Beginner frustrated with golf. Any advice?

[Sparklehorse]

If I could start all over again, I would have concentrated on learning the short game first with chipping and short pitches just improving my club/ball contact , then working my way up slowly to quarter, half, full swings.

[BB28403]

I heard a quote someone made the other day , something like this

“In Golf the Golf Course is designed to beat you, you are meant to lose. Knowing that before you begin helps a lot. Do the best you can everyday! Just don’t beat yourself up because you can never beat the course”

[Temple90]

I heard a quote someone made the other day , something like this

“In Golf the Golf Course is designed to beat you, you are meant to lose. Knowing that before you begin helps a lot. Do the best you can everyday! Just don’t beat yourself up because you can never beat the course”

 

That's a great quote! very accurate.

[sbark]

Jimmy Ballard method.....one swing , takes most of the body part hinges out of the equation

 

Get the right elbow in front of the hip

[Temple90]

So its been about 8 months since I started taking lessons and its hard to see the improvements. I practice 1-2 times a week, but am having a different issue every time I practice. I have a different bad habit creep in.

During my last practice I completely whiffed 2 balls and took chunks out of the ground near the ball before finally hitting the ball. Definitely frustrating, but I guess its all part of learning.

[nlk10010]

OK, but how do you feel about your journey? I'm not being flip, the question is really can you handle the fact that it is going to take a lot of time and practice to get anywhere? If your attitude is that you won't be happy unless you see steady, distinct progress in a relatively short period of time then, unless you are a superior athlete, this game isn't for you. Note I'm not saying you would be "dumb" or "evil" if that's how you felt, just that golf is as much an art as it is a science.

 

Just one other thing: If you DO reconcile yourself to the fact that progress will almost certainly be slow and have many ups and downs, I suggest you pick a swing approach (or an instructor) and stick to it. My SO, who is a retired psychiatrist, characterizes me as an "all or nothing" personality; i.e. if I don't make progress in one bucket of balls, or one 9-hole round, then I decide I'm on the wrong track and switch methods (also happens if I hit one bad shot in a string of good ones). I can't fathom that an instructor or a swing method could be right for me if there's even ONE step backwards.

 

That's why I'm ten years into this golf thing and still can't hit a 7-iron 130 yards or make it on an 18-hole golf course.

 

Good Luck.

 

[Temple90]

> @nlk10010 said:

> OK, but how do you feel about your journey? I'm not being flip, the question is really can you handle the fact that it is going to take a lot of time and practice to get anywhere? If your attitude is that you won't be happy unless you see steady, distinct progress in a relatively short period of time then, unless you are a superior athlete, this game isn't for you. Note I'm not saying you would be "dumb" or "evil" if that's how you felt, just that golf is as much an art as it is a science.

>

> Just one other thing: If you DO reconcile yourself to the fact that progress will almost certainly be slow and have many ups and downs, I suggest you pick a swing approach (or an instructor) and stick to it. My SO, who is a retired psychiatrist, characterizes me as an "all or nothing" personality; i.e. if I don't make progress in one bucket of balls, or one 9-hole round, then I decide I'm on the wrong track and switch methods (also happens if I hit one bad shot in a string of good ones). I can't fathom that an instructor or a swing method could be right for me if there's even ONE step backwards.

>

> That's why I'm ten years into this golf thing and still can't hit a 7-iron 130 yards or make it on an 18-hole golf course.

>

> Good Luck.

>

 

I have definitely accepted slow progress. Golf is definitely a humbling game. Sometimes its almost embarrassing to walk into a lesson after practicing a significant amount of time and not being able to hit the ball. I guess it really does take years for all the good habits to stick.

 

[chigolfer1]

[nlk10010]

> @Temple90 said:

> > @nlk10010 said:

> > OK, but how do you feel about your journey? I'm not being flip, the question is really can you handle the fact that it is going to take a lot of time and practice to get anywhere? If your attitude is that you won't be happy unless you see steady, distinct progress in a relatively short period of time then, unless you are a superior athlete, this game isn't for you. Note I'm not saying you would be "dumb" or "evil" if that's how you felt, just that golf is as much an art as it is a science.

> >

> > Just one other thing: If you DO reconcile yourself to the fact that progress will almost certainly be slow and have many ups and downs, I suggest you pick a swing approach (or an instructor) and stick to it. My SO, who is a retired psychiatrist, characterizes me as an "all or nothing" personality; i.e. if I don't make progress in one bucket of balls, or one 9-hole round, then I decide I'm on the wrong track and switch methods (also happens if I hit one bad shot in a string of good ones). I can't fathom that an instructor or a swing method could be right for me if there's even ONE step backwards.

> >

> > That's why I'm ten years into this golf thing and still can't hit a 7-iron 130 yards or make it on an 18-hole golf course.

> >

> > Good Luck.

> >

>

> I have definitely accepted slow progress. Golf is definitely a humbling game. Sometimes its almost embarrassing to walk into a lesson after practicing a significant amount of time and not being able to hit the ball. I guess it really does take years for all the good habits to stick.

>

 

Believe me, I know all about that lesson thing. It got to the point where my instructor told me not to come back because it was just "the same lesson over and over again". I'm fortunate I'm fairly good at my day job. :)

[Chunking]

Perhaps I missed it, but how is your game transferring over to the course?

 

I know it isn’t what you’d like at the range, but that’s not where the game is played.

 

I believe someone else already stated this, but some time away from the range and more time actually playing could be what you need.

[Pepperturbo]

My response to the OP is simple. Managing frustration is part of life and accomplishment, as we test ourselves in various endeavors. Golf is difficult and comes with many moving parts; each of which can disappoint and cause stumbling blocks and frustration. Learn to manage your frustration or self-control and you'll be a more vigorous person at everything you tackle.

 

PS: I cope with severe ostioarthritis in my hands, knees, and hips. All of which can inhibit good golf but I won't let that happen.

[Kevlar10]

I didn’t feel like reading all of the posts so forgive me if this has been said already. Just like learning anything else through lessons, you need to practice what you’re taught through repetition or it will likely not stick. If i were you, I’d ask the pro to suggest a few exercises that you can do at home between lessons to reinforce what he/she is teaching you. When I do a few simple drills between rounds, it reinforces good habits and I play better. When I don’t, I tend to regress.