Golf Tips - Recent Threads

Golf Swing Recovery

Ron F — Thu, 14 May 2026 21:33:13 GMT

Golf Swing Recovery / Question Presented

Question Presented

After multiple cervical surgeries for severe cervical nerve impingement — involving major loss of right-arm function and significant muscle atrophy — and now with function gradually returning, how do I prevent my brain from continuing to run old compensatory movement patterns while rebuilding my golf swing?

More specifically: am I primarily dealing with strength recovery, motor-pattern retraining, neuroplasticity, or some combination of all three?

Relevant Facts (if useful)

I am a right-handed golfer.

The major areas involved included the supraspinatus, scapular stabilizers, and serratus, with scapular winging that has been improving through PT.

It became so severe prior to surgery that I ultimately lost functional use of my right arm. I could not move it normally in any direction. The orthopedic surgeon told me that if scheduling had allowed, he would have performed surgery immediately, but I had to wait until Monday because he was already in surgery. My understanding at the time was that prolonged nerve compromise risked more permanent loss of function.

To give perspective on the degree of dysfunction involved: after the first surgery it took roughly six weeks before I could do something as simple as pat myself on the head with my right arm.

Before all of this I had a perfectly workable golf swing and generally played around a 9–10 handicap. I then stepped away from golf for a number of years and shifted toward other sports.

When we moved back to the Philadelphia area in the period leading up to surgery, I put a lot of effort into coming back and began working seriously on my game again.

At the time I assumed I was simply rusty from time away from golf. However, what felt unusual to me was the development of deep pulls and weak push fades/push slices. Those patterns did not feel like “my swing,” and I assumed they were part of shaking rust off.

Looking back now, I wonder whether the injury process itself was already progressing and whether I unknowingly developed compensation patterns because certain muscles simply were not functioning normally.

Examples from daily life only made sense in retrospect. Reaching into a cabinet or stirring a pot often required compensatory movement patterns. Instead of the shoulder functioning normally, I would elevate with the trap, side bend, or recruit my body to accomplish tasks.

My working hypothesis is not that the swing was suddenly fixed after surgery. Rather, I may have been creating a compensatory backswing position because of altered shoulder/scapular function, which then forced compensatory movements later in the swing.

Today was my first range session back since surgery.

I was not suddenly striping it, and the swing was obviously rusty. However, something caught my attention: for the first time in a long time I saw flashes of shots that I simply was not producing before surgery.

The old deep pulls and weak push fades were not dominating the session the way they had before.

Requested Analysis

I am not looking for a diagnosis or a quick swing fix.

I am trying to understand whether I am primarily dealing with strength recovery, motor-pattern retraining, neuroplasticity, or some combination of those things.

More specifically: now that function is returning, how do I avoid continuing to reinforce the old compensatory movement patterns that developed while those muscles were unavailable?

Any experience — professional or personal — would be appreciated.

Turning the corner into more serious golf

Benjamin F — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:39:50 GMT

Good afternoon,

Brand new TT member here, and I'm starting to get a bit more serious as a player.

A bit of background, I'm 27 and I played a bit around the time I was in middle school, and then was reintroduced during 2020. During that time (2020-2023), I improved quite a bit, being able to regularly score in the low 90s on most courses. Life got in the way, and I wasn't able to keep up my playing until now, where I have the schedule to allow playing or range time much more frequently.

I can still shoot about 92-96 (I have no idea what that translates to in handicap), but my best friend is getting married next summer, and I want to be at least into the 80s by the time his bachelor party comes around. Any advice to shave off a few strokes and build consistency? Or is it simply range time and playing rounds that helps?

I know the answers are varied, and I can provide more relevant information if needed.

Thank y'all,

Ben

Range mats vs grass

Jimmy S — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:03:58 GMT

Hitting off mats just doesn’t translate the same for me as real grass, and I’m starting to feel like it’s actually hurting my on-course performance. Mats seem to let me get away with slightly fat contact where the club just bounces into the ball and still produces a decent shot, but on the course those same swings turn into chunks or inconsistent strikes. I’ll leave the range feeling solid, then it doesn’t show up when it matters. Curious if anyone else in the Team Titleist community has dealt with this and what you’ve done to make mat practice more effective or better transition to real turf before a round?

Hitting on mats

Greg B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:37:03 GMT

Hey guys, I just came back from the range. The grass hitting area was closed and I had to hit off the mats which I hate doing. I think it gives you a false sense of hitting the ball first. Antone else have a comment on this.

