I’m a complete newby when it comes to golf – played around with my mates a few years ago but only took it up seriously a few months ago.

I have a good mate who is a great teacher but time is limited on the course (once every 6 weeks if I am lucky) and my clubs were given to me but are about 15 years old (look like new after a nice clean though).

I really am struggling off the tee. It is getting to the stage now where I’ll take my 3 wood over my driver and not bother with a tee.

I’m hitting it everywhere including the odd pop up which is really disappointing as I think the rest of my game has improved out of sight.

Any clues from the wise and educated out there?

Cheers,

Mick

For a start Mick, I’d read all the articles under ‘Golf School’ on this site, starting at ‘Fix Your Golf Swing – Part 1’ and work you’re way up

Good luck :-)

Boof,

If you can only get out once each 6 weeks, you cannot really expect to have a consistent game. Any golfer who pops their driver in the air is swinging their driver incorrectly. The driver ain’t an iron. Are you taking divots with your driver? As a quick fix although not the best, try teeing your driver up lower at address. I would also check your ball position with your driver at address. Perhaps you ball is too far back in your stance with the driver in hand? Finally, too many people try to smack the crap out of their driver, slow down and things may change for you.

That last one is a good tip. Most of the women on the LPGA hardly hit the ball at all, and it still goes 230-240metres.

For a start Mick, I’d read all the articles under ‘Golf School’ on this site, starting at ‘Fix Your Golf Swing – Part 1’ and work you’re way up

Good luck :-)

I’d second this they have been an invaluable source of info.

I’m the same had lots of friends who played when i was at school and went for a hit of 2 but never ,damn it, took it up. A few months back my FIL took me to the range to show me a few things and having since then only read golf school a million time’s i’ve improved heaps.

That last one is a good tip. Most of the women on the LPGA hardly hit the ball at all, and it still goes 230-240metres.

believe me, these women folks do HIT the ball

it’s just that they seem not to force it…..they use the traditional coil up, lag and thru swing

same for some men like Els, elkington, smooth tempo looks easy n pretty efficient
the so called ‘effortless’ power vs powerful (wasted) effort

Thanks for the prompt responses.

I’ve started reading the Golf School articles and they provide some great information.

I know that my limited time on the course is a big factor but I have a 2 year old terror and I travel a total of 4 hours to work and back each day so any time at home must be spent with the family. The time that I get on the course is certainly enjoyed but I do the odd practice swing at home on the weekend.

I will definitely try moving the ball to around my left heel and just take an easy swing and see how things go on my next venture.

Cheers,

Mick

Have fun out there Mick! People always happy to help in here.

I travel a total of 4 hours to work and back each day so any time at home must be spent with the family.

Cheers,

Mick

Bah!

Mick,

Easy for me to say, I am retired, but I would make reclamation of some of that 4 hours my #1 priority. Then take the time saved to the golf course.

Must be most frustrating for you mate but you ARE doing right by your family.

Just a quick update on my situation.

Played 9 last weekend and dumped the driver and played with my 3 wood. Ball placement was just inside my left heel and I was only teeing the ball up about 1.5cm. Clear key came into play with my playing partner giving me funny looks but it works.

Slowed my swing and only used 3/4 power and was hitting some really nice shots with a slight fade. The reduction in swing speed hampered my distance (180m with the 3 wood) but I knew exactly what the ball was doing and tried to play accordingly.

My irons let me down on the weekend but again that was ball placement issue which I hope to address this weekend.

I made a deal with the mrs that the money I spend on golf she gets to spend on scrapbooking so that should allow me more time on the course!

Cheers.

Mick

Beware scrap booking costs more than golf! I made the same deal with my wife who is now trying to MAKE money out of scrap booking hahaha as I said the deal worked both ways. “Kidding Dear”

The good news is I am now playing on a weekly basis. The bad news is I’ve had an awful run the past few weeks. Instead of bothering the trees on the right of the course and the worms I decided to hit the range this afternoon and hit about 150 balls.

