How far should I hit my golf clubs?
Distances
All golf questions
Practice
Why is my golf so inconsistent?
The short answer
Inconsistent golf can mean changing strike, start direction, curvature, distance or decisions. Those are different problems. Define which result varies, under which conditions, before changing your swing. A few excellent shots mixed with poor ones do not establish that the whole technique needs rebuilding.
What to check first
01
Name the variation
For one club, record where the ball starts, how it curves, contact quality and its approximate finish. Separate a predictable miss from a two-sided pattern. Also separate changing conditions from changing execution: a different lie or wind is a different task.
02
Compare practice with play
If contact is reliable only after several balls with the same club, test first attempts after changing target. The course rarely gives you an immediate identical retry. Do not evaluate your readiness only through a long sequence of corrected range shots.
03
Keep the decision repeatable
Use a routine that establishes the target, club and intended shot before you step in. You can make a consistent decision even when the resulting swing varies. Assess whether the normal miss remains playable rather than changing targets after every result.
04
Check what the score actually needs
If scores vary mostly because of penalties or recovery attempts, prioritise those events. A visually tidy swing is not the same thing as a lower-risk round. Use several comparable scorecards to see which pattern deserves attention.
Try this in practice
After warming up, play nine imagined holes on the range: select a tee-shot target, then a different approach target, using your routine for every first attempt. Record the playable results. Keep the target widths realistic and the hitting area safe.
What to measure
Compare first-attempt playable shots across sessions, then track the same recurring event on the course. Review several rounds before promoting a new swing thought to your main priority.
Keep the conclusion proportionate
Consistency is not identical ball flight on every shot. A functional goal is a dependable range of outcomes that supports your course decisions. Avoid demanding instant scoring improvement from every useful practice session.
Sources and further reading
The definitions and coaching principles above draw on these primary resources. Practice tasks and numerical examples are STROKES GPD educational illustrations.
Bring evidence to your next review.
Review your swing on video for a movement question, or use the free golf scorecard to identify a recurring on-course pattern.