Don't give up I had the same issues a year ago but constantly playing on a course helps improve me. Best to remember playing on a course is different as the hazards and the lies won't be the same as the driving range hence why you should play the courses one in a while.
I was going to change my swing but after hitting a 105 on a waterlogged course in horrid conditions I'm happy to continue and hopefully start playing under the 28 handicap I've achieved 26 over twicr and it was impossible a year ago to fathom being anywhere near that so persevereit will work eventually!
Just try to concentrate of 3 points from your last lesson like grip, posture, hip turn or what ever......so they will become a routine in itself and end up more natural.
If you try to think about too many points you'll end up tying yourself up in knots and not improve.
Good Luck
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I almost forgot to post here! I went to the range again last night and tried to slow everything down and relax. It was as if I was a totally different person to the last couple of visits. I was hitting the ball sweetly about 80% of the time and even managed good distances (for me) with the 3-wood data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
It's amazing if the timing is on... How far the ball can go eh. As it's not all about club head speed. It helps of course. But flushing it, is the most important of all. Sam Snead was the easiest swinger around in his day, and was also the longest distance wise because he nailed it 99% of the time.
Indeed. And the more shots I hit, the more confident I felt and the better my shots got data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 A lot of it is in the head for me and I know I have to stop beating myself up every time I do a bad shot!
I find my brain thinks too much about trying to get it perfect and that's when I mess up most if the time.
Best shots are those you hit without thinking!
Yes I reckon you've got a point there!
I went again last night and was hitting some really nice shots again, probably even better than the night before. Perhaps I'm heading for another slump sometime soon but at least now I know that I can do it sometimes data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Maintaining consistent timing is the hardest goal to achieve with the swing, that counts especially more on the course. Having (given yourself time) to complete the backswing, before starting the downswing)
Pulling the left shoulder (down andaway) from under the chin at the (same time as) focusing on keeping the right elbow tucked/touching the right hand side - was my favorite for transferring my weight to the left side at the start of the downswing.
Is a simple but effective thought to have in mind to keep upper and lower body in harmony i found years ago. Without getting bogged down with too much theory. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
That is the key to everything, don't try to hit the ball too hard - just stay relaxed, swing the club and let the club do what it is meant to do
And the other thing, don't try and compare your distance to someone else, that is when you start trying too hard and everything goes out of the window and you will usually find yourself getting worse again - especially once you get on the course, pick the club that YOU feel comfortable will get you the distance you need. Don't try and hit your 8 iron 170yds just because that is what your playing partner uses
Always play your own game and don't be put off by better players - if anything, watch them to see how they manage the course, as course management can be one of the greatest strengths to your game when you are out there