Wasting money on pros?

[thr]

Hi,
I know it doesn't help that I move around a lot for work, once or twice a year.

But I've been to see pros everywhere I've settled and get the same type of tuition, though many times conflicting on the details.

I'm frustrated that I'm hitting the ball fairly well on the range, but can't translate that to low scores on the course.

Many people tell me that with the swing I've got I should be low digit or scratch player. But my handicap has actually been going up.
I know my focus can drift sometimes, but I really don't feel like that's the issue.

Also, I hit my 3W on the range about 210m, 220-230 on the course if I don't blow the game shot. But my driver only goes about the same or a little further, maybe 240 max. Am I not releasing the club head correctly with the driver for some reason? Any good tips/drills for producing a later hit/more powerful release, specifically with a driver?

The advice I've been getting during lessons has not seemed to have any impact on my scores or my driving distance.

Any ideas?

Tom

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Wasting money on pros?

T,

As you only mention your driver and 3 wood distances it is clear that these are the only clubs you lack distance with, not your irons as well.

Either you have the wrong shafts in your woods or more likely from your answer is down to course management you lack confidence in your scoring ability.

Ever noticed that sometimes you play poor and score well and vise-versa, it's all about playing one hole at a time and more importantly one shot at a time, the short explaination is................for the next few rounds think of the easiest option for every single shot......chip back to the fairway, lay up,8 iron chip and run instead of the 60 degree flop, go for the fat of the green two putt and settle for par etc etc.


You may find your scoring will improve and ultimatley your driving will come back once you start to relax on the course, because we all tense up a little with the long clubs...........unless we are playing well.


Good Luck.


Ian.

[thr]

Re: Wasting money on pros?

Hi Ian,
Thanks for the input.

I'm curious that you say 220-230m for a 3W is short.
How long should I be hitting my 3W if I'm hitting my 7I 145m and my 4I 170m+?

The problem with the driver seems to be a lack of, or (too) late, release.
I'm pushing a lot or balls right with it, or fading when I'm sure I'm set up for a straight shot or even a draw. And then occasionally I'll do a big, low hook.
My 2 and 3 irons sometimes give the same problem.

But not the 3W.

I've got stiff, high kick shafts in the driver and 3W. So I'm wondering if the problem might instead be that I've got too-stiff shafts in them for my current swing speed. But I don't particularly want to go to a regular flex shaft. I'd rather get a better swing and higher swing speed. If that's the problem.

My focus, for the moment, is on playing better, not on getting better scores. So if I have to suffer some bad rounds while I get a higher swing speed, so be it.

That's why I feel I'm not getting the tuition neccesary for my game and targets.

I don't want quick fixes to get lower scores, I want a good swing that will ultimately let me get even lower, and last longer, even if it takes longer to get there.

About being tense. For sure I don't have that problem most of the time with clubs upto my 4I, and I hit them reasonable distances, I think. 170m+ with a 4I is okay, yeah?
But even when I feel like I hit the same kind of relaxed shot with my driver, it'll go straighter, but only about the same distance as my 3W or a bit further.

I used to have a Hippo Giant. Fantastic club, but not USGA compliant, which we'll have to go to here in Europe soon. So when the head broke on that, I went to a Bangstein triple face, which is USGA compliant, they say.
I used to hit the Hippo out to 300m sometimes, and could hit it consistently straight, even work the ball a bit with it. So either this new Bangstein is really a lot shorter (upto 80m), or my swing has changed, whether due to a swing error, or tension, or whatever.

Confused...
Tom

[Loki]

Re: Wasting money on pros?

Match the equipment to your swing rather than trying to manipulate your swing to match the clubs. You'll play much better and score better as a result. If a regular flex shaft produces better results for you, let the strokes you save on the course be your boasting point rather than the stiff shaft you're trying to play in your woods.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Wasting money on pros?

Sorry Tom,

I didn't mean the distance was short with a three wood, I was thinking more with the driver.

Looking at your reply there are two clear things.

One, You seem to hit every club in the bag a good distance and no complaints, although you have a couple of pushes........true too stiff a shaft will aid a push however I don't think this is the case.

Two, Is exactly what I put last time...............looking at your answers from another persons point of view, I can tell that you are no doubt a good player lacking a bit of confidence with the driver.....gripping to tight will aid the pushes and trying to relax to much will aid the big hook............hooks and pushes are the mark of a player whos swing is to much inside on the downswing, but as you have no other complaints this cannot be. Also player with an inside swing tend to be better with long irons and drivers but can struggle more with short ones.


I think you are barking up the wrong tree with a swing change......a more relaxed approach to your alround game will help you more in my opinion, once you start to improve your scores your driving will improve.


This is only my opinion Tom......


Ian.

[mjr451]

Re: Wasting money on pros?

Tom,

You sound a lot like me in the description of what you are going through with the driver. I have the same distances as you described with irons but have had a lot of trouble getting distance with the driver.

The harder one tries, the more problems one can create it seems.

I like your advice Ian. Your mention of playing poorly and scoring well and vice versa is quite true indeed.

I was reading a golf magazine while waiting in the dentist office the other day. The article talked about holding on to the wrist cock as long as you can and staying behind the ball with the left side of your body. Just that thought. Try to do this on the range one day. Try to hold the wrist cock. Of course you can't hold it because of the momentum of the club on the downswing, but when it does release, and if you stay behind it, you may find as I did, greater distance. I tend to sway more when I am trying to hit the drive longer. I swing harder and get in front of the ball. The sway causes you to loose power. The harder I try, the more I sway. For me, paying attention to staying behind the ball as my single swing thought has made a great difference.