It does mean a thing when I ain't got that swing

[Dadvocate]

I'm starting to come to the conclusion that the inconsistency in my golf swing is related more to some type of mental block than it is to mechanics at this point. Or perhaps it is a mental block brought on after I get tired from hitting.

Yesterday I went to the driving range and started hitting my coveted 9 wood, just purchased from Australia. My first few hits were not that great (typical when I first get started). I warmed up some, found my groove, and then I was hitting it really well, landing it straight and at about 175 yards. I moved on to my 7 wood, and then my 3 wood with good results.

After playing around with my irons a bit, I went back to my 9 wood and started hitting it right off the shaft. I did it three times, got a so-so hit that flew low and then landed at only 150 yards, then went right back to hitting off the shaft! I let out a yelp at some point that earned me a few disgruntled looks from the golfers next to me.

Then it was just awful! I couldn’t hit anything at all, irons or woods. I was hitting behind the ball, over the top, off the shaft. It was me two years ago when I just got started. It is a very frustrating walk down memory lane, I can tell you!

This very same thing happens to me on the course, where I hit my 3 wood off the tee well, only to find that I scuff it or shaft it on the last five or six holes. I am not sure exactly what the heck is going on.

All I know is that the missed shots and my frustration led to my having sore fingers when I got home last night, proably the product of my tensing up in the hopes of avoiding the unavoidable. What sucks most in this is that my confidence took a serious blow just from one bloody driving range session.

I wish I could come up with a mental checklist that would not overburden my brain with all the do-nots, one that could make sure I am getting the same hits at hole 16 as I am at hole 1.

But I guess that is a statement squarely rooted in the obvious. I guess I'd be happy if I could hit a few poorly but quickly recooperate so that my rounds wouldn't go to hell.

Cheers!

[I_A_N]

Re: It does mean a thing when I ain't got that swing

Just a thought, maybe you're just getting a little wornout towards the end of the round. Don't forget to drink water and maybe have a marsbar. I've always got a bottle of water in the bag, even at the drivingrange were I have a little break now and agian, helps me also just to step back from the mat and think about my swing a little.

Ian

[peter3]

Re: It does mean a thing when I ain't got that swing

I agree with Ian: you are probably just getting tired and that affects your swing enough to make it all but unusable.

When at the range, I try not to hit more than one or two balls a minute (yes, you don't need to buy the big bucket!). Each ball you hit should have the same significance at the range as it has on the course and you should approach it the same way, pre-shot routine and all.

After hitting balls for 10-15 minutes, take a break. Go practice some putting or chipping or just sit down or something. Come back after a while when you feel fresh again.

You should maybe also look into some exercise program to increase your stamina.

[tomallinder]

Re: It does mean a thing when I ain't got that swing

Agree, each shot hit on the range should be played like an actual shot on the course. Take some time. Don't hit too many balls.

I am always amazed at seeing others on the range get the big bucket and machine gun them out before I have even gone through half of the small bucket.

I timed one of my buddies, he averaged 6.5 balls per minute. I could not do that if I tried.

[Dadvocate]

Re: It does mean a thing when I ain't got that swing

Fantastic advice as usual, guys! Thanks a bunch!

We held a **** golf tourney this weekend, and to get ready for it I hit the range for an hour or so with the specific intention of hitting no more than three balls per minute. I think I averaged about two.

I approached each ball as if I were hitting to a specific point, and I went through a practice swing and an address before swinging away.

I still had my slow warm up of missed hits, but once I found my groove, I held it longer and with fewer mistakes. This reestablished my confidence before playing on Saturday.

Now if someone could help me with my problem of leaning backwards on my fairway wood shots and taking the loft out of the ball, that would be great. I got away with it, yesterday, but I don’t think this will always be the case.

Cheers!