[Lydiaswingert]

OG it is so interesting that you posted this now because I played yesterday and had the exact feelings! I could not hit a drive in the fairway to save my life among other things and I am sure I said to myself on several occasions "I should just give this stupid game up!" Now we know that won't really happen, but I am really glad you brought this up here because I have learned a lot from the posts. Now as someone who knows you pretty well and who has golfed with you on several occasions I can tell you that without a doubt you have improved over the year that I have known you! I love the idea of lessons, because I think that is exactly what I need. I think I need to find a good teacher who I trust and play one less round a month and take at least one lesson a month. This game is the greatest in the world, it would be a shame to give it up (especially with so many nice courses up here). That being said, I know 100% how you feel and an kind of feeling the same way these past few weeks.

[Grainiary]

I have recently become fed up with my golf game. I truly think that I am for what ever reason not meant to golf, or at least I am not naturally talented at golf. Growing up I was very involved with traditional sports, (baseball, basketball, football, etc...), and did very well at all of them. Golf has been a different story; nothing has come easy. I play nearly 52 weeks a year and still struggle to break 95. I have decided to invest in a series of 10 lessons in hopes of improving. If I don't improve dramatically this year I have a feeling that my enthusiasum for golf will wane rapidly. I want to enjoy golf for getting together with friends, enjoying the outdoors, etc.. but I am VERY competitive by nature and simply cannot stand to be horrible at something.

Has anyone erlse gone through similar feelings? What did you do?

Been right there a few times! First time I stopped for a month and did things that were not golf related, which worked for a while.

Though I've found that when I get into a bit of a rough patch I start and play best ball with the guys I go out and play with. This takes the pressure off yourself when having to try and score and enables you to really take your time with every shot, focusing on the swing and shot but not the overall outcome. This has worked wonders for me and I still have about 4/5 rounds of best ball a year just to make things feel good again.

Sometimes I've even gone out, played a driver, picked the ball up, gone to the 100 yard marker dropped and then played PW, 9, 8 or 7 irons to hep hone the short game, seems to be working for me and keeps my interest up.

Good luck dude!

[KJnbceja]

I had good success in all the basic sports in high school and know exactly how you feel about golf. It's a very fickle game to say the least. Many peaks and valleys and seems all too often like more valleys. Being highly competitive it is hard to smell the roses. If you can take it a bit more easy on yourself, the game will be less stressful and you will enjoy it more. Preaching to the choir here .

[Preorbtat]

KB GREAT to see you ! Hope your recovery is going WELL !!

I HOPE TOO that come 3/24 I'll have a chance to see you in person and Ole Gray too, of course

I like the points you make in your post here, good stuff !

Take it from someone who hasn't physically been able to play since December and who loves the game better than most. Relax, have fun and enjoy the fact that you are capable of getting out there taking on the challenge. Lessons will definitely help but you really need to work on the mental game too. As my coach tells me all the time "You just have to figure out how to get out of your own way". I've definitely made progress in that respect but I'm not quite there. I think this little medical layover I'm having will give me a new perspective on just how wonderful it will be to be able to just swing a club and be healthy again. I strongly suggest you read some Rotella books on the mental game. They will help more than you can imagine.

[MegaJIT]

Have you ever heard anyone say golf was easy? I haven't, if you do hear someone say that then they are lying! I feel your pain, i'm in the same boat as well as many, many others. Sometimes you just have to look at the big picture, appreciate the fact that you are even able to be out playing, and can afford to get in a couple of rounds a week. I've seen numerous times from several magazines that state that the average male recreational golfer is around a 15-17 handicap.

[Patamuta]

i've been upset with my game before but i just worked through it and lately i have been taking lessons and its helped my game tremendously. I think if you took some lessons and worked on it you could turn things around quicker than you think.

[pIp83Uns]

i would suggest trying to get back to basics, in my opinion try and take out all the variables so the only thing left is the swing, then with the instructors help you fine tune that;

happy with your clubs at the moment, then don't change anything unless you have to
select a ball type and play it all year
playing off the tee, find a tee height that suits for each type of club then stick to that
find a stance, distance from the ball & ball location in your stance that suits for each club in the bag

i would then expect through regular play that your body and brain know how you should feel when ready to swing each one of the clubs in your bag
the only thing left is slight variations in your swing and finding the smooth repeatable swing you desire

[glasscollector]

Golf is the most difficult sport I have ever played, and I've played a ton of sports. As a 38 year old man, I now only consistently play 2... Golf and softball. Why? Baseball/softball was my first love and I love the challenge of golf. Golf intrigues me, and I try to build on my constant failures. Fact: it is really hard to be a good golfer! I am a decent golfer, but want to be better. Do I hate it when I shoot 92? Yeah... But I choose to use it as motivation to be better next time. Hang in there man. Have fun with the game, and good luck with the lessons, they do help!