Beginner in dire need of HELP

[RazorbackJay]

Played very consistently when I was under 13 and my golf game was relatively decent back then. However, after playing baseball everyday for the next 5 years, I've developed muscle memory for a great baseball swing,

Now I'm in college and 19 years old with a horrible golf swing. My buddy who is a scratch golfer doesn't really know where to start with me. He's tried helping me but I understand it's easier for him to do it than to tell me. I top balls with the driver, along with a huge slice when I do hit it flush. My irons are all right, but at least I have decent ball striking when I start my hands forward. My buddy says most of my problem is me coming over the top instead of inside out.

I've searched a large amount of videos on youtube and I honestly don't know where to start. I just want to be able to hit it straight on a regular basis and have good fundamentals (says every golfer ever).

Also I'm not sure if I need to dedicate myself to the practice range or to the course since I'm always hitting bad shots and high 90s.

Sorry for the long post, but any help is really appreciated.

[AmazingWhacker]

If you can afford to take some lessons, I highly suggest it.  Playing and teaching are 2 different skill sets.  I have a couple of single digit friends who've tried to help me.  I've also tried books and videos and, while I made some improvement, I never really got anywhere until I started taking lessons.

My teacher is expensive (heck, all golf lessons are expensive) so what I do is go in to see him about 3-4 times per year.  Sometimes more frequently, sometimes less.  In between, I work on my own on the things he gives me to work on.  I'm the kind of person who really will work hard on my own - but I need periodic guidance to make sure I'm working on the right things.

[Hammer 4]

If you can afford to take some lessons, I highly suggest it.  Playing and teaching are 2 different skill sets.  I have a couple of single digit friends who've tried to help me.  I've also tried books and videos and, while I made some improvement, I never really got anywhere until I started taking lessons.

My teacher is expensive (heck, all golf lessons are expensive) so what I do is go in to see him about 3-4 times per year.  Sometimes more frequently, sometimes less.  In between, I work on my own on the things he gives me to work on.  I'm the kind of person who really will work hard on my own - but I need periodic guidance to make sure I'm working on the right things.

I agree re: taking lessons, only a good teaching pro can see things in your swing others may either miss, or mistake it for something un related

Also, here's a link to the 5 simple keys, these are easy to follow, and will Help you. You can always post a video of your swing in the Members Swing forum here.  http://purestrike5sk.com/videos.php

BTW, Welcome to TST..hope you stick around, cuz there's a ton of great people, and info. here.

[JetFan1983]

Hmmmm, you're possibly leaving too much weight on your back foot through the strike and the finish. Baseball swings have a ton more weight back when compared to golf.

In golf the hips actually are supposed to slide laterally some as they rotate and the pelvis extends (or thrusts) along your tush line.

Baseball's clearly a lot different. You hang back a ton more with the lower body.

Just taking a stab in the dark at what you're doing the most wrong since you mentioned baseball. If that baseball player above was hitting a golf ball instead, he'd probably hit a massive pull-slice. The pro golfer in the picture I provided is hitting a push-draw.

The only way we'll really be able to help you though is if you provide some quality swing videos here or a swing thread.

Welcome to the forum.

[mvmac]

Played very consistently when I was under 13 and my golf game was relatively decent back then. However, after playing baseball everyday for the next 5 years, I've developed muscle memory for a great baseball swing,

Now I'm in college and 19 years old with a horrible golf swing. My buddy who is a scratch golfer doesn't really know where to start with me. He's tried helping me but I understand it's easier for him to do it than to tell me. I top balls with the driver, along with a huge slice when I do hit it flush. My irons are all right, but at least I have decent ball striking when I start my hands forward. My buddy says most of my problem is me coming over the top instead of inside out.

I've searched a large amount of videos on youtube and I honestly don't know where to start. I just want to be able to hit it straight on a regular basis and have good fundamentals (says every golfer ever).

Also I'm not sure if I need to dedicate myself to the practice range or to the course since I'm always hitting bad shots and high 90s.

Sorry for the long post, but any help is really appreciated.

Yeah you'll never find the answer on youtube because it's not customized to your needs. Start a thread here

http://thesandtrap.com/f/4180/member-swings

If you want some great affordable instruction, check this out

http://evolvr.thegolfevolution.com/

[dave s]

Played with my wife's adult son Sunday.  Also a decent baseball player in HS.  His drives were all carbon copies:  Double to the wall in right-center field.

Definitely a different swing, baseball to golf.  Think about hitting a double to right-center if you're a righty.  Then, think about pulling one to left-center and the difference in how you'd do that.

dave

[Crim]

From a fellow beginner who has gotten a LOT better with contact over the past few months. I have 3 suggestions...

1) Go through the 5 keys thread.

2) Post your swing in the My Swing thread.

3) Practice, practice, practice.