Where Next?
 

Morning guys (and gals),

Firstly a bit of background. Been playing golf for around 5 years now and without any lessons (and a really rubbish grip & swing) have managed to get my handicap down from the original 21 to 14 as I type.

After the worst round of my life around 3/4 months ago (ELEVEN Stableford Points!) I have been really consistent either getting cut 0.3, hitting buffer or just missing out.

Anyway, has my Club Championship at the weekend there, B Section, and after an opening 82 on Saturday, was sitting in the middle of top 16 out of around 50/60 golfers. It couldn't been better too, had an 8 and if everything had went my way could've come in with a 77. Saying that, I did have alot of luck so going by the old 'it evens itself up' then an 82 was fair.

Then yesterday, my problems started. I put pressure on myself before I even teed off. AFter starting with three pars on Saturday I went Bogey Bogey Double Bogey on the Sunday. My mind starting thinking, which is NEVER good! Then after a good, solid tee shot of four shanked a wedge into the rough. My wedges did go off the boil a few weeks back but I got them back on-side and have been hitting them sweet. I recovered to make Bogey but in my head, I wasn't using my wedges AT ALL again taking me down to only ten clubs available. I then Parred the 5th before another solid shot on the hard par 4 6th. With around 240 to go, I thought an easy wedge to leave an 8/9 iron in. Well I topped the wedge then my next shot leaving with a 7!

I could go on and on talking through every hole but the question I'd like answered is where do I go from here?!?

I missed out on qualification by three shots, I think I could've been SEVEN better off - PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Thanks in advance,

Sid.

I guess to me you kind of answered your own question in the beginning. I would say seek the help of a teacher that can give you the tools you need to succeed at this game.

Golf is a fickle game for sure. I played my club championship this weekend and shot 73 on Saturday and 100 on Sunday http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...bulgy-eyes.png. Not exactly Mr. Consistency here huh? Anyways golf is so mental that I think the mental part is the deal breaker. Work on building your mental toughness. I'm preaching to the choir huh http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...es/biggrin.png

That first part sounds familiar. I'll vote for some instruction as well. If you're like me, you've probably built a grip / swing on compensation - the grip isn't good, so you move your feet, exaggerate parts of the takeaway, line up to the side of the target...a number of things like that, could be anything. It LOOKS ok, but your timing needs to be bang on. A bit of nerves, a little over-thinking, and BAM.

If it's all mental, there's nothing for it but to take your lumps and learn from it. It does get easier. We all miss shots, some just are able to forget and overcome them better.

But some instruction might well lead to the consistency you seek. Particularly if the issues are centred on the wedges as your post suggests.

Couldn,t have said it better my self JB, I had the same transgressions before I seeked some teaching and I couldn,t have made a better choice. I thought I knew a lot about my swing and how to sometimes remedy it. BIG wrong! My teacher really enlightened me and i can say my handicap has dropped 2 points so far this season,YAHOO! We really focus our energy on my short game which I and my instructor believe is my biggest issue. For you my scottish friend some good teaching and some long, hard practice will work out any issues u might have. Good luck Mate!

Thanks for all the help guys http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...ies/act-up.png

Although my swing & grip (aswell as numerous other things) are pants I have been on a bit of form as mentioned in my first post. Scoring an 82 on Saturday left me in a great position but to go up by 11 shots on my second round is just a shambles. It was almost like I was trying to be too careful if that makes any sense? I had in my head that Level 5's would be enough (which it would've been) but going into every shot thinking along the lines off "don't balls this up" instead of "middle of the green" was probably what done me.

There are a lot of good players in the B Section at my club and I fear my chance has gone at the first time of asking http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...t-wits-end.png

As has already been said, take some lessons from a good teaching pro to even include on course lessons to help you with your course management. Not getting ahead of yourself and not trying the hero shot will lower your score, I guarantee it. Check out any of the books by Frank Rotella, I recommend "Your 15th Club" as a great start. Let us know how it goes.

Since you wrote that your problems started when you put pressure on yourself before you even teed off, then try not to do so. Even with Tiger and Wie, their troubles are mostly mental (they definitely have the golf skills to play competitive golf and win). Just compose yourself before, during, and after the round.

I went through a similar situation and finally decided to get some lessons. 2 months later I have shaved about 10-15 shots off of every round. Best golf decision I ever made.