Please Help!

Hi Guys,

I have just returned from a club competition and feel like selling my clubs!
My problem is I seem to have a different game on the range. Every drive straight and +250yds, good ironshots etc. But on the course, pushed drives, a few shanks and a lot of frustration. Whats going on?

Hi, i know this problem all too well, it happens to me because on the range there is no pressure, whereas on the course you are really concentrating on hitting the target area getting you r stance correct ball position making a good swing and a clean contact with the ball. also visual obstructions can put you off such as the trees .etc., also on the range the landing area you aim for is often 50% bigger than the landing area you aim for on the course, an with all the mental aspects of golf on your mind the nerves simply get to me and i hit a slice. after many lessons with the pro, i am now hitting very confidently and hit 95%of greens in regulation. i suggest that you book yourself some lessons with a pro. i hope this helps you.

thanks Josh,
I know only too well you are correct. But when you cant play to your ability on the course it really brings you down. I have been to my pro about this problem before and he tells me my ability is not a problem but between the ears is! Will have to change my outlook on this game

Thanks,
Robert

stop going to the range, unless they have cheep beer

Hi Robert,

I read your post and it did bring back memories to me as I use to be the same and in fact on certain comps I am the same i.e. cant hit a ball correct to save my life because of mental stress and nerves.

The way I have found for myself in these situations are as follows.

1) If you know the course run through it or if you dont find out about the course and plan your game.
2) Sort out your clubs and equipment the night before and get a good nights sleep.
3) Get to your course in which your playing on 1 hour earlier of your tee time (Yes 1 hour)
4) Head to their driving range for a 35 min warm up. My warm up consists 100 balls of the following:-

a) 10 balls with 7 iron at a very slow swing (avoid full swing as you can rip or pull a muscle), Then do some streches.

b) build up swing on 7 iron with another 10 balls should be aiming for half your swinging speed. Do streches again.

c) same as before build up your swing on 7 iron to 3/4 speed with another 10 balls again more streches.

d) Now hit 15 balls at full swing speed but do streches in between every 5 balls hit.

Now all your muscles should be warmed up so you can concentrate on technique and also most important finding out your strengths and weakness that is happening in your swing at that moment. This will help you in your mind visualise how your game will play i.e. is my short game really on form or is it your driving, weakness is it fairway woods, long irons or driving etc.
So back to warm up that should take another 20 mins

e) Start off with your wedge or sandwedge and hit 5 balls at your normal swing speed. Then 5 balls with a gentle swing (your creating a short game feel).

f) Move to a 9 iron and hit 5 more balls at normal swing speed now hit 5 more balls at a gentle swing.

g) Now take your 5 or 6 iron (I take my 5) no need for 7 or 8 as you already had a warm up on 7 as now we are building you your long game. Hit 5 balls at 3/4 swing speed then 5 at full speed.

h) Now move on to your 3 iron or fairway woods (I choose my rescue club) Hit 5 balls as 3/4 swing speed and then 5 at full speed.

i) It is now time for the big boy your driver. This can be your achillies heel or your trojon horse. Hit 5 balls at you full swinging speed but after every single hit practice 2 slow hits without a ball. Now with your last 5 balls reduce your swing speed of your driver right down to a really slow speed. with after every hit of a ball practice 2 slow hits again without a ball. So why do this well I find I get a feel how I am swinging the driver and also I am making sure that my line of attack is correct or in another context making sure I hit the sweet spot on the face.

Now that all prctice balls have gone you should be sweating and feel all warmed up but now this is the most important part you need to do a gentle warm down to remove the lattic acid that has built up. They way to do this is by taking out your 7 iron again but this time do some slow swings I suggest 20. Once you have done twenty now do lots of streching paying a lot of attention to your back and shoulders. This should take most of your time.

Your now left 5 mins till tee off so now is the time to rehydrate so drink lots of water and if you can a high energy drink I go for 1 litre of water and 1 bottle of power trade mixed with a can of red bull. I also carry one in my bag with a mars bar. Also what I do with this is to unwind my mind and start focusing on my game plan and this all depends on what information you got out of your warm up.

Now its 1st tee time!!! Is it 'aaarrrrhhh' or is it 'great lets play I am going to win' hopefully its the later. My advice at this tee as this is when nerves really kick in usally because everyones watching, as I know I start getting them on this tee. I do the following:
1) I tee my ball,
2) Look at the hole can I see the flag if not I visualise the best place to see it from and thats where I want my ball to be.
3) What ever club I use I practice 2 slow swings, then I take the metal approach to the first part of the warm up with the 7 iron and take a 3/4 speed swing to my ball for control (then pray only joking). Hopefully you should hit a perfect shot if you dont then dont worry just tell yourself I have another 3 shots to get this right.
4) Now just enjoy your game and try not to get to stressed if you do then go back in your mind to how you warmed up and have a drink of water.

Hope this helps you
Cheers
Mark

Now I am the opposite! When I am at the range I start off hitting very good shots but after a while I go to pieces, I start hitting horrible shots that curl sharp right (right hander), then I cannot hit a drive, iron shot or pitch. When this happens I try everything I can to stop it but cannot, I know its due to getting my arms too far away from my body on the downswing but cannot stop it once it starts.

I never get this problem on the course and guess its due to hitting repeated similar shots on the range with the same club and slowly grooving in a fault, on the course you are alternating clubs almost every shot so it does not happen, my only cure is to hit less balls on the range and vary the club every few balls.

Anyone else get this?

Brian

Dear Mark,
Many thanks for your kind reply. What you say makes absoloute sense and I must try and put it into practice. how do the pros not suffer like this?!
Regards,
Robert

First, they've been doing this a long, long time.

Second, pro's don't hit off mats

Robert,
For tournaments you must be prepared. Being prepared will give you a ton of confidence. Secondly you must take deep breaths and really try to relax. Once you get out there you will only play as well as you prepared.

You need to integrate your practice on the range and the ability to score on the golf course. Never hit a shot a a range without aiming for a target and keep that target as small as possible. I recommend working from both sides of the range - right side to work on fades and left side to work on draws. If your working on something in your swing, work on one thing at a time. However, try to hit most of the shots at the range (60 percent) without thinking about anything but the target. Go to the range with somebody and bet you can hit this or that target - will help you get used to the pressure. Hopefully this will help you become more target focused on the course. Remember, the goal of playing 18 holes is to score as low as possible.