Practice swing vs real swing...

I had my first proper golf lesson about 6 weeks ago and it was the best money I have ever spent on golf.

The instructor immediately saw what I was doing wrong (casting the hands at the top and flipping the clubhead at the ball with the hands and arms rather than keeping the clubhead behind the hands and striking down on the ball using the rotation of my hips and trunk). So far so good.

He gave me 3 specific things to work on - 1. posture at address, 2. path of my hands on the takeaway and 3. keeping my wrists cocked in the downswing by rotating my hips and trunk instead of throwing my hands at the ball. He gave me some drills to work on and told me to come back and see him only once these things felt somewhat natural. He also told me to focus less on hitting balls and more on getting to the right positions in the swing.

So I've spent hours at home in the mirror and on the range and can honestly say that videos of my practice swing at full speed show a remarkable change.

However.... the minute I put that little white dimpled mind-wrecker in front of my club, my brain just doesn't let me execute my new swing - I immediately revert to my original swing. This is so frustrating its hard to put into words - I have a complete mental block.

To further prove this is completely in my head, I've found that if I close my eyes and video my swing, not only can I make great contact with the ball, but my swing looks exactly how I want it to.

If anyone has any advice at all, I'd really appreciate it as I'm about to have a nervous breakdown.... (and please don't tell me that playing golf with my eyes closed is the only answer!).

Welcome to golf....

It's sounds so familiar....

Stick with it.....

Chessbum...

Don't focus on the ball. Instead, make your eyes unfocus so the ball looks blurry.

You can also try and look somewhere ahead of or behind the ball as well.


If you do hit the ball better with your eyes closed, why not play like that? Contrary to popular belief, there is no official correct way to swing the club. Do what works for you.

the practice swing is always the best, then we put a ball in the way and it all goes to haties. swing through, not at the ball, as if the ball wasn't even there.

Hi Carter,

Ditto. When playing well at address I've been focusing (thinking) of the target whilst looking at the ball. Does this make sense?

What were you drills for no.3? If long winded, one or two would be nice.

Hi Carter,
I'll bet 1000's of high scoarers have this problem, I did. This will sound silly but it works for me...

Take your stance, grip the club, waggle a bit, take a look at the target, and (the silly bit) smile at the ball! Don't knock it til ya try it.

Keith

trick your mind! Close the eyes, or blur your Vision! but just keep at it. Your body will realize that you can really just swing and OOPS!! there a ball going toward the HOLE!
good luck
I have been there! for sure.
g