Re: Driving range swing

Hi Wil,

We would like to help but we need more information, what happens to the ball flight on the course usually and what happens on the range.

Christopher

Re: Driving range swing

OK
On the range: Right off the hard mats, all the irons are dead straight at target with excellent trajectories. Fairway woods and hybrid, again off the hard mat, also dead straight and reasonably on target. The driver fades a bit (off the tee)-probably a bit of an OTT problem. Not good distance but at 68 years old and a fused spine I can live with that.
On the course: Irons & hybrid -spray my shots, straight but usually to the left. Strictly an accuracy/direction problem.
7 and 5 woods are straight-as in no fades, draws, slices or hooks and fairly accurate/on target (?).
Slicing the driver. Switched to 3-wood (of the tee) and, for the first time, started slicing that too. Accuracy terrible.
Back to the driving range-problems gone. Even the 3-wood drives perfectly. Go figure!
...Wil

Re: Driving range swing

Hi Wil,

I suffer from the same problem. I spend so much time practicing and not enough time on the course. I get really comfortable in my practice zone where yes good shots feel good but they mean nothing. Then I get out on the course and all of a sudden there is a pressure you just dont get at the range, there is a score, people watching, wanting to impress and so on.

I found that when I spent more time on the course my game really came together. This year less time was on the course and I just was not consistent. All be it down the range I was striking well, drawing on demand. Chipping and pitching practice I was happy with. But if on a course I would not dare try a draw shot.

So its just my take and people may well disagree, but its a confidence thing and the only way to get it is play. And play with people as much as possible. I play by my self a fair bit and this is better than the range I think but still does not give you the real confidence you need where every shot means something.

I have never been a member as I enjoyed the freedom of playing somewhere different all the time but I think to really improve I need a regular course to feel at home on so next year I am getting my first membership and get as much course time in as possible.

Cheers

Rob

Re: Driving range swing

Thanks Rob:
Probably you're right-it's just a (course) tension problem.
Funny, and I forgot to mention this, I seem to do OK on the course with the wedges - they certainly fly well-maybe I'm using a shorter, or slower or more relaxed swing.
BUT there seems to be quite a few of us duffers suffering from this range/course problem.
C/b there's no quick fix----getting tired of looking like the north end of a horse going south though-it's embarassing

...Wil

Re: Driving range swing

Hi,

At the range you are not faced with the hazards of the course. You can just focus ahead and hit balls without the distraction of bunkers and water etc.

When on the course you should try and pick out a target and focus totally on it or some other target high in the distance that is in line with your intended ball flight, something like the top of a tall distant tree or a cloud. Hit with confidence to this new target and ignore hazards of the course. This will stop your subconscious making you steer the club resulting in poor directional shots.

Re: Driving range swing

Thanks for the tip Brian. Sounds like a good one-I'll give it a try.
We're running out of golfing time here in Canada-going through an early cold snap....minus 11 deg. C this a.m. so it might be next year to try out your suggestion...Wil

Re: Driving range swing

Hi Wil,

What part of the country are you located? It's only -2C in southern Ontario, early this morning, and now about 10. Still looking forward to a month of play, I'm hoping.

Regards,

Ted

Re: Driving range swing

Southern interior of Briish Columbia.
That dumb jetstream dropped right down into the U.S. a few days back and man, is it cold right now. Get out there golfing 'cause it's likely coming your way...Wil

Re: Driving range swing

That can happen out West. It could be the reverse too, as you know, when you get balmy weather in the middle of Winter. I lived and worked in many parts of the West for a good many years. Oh, my comment about balmy and Winter does not apply to Saskatchewan and Northern Alberta

Ted