Whats going wrong?

I am a beginner to golf, and have really only had a couple of games on a full size course. I have played a number of times (approx 20) on par 3 courses, and have played ok on these.

My problem yesterday was that I just couldn't hit a tee shot, or fairway shot with anything other than a 7 or 9 iron. This resulted in up to 4 fairway shots to get 300-400 yards! The annoying thing being that when I get within 30 to 50 yards I can get out my lob wedge and hit the green, stop the ball dead and all within a metre of the pin.

If I can hit 95% of lobs wedges and 9 irons to a good accuracy and distance, why can't I hit anything else? I wonder if I just have a completely different swing with longer clubs?

Being a beginner to golf and this forum, I'm sure you probably can't answer this! However I'm interested in any ideas....

Thanks

Ben

ps Crash Landing is a name from a mountain biking forum!

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I'm a hooker.

You should use the same swing for all clubs. The problem your having is that as clubs get longer in length they magnify the problems in your swing which leads to the inaccuracy you talking about

Ben your problem is that your thinking too much, you are a beginner and all you want to do is crush that white pill in to oblivion. what you need to do is slow it down and when you pull out your driver pretend that your hitting a lob wedge. keep that nice smooth rythm. keep working on that and get back to me

Matt
drawttam@yahoo.com

Keep practicing with a mid-iron. Once your technique is correct and you are hitting the ball consistently you can move onto the longer iron. Get you technique right first, distance comes later.



Just Keep Practicing!!!!!

Crash Landing,

I have afew questions about how you are addressing the ball. Where is the ball positioned in your stance? More towards your left heel, right heel or in the middle? If you set the ball in the middle of your stance for each club, you will become much more consistant. Once you get consistant, then you can start experimenting with moving the ball in your stance.

Also, are you moving the ball away from you as the clubs get longer? Chances are that this is your problem. Position your club behind the ball and get into your stance. Do NOT grip your club, but just let it rest in your palm. The sole of the club should be flat ad the face should be facing the target. Your left arm should be hanging loosely , palm facing upwards. The butt end of your club should sit on the heel of your hand. Once you get into the correct position, then grip the club.

Keep us updated of your progress!!

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Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall

This is one of things I am battling against at the moment; I think it's all too easy to increase the distance between your toes and ball without realising it. If your arms are too far in front of you at address it makes it really difficult to develop consistancy in the swing. The problem may not be immediately obvious too and you might start tinkering with other parts of the swing such as the grip believing that's where the problem lies.

Gords solution is a sensible one but I think due to the way clubs are manufacturered, fashions and such, no two golf clubs sit a like on the ground, but when you address the ball like that take a practice swing and see how close the club head passes your toes.