OT - Golf yips/advice thread
MGoGolfers;
Help!!!
I am about a 13ish. My best days are behind me. I got to about an 8 before kids came, particularly the second one, as time became an issue and I don’t practice nearly as much as I used to.
Anyway, I hit the ball hard, big divots with irons, 200-275 off the tee if I get it all. Got into a groove for a long time playing a high draw with irons. Always struggled with control on the driver.
About 3 years ago I have a try at starting to play a fade to keep the ball in play. Switched to fade mechanics on both irons and woods. What started as “playing a fade” has quickly morphed into only being able to conceive of a shot with a ridiculous exaggeration cut, we are talking divots heading due-left here. When I get over the ball, playing a straight shot doesn’t seem conceivable to me. It seems like it would be “voodoo magic” to do so. I’m aiming 60 yards left in order to scrape together something in the high 80s.
Have you ever got stuck in this manner? Have you ever had to reboot a swing, completely? Where did you start? Any good methods you began with?
Real talk here. Golf is not fun right now and I need golf to be fun for…. living purposes.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:46 AM ^
Get a lesson or two from a pro. I would have to see your swing to even begin giving you advice on what is wrong/needs to be fixed.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:50 AM ^
I only take advice from random posters on the internet with limited information on subject matter. Kind of a personal creed.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
Cool, upload a video of your swing and I'll have at it.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:58 AM ^
You would have too much knowledge on the subject at that point for me to be interested.
August 10th, 2023 at 12:42 PM ^
I taught this kid... maybe I can help.
August 10th, 2023 at 1:24 PM ^
I laughed way to hard at this. My fellow co-workers all collectively looked at me...That kid went full send!!
August 10th, 2023 at 1:27 PM ^
Generally, I have my students start with this drill. I have them keep at it until they actually hit a ball.
August 10th, 2023 at 2:04 PM ^
August 10th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
I don't think you want any advice from me
August 10th, 2023 at 1:28 PM ^
Perhaps, but you should loan him your putter.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:51 AM ^
Speaking as blissful non-golfer, have you considered not golfing?
(I realize and acknowledge that this advice may be anti-useful, but it's the best I can do under the circumstances.)
August 10th, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
Not golfing? I will consider it when I also start my hunger strike and hold my breath instead of taking air.
August 10th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
Logged on to say this, but wallaby is on to something here.
Parks should be public.
August 10th, 2023 at 12:30 PM ^
fun fact ….. parks are public. so are most golf courses.
August 10th, 2023 at 1:33 PM ^
... and most schools.
August 10th, 2023 at 8:39 PM ^
Then why do I have to pay to take a stroll in the grass?
August 10th, 2023 at 9:52 AM ^
When I get into a funk I play a couple of rounds without scoring and just having fun with the guys. I tend to relax and not overthink and my game gets back to normal.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:52 AM ^
The fix seems pretty obvious to me…try making a divot due-right.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
Just getting back into golf myself after 25+ years of inactivity. I took this as an opportunity to build up my swing from scratch since I was never formally taught how to swing when I was younger.
I found a couple of nice golf lesson YouTube channels to follow - that helped immensely to build a new swing foundation. But information overload is so easy when scouring the internet, especially after a terribly inconsistent summer of golfing. So I'm going back to the basics and concentrating on basic drills to improve my ball striking. And then I promised myself that I would pay for some in person golf lessons this fall. My goal: shooting mid-80's on a somewhat consistent level.
Good luck with your swing journey.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
One thought that I had was to literally start playing every swing/club as more or less a pitch and then lengthening it slowly.
August 10th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
This is good advice for real. Farting around with this got me to tighten my wrists and turn my forearms more instead which lead to finally being able to hit a draw.
August 10th, 2023 at 12:46 PM ^
I'm not that great but that's more or less of what I've done and it's gotten me to "serviceable" level (i.e., won't completely embarrass myself). I would every once in a while slice the ball but the bigger issue 90% of the time was a semi-consistent block right even if I felt I was aligned properly to the target.
Shorter "pitchier" swings helped me build confidence and figure out what was wrong, and so what if I have to club up to reach something? It doesn't look as cool, but I'd rather 80% swing a longer club than 100% swing a shorter club if it means I'll keep it straight. I've slowly been building more full swings with clubs as confidence has gone up. And I no longer need to do the walk of shame to hit balls out of the next hole's fairway...
