Help, my mind is screwed

Game was consistent. Drive straight. Then I shanked once. Then twice. Then I couldn't stop shanking at all. It has been 3 weeks since the game but I'm over-thinking like mad. Irons are now so bad, I top, then shank then hit fat...and all one after another. My fingers are blistered, my head is about to explode and I still can't understand what happened to my game. And the more frustrated I get, the worse it is. If you've never seen a grown man cry...

All in the mind my friend..

It's been more than 3 mths for me. Exact same situation. See a coach, or take a short break. You probably thinking too much and losing the confidence. Try to lower the expectations and recover your swing gradually.

BabyCroc wrote:

It's been more than 3 mths for me. Exact same situation. See a coach, or take a short break. You probably thinking too much and losing the confidence. Try to lower the expectations and recover your swing gradually.

Agree. take a break or some ppl say active rest... do something else: go for a long walk or hike, play w the kids, try playing other games.. maybe the same golf muscles need a rest...

Understood, have being there and done that. I still remember my coach told me " Your playing have reach a level but your metal game still falling behind ".

I agreed with babycroc: Try to lower your expectations and do not try too hard. When you have a relax mind, you will have a relax body with a relax swing

Try to stop playing for couple of weeks on the course and maybe just driving range only. You will get back your feel. There are nothing wrong with your swing, is all in your mind ..

I also have been through this shanking thing. It's very irritating and creeps back when you least expects it.

I agree with above people's evaluation that it's in the mind but I disagree that the swing is not at fault. The fact that you are shanking means there is in fact something wrong with the swing. If I guess correctly, you are swinging out-to-in and hitting the ball at hosel. Maybe it's due to the expectation that since the drive is gd, you can attack the pin and try to swing aggressively? I did that and was shanking quite a lot.

Go to the range and try get back the feeling of hitting a proper iron shot. It's somewhere inside you.

Thanks buddies. I was working towards breaking 90 this year and now, I have to fight to break 120 I feel. Last night I stayed up till 3am chipping just to get the inside to out swing that is my usual game. This morning at the range, all it took was one phone call and pow, swing collapsed. Sheesh. Have a game this Wednesday at JCC and expecting a lousy outing. I will take a breather as advised and hope game returns.

If I may humbly beg to differ, the swing is the issue as a starting point. The mind may or may not be an indirect factor subsequently.

Issues may include one or more of the following:
1. overactive hands, esp hands in starting the downswing
2. hips not clearing sufficiently or clearing too late
3. goat-humping (hips approaching the ball at impact instead of approaching the target)

The three above are related as in one may lead to another, and unfortunately, they are all too common.

And here's the mind comes in. When we get anxious, guess which part begins to tense up? Our hands. Which causes it to be even more overactive, further compounding the situation.

If the swing has none of the 3 points above, it is unlikely to shank in the first place regardless of the state of mind.

Thanks Lee. Agree it's in the swing and the mind compounds matters. My back has been acting up so posture must be affected. BTW your goat humping reference is much appreciated. I will now feel sheepish about repeating it. Pun intended.

buzz1211 wrote:

Game was consistent. Drive straight. Then I shanked once. Then twice. Then I couldn't stop shanking at all. It has been 3 weeks since the game but I'm over-thinking like mad. Irons are now so bad, I top, then shank then hit fat...and all one after another. My fingers are blistered, my head is about to explode and I still can't understand what happened to my game. And the more frustrated I get, the worse it is. If you've never seen a grown man cry...

Bro, I have gone through the exact same feeling a few years back while I was still in Australia. After playing golf for 12 years and finally got down to scratch and after all those years of days and nights of training, I can't tell you how s*it that feeling was when that shanking wave hit me and for a moment I really felt like giving up the wonderful game of golf. I almost did.

Then, I took my coach's advice to take a break for a full month, without watching golf, no touching of clubs, no gripping of clubs or whatsoever. Basically, just completely put golf out of my way as if I was really giving up. But the game knew that I would come back again one day for the irresistible smell of freshly mowed green grass

A month later, I started over again from the very basic of hitting chip, pitch, half-swing shot, 3quarter-swing shot and full swing. Basically, all the step by step from how a beginner would play golf until the later part. I completely forgotten what shank is and never looked back from there.

Just my 2 cents worth and probably worth a shot if you will

If still can't resist touching clubs, prob you can work on chipping and pitches. One fine day when your tempo and swing returns, which i believe will come, your improved short game will help you to break 90.

My take is you are trying to HARD to achieve your goal. Take it easy and play your normal game. Your time to break 90 will surely come one day. Have fun not stressful session. Good Luck bro...

hey bro..

i've personally been in your shoes once..started when i changed my clubs..was about a couple of months ago..

for me i kept watching swinging videos just to subconsciously affect my mental swing and after awhile it paid off..

hopefully my method will help u a lil..

Bros, you guys are the best. DGman, as always, thank you too. I will try all the tips but first must put on record that I appreciate the advice from all bros and the one sis who said she will give me private lesson at her home on how to be a hot swinger.

Go read Bob Rotella's books.

Learn to trust you swing and accept the outcome, good or bad.

Bro Buzz, stop playing will only cure your shank for a moment, but when it comes back again, what are you going to do? Stop for another month? I suggest you look for a coach to cure your shank and knowing whats the reason behind your problem, it could be your hands, hips or maybe you stand to close to the ball. I do shank alot, and stop the game and come back again and shank again. But I try to find the reason why i shank. My problem was standing to close to the ball and when i turn i pushes my hips towards the ball that causes the shaft the hit the ball instead hitting the club fact.

If you know the reason, it will never come back again. Try harder, you will be glad when you find it.

garethgjw wrote:

hey bro..

i've personally been in your shoes once..started when i changed my clubs..was about a couple of months ago..

for me i kept watching swinging videos just to subconsciously affect my mental swing and after awhile it paid off..

hopefully my method will help u a lil..

breaking 90 within a year of playing is no small feat, talent plays a big part I guess, ::jealous::
upz for great advice.

I had the similar situation before, just lost of confident. maybe need rest...

Suzuki wrote:

Bro Buzz, stop playing will only cure your shank for a moment, but when it comes back again, what are you going to do? Stop for another month? I suggest you look for a coach to cure your shank and knowing whats the reason behind your problem, it could be your hands, hips or maybe you stand to close to the ball. I do shank alot, and stop the game and come back again and shank again. But I try to find the reason why i shank. My problem was standing to close to the ball and when i turn i pushes my hips towards the ball that causes the shaft the hit the ball instead hitting the club fact.

If you know the reason, it will never come back again. Try harder, you will be glad when you find it.

Good point, never thought of that.

Bros, thanks for the great advice and words of encouragement. I've been playing for six years but only took it up seriously in the last two years. So yes, I have yet to develop a go-to swing. But...

happy to report that played on Thursday at JCC and scored a 98. Could have been better if not for some risks I took. No shanks at all. What was the trick?
1) Advice from my pro - half swing, feet closer so it's a relaxed swing.
2) Weight on centre of feet instead of toes. That took club on an inside to out path. Draw was back. Unfortunately, a couple of holes I forgot to lower right shoulder and hooked it a little.
3) Don't think of screwing up. Put ball near toe of club and accept distance will be lost. That really worked cos it took my mind away from shanking to loss of distance. Fooled my simpleton mind.
4) Lastly, gave myself one day break, tried all the tips and finally reminded myself of my grip, posture, etc.

So thanks bros. This is a solid forum and I really appreciate the help in getting back on the horse.