How do you leave swingthoughts at the range?

[dfeldss]

I have been playing some of the most miserable golf of my life the past month. Shank after shank, and if its not a dead shank its a heely fade that goes nowhere.

 

I think i've got way too much going on in my head trying to fix it, which kind of turns into a self fulfilling prophecy where i don't even have a chance to hit a good shot. 

 

On my day i hit the ball as well as anyone, but something's happened in the last month or two.

 

I guess my question would be, has anyone dealt with this and how'd they get through it? Do i just not pick up a club for a few weeks? Go all in on lessson? Kind of rambling at this point but i'm fairly frustrated right now

[vandyfan]

Are you currently taking lessons? I know in the short term that adds MORE swing thoughts and confusion but at least you know you are chasing the correct move(s) in your swing. 

[Robert72]

Everyone goes through the doldrums.   Be patient.  It will pass.

[OnTheBag]

Been through that many, many times over the last 55 years.  When it happens, I have found that shortening the backswing and thinking only about hitting the back of the ball is a good first step to recovery.  Don't be too hard on yourself.  Happens to everyone eventually.

[BdaGolfer]

For me, I go back to basics. Clearly define what I am trying to do, and then determine the absolute minimum needed to achieve that.

 

That means knowing that A, B and C have to happen, but also knowing that doing D correctly will cause them to happen, so the focus (swing thought) is on one thing.

[dfeldss]

50 minutes ago, vandyfan said:

Are you currently taking lessons? I know in the short term that adds MORE swing thoughts and confusion but at least you know you are chasing the correct move(s) in your swing. 

 

I'm not right now, which i think is adding the confusion. The things i think i need to work might not even be correct, and even if they are correct am i working on it in the right way?

 

Might need to take some lessons and accept that ill be bad for a bit

[dfeldss]

13 minutes ago, BdaGolfer said:

For me, I go back to basics. Clearly define what I am trying to do, and then determine the absolute minimum needed to achieve that.

 

That means knowing that A, B and C have to happen, but also knowing that doing D correctly will cause them to happen, so the focus (swing thought) is on one thing.

 

I like this 

[JohnnyCashForever]

Alcohol helps.

[PhilsFanDrew]

I typically take a week or two off from playing any rounds or hitting balls at the range when I struggle for a prolonged period.  At most I will practice putting and chipping to keep my short game as tidy as can be and to stay somewhat engaged.  Then I go back the range and start back with G.A.P. (grip, alignment, posture) and the only feedback I am looking for is hitting ball first and the ball going in the general direction I want it to.  While I am sure there are technical points that a teaching pro can help with, it sounds like in your current circumstances that it's equally if not more mental struggles and sometimes taking a little break from the routine can be that reset button you need. 

Edited June 27, 2022 by PhilsFanDrew