid are now my most reliable clubs. Im now scoring in the 120`s and 130`s 😞 Its not down to the shortgame, as it takes me 6.7 and 8 shots to get in the vicinity of the green sometimes. Would you recommend keep playing, or use the money on lessons instead? Maybe just work on one specific thing?

 Thanks

Lessons obviously help.  And an improved full swing will help dramatically to bring down your score;  as you note, it isn't short game that keeps you back (or most people).  Quite frankly, an improved second shot (since you say your driver is a reliable club, which is great news) will get you down into the low hundreds fairly quickly. 

Do you have a camera and tripod?  If so, consider posting a "my swing" thread: 

https://thesandtrap.com/forums/forum/13-member-swings/

I'll take a look and players much better than I am will likely do so too.

[Johnniz13]

On 7/1/2018 at 3:57 PM, Shindig said:

Do you have a camera and tripod?  If so, consider posting a "my swing" thread: 

https://thesandtrap.com/forums/forum/13-member-swings/

I'll take a look and players much better than I am will likely do so too.

Yes, I`m playing tomorrow. I will try to get my friend to film me both down the line and face on during warmup before the round. I'm a bit apprehensive since i think my swing sucks lol, but I guess you never really get better unless you are corrected or critiqued 🙂

[Shindig]

2 hours ago, Johnniz13 said:

Yes, I`m playing tomorrow. I will try to get my friend to film me both down the line and face on during warmup before the round. I'm a bit apprehensive since i think my swing sucks lol, but I guess you never really get better unless you are corrected or critiqued 🙂

I was very fearful of posting mine at first.  You know what?  Shortly after I posted it, I improved like 3-4 shots in a very short period of time, thanks to the guys here.  And then a bit more with more feedback.

It makes a nice diary too, going back to see what our swings looked like.