Grr.... I suck at golf.

[speg]

So I went out to the driving range with a couple friends the other day. I hadn't swung a gold club ( save mini-putt ) in 2+ years, so I expected to be a little rusty. However, I totally and completley sucked! It was pathetic I think I managed to hit 150 a couple times The rest of the time the ball was just barely going higher than 5-6 feet above the ground and would sorta roll to the 100 sign Whereas my friends were launching them off into the skyline. Very embarising I don't mind that they can hit farther than me, but why wouldn't the damn ball go into the air?!

The later, we went to do some chip & putt, and my chipping was also line-drive esque. Ugh, I hate golf I got frustrated and just got the point where I wanted to wail the ball as hard as I could into the nearby forest, but that didn't help much either.

Any regular golfers got any tips? Most places online are trying to show me videos and stuff, but I just want some basic info. Mainly, why doesn't the ball launch into the air?!





P.S. - I don't actually hate golf, I just suck at it.

 

[zippy]

Perhaps you should hit lower on the golf ball? That would probably put that mofo up in the air.

Not to mention, range balls are dead - they don't go nearly as far as regular ones. How far were your friends hitting?

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: speg
So I went out to the driving range with a couple friends the other day. I hadn't swung a gold club ( save mini-putt ) in 2+ years, so I expected to be a little rusty. However, I totally and completley sucked! It was pathetic I think I managed to hit 150 a couple times The rest of the time the ball was just barely going higher than 5-6 feet above the ground and would sorta roll to the 100 sign Whereas my friends were launching them off into the skyline. Very embarising I don't mind that they can hit farther than me, but why wouldn't the damn ball go into the air?!

The later, we went to do some chip & putt, and my chipping was also line-drive esque. Ugh, I hate golf I got frustrated and just got the point where I wanted to wail the ball as hard as I could into the nearby forest, but that didn't help much either.

Any regular golfers got any tips? Most places online are trying to show me videos and stuff, but I just want some basic info. Mainly, why doesn't the ball launch into the air?!





P.S. - I don't actually hate golf, I just suck at it.

Come on now, be honest with us, golf isn't the only thing you suck at , is it?

 

[BigToquex]

Golf is fun until you expect to play well.

If your ball isn't getting into the air, you are not getting underneath it enough.

Have the ball near your front foot when using drivers and low irons
Have the ball in the middle of your feet when using mid-irons
Have the ball near your back foot when hitting high irons and wedges.

Most importantly, just relax and swing easy. The club does the work, not you.

 

[speg]

How far were your friends hitting?

Between 200-250. But even then they were going UP. Mine were mostly along the ground. They were joking about me dropping golf and picking up gofer killing

 

[Doggiedog]

You might not want to do it permanently but if you put the ball further back in your stance (closer to your right foot if you are righthanded), the ball should get up in the air.

Sounds like you are topping it.

 

[dxkj]

Definitely topping it.


And yeah long drives on golf courses are rare. I think my best was bouncing to 300+ hit 250 in the air randomly, some balls just suck.

 

[Boogak]

I started getting serious about golf a couple of months ago and according to Golf for Dummies (yes, I bought the book, I have no shame), topping occurs when you move your head. Basically force yourself to stare and focus at the ball and not move your head until your follow thru. It helped me and I don't top the ball anywhere near as much as I used to.

 

[Electric Amish]

What club were you hitting on the range?

 

[DaiShan]

keep your head down and eye on the ball the whole time, you are probably looking up too soon, continue to look at the tee after the shot, this will make you keep your head down through the follow through. Also you are probably swinging too hard. On your back swing the club should not go past paralell, otherwise it is tough to get your hands in the right position at the bottom of your swing. I haven't played in almost a year so when I get back to it I hate to think how I will be hitting them heh.

 

[rpberry123]

3 of the biggest sins in golf:

1 trying to 'kill' the ball..... swing easy and slow when on the range until you get grooved....
2 check your grip occasionally...... are your hands slipping?
3 keep your head down..... when hit properly, you will have a long time to watch the ball fly...

and finally,

check your ego at the door. golf is an excuse to get away from work, not the other way around.