Made sure I got every club out of the bag and spent over 1.5hrs just chipping and pitching at 2 targets about 35-40 and 70-90 yards out. Hitting the target 70% of the time so happy with that.

Made a small adjustment to my grip (thanks for the articles Guru) and I no longer have my awful fade. Spent some time with the local pro and whilst I was sure I was going to be spending a few weeks at the range he suggested I get on course ASAP which just blew me away.

I’ve read through the the articles about the mental aspect of this game and I’m certain that my problem is being able to re-focus between shots especially if a large group is playing ahead of mine.

I’ve got my clear key going and a routine I follow before every shot (much to the disgust of my playing partners …) but it just isn’t coming together. Any suggestions from the wise??

Cheers,

Mick

Having a routine is very very good.

Learning the skills to be able to use the Clear Keys to allow them through is great. Let your time on the range be used to learn the mechanics so that you can use them on the course.

Do not have too higher expectations.

Do work on learning the shorter game and so when you are at the range, try not hitting balls much further than 120m and move up the power chain only when you hit them straight that far. Too many starters at golf want to see their balls going 200m. When you do succeed to hit it that far all you find is bush or worse:)

Keep it up.

Thanks Guru. Having only been playing for about 11 months I’m pretty impressed with my progress without any real time with a pro (something I need to look into though).

I don’t care if I’m only hitting my Driver 180 – 190 off the tee, at the end of the day, on a par 4, you’ll need a 2nd shot and I would rather stay on the fairway and out of trouble and give myself a chance of a birdie then hitting out of the trees all day. Hitting the ball miles is overrated in my books if you’re slicing it everywhere.

Do you think it’s too early to get back on the course Guru and what other drills should I be looking at to get that consistency that everyone seeks but rarely finds?

Cheers,

Mick

Boof many golfers only ever learn to do it ‘their way’. Also that 200 yard mark is around average on course distance off the tee. Only when the technique is learned does the big dog really start to stretch way past 200 meters.

If you delve into the Golf School you will find some interesting ideas that will help your drills search.

Enjoy the time you get out on course as you will find that only by playing do you work out that you need to learn a lot of special shots to be able to score. Then back to the range to learn how to do them.

Happy hitting:)

Felt I needed some more range time (with these winds and chronic asthma it was best I stayed off the course anyway).

Prior to this 200+ ball session I pulled out all my scorecards over the past few months and started to put together a plan of attack. My long irons are definitely costing me shots and anything 50 – 70 out from the pin is a hit and miss affair.

With this in mind, a small adjustment with my grip again, I spent a majority of this session just chipping, pitching and the odd punch shot. Hitting my intended target 75% of the time but as to how that converts around the greens only time will tell.

Consistently hitting my 3 iron around 180 now and on target 80% of the time.

My local range has free sessions with a local pro so off to do that this weekend and I hope to organise a 9 hole playing lesson.

Wish me luck!

Cheers,

Mick

Most readers would love to hit a 3i in the post code its aimed at 80% of the time.

Welcome to Sunday morning with a strong SW blowing it should make for interesting conditions on the course this afternoon. Might even drop the driver for today, carry a 3W and throw a 5W in to keep the ball lower in the wind.

Feeling very strong this morning with the time spent at the range and with the local pro although I must admit I have 1000 things going through my head.

Already thinking about my shot routine and clear key and how to play the front 9 in these conditions.

My plan is to get to the course at around 2:30 and spend a good half hour putting and warming up and tee off at 3.

Will post a full report later this evening.

Cheers,

Mick

I had tee trouble yesterday, lost two of them,

Nathan.

Thanks Nathan lol I posted an update about my round – had a shocker on the 3rd, 4th and 6th and my fairway % was down but overall a pretty good 9 holes (by my standards).

The worst aspect of my game (putting) actually saved me a few strokes but a few 3 and 4 putts really threw a solid score out the window. Twice I thought the ball would drop but not even the wind would push it that 1mm into the cup.

My new grip couldn’t really be tested out in a blustery SW but ball contact was solid. Back into next weekend!

Cheers,

Mick