edhalsim

Hi, I used to shoot upper 70s, low 80s consistently. Then, a few years ago, I started on a quest to improve my swing thinking it would help me get closer to par. The result has been awful; I've taken lessons from multiple people and I'm only getting worse. This past weekend in perfect weather I shot 86 & 91. Two main reasons: I can't get the ball up and down; I was 1 out of 22. Part of the reason is all our greens are elevated since we're in a flood plane so I'm always pitching up hill, normally to a tight pin, from either a fairway type lie or thick rough. I rarely have a "standard" chip and run shot. I start hitting crazy full swing shots and then I can't stop. My driver's my best club, but I'll start snap hooking it. I may shank an iron, or miss the green with a wedge. My buddies say I lead the tour in doubles or worse from the middle of the fairway. I never used to hit these crazy shots which I can't even replicate on the range, but now I do it all the time. I think I do all the "standard" stuff I've heard about the mental game - don't focus on the score during the round, put bad holes behind you, focus on the next shot, etc., but nothing seems to help. I may play one good 9-holes out of 10. I played with a couple of people who I haven't seen in quite a while and they both remarked that they'd never seen me play this badly. Very disheartening to hear since it's true. Obviously any confidence I used to have is long gone. Thanks for listening and if you have any suggestions you think may help please let me know.

Hi, I admit it; I'm a major head case with golf. First off, I am planning on taking the next few weeks away from the game as the thought of playing right now causes me dread. I'm pushing 60, though physically I'm in good shape. Over the past eight months my index has risen from a 4.5 to well over 9; from shooting in the upper 70s/low 80s to upper 80s/low 90s. I drive the ball well most of the time (avg. 270), but I lead "the tour" on bogeys or worse from the middle of the fairway. I can hit great iron shots, but not nearly often enough anymore. I average probably 3.5 shots every time I get a wedge in my hand regardless of distance. My touch around the greens has disappeared and if I get one putt per round longer than 4' to fall that's good. I 3 putt a lot because I either can't get my approach putt close enough (more issues with touch), or I miss the 3-5 footers. Yes I've tried different putting grips. I also hit several shots a round that just come out of nowhere, like topping one or snap hook. I just went on a golf trip with friends which was fun except my golf was again terrible. Of course the guys make comments like "wow, you used to be good" which don't help. Now I'm afraid of picking up a club let alone trying to play. I'm not even sure why I'm posting this or what help I'm seeking. Can't discuss with the wife as she wants to forbid me from playing until I can play without getting down/angry/depressed. I would hate to have to accept that this is my new normal and I'm going to play this way from now on. After all the hard work, hours, $$$, etc. I've put into the game that would feel like a complete failure. If anyone has an constructive suggestions, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for listening. Ed

42/45=87. My index has jumped to an 8.1 meaning for the first time since tracking my hcp 7-8 yrs ago It’s now in double digits. Why? Not my health or age: it’s trying to get better. The more lessons I take the worse I get.

@iacas @klineka Yes, I agree both those swings are not all that shallow. What I'm going for is that first move down. In both examples, the shaft does shallow slightly the first move down whereas mine starts down steep and then shallows later around waist high. I think my hands are too active at impact. I think if I could 1) get the club to shallow just a bit starting down, and 2) don't pull my head back away from the ball before impact (I hit everything off the toe) I'd really have something. BTW, I'm working on the takeaway portion and that part is looking better to me so thanks for that tip!

Thanks for the replied. I do need some clarification. I agree I need more shoulder/body turn, but am I specifically trying to get my hands deeper? If so, what does that facilitate? Are there any specific drills I should work on? Clay and his group at topspeedgolf offer swing reviews for an extra charge, which I've done.

I've been working with topspeedgolf.com for a little while. They're trying to get me to flatten/shallow out the club at the start of the downswing, rather than start down steep and then shallow it late which is too inconsistent. This is something Zach Allen apparently is big in to. I've tried and tried to get that move to no avail. The closest I come is swinging one handed: Thanks for the help.

Will do!

Hi, Been taking a couple of online lessons and they're wanting me to shallow the club at the start of my downswing (I had an old teaching pro wanting me to do the same thing). In my current swing I start down steep (club above the plane), then shallow the club late which is too inconsistent. I've tried taking some baseball swings, trying to let the club shallow using gravity, etc., all to no avail. The closest I can come is swinging with just my lead arm (maybe not perfect, but better). Every time I try to add my trail arm, however lighty, it goes back to the old swing. I'm trying to swing ground up (plant lead heel, then push with the lead leg). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Spreadsheet I found online. I agree with your assessment of recovery strokes. I just need to stop hitting drives OB and into the trees. Driver used to be my go-to club.

All I have are numbers pertaining to Tour average. Naturally you'd expect all numbers to be negative, it's just to what degree. It would be nice to have numbers for different handicap levels.

I started tracking my Strokes Gained in a spreadsheet for my past four rounds and here are my averages (I was a 6 hcp, now up to a 9): Tee: -3.19 Approach: -7.06 Short: -0.93 Putting: -1.67 (I've been missing 3-6 footers lately) Recover: -0.94 Wow. I knew my ball striking was bad, but not this bad. Yesterday I hit two tee balls OB, plus chunked an iron off the tee on a par 3. Wow. I guess the old adage "the best way to improve is to work on your short game" doesn't really apply to me. I've taken numerous lessons from different coaches trying to improve, but seems like I only get worse <sigh>.

Wow. This reads like my autobiography. My index was around 5, my last two rounds were 91, 88 and that's not unusual for me anymore. My ball striking is dreadful according to strokes gained stats, but I already knew that. I've tried more instructors than I can count, including two online ones (Chuck and Clay; both are very good). I've tried to make swing changes that make sense, but I just keep getting worse. I wish I knew what to tell you; if you find something that helps, please let me know.

Hi, I've been a 6-8 hcp. for several years. I'm wanting to cut my hcp in half, though I can only play once/week and practice once/week. To that end, I've taken numerous lessons from numerous pros, both in-person and on-line and they never help. I guess you can call me the world's worst golf student. Length isn't an issue, but I hit at most 9 GIRs. Everyone says my swing looks good, though in slo-mo it's easy to see issues; my main issue is I start down steep, then somehow flatten the club and come into the ball with the club behind me and under the elbow plane, requiring me to square the clubface with my hands waaaayyy too much (my timing must be perfect). My big miss is a snap-hook. I've tried changing it to shallow sooner to no avail. Even after doing drills, slow steps, then I can't hit the ball at all. If I "accept" the fact I'm going to have to live with my swing, is there any other approach to lowering my scores? My putting is OK. My short game is lacking, but I doubt I'll ever be able to get my up-and-in percentage over about 40%. That plus my current ball striking would only get me down to around a 77 on a good day. I'd love to hear from anyone who has been where I am who got down to a 3 hcp or lower and hear how they did it. If my schedule is going to prevent me from getting there, please let me know that as well. Thanks.

Hi, I'm leading a small group of four golfers and their wives to Scotland spring/summer 2018. We'll probably stay six nights and play four courses, including hopefully the Old Course. I'm hoping you can help me with a couple of questions: Can someone recommend a good tour operator to make the golfing and hotel arrangements? There seem to be quite a few out there. Can you give me some idea as to the cost for golf and hotel per couple? I'm trying to give everyone an idea as to the overall cost and it looks like you can spend anywhere from $3,000-$10,000. Thanks for your help. - Ed.