If you recently spent a LOT of money on a golf simulator what sort of practice routing would you use to improve your game? I've been playing after work for a couple hours and don't really see much change. I'm playing at least two rounds on TGC 2019 at different courses each day.

For reference I am about a 10 handicap. My biggest problem is alignment. On the simulator alignment really isn't an issue because the hitting mat is square to my target. On the course I have no idea where I am aimed and it seems to be worse now. I thought pounding balls for hours would develop some muscle memory to help with my issues and it has not.

Yesterday I played real golf and would pick out a spot about two feet in front of my ball to help me see a target line. This helped some. But on the first tee it felt like I was lined up way left and I proceeded to hit the ball about 30 yards right of the fairway.

If you had a simulator what sort of practice routine would you use?

Some people don't have a problem with this, but I do. I have to practice setting up, and mixing in swings on grass.

If I practice preshot that translates to outside, and then practice the same on grass, I get better.

You can get better on sim by just gaining reps, and using video to improve fundamentals. If it doesn't work on grass though, you won't see lower scores.


EDIT to add:
I pick a spot 6 inches in front and behind to build a target line. I used to do a few feet in front, but I'm so right eye dominant that it would skew my perspective looking that far out.

alignment and setup are easily my biggest issues. I fall back into bad habits leaving myself open to target all the time. when I line up properly and keep my shoulder down and closed to the pin, it's no issue unless it's a mi***** it always seems like I'm aimed well right of target and I can have a buddy behind me telling me I'm right online. really haven't found a good permanent fix for how to stop doing it and I just need to trust that it's not going to go 50 yards right of target. leaving myself open typically results in an over the top or a pull

My skytrak setup is on my patio with a net, and I use a the corner of my neigbor's garage (caddy-corner across the alley) as my target/alignment aid. I think finding something in the distance helps me take it to the course. I also have a fiberbuilt mat where the hitting area is more of a brush surface, and the way it is designed also helps me check myself.

Between being able to visually confirm where that channel is pointed at distance and that my feet/knees/shoulders are aligned with the channel, it helps train your brain/eye.

I have that exact mat.

Thanks to those who have posted tips.

Texmid said:

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If you recently spent a LOT of money on a golf simulator what sort of practice routing would you use to improve your game? I've been playing after work for a couple hours and don't really see much change. I'm playing at least two rounds on TGC 2019 at different courses each day.

For reference I am about a 10 handicap. My biggest problem is alignment. On the simulator alignment really isn't an issue because the hitting mat is square to my target. On the course I have no idea where I am aimed and it seems to be worse now. I thought pounding balls for hours would develop some muscle memory to help with my issues and it has not.

Yesterday I played real golf and would pick out a spot about two feet in front of my ball to help me see a target line. This helped some. But on the first tee it felt like I was lined up way left and I proceeded to hit the ball about 30 yards right of the fairway.

If you had a simulator what sort of practice routine would you use?

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NM, I didn't read the whole message. I'm doing the same as you and have no problems with alignment.

Possibly a dumb question, but are we talking about alignment based on a tendency to hit perfectly straight shots, or alignment based on one's shot shape? My alignment issues became more manageable when I stopped trying to force myself to line up square at the target and started aiming right of my intended target.

G Martin 87 said:

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Possibly a dumb question, but are we talking about alignment based on a tendency to hit perfectly straight shots, or alignment based on one's shot shape? My alignment issues became more manageable when I stopped trying to force myself to line up square at the target and started aiming right of my intended target.

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My problem is that when I feel like I am lined up at the target I am actually aiming way right. It is compounded by the fact I think I am square to the target so I take the club back along what I think is the correct line, which makes me come through outside in causing a slice when I am expecting a draw. When I am lined up square to the target my normal shot shape is a small draw. If I could play golf with alignment sticks I could make the tour. As it stands now I am just as likely to shoot 70 as 85.

Texmid said:

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G Martin 87 said:

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Possibly a dumb question, but are we talking about alignment based on a tendency to hit perfectly straight shots, or alignment based on one's shot shape? My alignment issues became more manageable when I stopped trying to force myself to line up square at the target and started aiming right of my intended target.

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My problem is that when I feel like I am lined up at the target I am actually aiming way right. It is compounded by the fact I think I am square to the target so I take the club back along what I think is the correct line, which makes me come through outside in causing a slice when I am expecting a draw. When I am lined up square to the target my normal shot shape is a small draw. If I could play golf with alignment sticks I could make the tour. As it stands now I am just as likely to shoot 70 as 85.

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exact same issue, only opposite...I'm aiming way left

when I do aim properly, even mi****s simply aren't that penalizing. really been hoping for a breakthrough visual or swing thought on this issue. so frustrating to have a decent swing only to have it ruined with something as basic as bad alignment

jj9000 said:

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Texmid said:

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If I could play golf with alignment sticks I could make the tour. As it stands now I am just as likely to shoot 70 as 85.

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You have at least (18) free shots using an alignment aid when you're playing.

Draw a Sharpie line on your ball and align it exactly to your intended target. Double check by walking behind your ball and making sure it's pointed exactly at your target.

Square your feet up to the Sharpie line by making imaginary parallel railroad tracks with your feet and the Sharpie line.

You can do this on the range as well...just take the marked part of the ball and make the railroad tracks.

Rep it out until your eyes and body are in sync.

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I've been using Srixon Divide balls lately. On the tee, I align them with the divide perpendicular to my target line. Works like a charm.

jj9000 said:

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Texmid said:

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If I could play golf with alignment sticks I could make the tour. As it stands now I am just as likely to shoot 70 as 85.

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You have at least (18) free shots using an alignment aid when you're playing.

Draw a Sharpie line on your ball and align it exactly to your intended target. Double check by walking behind your ball and making sure it's pointed exactly at your target.

Square your feet up to the Sharpie line by making imaginary parallel railroad tracks with your feet and the Sharpie line.

You can do this on the range as well...just take the marked part of the ball and make the railroad tracks.

Rep it out until your eyes and body are in sync.

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I've been doing this and it is working.

Now my issue seems to be breaking shafts. I've now broken the shafts on my 5 and 7 irons. They both broke where the shaft meets the hosel. I realize that is probably the weakest point on a shaft. But, am I possibly hitting down too much to cause this? I really don't want to change my swing because I am hitting the ball really well right now. Could it be my clubs are old and I should replace all the shafts? I cannot remember when I bought them but I am hitting Callaway RazrX Tour irons.