Losing control of driver during competitive round

I was recently competing in the World Amateur in Peurto Rico. I got off to a good start with a 69 the first day. I was generally hitting a nice medium to low ball flight with my driver controlling it nicely. In the second round I hit a few BIG block cuts and was unable to figure out whats going on. I had been driving the ball very straight and after hitting a few drives way off line, lost confidence off the tee. However my iron game wasn't affected, just really started struggling to hit fairways. Tried to fall back on nice smooth controlled swings to get solid contact but seemed to loose most of my control over the club. Any advice?

Your obviously a very capable golfer, but I will attempt to give my views. I have found in several tournaments that I have played in recently that when I relax too much and try and swing too slowely then my body tends to move ahead of my arms and I to get a block. When I am swinging well it feels that everything is connected, but also smooth. I have since found that by making a more positive (aggresive) swing with the driver it tends to correct the blocks, at least until I get off the course and do a bit of practice on ethe range. It does sound like you just fell a little out of cink. Playing in the World Amateur though - you're obviously doing something right keep upthe good work.

Try relaxing and go 'back to the basics' (slow the backswing down, keep your head behind the ball and swing comfortably [not too fast, but not too slow]). If you can't get the driver back on track by doing this don't try anything else. Drop that club for the round, tee off with your 3 wood instead and gain your confidence in your driver back on the range. Fooling around with 'quick fixes' during a competitive round will only make things worse.

Duffgolf18,

I am confused,

Your CP says you have no golf H/Capp!!!!

Your competing in an open without one!!!

Was the first round 69 your gross score Gross????

As for you driving going off, it sounds to me the little man on your shoulder has interupted your thought patten during the round. This unfortunatley happens to everyone when no matter what you do nothing feels right and then you start tweeking and everything gets worse.

My advice would be to hit a few at the range until the confidence returns and it will. If it happens on the course just try to relax and play through it, this is all you can do, look at Tiger for inspiration.

Ian...

thanks ian.
I'm new to this site so not sure what you were confused about. I'm not sure what a CP is?? I haven't listed it on this site but my handicap is +1, but I very rarely play in tournaments that aren't gross. I just stumbled across this website and figured I'd throw a question or two out there. In golf you never know where you're gonna find a little tip that might help you.

Duffgolf18,

Welcome to the site, someone with your ability will be a great asset to the site, and yes you may get some tips yourself from the pro's on here.

It helps if we all know who we are talking to, just click on your name anywhere on the site then above your icon is "user CP" click this button, on the left hand side of the screen is the control panel click "edit profile" and fill in some details.

Hope you sort your driving out.

Ian.