Gone through this before? Every round.
Seriously though, it is always tough for the changes to stick. I am in the midst of a total revamp myself, which isn't easy when you can't play at all during the winter. Regressing to an old "incorrect" swing is not the correct way to get better.
As long as your new swing is sound, or is going to be, stick with it. I got 5 Lessons from Hogan and am trying to learn that. At least with Hogan's instruction, I absolutely KNOW it'll work once I "get it".
During the summer, I usually play to a 4-6 handicap. With my older swing. The problem is, I NEVER got better. I went from just barely breaking 100, to a 6 in about a season and a half. Then another year as a 6, and another, and another. Work the short game. 6. Practice putting. 6. NOTHING gets me "over the hump". Thus, I finally decided that my swing isn't consistent enough and it was time for an overhaul.
Everyone on these boards always says to get lessons to improve. I always say hogwash to that. I've had probably 30 lessons, from 4 different teachers. Structured, 1 on 1 lessons. And NOT ONE of them ever said in ANY lesson that your arms "come along for a free ride" as Hogan did.
YOU CAN'T "SEE" THAT ON VIDEO! You can't "tell" that's what the pro's are doing by watching TGC. If you don't "instinctively" do it, you HAVE TO BE TOLD to do it. Otherwise, like myself, you take the easy way out and start the downswing with your shoulders, arms and hands.
Tension in those muscles isn't really "swinging" a club. It's "guiding" it. You can never be really consistent playing like that. When I could play 5 times a week, I could "groove" it and get my handicap down. But if I take a day or two off, it's back to square one. There is no "swing" to it.
Anyway, I am revamping my swing, and I go on a Texas trip this winter to play a few rounds and vow to stick to my changes come hell or high water. As a "6" handicap at the end of last season (6.6 actually so a 7 I guess) what do I usually expect to shoot? High 70's to mid 80's. In the summer I rarely shoot higher than 85. My rounds, in mostly windy weather were 105, 107, 106, 107, 105, and 89.
Needless to say, after my first 9 was a 55, I was about ready to quit the game and scrap the swing changes. Followed that up with a 50. Then started out with a 56 in PERFECT morning conditions, etc. etc. etc.
The thing is, I understand that my old swing was "unsound". I could get around a course okay, but I COULD NOT be consistent at ALL. One time last year I shot 75 in the morning, felt GREAT about my game, went out in the afternoon and shot 97. Same course, same pins, same conditions. HOW THE HELL DOES THAT HAPPEN!!!
So now I KNOW I'm working toward a more "sound" swing. Unfortunately, I've played exactly 6 rusty rounds on that swing as opposed to 1500 or so with the old swing. I KNOW I'll get better at this "new swing" the only question I have is how long. Only practice and playing with the new swing will make it stick.
Yeah I've been where you are. I've cried at night because I've put so much time, effort, and money into this bedeviled game only to get NOTHING out of it. Only to GET WORSE.
Golf is a game that will crush you emotionally if you let it. And it has a much easier time crushing you when you CARE about your outcomes.
I would say to step back and make SURE the swing changes you are trying to implement are a step in the "right direction". I would also suggest you read 5 Lessons if you haven't (again if you have) and see where your grip/setup/swing/philosphy is DIVERGENT to Hogan's and see about correcting that.
But most importantly for your psyche right now, I would suggest sitting down with Rotella's, "Golf is not a game of perfect". This book will keep you "thinking clear" while your swing is in flux.
I am sorry for the long post. I totally identify with your situation. It's a hard game. If it were easy, people wouldn't play it their whole lives.
Do some reading and evaluating and get yourself ready to ATTACK the course the next time out. You have to do that, or the course will sense fear and bully you.
Good luck.
