hey all, ive just had about 5 months off golf and im starting to get back into it, ive had about 8 rounds and havent improved, ive totally forgotten my old swing, are there any tips from anyone for helping get back into my swing, apart from the obvious with lessons. would the best thing be to keep playing and gradually improve back to my old swing?

Short cut to the Golf School articles and then remind your brain about what needs to on. It will probably find the missing link then at the range before going out to play.

Tips without having a lesson?
Maybe you are trying too much/too hard to play like you used to play before you stopped playing golf? Did you have a an injury or was it due to work etc? Normally when people from (pro-hacker-mid-week golfer) take time off golf for an extended period, their short game gets rusty so I would suggest possibly spending some time trying to get your short game on track or your feel back. Less 3 putts and more up and downs do improve any persons score. I will also say, if you do not feel comfortable hitting a particular shot, do not do it and take a club just to keep the ball in play. Leave the ego behind and think smarter on the course. I am only guessing, but you need to find that tempo again.
Cheers

hey all, ive just had about 5 months off golf and im starting to get back into it, ive had about 8 rounds and havent improved, ive totally forgotten my old swing, are there any tips from anyone for helping get back into my swing, apart from the obvious with lessons. would the best thing be to keep playing and gradually improve back to my old swing?

Time out!

Now could be a good time to leave the old swing dead and buried – rather than look to recreate the imperfections you may have had.

Take time out to catch a few lessons and get in the groove you should be in rather than the trough you may have been in.

Hi philt91,
I can sort of relate to where you are at, I had 32 years off golf! About 18 months ago I began again to play again.

It was the naturalness of swinging and the analogy of throwing a ball that made sense to me. My previos swing of the 60’s and 70’s had all the flaws of the teachings of those eras and then some.

The swing, transference of weight,given some fundamentals of stetup including grip, that helped me.

Without doubt, a few lessons was also important!

The best thing about a lay off is the freshness of a new attitude to golf. I am now enjoying the game (really!) more than ever. I hope you take advantage of your lay off and consequently your game takes a leap forward!

Gary

One of our customers suggested a few weeks off was good for getting your swing back.

I suggest, leave it alone and it will come home, for two weeks. If that doesn’t work, attack the basics, nothing fancy.

If you don’t know what the Basics are, they are all here.

ph

When I started back into golf recently, I really didn’t want it to get too confusing. When you know too much you worry too much, which is part of what was happening to me before. The basic premise I have been using is that the front arm moves on plane around a still spine.

That being said. I think you have an excellent opportunity now, to ditch old habits and get off on the right foot by seeing a good instructor and building a ‘better’ swing than you had before.

Start short and work up that will get rhythm and swinging going well…once you lose some ball striking you are swinging too hard or too long for your current stage of progression.

I had 5 months off due to a shoulder injury & recently returned playing & doing the best ever scores. Mine was trying too hard to achieve & with an enforced “retirement” I value just being able to play now. I’m heaps more relaxed in my attitude.

hey all, ive just had about 5 months off golf and im starting to get back into it, ive had about 8 rounds and havent improved, ive totally forgotten my old swing, are there any tips from anyone for helping get back into my swing, apart from the obvious with lessons. would the best thing be to keep playing and gradually improve back to my old swing?

Time out!

Now could be a good time to leave the old swing dead and buried – rather than look to recreate the imperfections you may have had.

Take time out to catch a few lessons and get in the groove you should be in rather than the trough you may have been in.

totally agreed, most people take a break because things aren’t going right, now you have forgotten don’t force anything and go and learn some new skills.. It might not be the easy option but it’s certainly the one with the most benefit.. Find a teacher you can trust and go back once a month or so, they will be able to see your progress and correct any issues, it will take a while but it will be worth it.
From my experience i would just play social rounds etc, if your swing isn’t right you will take the enjoyment out of it very quickly by trying to be competitive in competitions.
It’s a funny thing, when you take a break you quickly forget the negative stuff and are itching to get back out there.. i would thrive on this positivity and set a plan and some goals. If you try to play like you used to quickly, you may just end up having another longer break.
Chris

forgot to say.. GOOD LUCK!!

crook knees

Hi going in for a new left knee, can anyone tell me is golf over or just slowed down for a while and what diifferance can it make on my return to golf.

ggoford, after 3 knee ops, as long as you are sensible golfing life is still there for the taking. You need to take the rehab very seriously and not rush anything. Listen once twice three times to understand what the doc and physios tell you…..might take 3 times for you to get how serious their advice is to a quicker recovery no matter how good you might feel.

hey all, ive just had about 5 months off golf and im starting to get back into it, ive had about 8 rounds and havent improved, ive totally forgotten my old swing, are there any tips from anyone for helping get back into my swing, apart from the obvious with lessons. would the best thing be to keep playing and gradually improve back to my old swing?

I’ve just started playing again after a year out of the game cause of study commitments. I used to play off a very comfortable 3, have been stuggling a little bit over the last couple of rounds. My advice would to just practice, and do it alot. The first month of my come back tour I trained for at least an hour a day.

Best things to practice would be putting, especially focus on holing from within 5-6 feet. In terms of long game, pick your favourite club and focus on ball striking. My main swing thought for the first week was rythmn. Once you are back into the swing of things, i.e. comfortable standing over/addressing the ball, and swinging the club, I would recommend a lesson. This should prevent any major swing flaws becoming ingrained in the muscle memory. This can be a blessing in diguise, after a bit of a layoff.

Hope this helps