August 10th, 2023 at 9:59 AM ^
Exact thing I'm doing right now. I joined a league for the first time this year. So much stuff on youtube right now. It is somewhat helpful though. Also trying to get from low 90s to consistent mid 80s.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
Okay for money. You'll get your tips figured out real quick if there's money in the line.
August 10th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
It's obviously the clubs. Mine arrive on a fedex truck in an hour. /s
August 10th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
I actually went and got myself fitted for new irons this year, and the change in my game is definitely clear. I'm hitting the ball further, straighter, and more predictably than I ever have in my life.
My old irons were more than 20 years old, though, I'd been playing with them for about 15, so there was a big technology jump. Your results not guaranteed.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
I'm going from 20+ year old Taylormade super steel burner irons to the new Taylormade stealth irons (although I bought a 1 year old set off ebay). I didn't think I make consistent enough contact to get fitted yet. I've been hitting my old irons pretty well lately so we'll see how it goes. I did like them when I tested them at Carls.
August 10th, 2023 at 1:16 PM ^
*FARther
August 10th, 2023 at 9:58 AM ^
Watch "Stack and Tilt" videos on YouTube. Simplify your move so youre coming through with clubhead square. Win.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
Just read up. That sounds promising.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:03 AM ^
I suggest that you need to recognize the changes to your body and adjust your game accordingly. Instead of "always hitting the ball hard", back your swing's effort down to "always hitting the ball well", as in emphasizing where you want it to go/land. Give up 20 to 40 yards for accuracy and consistency.
The driver is the devil's club, perhaps leave it in the bag or your car's trunk, and work with the lighter woods. Again, for the sake of accuracy.
Planning on fades indicates that your swing mechanics are *all wrong*, that is, your swing arc is completely wrong - as suggested previously, spend some time with a teaching/patient pro.
Golf is a maddening game. Robin Williams (warning: the video is NSFW) was right about golf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSXMS8ABAAU
I assure you that you have the sympathy/understanding of everyone who has ever played the game.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
It is interesting that you noted that I should recognize changes to my body and limitations because that is exactly what I was trying to do when I considered a left to right ball flight.
Yeah, saying my mechanics are all wrong is an understatement right now. I’m scrambling like the world heavyweight champ of scrambling to keeps rounds together, but this blows.
I probably will seek out a lesson but I would like to sort this out without a financial ding to go along with it. I guess it wouldn’t be much though.
August 10th, 2023 at 12:10 PM ^
A seemingly odd way to think about this: every time you slice one off the fairway into the rough or the woods (usually behind a tree, it seems), would you have paid a few bucks to have hit it better? Now multiply that "few bucks" into the number holes you've played and thought "this blows" - and then think, maybe a few tip$ will get me back to enjoying the game. Just a perspective that might get you back on track ...
Good luck!
August 10th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^
August 10th, 2023 at 10:09 AM ^
I'm very self conscious, but I finally bit the bullet and filmed my swing (just using a tripod and my smart phone). Holy shit. The "recognize the changes to your body" rings true. My mind tricked me into thinking that my shoulder turn was exactly the same as it was when I was 21. But film don't lie. I was barely rotating, so my swing was all arms.
My second piece of advice: film yourself from multiple angles. It will do wonders diagnosing how to fix a grotesque swing like my own.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
I always find when I get a little wild, shortening my backswing helps straighten my shots out (normally hit it just as far also). But you should probably get yourself a lesson!
August 10th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
Go get a couple lessons and recalibrate. sometimes it gets so easy to fall into the rut of shaping shots, that it becomes hard to remember how to hit straight ones.
part of your recalibration could include getting yourself a practice chipping net, and spend 30min. with it a few times a week. put the net 10yds away, chip 10 balls, move it to 20yds, chip 10 more, move it to 30 yds, chip 10 more. this will get your arms, shoulders, and brain tuned back into trying to hit the ball straight. then slowly practice it with increasingly longer balls at your favorite practice facility.
also, if you haven't already read it, I'd highly recommend picking up a copy of Bob Rotell's book, "Golf Is Not A Game of Perfect".
