Worst ever!

Yesterday I logged a 130, breaking my previous worst score since taking up golf by 2 strokes! I wonder how many people can do that after playing for two years and having ten lessons. My wedge play wasn't bad and I two-putted 16 greens. Other than that, I couldn't move the ball. I also have no idea what was wrong, because there was no consistent pattern of error. I'd top some, pull some, push some, hit some fat, shank a few, you name it. Back to the drawing board.

What do you normally shoot? Best advice I could give is to never think about that round again, it was just an anomaly, bound to happen to all of us sooner or later.

We've all been there brother - I was ready to sell my clubs about 5 times this summer; last Monday I shot a 92.

Don't give up!

Until recently I was shooting 120 almost every time, but I've been doing a bit better for the past month or so. On Monday I shot 111, which is my best. So I went from my best ever to my worst ever in the same week. As you can see, 130 isn't *way* over my norm. And my short game was decent, so that's positive. Why I couldn't hit the ball with anything longer than a wedge is a myster to me.

Have you never read the laws of golf? See Law 2:

LAW 2: Your best round of golf will be followed almost immediately by your worst round ever. The probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the former.

http://www.ahajokes.com/gol001.html

This is reassuring. I was beginning to think something was wrong.

I just had a thought... I wonder if my use of the Greg Norman "Secret" gadget had anything to do with why I had such a bad round. I didn't manage to get to the driving range to try it out properly, but I guess it's possible that it caused just enough of a change to get me into trouble.

Todd, have you ever had any lessons. I'm not being sarcastic in anyway but it would be worth your while. When I started playing golf regularly, I was scoring 110 ish. I now score low 80's most of the time. When you are in the very high handicaps, it is very difficult to improve just by reading about how to play golf. The best way to get a sound base to work from is to have half a dozen lessons from a club professional. They will instantly be able to adjust your technique to your own ability. This will give you confidence on the course, which will help you improve.

It would seem that your pitch / chips & putts are ok, so maybe try a few lessons on driving and irons. The Pro will be able to explain where your faults are, and if necessary, adjust your grip, stance, posture, etc.. It may even throw your game out while you get used to the new technique but I would lay one of my 'pond fishes' life on the line, that if you have some lessons, you'll score under 100 within the year. I appreciate they're not cheap, (lessons not goldfish), but they are worth their weight in gold. (how much does a lesson weigh)? Anyway, you get my meaning.

Cheers.
Lee.

No sarcasm taken. In fact, I did have 10 lessons this summer. And I have spent a LOT of hours at the practice range. The trouble is not with the instructor; it's my inability to do it his way. The wrist rotation thing is a good example. He patiently showed me how the club face should open up on the backswing, so the two is pointing to the sky when the club reaches horizontal, etc., then closes back to square at impact. I know exactly what he means. But I can't do it. Rather, I can do it but not in a way that results in a good golf shot. I spray them all over the place. I must have hit 2000 practice balls working on just that, but couldn't master it.

I can't afford any more lessons now. Maybe next year. So I'm back to trying to work out a swing that I can repeat and build upon. I feel that I've made a small amount of progress, despite the recent 130 train wreck.

The instructor was a USGA certified guy, if that means anything.

__________________
Todd
Philadelphia, PA
USA

The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. ~Phyllis Diller

The criticism I would have with some instructors, is that sometimes they explain how things should be done, but fail to tell you how it should be implemented in the overall swing. Yes, of course your instructor is right in what he is saying, but you are probably over concerned about where the club is pointing facing, etc, that you are consciously thinking about it, and not concentrating on hitting the ball where you want it to go. If you address the ball correctly, and have a strong grip (not tight -strong side), and square the face at address, then a natural swing will hit the ball in the direction you require.

Todd, next time you are at the course, mentally picture where you want to put the ball on the course. Ensure your grip, set up and club face are correct before you swing. Then swing by turning your shoulders which will take the club back, rather than trying to take it away with the hands. If you can also slightly turn your right knee in before you swing, this will greatly help reduce any hip sway, and promote a natural swing. Think of nothing else than striking that ball sweetly.

Also, when you practice at the range. Don't purchase 100 -200 balls and hit them all. It just makes you feel tired, and you concentrate more on getting through them all than on the actual technique. Just hit 20 or so, but really concentrate on all parts of your technique. This is the place to make errors and changes, not the golf course. Keep the extra practice balls for another day, or chipping practice, etc..

Cheers.
Lee.

perhaps a pga pro here might disagree with me. I'd look at investing in one of those medicus. IT is the iron or wood that breaks down the flaws in your swing. Granted their are so many different types of swings that are not "vanilla" yet lead some golfers to winning majors and pro events. doesent sound like putting is an issue for you. Id look at your equipment (ie you are hitting blades or a driver that you are having a hard time getting in the air or straight.

perhaps try (or maybe you have) the following

teeing off with a 3 wood or 5 wood.
stay away from irons you cant hit (example 3-5)
hybrid irons
when you play take notes on what club caused a blow-up on a paticular hole
Play with better players. Learn from them
and most importantly, have fun

maybe there is a nugget here

ed

In my opinion ,gadgets will do nothing but harm your game (I tried quite a few of them when I started playing ,some were OK and some were a total waste of time and money).

The only thing that will improve your game are lessons ,practice ,and hard work.

Get to a good pga pro on a regular basis and your handicap will plummet .

alot of the teaching pros do use these gadgets. Some gadgets require proper instruction. Others are self explanatory.

What about Rick Smith? He's one of the most respected teaching pros around and he uses these 'gadgets which only 'cause harm'. If that was the case then why would people go back to him, including Phil Mickelson?

I did say it was only my opinion.

You are entitled to yours as I am mine.