Took lesson to stop a slice

[cooke119]

So I have always struggled with a strong fade or slice with my driver, (I usually hit my 3W), so I took a lesson recently. Carly watched me hit a few balls and liked what she saw, i.e., good grip, on plane, good rhythm, but I wasn't transferring my weight and getting through the ball. Working with her I got it after a few drills, straight wedge shots, 9 iron, 3W and driver, all good. By the end of the lesson I was really in good shape. Then I went to the course, what happens when you put grass under the ball versus a mat, I couldn't hit anything! Slice was back, shanking the wedge, and this just a day or two later! I could not get the feel back of transferring my weight. I think maybe I'm thinking to much when I address the ball, I have all these thoughts in my mind especially when bringing the club back. Any tips? 

[Shindig]

How much time after your lesson did you spend practicing it?  I don't think the issue was the grass under the ball, I think the issue was you didn't reinforce your lesson.

[Piz]

I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that you are swinging harder, on the course, than you are on the practice tee.  The most insidious move, in golf, is the impulse to give it something extra...just to be sure it gets there, clears the water, etc...It doesn't work.  It upsets the apple cart and, to mix metaphors, everything goes pear-shaped.  Trust your swing!  

[iacas]

2 hours ago, cooke119 said:

Any tips? 

A lesson only shows you what you need to practice.

You didn’t seem to practice it much.

[GrandStranded]

38 minutes ago, iacas said:

A lesson only shows you what you need to practice.

You didn’t seem to practice it much.

These two sentences make so much sense, I'm embarrassed to admit I never thought of it that way. I've taken very few lessons, but as I get more and more enamored with playing this game, your first sentence gives me a better understanding of how I should approach them from now on.

Edited July 27, 2018 by GrandStranded

[criley4way]

Everyone approaches lessons differently.

Most people take a lesson to quickly correct a single fault. Typically this results in a partial fix of one major issue. These people think of the lesson as the cure to the issue and because they walk out of the lesson hitting it well thinking that it is fixed.

Others approach lessons as a start. They go in, have an expert  diagnosis the issue, get instruction for the fix, ask and make sure that they understand the drills and work they need to focus on. Then they leave and grind on the drills and hope it sticks.

Lastly a few go in and give the instructor their short and long term goals. Get a plan. Get the first step diagnosed and leave with drills to focus on, key items to make sure they are making the correct fix and a progression to take it from a drill to a target swing focus.

You should decide what you want out of the lesson and let the instructor know what your goals are, what your commitment is and the amount and type of practice you will commit to. Let them help you design a path to get there. Then trust that they have the map. If you don't find someone else.

[Vinsk]

You should also be sure you’re getting proper feedback when practicing. I imagine when you first started whatever different swing mechanics Carly had you do it felt odd. It’s amazing how quick you can revert back to the faulty swing but think you’re doing it right. Ball flight can be deceiving. Video, an alignment stick in the ground, something should be there as reference for you when practicing.

[cooke119]

I am practicing what Carlie taught me, what I neglected to say was that I play in a league and we had a match two days after my lesson so I did not have enough time to ingrain what she had taught me. I just thought it amazing that one day you have the feel of what you are being taught and the next it is gone. I may be I am trying to kill the ball, I'll watch out for that, (I'm playing today). So we'll see what happens today.

[b101]

1 hour ago, cooke119 said:

I am practicing what Carlie taught me, what I neglected to say was that I play in a league and we had a match two days after my lesson so I did not have enough time to ingrain what she had taught me. I just thought it amazing that one day you have the feel of what you are being taught and the next it is gone. I may be I am trying to kill the ball, I'll watch out for that, (I'm playing today). So we'll see what happens today.

To be honest, it'll mainly be that, because you're playing in a match (and therefore it matters to you), you will be focusing on getting ball to target and therefore go back to all your old habits. 

Next time you practise, take a camera and video yourself hitting your first ball with the feeling you think you're using. I do this every time and I'm always amazed at how far away from achieving what I want to achieve I really am. It's a great way to start a range session as it immediately moves you away from the comfort zone of your 'standard' swing.

[iacas]

1 hour ago, cooke119 said:

I am practicing what Carlie taught me, what I neglected to say was that I play in a league and we had a match two days after my lesson so I did not have enough time to ingrain what she had taught me. I just thought it amazing that one day you have the feel of what you are being taught and the next it is gone. I may be I am trying to kill the ball, I'll watch out for that, (I'm playing today). So we'll see what happens today.

Changes take months, man.

[DaveP043]

2 hours ago, cooke119 said:

I am practicing what Carlie taught me, what I neglected to say was that I play in a league and we had a match two days after my lesson so I did not have enough time to ingrain what she had taught me. I just thought it amazing that one day you have the feel of what you are being taught and the next it is gone. I may be I am trying to kill the ball, I'll watch out for that, (I'm playing today). So we'll see what happens today.

I'm with the others, changes take a good long while to become ingrained and "natural."  And its not just "practicing", its proper practice.  The drills you mentioned from your lesson, keep doing those same drills.  They helped you to understand what your change should feel like. Video yourself, if you know what your change is supposed to look like, video can confirm that you're doing it right even when it feels horrible.  Eventually it won't feel horrible, it'll be the "new natural."  And accept that you might be inconsistent when you actually go out to play  until the change does become natural.  

[cooke119]

On ‎7‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 9:57 AM, iacas said:

Changes take months, man.

You are so right.

 

I have been practicing a lot plus I played 18 yesterday and did much better. It wasn't league play so pressure was off and I took my time and let it happen. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm 66 now and have had three back surgeries so my game is not what it use to be. But I'm hitting them straighter and that is all the counts. I'm having fun.