Managing Swing Changes on the Course

[DaveLeeNC]

If you are making a meaningful swing change that is going to take some work, what do you do on the course during that period of time where the new swing is unfamiliar and unreliable? Thanks.  dave

[doctor220]

Focus on playing golf when playing golf. Swing changes take forever , 3-6 months for normal ams unless you have multiple days a week to work on changes. Just need enough reps on range until you can transfer to course. 

[ColoradoMike]

I've struggled with that this year. My handicap went from a 1.8 to a 4. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I've played golf swing instead of golf all year. 

[BombinJim]

Throw away score expectations and play golf. Very hard to do but you’ll drive up frustration if you don’t. It’s been that kind of season for me.

[getitdaily]

It changes as the weeks and months progress.

 

Initially you need to just keep swinging normally. 

 

Then, as the change starts to ingrain you'll find the need to swing a bit more manufactured.

 

Then the manufactured swing starts to feel natural and you start to swing away again.

 

Expect some loose shots as you move through the phases. Keep the short game really solid. 

 

The one key thing you should always focus on during the phases is tempo. Tempo tends to get quick or super slow when making changes. Use a tempo app.

Edited September 23, 2023 by getitdaily

[Soloman1]

I think using it is how you make it more reliable. Having two swings, one for the range and the other for the course, is probably hurting both swings.

 

Golf is hard enough with one swing. 😉

 

It’s the journey you have to make for a long-term change for the better.

[ThinkingPlus]

When making swing changes it can be really helpful playing the easiest, most wide open course in the area. Also, playing less stressful tees can be a help. It is easier making a new swing in the most stress free on-course situation you can. That's as close to a driving range as you can get.

 

Once you can confidently make the new swing under easy conditions, ramp up the stress by playing more challenging courses, then low stress competition situations,  and then high stress comps. Bounce back and forth in these scenarios as needed.

[ShortGolfer]

I've been playing once a week at a hilly 9 hole executive course, working on ball first iron contact, often from forward tees.  Last year I played early in the morning, after the fast regulars played the course.

This year I've been playing around lunch time, when the course is often empty.  Once in a while I'll get stuck between slow groups.  No matter, in either case I have plenty of time to practice on a wide variety of lies.

Perfect time to learn how to grind through bad lies and still get up and down.

 

Play cheap balls so you don't have to look for lost balls.  Or play two balls if you need good spin on your approach shots. 

The Callaway Supersoft MAX is a slightly bigger ball that can be useful but I'd switch to another ball when putting.

 

Focus on what is good about your swing.  I concentrated on good ball contact and didn't worry so much about where the ball ended up.  A good ball first swing is something you can hear and see.

 

Play conservatively.  Hit the ball back onto the fairway.  Learning a new swing is tough enough without attempting hero shots.

Edited September 23, 2023 by ShortGolfer

[drvrwdge]

For me the change is required to play better golf. Continuing to swing as I am is not only not creating the results I want but it’s leading to results I don’t, if that makes sense. I’m losing 3-6 shots a round from wayward tee balls that is a direct result of the flaw in my technique. In practice when I make the swing I am “changing” to I get the desired result I am looking for. I understand the “just have a target and flight in mind and commit” mentality but it just doesn’t work for me. I realize it takes 1/1000 of a second to complete the down swing and it’s nearly impossible to have a conscious though that can translate to an actual physical motion but to me, why not try to make the swing that produces the result you want. Why continue to make the swing that gets you what you don’t? 

[ChrisSP]

If you're working on swing changes as a result of work you're doing with an instructor, that's a question best answered by your instructor. And hopefully he/she has a good answer for you. If not ...

 

I just started working with an instructor recently and he made sure to provide me with and help me perfect what I would best describe as a temporary pre-shot routine to help me take what we're working on in terms of drills i do at home and practice range work to the golf course without having to feel like I'm thinking about my swing when I play.

 

It has been incredibly helpful when I play in both terms of enjoying my time on the course and still advancing my swing changes/game forward.

[drvrwdge]

I will add what I try to do on course is make the very exaggerated rehearsal as said above and then in my on ball swing, I’m still feeling the move just maybe not as exaggerated. And it’s generally just one feel I know I can focus in on. 

[nitram]

On 9/23/2023 at 9:09 AM, DaveLeeNC said:

If you are making a meaningful swing change that is going to take some work, what do you do on the course during that period of time where the new swing is unfamiliar and unreliable? Thanks.  dave

Hey Dave, be prepared to stink it up for.a while, and as mentioned previously, lose any scoring expectations. Once you go down the road to make a change, stick with it. Otherwise you'll be in limbo, and that my friend is golfing hell.

 

Ask me how I know . . .

[me05501]

Find the longest club in your bag that performs as expected when you make your new swing with it. Even if that's a seven iron it's your new longest club. Choose your tees appropriately.

 

Tell your playing partners you're working on making a swing change and ask them politely to leave you to your process. 

 

You'll hit some poor shots but hopefully you'll also hit a few that let you know you're on the right track. Stay committed. 

 

Stay committed to the practice tee as well. Have at least a couple of range sessions between every round. 

[Ri_Redneck]

I made a major swing change back in my 30's and tried to play while doing it. Struggled for about 2 yrs with what could only be considered a total loss of control. Thought trying to override habit is about the most difficult things for a human to do. Now, I grind at the range (sometimes 200 balls a day) until I can trust myself to do it repeatedly. I also try to build something into my PSR to remind me on every shot.

 

BT

[naval2006]

Part of it you’ll have to figure it out on your own, but you need to be determined to carry that practice motion to the course and to start feeling it. It’s necessary to find a feel or cue at the practice tee to repeat on the course and discipline will keep the old faulty swing at bay. Sometimes it will suck but if you keep on grinding your changes will prevail.