My experiment of swinging my driver to achieve a higher ball flight with my driver is officially over. I have tried different swing mechanics and none have produced any significant, consistent success off the tee. Thus, I have decided to stop fighting my natural swing because it was causing me nothing but frustration. It might seem like a strange topic to talk about, but I think it has value to any player trying to make changes to improve their game.
It is important to understand that I am not making my reversion lightly. It comes after months of trying different things that did not imbue confidence or trust that I could hit my ball with consistency and accuracy. There were times when I felt that I was on the right track, but I could not replicate that good stroke. They were few and far between.
I want to try and explain the difference between the change I am making and when other golfers change to their previous success. It basically is rooted in the amount of time and effort that I put into trying to make the change. I tried many different swing changes, hit many drivers and stuck to my intent to make a change. Other players find that if they do not have instance success, it is time to change back. Sometimes the journey to success requires reverting back to a positive path.
I was slow to finally relent to my older swing routine because it was successful and consistent. I am going to be satisfied with the distance I can generate (generally between 230 and 240 yards), but in the fairway. Whenever we make changes or try to make changes, it is important to understand that frustration is part of the process. To make a change, we have to be willing to endure a great deal of it, but also to know when it is time to say uncle. So, I am saying Uncle!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Jim I know you are a DIYer but it might be time to go under the watchful eye of a pro. You may have thought you were doing one thing but executing another. Good luck with whatever path you take!
Brian
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Brian,
As always, you are offering sage advice. I am not sure I am ready for a professional help…..at least on the golf course. haha
Cheers Jim
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Correction: Frustration is most of the process! 😥
From years of experience I know that making changes ourselves has way more pitfalls than eureka moments. That said, my first lesson cost me 6 months of agony before it paid me the dividends I’d sought. It was more than worth the pain though. But sometimes a change just isn’t something we can keep our faith in. I find that true most often when I’m the one in control of the change. It seems easier to trust the pro and stick to it until I get it than something I initiate on my own.
My current change to how I turn is a case in point. I love what I get when I do things right but I wonder if I can manage to get all the way there on my own at times. My round this weekend showed me a glimpse of what I might be getting and gave me a ton of grief. I shot 3 over on the front which I’ve always considered the harder of the two nines. And then I shot an abysmal 15 over on the back. I lost control of the face with the driver and found all kinds of trouble. Over and over again.
Swing changes bring pain. Frustration. But I hope that yet once more that will lead to better golf in the end. I hit some really good drives on the front nine, but couldn’t keep it up. That’s on me. I forgot something. I failed to execute in some way and never really figured it out.
Today was more of the same. Glimpses of excellence with plenty of shots that just weren’t up to the level I want to see or am used to seeing. Because what I am doing in the swing isn’t natural for me yet. My mind and body don’t coordinate well enough to solve it mid swing and I get too many shots that are worse than my standard miss. Having lived through it before I find it natural. It’s only been weeks, not months yet since I implemented this change to the turn.
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Kevin,
Yes, any change is frustrating. I have experienced many frustrating times making changes, but it always seems to work out in the long run. I am glad to hear that you are making positive strides with your game, frustrating or not.
Cheers Jim
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