Hi guys. I am struggling big time with inconsistency over the last couple of months I’m working on a new swing and I suppose this is a huge part of that, but hear me out.
At the range, I hit everything pretty decently, but when I get to the course, it goes down the tubes pretty quickly. I have some decent rounds sprinkled in here and there, but for the most part, it’s just inconsistency. I have a portable simulator that I use at the range and pretty much just use that to play on courses that I typically play on in my area. I’m not just hitting driver after driver or 8 iron after iron. I simulate actually playing as much as the simulator will allow me to.
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to why I’m so much worse on the course vs the range. One theory I’ve come up with is that at the range I have the edges of the mat to help me, I’m using alignment sticks to get me pointed to the target, to get my ball position right; I have all these markers to get me in the position I want to be in to execute a shot. At the course, I have none of these. No sticks, no lines, no aides of any kind to help line me up (i do pick a spot about 2 feet in front of me before every shot as my target). I think when I’m the course without any of this, everything gets out of whack; ball position, stance, you name it, and subconsciously I realize this and make all sorts of movements to compensate to try to make decent contact. Today on a number of swings, I caught my back elbow flying out creating this crazy over the top swing and causing me to pull the ball way right (I’m a lefty). At the range or on my simulator, I NEVER do this. I’m thinking of throwing down some sticks during my next round and see what happens. I know I don’t want to always do this, but I want to get a feel for how I should be lined up, etc and the sticks will help me do this. I don’t know. Is this something a coach would help with? Or is it more for an instructor? I’m lost.