Wedge chart

Dan B — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 17:23:10 GMT

Does anyone use a wedge chart?

If you do, how many yardages do you have for each club? 3 or 4?

Also do you use it for PW through to LW?

I’ve decided it’s something I’m going to do for this season, instead of trying to gauge the distance and hope that it will give me more confidence over those sub 100 shots

Gamesmanship

Caleb w — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:09:17 GMT

I've got a foursomes matchplay match coming up and I've heard that this certain pair might be quite competitive. Anyone got any good gamesmanship tips or anything else that might help?

partridge harrington Tips

MCalabrese — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:37:42 GMT

If you haven’t sent them, partridge harrington is putting out very helpful tips on YouTube

Ball striking

LWilder — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:40:14 GMT

What is the best way to improve consistency in ball striking?

Hip replacement stories

Don O — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 18:29:59 GMT

I know I have seen answers on this topic before by couldn’t find any for the last 18 months in Golf tips or the Clubhouse. I will be doing due diligence on selecting treatment solutions. I have not yet found anyone that isn’t ecstatic about a hip replacement due to osteoarthritis. I’m not a huge fan of injections. Other than to bide time while waiting for a surgery date.

What I’m looking for is the length of recovery time before being allowed to increase activity including golf, both to swing and if walking works as well. Another bits of data is your age. Trying to see if an active 70+ person can recover as fast as a 60 year old or if I need to expect a little longer recovery.

Great full for feedback.

Control, Alt, Delete (?)

wormburner — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:46:07 GMT

Is it time for a complete dump? The last 2 rounds have been horrendous not only for me but, my playing partners as well. Granted I can't control other players, but seeing me hit constant bad shots affect their game? I recently had bad rounds near the century mark but, just prior to that it was good before going south.

How do you all cope, I know some of you say go see and instructor. I am having good shots and bad shots. I can stripe a pretty good drive and the lose it on the next hole. Burn a 10-foot putt only to be 3 feet short on the next hole. Just totally inconsistent throughout the round. Should I lay low for a week or do I just keep on pushing. What do you guys suggest for a short term fix....

Speed training

Tyler G — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 16:03:10 GMT

Hey everyone. Happy New Year!

I am looking to start a speed training routine and quite frankly a little overwhelmed with all of the choices. Super Speed vs Ryp Stick vs Stack System vs Speed Toad. I am sure that all of them are good and would work for my needs but would love some firsthand experience from the community. Does anyone have any experience with any of these? Any other ones that I missed?

Thanks, Tyler

Mental Aspect of the Game

Austin S — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:36:02 GMT

I have set a goal for myself of qualifying for a USGA sanctioned event by the time that I am 35 (I turned 30 this past October). The last time I played in an actual competitive round was my qualifier for the Texas Golf Association Mid-Am in 2022 and before that it would have been when I was in high school. I shot a 77 (par 72) for my practice round four days before. Morning of, I was feeling great and hitting great on the range. The minute I stepped up to the first tee I was like a deer in headlights and felt like I had never swung a golf club before. It was so bad I opted for a No Card. What tips and advice do you have on managing the mental aspect of the game and maintaining confidence from the work you've put in leading up to that moment?

Translating non competitive scores to tournaments

Braylon G — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 06:04:28 GMT

I have been taking golf seriously for about 4-5 years, and every time I go to play competitively I shoot my worst scores, how can I improve them?

Taking Time off before starting to Prepare for 2026

Rob R — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:02:55 GMT

Living in the upper mid west means that my regular golf season is closing for the year. I am planning on taking some time away from the game to let my body heal up and get refreshed from the 2025 season. I am looking to find out how other people handle their off season routines and work for next years season.

My plan: Take 3 weeks off (no clubs in my hands) November 29 - Start my off season gym routine using "Fit for Golf" app Start swing speed training "Stack System" Mid December - Take first lesson Mid January - Take another lesson February - Take 2 lessons March - Take two lessons April - Lesson Start playing when weather allows

Golfing with Tennis Elbow

Steve S — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 15:08:21 GMT

Hello,

I was recently diagnosed with Tennis Elbow even though I do not play tennis. The pain is occurring in my right arm which is my trailing arm during the golf swing. Has anyone found effective accommodations that will allow me to continue golfing? Could a swing deficiency be the cause of it? Thank you for the thoughts.

Steve S.

