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.

I've struggled with putting for years. I've tried different putters, different grips, different techniques, all for naught. See my other post about "Anyone else have this much trouble putting?" This past week, I saw this video: I practiced this in my garage a couple of days, just working on getting a good roll and getting my eyes in a position where everything looked lined up, then I played yesterday and BAM! I had one of the best putting days I've ever had. I have no relation to this person or company, I just stumbled upon this video and hopefully it'll help other people. I made two birdies and a couple of par savers from 10-20' and had three 40'+ that either lipped out or stopped literally a ball's width from the hole! Even my friends were commenting on how well I was rolling it. I have no idea how I'll putt next time, but until then I'm just going to enjoy the memory!

Well the struggle continues, although there is some sunlight. This weekend I missed two putts inside 5' (one looped almost all the way around the cup), but I did make two birdie putts of about 10' and 15' so I was happy about that. I ordered one of those ixiasports teaching aids so I'll let you know if it helps.

I'm sure it's not just me. Just got back from our yearly golf pilgrimage in Arizona (which was incredible) and I'm the worst putter in the group, even worse than guys who are 5-8 shots worse than me hcp wise. One round I lost track of how many 3-putts after six times. I'm about 50% from 3-5 ft. Longer putts I'd save time and strokes by just taking 2 putts and staying in the cart. I have a hard time getting putts to start on line which makes it hard to make short ones. The putter tends to go all over the place on my backswing. Some things I've tried: Different types of putters (face vs. toe balanced). Left hand low (which is how I putt now). Claw grip. Putting mirror and rail. Putter wheel. Eyes closed (some success, but nothing long term). This at least helps me not watch the putter or look up too soon. I had pros look at my stroke on SAM a while back. My stroke is better one handed (either hand) than with both hands. Stroke tends to be fairly straight back, then follow through long and too far left. Everyone says putt with their shoulders, but what's the best move to start the putter back? Pull with your right shoulder blade? Push down with left shoulder? Thanks for the comments.

From face-on, it moves some back (away from the target), then it moves too far forward so that it gets ahead of the ball a bit. I'm going to focus on trying to keep a steady head back and through and see if I can fix that.

Yes, correct. Back toward my heels. Here are some pictures at address and at impact.

I don't believe I'm swaying, at least not during my backswing. I get loaded up on the inside of my right foot pretty well.

Hi again, Watching my swing on video I've noticed a bad habit I have with my head pulling back away from the ball on my downswing. NOT UP, which I think most people struggle with, but back a good 6-8" (away from the ball, not away from the target). A pro I've seen says it's because my left hip is spinning behind me; if you draw a vertical line touching my butt at address at impact my left hip/butt cheek is well behind that line. My misses are thin/toe shots and/or big/snap hooks (I have a tendency to flip/release my hands too quickly at impact). I'd like some suggestions as to how I can address this as it's ingrained in my muscle memory. I can't put my head against a wall and hit balls (obviously) and I don't have someone who I can ask to left me rest my head on their hand while I swing. Thanks for your help.

Hi. I don't disagree with you, but here's basically what I'm doing. If I miss a green, that's a 1/2 shot full swing since I can still get up-and-down. If I then don't hit the chip/patch within 5-6 ft., and then miss the putt, that's a 1/2 shot to my short game. if I chip it close, but miss the putt, that's a 1/2 shot to my putting. All three putts are a shot to putting. Any driver/tee ball that puts me in a place where I have to pitch out is a full shot. I don't take credit (perhaps I should) if I make par from the fairway with one putt.

Last round shot 46/41=87 with 36 putts. Here's where I lost shots: Irons/approach 4 Short game 6.5 Putting. 2.5 Driving. 2 Driving is OK, but obviously I need work in all other areas. With limited practice time, suggestions on priority? My thoughts: I'm not a good putter, but I don't feel like there's anything I can really do about it (I've been told my stroke is good and my putter has been fitted). My short game needs improvement, but our practice green offers very few different shots (e.g., a long carry or long bump and run) so I never really get any better. Full swing is a mixed bag with my irons/approach shots. I haven't felt like I've had a stable, effective swing in quite some time despite taking a few lessons. Just too many of these upper 80s rounds for my taste. if I could limit the damage I'd be much happier.

I think I read his side saddle putter is hand-made. Does anyone know of a manufacturer who makes something similar? I'd love to give it a try as bad a putter as I am given how hard I work on it. The current models I see on the market are too long, not upright enough (80 degrees) and not center shafted.