Based on what you described, I might also suggest giving the driver a rest. I went through a few years where I couldn't keep a driver in play with any regularity, so I dropped it and found myself a 2i that I love, and can put in the fairway consistently at 235-240. I now have a driver I can hit, but I still use my 2i off the tee on most par 4's.
Best of luck! I hope golf is fun for you again soon!
August 10th, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
Thanks. This is good info. Yeah, it is kind of like once a started really focusing on shot shape that has become like the entire foundation of my swing instead of mechanics to just generate solid contact.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^
Rotella’s books are great. A strong recommendation here. Trust the swing you bring to the course and play it.
I also second the suggestions of seeing a pro. A trained set of eyes can help immensely with your swing path, stance, balance, etc.
As a point of reference, I played to a four handicap before the kids were born. So, I know what you’re going through.
And, take a look at your clubs / shafts with an assessment of your swing speed. As we all grow older, our swings slow down - and, the shafts (in particular) might be too stiff for the swing you have today,
August 10th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
Not that it comes close to answering your question but after golfing from when I was about 13 to my late 40"s I gave up the game completely. The BEST i was ever able to do was about +20 on a regular basis and most of time I ended the day pissed off as hell at myself for the myriad of stupid shots that kept my score from going lower.
I realized to get any good at the game would require a massive investment in both time and money both of which I chose to spend elsewhere.
I bought a boat.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
I guess that might be part of my frustration. I peaked and I can’t get it back. Maybe more so than accepting physical limitations it’s the limitations of money and family I need to come to grips with. Golf competence is a good feeling though, sucks to let it go.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:29 AM ^
Off the wall question but are you located in Summit County Oho by any chance or is the 330 referencing something else?
I live in the Medina area for what it's worth.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:37 AM ^
No, the 330 is referencing my best ever bowling score.
August 10th, 2023 at 11:48 AM ^
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDbyE7Gqfz8
Obviously you're not a golfer -- The Dude
August 10th, 2023 at 12:35 PM ^
Ha! A perfect game is 300, so did you bowl two 10th frames and throw 3 extra strikes? That'd be awesome. Or do you mean a series of 3 games? If so, that is um...not good. Better stick to golf.
I used to slice a lot when I was much younger. As I got better I learned a more inside backswing, instead of taking the club strait back like I used to. Now I do it instinctively, but I can purposely hit a larger draw if I do it correctly. This is the way.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:48 AM ^
You haven't peaked unless you tell yourself you have.
I played as a youngster, then quit for 20+ years. I picked the game up again 15 yrs ago, joined a league 10 yrs ago, had my first child 6 yrs ago, and 5 yrs ago decided I wanted to really take the game seriously. I'm lucky that my league partner is a good golfer with a ton of patience and a good eye - playing with him has helped me immensely.
Playing once a week, year round when the weather permits, has also helped. More than anything, a conscious effort to shift/evolve my attitude towards the game has not only helped me card lower numbers, but has helped my love and appreciation for the game grow.
My league is every tuesday for 24 weeks. Every monday night feels like christmas eve. Do I hit plenty of bad shots, and make plenty of bone-headed mistakes? you bet your Michigigan-Football-loving behind I do. And I've trained myself to skip the getting mad/frustrated reaction, and move straight to the 'what can I learn from that?' reaction. It has helped prevent me from letting my mood ruin a round, or the game, altogether.
I keep two thoughts in the forefront of my mind when I play:
"Golf is a game of managing your misses." - Tiger Woods
"If every shot went where you wanted it to, you'd be doing this for a living." - My dad.
The game is beautiful, frustrating, and endlessly challenging. The more I embrace those truths, the more I love it. And the golf/life parallels, and life lessons the game can teach us and/or reinforce for us are invaluable to me. The biggest is acceptance. Sometimes, even when you do everything right, you do not get the outcome you desired. How we react and move forward from that, on the course, and in life, can often make all the difference.
::steps off soapbox::
August 10th, 2023 at 11:57 AM ^
Very well stated regarding the mental aspect of recreational golf.
August 10th, 2023 at 10:13 AM ^
Take a 12 pack with you as you start your round. Pick up another 12 pack on the turn. Another 12 pack when you finish. Maybe a manhattan or two..
Good luck. Stay hydrated.
August 10th, 2023 at 1:01 PM ^
this is how i golf. if you don’t care where the ball goes, and you’re just drinking with friends, then you have a great round whether it’s a 78 or 98