Forum > Technique, Tips & Tuition

Peter Deeming

Ok, what do I do now??---Since November my game has gone downhill, mainly getting off the tee. I have been topping shots, thinning them and toeing others. Beginning of  January I decided to go and see our local pro for some lessons. I was very sceptical about going as I have never had a lesson before and I was well onto my target of single figures before November. Within ten minutes he had sorted me out, my grip, stance, posture, etc was all ok, my problem was lifting my chest at the top of my back swing with occasional shoulder cast. Keep down and over the ball with no shoulder cast, brilliant sorted. A basket of balls later, not one bad shot all with a nice soft draw. But on the course I am topping, thinning etc. Back to the pro, no problems. Try as I might I cannot get the same thoughts/feel on the course as I do at the range, please tell me it will all come back before I go mad!!!!!!

Christopher Watmore

By the sounds of it on the course you are probably doing what my mate of similar handicap to you does a lot, but never does on the range. Basically he on the course always trys to hit the ball that little bit harder then he does when practicing or having a lesson. He always tries to get that bit extra, so he swings a little further in the backswing which becomes a lift up as he's not capable of turning to get any extra length. Then from the lift up, the next move tends to be the shoulder cast as you try to 'Hit the Ball'. The club comes over the top and you get a varying amount differert strikes and shot types.

I'm sure on the range in your lessons you are only focusing on what the Pro is telling you and you're not really giving any thought to what the ball is doing after you hit it or how far its going. However on the course you only become focused on where and how far the ball is going.

Try to swing within yourself on the course. Hit some 3/4 swing shots and see if you are still getting the mishits and mistrikes. I'd also bet when you try swinging with a 3/4 swing, to the observer it'd probably look like your making a full swing.

Peter Deeming

Chris,

I think you may have hit the nail on the head, I have been up the range today and hit the ball extremely well. I then went onto the course  just to do the first three holes Topped and thined two tee shots. I must agree with you that I am focusing on the green/fairway target rather than my swing when I am on the course. Will try again on Thursday with your suggestions.  Thanks for the advice.

Bob Freeman