Ball Marking

DWagner — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 04:09:16 GMT

What unique methods is everyone using to mark their balls? I just started adding lines to my balls recently and it actually has improved my putting quite a bit.

www.titleist.com/.../llkyopeuklixpdnk0ung

Tips for 4-7 iron

Shawn S — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:15:07 GMT

Hi everyone,

I recently started playing this year, and have been having issues hitting my 4-7 iron. When hitting these, it seems like I come up during my swing and top the ball. However my 8-SW I don't have this issue even though they are shorter.

Does anyone have any tips on this? Thank you.

Divots with irons are all to the oft side

Harry L — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 10:36:45 GMT

Ball flight with irons are straight about 80 percent but all my divots are showing to the left side. Whatś the problem?

Best App For Recording Swing/Instruction

MtotheW72 — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:55:28 GMT

Want to start using my phone and recording my swing during range sessions. Does anyone recommend one app over another? From Researching most offer the same features and pricing. Not working with a coach currrently, but wouldn't mind having the ability to share swing clips down the road when it is time to. Hoping to find something that is clunky to use and pretty clear on swing planes, etc. Appreciate any insight you all can provide. Thanks.

Swing Plane

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:07:46 GMT

I have not been playing my best recently, and had no idea why. I have been looking at my setup, my takeaway, delivery, etc, etc. One area I thought it might be was my swing plane being off. I looked online and found a device called a planeswing. Its basically a steel circle and you use it to guide your club to improve the path of your swing. Apart from them being sold out, the price put me off at around £700. As an amateur DIY'er I figured I could make something similar myself. So after about 10 minutes cutting plastic pipe and at a cost of about £10, I made my own device. Is it as good as what I could buy? no, is it going to last a lifetime? no. But, did it show me that my swing plane was fine so I can rule that out? yes.

I never used a proper golf club, but theres no reason why not. I used the piece of pipe next to the contraption as a club. Its all plastic conduit from Screwfix with push in connectors so clearly not going to take a full on smash. But I guess you could glue the push fittings onto the pipe and maybe use sandbags to weigh it down to make it more durable.

If anyone has the same golf swing dilemma and would like to make something similar, its really easy and I can send you cutting dimensions.

Happy swinging!

www.titleist.com/.../aku2k8lfsbrngydlhj8q www.titleist.com/.../z0rcubg5rvg2lco6isct

Playing a shorter driver shaft?

James H — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 20:37:24 GMT

Anyone playing a shorter shafted driver?

We know many tour pros - including Rory - use a shorter than standard driver shaft. According to the articles and videos the shorter shaft provides better accuracy and some golfers experience better yardage as they are hitting the center of the club face more consistently.

If you are like me and have some extra drivers laying around, I said what the heck and took one down an inch, re-gripped it and headed to the range. Wow. It was such an improvement. Took it to play 18 and it felt solid and controllable. Hit a bunch of fairways. Some articles talk about having to add lead tape to the head to make up for the shaft being shorter but I have not needed to.

I'm sure I'll start spraying it soon but for now it sure feels good.

Just a thought -

Play a Half Set

James H — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 12:49:56 GMT

If you are in a routine of playing 18 holes and riding a cart, same course, same set up, same strategy etc….. try something new. Try walking nine holes and take a half a set - 7 clubs.

Every time I do it, I score better. There is so much about the course that we miss by riding in a cart. Brad Faxon has a great video about reading the greens as he walks up the fairway. Hard to do in a cart.

The half set really helps you commit to a certain shot - as you are often trying to gain some more yards or take some off as you do not have all of your clubs. It also gives you a bunch of confidence with those clubs.

Try it out -

Drills at the range.

Brandan W — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:09:25 GMT

I’ve been playing golf for 13 months and I’m a 16 handicap , Playing 2-3 times a week sometimes i get stuck on what to work on at the range. Any ideas ?

Looking to get more into golfing

Michel M — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 22:20:50 GMT

I’m looking at getting more into golfing. I like to go but can’t drive a ball as far as I think I should with my driver. I am pretty accurate with a 9 iron. Would like to get any possible input in what I should do to practice my driver

Beginners help

Ario S — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:17:55 GMT

I have been playing golf 1-2 months now and I struggle to hit my irons far, and sometimes I struggle with contact. I use the titleist 704 cb FORGED. I played with a guy today and he said they are really hard clubs for beginners but right now I really don’t feel like buying new clubs. Any golf tips to improve my irons and get my golf game to a whole new level?