I want to start off saying this. the last ball I hit at the range was extra crispy. I snacked it with a 3wood and I bet that sucker went 225 yards. I tell you that for this. I have been struggling for weeks on end trying to figure out WTH I was not doing correctl. I was overthinking every step of the way. until I started turning that shoulder down again and pushing that club out instead of taking it up I was hitting behind everything. head shifting back with my chin buried in my chest didn’t help either. I can’t tell you how frustrating the last 2 months have been hitting behind the ball time and time again. Trying to figure out the correction And never figuring it out. I was smacking them so well and then all of a sudden I was back to my old ways.
I will say, that before that last ball I had a moment of eureka with about 15 balls left and some I hit with crispy satisfaction and a few were duds but that last one almost made me cry. Still don’t know if I can duplicate that last ball I hit but I think I know what I did to do it. cant wait to get back to the range to see. turn that shoulder to the ball, get them hips moving, keep that head from moving backward, try to keep that left arm straight. ( I have a slight issue with that but I am working on it) and smack it with that extra crispy feeling That is as satisfying as it can be. on a side note. I will be playing more golf. It’s important I play well to get invited to play. not many people are going to invite an old guy that can’t hit the ball. But imagine an old guy that smacks it so good he out smacks the young whipper smacker. When they ask me how I hit it so far and straight I can tell them that Saguto made me do it😬
Hey, Tom. I so feel your pain. I really do. It fell apart for me a few weeks ago but hopefully its coming back. Can't tell you how many times I take 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. There's one group of guys I play with from time to time and I'm the worst of them. And I shouldn't be. But, I just haven't gotten there, yet. And I play worse around them because I want to impress them. That in and of itself mentally ruins my game. I say, if you can, just go out, play and have fun. Play your own game and work on your own things. Let being impressive be the byproduct and not the focus. It's hard to do - I struggle with it, too. But, I'm just keeping my head down, working on drills (2.8, 2.9 part 1,2,3) and hoping the good stuff transfers to the course. It's so easy to get in the old mindset out on the course and that invites in all the old swing demons.
I just want to have fun but at the same time impressive, so the young guns know I am a force. No one that plays within my small group scores less than 85 but most of the charity and most other get together tourneys are scramble. I usually drive the ball down the center but when I hit it into crispyland something magical happens and it will fly 250 + and I can't explain that solid contact and the feeling you get, not to mention the sound that makes everyone look in your direction. I am really hoping the other day was not a fluke and I have finally straightened it out. I will let you know. It's not much fun writing in this forum when all you can report about yourself if major suckage
Agree confidence is a big factor.
IE: Had a hybrid in bag for a while, never knew how I would hit it. When I would pull it out, anxiety was all I felt over the ball, results no consistent hits, some great , some not so great.
It's in the closet now went to a Ping 3 iron crossover, have great confidence when I reach for if and when I stand over the ball with no anxiety and never hesitate to go to it. trust yourself with what you know and what you can do!
Don't give up. I to felt frustrated for 6 months but have found it's two things: the grip and the turn. At first I went from a 20 handicap to a 12, then I lost my MOJO and went back to a 17. Now things are going well and the handicap is going down. Weight forward, grip correctly, turn the shoulder to the ball. Before you know it your confidence will be there along with a great score.
Keep on smacking them balls. Sounds like you are having fun even though frustrated. I am glad you are keeping the young guys surprised by the "wrath of God" hits. Don't give up the struggle.