Consistent play, how to achieve it?

Question

Why is golf so frustrating? You go out and you have a righteous day, then you come back the next week and stink up the place. You approach the game the same way, but you get different results. I'm sure everyone here can relate, what are some things I can do to reproduce week in and week out?

Answer 1

Nobody plays consistent.  Some play more consistent than others but everyone has off-days.  Even Tiger.  But, to improve your consistency, you have to get your mental game consistent.  Aside from very few golfers, Tiger being one of them, the best in the world do not show a whole lot of emotion from shot to shot.  Whether it be a good or bad shot.  Your pre-shot routine starts as soon as you hit the shot in front of you.  Your emotions about if you made solid contact, got a good result, etc., all play into how your pre-shot routine will play out for the next one.

You obviously cannot change the outcome of the shot once it's been struck, so why do all of us golfers get so angry when we do so?  That is what you need to get past on the course to become consistent.  Instead of dwelling on a good or bad shot, just think of how you need to strike the next one in order to put yourself in the best position possible.  Keeping your emotions in check will allow your endorphins to stay level, which in turn allows you to not over swing on the next shot.

Now, if I could just practice what I preach, I'd be alright.

Answer 2

I think mental attitude is the key to consistency.  Your swing is your swing and it isn't going to change that much day to day, but your attitude can.  You need to try to "get in the zone" which for me is when I really am not thinking about much except the target and distances.  You almost have to be a little rude to whoever you are playing with and sort of ignore them - this is much easier to do in a tournament or competition than when you are supposed to be playing a friendly round with your pals.  The other key is tempo, when in doubt slow it down to make more solid contact.  Another thing I find that helps a lot is walk whenever you can.  This smooths out the tempo of the whole round and gives you more time to think about your next shot as you walk to the ball.  To hit, jump in a cart, speed up to your ball, and then have to stop and wait for the group in front to clear is disrupting.  You almost never achieve total consistency, but that is what makes golf such a great game - you can always improve and do better.

Answer 3

great answer irish.   anyway, i have the same problem.  i am 14 and shot a 78 in myrtle beach.  the next day, i shot an 89.  its so aggravating! ):0.  what i do is swing a bit slower and i get the same average distances, and shoot between 5 strokes of each rounds score each time.  (i shot the 78 and 89 when i swung fast and aggressive, it doesn't pay off).

Answer 4

Practice, practice and more practice. Wait one more thing - practice. Did I mention practice ?

Answer 5

Many things can effect what you will shoot in a round.  

1. Playing partners

2. Course conditions (wind, rain, temp, etc)

3. Mental approach

4. Physical conditions

5. Amount of practice before your round

To make sure you carry things over from week to week...

You need to first do your whole routine on the driving range so your body can get used to it.  Not doing your pre - shot routine on the range doesnt help you at all on the course.  And as usual, practice, practice, practice is the real key to keep thngs consistent.

Answer 6

You can approach the game the same way a hundred times and get different results every time. My recomendation for those who struggle is to have only one thought during their swing. Whatever thought keeps them focused. i would also say work on accelerating through the ball. Most amatuers decelerate on impact, creating random errors. If you put the same swing on every shot though you would not be playing golf. You must learn how far you hit your clubs, and then execute. We all catch em thin, and turf a few every round. What is important is that you do what You know you can do well, whether its driving, putting etc, and do that well every time. If you are a bad iron player, don't get mad when you make a bad shot. If you are a good iron player and you make a bad shot, try to figure out what you did wrong as not to do it again. I have always known why the ball does what it does after you hit it. Its gravity X inertia. Very simple. if the ground gets in the way, the inertia is lower and the ball won't go as far. if you catch it thin, the ball will spin faster making gravity have less effect on the ball. If you know what a good shot feels like, and you dont feel it, dont get mad. just try to make all shots feel like the good ones.

Answer 7

The key to consistent golf is practice.  I learned that by spending 30 to 45 minutes per day at the range and practicing with a purpose, my game settled down and I am a +3 handicap.

To practice with a purpose means having goals you want to accomplish in practice.  For example, I know the distance I can hit each club in my bag.  So after I get warmed up, I hit balls at specific targets that are between and minimum and max distance I hit each club.

If you have difficulty establishing good practice habits, contact a local PGA professional for a lesson or two and get yourself into a good routine.

My routine is one that I have had for 25 years.  It has served me well enough to be 57 and still play better than most 20 somethings.

Answer 8

Practice!!!!!!!!