golfrewind.com

Well if you are able to line up and hit the target on the range, the problem is in your head, otherwise know as ball fever or the yips.

Some things I learned a long time ago may help you. One is a routine to help you prepare and relax that you repeat every time.

Might try this. I use a ball that has a line, you know the kind manufactures now put on them to aid in putting. If not they are easy to make with a marker or you can even buy one of those ball spinners to do it. There is no rule that says you cannot use it off the tee box

Here is my routine: I line the ball up using the lines right down the line I want the ball to travel. Step back behind the ball to check, re-adjust if necessary. Then I use that alignment to set my feet, shoulders, and clubface. I then waggle to loosen up and at the same time rotate my head looking right down the target line and visualize the shot seeing the ball fly and land on my target. Then as I rotate my head back to the ball, one last waggle and pull the trigger.

Hope that might be of some help. Oh yea, be sure to use the line on the putting green, it works miracles there too.

I can deal with losing a little yardage as long as its not much. If going to a stiffer flex shaft can straighten my shots and give me more control, then I'm willing to sacrifice some distance. I do alright with my 3 and 5 wood and my hybrids to compensate with the lost yards.

Thanks for all the advise. I sure will have my swing speed checked. I just have to find a cheap place here in Japan. Everything here is so expensive. Specially when its related to golf. Japanese people are crazy with golf.

230-250 isn't long enough to warrant a stiff shaft, especially when talking in terms of carry vs total distance...that being said shaft fitting has a big degree of voodoo to it and a stiffer shaft might just help you...worth looking into...as far as driving range and alignment is concerned, there is alot to be said about the subconcious alignment aids a rectangular grass mat in line with a rectangular rubber mat that you stand on in line with the walls or dividers of your hitting bay perpendicular to the edge of the concrete that the range mats are sitting on down the rectangular range witht the end perpendicular to the target line, guided to that point by the walls/fences on either side of the range...there are too many alignment aids to count...start to practice either off of grass tees or in the hitting bays, but make sure that you hit somewhat across the range, twist your mat in the bay and hit off of it at an angle opposite to how you are aimed, etc etc...anything that you can do to break the subconcious dependence on the inherent alignment aids found at the range...after I started to do this my on course game improved...good luck...

Something else to mull over...Ernie Els (pro golfer) has a slow swing tempo but swings very fast in terms of measured clubhead speed at impact...figure out that dichotomy and you are on your way to understanding what makes the golf swing tick...

Hit on the grass at the driving range yesterday. Thanks to all the good advise from here I'm doing a lit better now. I'll be playing 18 tomorrow and see the real test on the course. Hopefully it works for the better.

I couldn't agree more with this statement. Man, You just have to continue thinking positive and try and keep a level head. If you get angry you'll loose concentration.possibly start sweating and get a sloppy grip, and overall continue to do worse. Just gotta keep at it and continue to love the game! Its all about having fun anyways righht?

Yeah!!! I know its all about having fun. We're not pro's. I just want to do good at what I do. I love this game and now I'm having fun with it. I'm making good contact with the ball most of the time and If I don't I just step back and think if what I did wrong for that swing and try not to do it again on the next one. This is still a learning experience for me but overall I'm happy on where I stand at at the moment. I've only been playing golf on for a short amount of time and I'm extremely proud on where I stand at the moment.

Straight is great.Look at a senior golfer who's played the game his whole life,yet simply can't bomb it anymore.They're in most if not all fairways,and from 150 in they're as deadly accurate as a sniper.Center of the green and a sure two putt par.
Learn from that.As to your swing speed,go to your local golf shop and talk with the staff.IF they're any good,they'll look at your swing on a simulator which will show your tendencies.They'll recommend a shaft/head/loft combo that will suit your game. Even better,they'll work within your budget restraints.

I'm gonna have to wait to do that unitl I get back to the states in the fall. I'm still in japan and to do that over here is just expensive as ****. But for now all I'm doing is just going to the driving range and playing the base course as much as I could until I move to Colorado Springs.