When you just can't hit it solid (golf)

ewal · September 2023

I got up early it's a beautiful day, so went up to Glenalmond to play golf. I had the course to myself. There wasn't a breath of wind. What could possibly go wrong?

Everything apparently! I just couldn't get solid contact. I was seeing tops and duffs the like of which I thought I'd left behind ages ago. When I did manage to get the ball in the air, I was hitting a fairly savage pull draw, which is not my normal miss. I called it quits round about the seventh hole.

It's the hope that one day I'll start to improve that keeps me going back...

sev112 · September 2023

Half swings, they go 70 to 80% of distance , usually with more accuracy, and your wedges and chips get better at the same time

Good luck

strumjoughlamps · September 2023

Dew on the grass... ?? Its surprising how the smallest of changes can affect impact...

An unintentional draw my understanding is comes from what they call a 'spoon' so your swing path might have been slightly over the ball than usual..

When it goes wrong it does go wrong, one of the things having lessons taught me was resetting after a bad shot, plus having the knowledge of what you may have done wrong and correcting it.

ewal · September 2023

There was indeed a heavy dew and it's spongy heavy ground at the best of times.

I have had a few lessons and I need to get better at trusting what my coach is telling me to work on...

Octavio · September 2023

I'm surprised you had a golf course to yourself on a Sunday morning. That's the dream.

ewal · September 2023

It is. It's a 9 hole course at Glenalmond School that members of public can play for a small annual fee. Easily one of the quietest courses and in beautiful surroundings. Definitely a case of a nice walk spoiled today!

Tone71 · September 2023

Sometimes you can only play with the game you've got, forgetting about the cameras and just getting round!

Seriously though sometimes I'll just go with a 7 iron, 3/4 swing and bump and run at every opportunity, no good playing flop shots when they are being repeatedly thinned and sent on to the next tee box etc etc

I remember the first time I played in Spain, the ground was so soft that every shot was hit fat as was used to playing on dry hard ground, it destroyed my game but was a huge learning curve.

Btw I'm still shockingly shit at golf, it's a cruel game

BigBearKris · September 2023

It can be a cruel game indeed... I played this morning and found it quite hard work. Managed to save an average score with birdie and three pars on last four holes but had a bit of a meltdown on front 9.
It's weird as I felt fresh, strong, happy and relaxed and technically nothing would suggest a struggle, but that's golf for you.

Still - I always enjoy being out in fresh air...

rolls1392 · September 2023

Same for me today. Last week great game. Today absolute pants!

Open_G · September 2023

ewal said:

I got up early it's a beautiful day, so went up to Glenalmond to play golf. I had the course to myself. There wasn't a breath of wind. What could possibly go wrong?

Everything apparently! I just couldn't get solid contact. I was seeing tops and duffs the like of which I thought I'd left behind ages ago. When I did manage to get the ball in the air, I was hitting a fairly savage pull draw, which is not my normal miss. I called it quits round about the seventh hole.

It's the hope that one day I'll start to improve that keeps me going back...

No idea what your game is generally like but for me. If I’m am doing anything remotely similar to what you described I’d have to stop trying to hit the ball anywhere near as hard, and concentrate on a 60% effort swing and keeping it smooth and fluid. Usually grooves me back in so I can go back to the effort.

spark240 · September 2023

Yep....half backswing (which is actually still probably a full swing) ..eye on the ball, dont look til the balls gone...thats my routine anyhow....usually gets me back in the game

Rocker · September 2023

My goto club when the wheels are/have fallen off is my 8 iron. I use it from the tee, fairway and light rough until I feel confident about my game. Three 8 irons will get you close to any par 4 hole. We are not PGA professionals so we should adapt the game to suit us. And not the other way round.

pigface · September 2023

spark240 said:

Yep....half backswing (which is actually still probably a full swing) ..eye on the ball, dont look til the balls gone...thats my routine anyhow....usually gets me back in the game

I don't play much any more but my major failing has always been over-swinging. Check out Steve Stricker. On the seniors tour these days, I think, but a great ball striker and his shaft did not exceed the perpendicular (to the ground) on the backswing.

Kittyfrisk · September 2023

BigBearKris said:

It can be a cruel game indeed... I played this morning and found it quite hard work. Managed to save an average score with birdie and three pars on last four holes but had a bit of a meltdown on front 9.
It's weird as I felt fresh, strong, happy and relaxed and technically nothing would suggest a struggle, but that's golf for you.

Still - I always enjoy being out in fresh air...

Yep and somehow so many people somehow manage to fuck up such a simple activity by combining it with golf :-D

Image: https://i0.wp.com/marktwainstudies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Golf-Liverpool-Post.jpg?resize=730%2C953&ssl=1

LionAquaLooper · September 2023

When I have a day like that I slow the swing down and do half swings until I get my tempo back.. To hell with my score. And most importantly - i won't touch my driver. I'll tee off with a 5 wood or hybrid. Everyone's different but that's what works for me when I'm in a rut.

I also make sure i warm up before a round if I know the course has a range or cages. If not then it's pot luck

ghad · September 2023

Hmm, I took a 2-week break and then quit. YMMV!

Dominic · September 2023

Sounds like it totally spoiled a nice Sunday walk

YellowLedBetterMan · September 2023

I've been struggling with closing the club face down too early recently. The half or 3/4 swing makes a big difference. Tell myself to try and hit the ball right intentionally to keep the face more open at impact.

Sure I don't hit it as far, probably takes about 20 yards off per club, but it goes in a much more predictable direction.

I've also found pre-setting my weight onto the lead side helps a lot with hitting ball then turf. Not quite full on stack and tilt, but it keeps the weight more neutral with that swing feel.

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When you just can't hit it solid (golf)

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