How to improve consistency?

Question

I am not looking for swing ideas but overall how to improve and score more consistency.

I claim a 6 handicap (last year), but this year I have shot anything form 98 to 73. Some days I am “on it” and some days I am OB, missing greens form 60 yards, 3 putting… its killing me. How can I improve my rhythm? Timing? Consistency? Mental game?

Thanks!

Answer 1

play it one shot at a time..  it's all mental..  after hitting a bad shot like missing from 60 yards, don't get mad, do what the pros do and forget about the last shot and look forward to the next shot..  always think that the next shot will be the shot of the day, even on the putts..

Answer 2

Sounds like a a huge mental thing if you shot 98 one day and 73 the next. Practice, Practice, Practice. Play more and have fun, don't over think your game or you will start to press and that is not good at all.

Answer 3

WOW, 98 and 73!!! those are pretty drastic differences in scores...im not being sarcastic either...thats unbelievable...sounds like practice is your only remedy...a year off tends to make people have streaky shooting as well...

Answer 4

Don't swing 100%, swing easy.....  if you swing too hard you'll get tired easily and that won't make your swing consistent enough.

Answer 5

Here's a fun little story I'm sure some of you have heard:

One day a member storms into his clubhouse, slams his hat to the ground, "I swear I am the worst golfer in the world! I couldn't hit water if I fell out of a boat let alone a green from 130yds! I hate this d**n game! How can I, a 10 handicapper, shoot 98!"

"Whoa, easy there" says the pro. "How about you let me look at your swing. Maybe we can work on some things."

"Yeah right! I'm so sick of this stupid game! Their isn't a person in this world that can help me! Not you! Not anybody!"

"Far enough" says the pro. "I'd like to place a small wager that I can improve your game by 23 strokes WITHOUT SAYING A SINGLE THING!"

"Yeah right! My best score ever is a 77. If you could do that I would give you million dollars! Face it mac, I'm a lost cause!"

"Does that mean you will take me up on my bet."

"Name the time and place and you got yourself a deal."

"Meet me here at 6:30 in the morning for a round of golf and I promise you will shoot a round of 75 OR BETTER," says the pro.

"Fine! You're on! But you've got your work cut out for you."

They meet up in the morning and go off to play the round that the pro had promised. Also, as promised, the pro doesn't say a single word. Not "do this" or "do that", not even a "hello".

The member makes to the last hole, with an 18 foot put for birdie. He must make it for a...82...79...75??? No. He must make the put to shoot a 73. He misses and shoots a 74. One stroke better than what the pro promised and 3 strokes better then his best score ever.

Finally the pro breaks his silence. "So, what did you think?"

stunned, the member says "I never knew that THAT would make that big of a difference."  

What was THAT that the member was talking about? The pro had instructed the greens keeper to leave out the flag sticks. That's right, without the flag sticks the member had no choice but to "play if safe", hitting each shot to the middle of the green. With no real target the member was free to play it to the most obvious place, the middle of the green.

This is contrary to what "self help" golf books will have you believe: that you must always have a target. In reality having a target will make most people incredibly anxious. Contrary to what most people think, the pros DO NOT fire at every pin. In fact pros play a game of controlled misses. Think about it, CONTROLLED MISSES!!!

Answer 6

Go to the range and do a lot of work.  Practice, practice, practice.  If you can't do this at least go out into your yard and try to make some consistent swings.  I am going through the same thing right now, so I know how you feel!