Game lacks consistency

Question
Hi Eddie,

I'm looking for more consistency in my game.  I have a fairly high handicap and although I feel comfortable with what I should be doing, actually making it to happen on a regular basis is difficult.  The feeling you get from really nailing a shot doesn't happen nearly enough for me but is increasing thankfully.  Practicing regularly is somewhat challenging (as are lessons) due to my location and I'm not really sure what I should be practicing anyway.

The majority of my issues are minor setup and mental adjustments I suppose.  I hit too fat, too thin, place the ball slightly too far forward or back in my stance for the club, etc.  I rarely hook or slice any more, my distance is good, and feel I'm just a small adjustment or two from seeing a nice improvement in my score.

I understand you have some popular practice sheets and I would be very thankful if you would send them to me, as well as posting any advice you might have.

Thank you very much,
Dale

Answer
Hi Dale:

I do Dale and I'll send them to you as well.  Just send me your personal email address.  In reference to your email and your golf swing, let's start here.  Let's build some consistency in what you do first.  Let's discuss ball position.  I do an experiment (and have done this for 24 straight years on my students) with my beginner group lessons.  I ask them to each take out a pitching wedge, a 5 iron and a driver.  Remember now, they are beginners and some of them have no idea what each of those clubs do or are.  I get them spread out in a circle big enough so they won't hit each other.  We cover some very simple, basic motions, do some rehearsals and then I get them all swinging the pitching wedge.  The only thing I am interested in seeing from them is continuous motion and where the club hits the turf.  Hitting the turf or brushing the grass is the only requirement.  So they begin.  Backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, and on and on.  Just swinging.  Each time the club passes in front of them, I want the club brushing the grass or taking some turf.  I let them make about 20 swings each way, then I give them the 5 iron.  Same thing, over and over and over.  Repetition, repetition, etc.  After about 20 swings, I give them each a driver and tell them to keep going, same thing.  By this time they are getting tired.  They have made more than 50 swings without stopping.  BUT, THERE WAS ONE THING THAT BECAME APPARENT WITH THE MAJORITY OF THEM.  And remember, I gave them a pitching wedge, a 5 iron and a driver.....3 distinctly different size clubs.  One short, one medium and one real long.  DO YOU KNOW THEY HIT THE GROUND ABOUT THE SAME SPOT WITH EVERY CLUB?  What does that mean?  Let's talk about ball position.  Let's get you more consistent with your ball placement for each shot.  You mention ball forward, ball back with different clubs, etc.  That is a consistency problem.  By the way, that spot or first point of contact my beginners made....was just forward of your center.  About where the logo on your shirt would be if it was placed on the left breast of your shirt.  So, get more consistent with your set up WITH EACH CLUB.  Set up with the clubhead right smack in the center of your stance.  Your ball would be just forward of that (or just forward of the center of your stance).  Do this with every club.....including your driver.  Now, think about that Dale.  I am assuming the head of your driver is big from technology.  Because of the size of the head, the ball position with a driver would be more toward your left heel than with a wedge (because of the size of the clubhead).  Start hitting balls and I bet your contact point and consistency will help reduce your fat and thin shots.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member