So confused right now...

I'm getting lost in the golf swing and have only played for about a year.

My big picture mistake is OTP, but I know there are tiny ones leading to it and cause after it.  I've taken lessons from different pros, play with singles who have played forever, read and watched and I'm now lost at sea about my swing.  I hear bump first, drop to slot, pull shoulder, shift weight, etc and I know this is all timing, but it's jacked up my mind and now my swing and mind are screwed up on the range and course.

There seems to be tons of info all about OTP and there are multiple reasons for causing and the effects that can happen from your own timing w/ swing.

How much of OTP is caused from your backswing and getting set compared to your downswing?  I feel my backswing isn't terrible, but when I start the downswing, I can't get that "feel" if of not going OTP in full speed.  Slow I think I can do it, but when it comes to hitting or full swing, it's back to OTP.

If you don't follow this above, that is because that is how bad my OTP thoughts are in my brain!  Time to fix it!

Hi, Robinoso.  I'd love to offer some help, but I'll be honest, I've never heard the acronym "OTP" -  Could you explain that to me?

I am guessing off the plane.

Yeah, it was pre coffee.  I meant to type OTT for over the top and somehow put P's all over the place.

Okay, this might not sound that helpful but my advice is to get drunk and play... not literally, but you just have to forget all that stuff that is clogging your head.  Easier said than done, I know, especially when you're trying real hard and being driven crazy because of it.  Set up little goals for yourself before the round... "hit 5 fairways," or "hit 8 G.I.R.".  Make it so you can accomplish something and feel good about doing it.  Don't be shooting for under par right away because it takes years and years.  Quit thinking about the swing and quit getting lessons, especially if you're going to different teachers-- too many opinions will truly mess with your head.  Have you ever watched the movie Tin Cup?  I feel that's a good place to start for the kind of instruction you need.  Awesome movie, by the way.

An example of the "I don't care attitude" is with my brother.  The guy plays maybe 5 times a year, but he shoots in the low 80s every time.  Why?  Well, for one he's been playing golf for nearly 12 years and at one point established a swing he can now easily recall through muscle memory, but also because he just doesn't give a damn how he plays.  He's out there to have fun.  He says he never thinks about his swing or his putting stroke, and both are a little unorthodox.  I don't know... just some food for thought.

Robin, obviously, over the top is often caused by your takeaway being too inside and flipping the plane at the top of the swing.  (so you're correct, it generally, not always, starts on the takeway)  Its also caused by initiating the downswing with your arms, not a proper rotation.

You said you have a good grasp on your takeaway, however, so that may not be the case.

Keep an eye on your left arm when you initiate your downswing.   When you get over the top before the downswing, you'll notice your left arm losing its position close to the body and will fly out a little too much.  This is the arms overdoing their role because the body isn't moving with the swing.

Just a quick thing to look for!

My newest swing thought is a beat  that I got from tour tempo.  If I use it correctly it controls my tempo and keeps it slow.  A great side effect is that it is what I am thinking about and it quiets the "voices in my head".

It sounds like you are a slicer.  Go to the range and take half swings with an 8 iron and figure out how to hook the ball by coming inside.  I mean really hook it so you know an exaggerated feeling of what it is to come inside.  It might help get your head around it.

I know exactly what you mean.  The head is a huge obstacle.  It's the reason my swings when I record in the backyard ARE different than on the course.  Love the movie and there are times that if it's slow, I'll drop balls over and over on the course to prove to myself I can hit the shot.

I don't get frustrated visibly on the course.  A good friend who is a single said, you aren't good enough to get upset at golf yet.  I've been doing this since I was 12, you are doing it at 33.

I only switched teachers because one moved.  Although they did have different thoughts about swings.  I'm also done with lessons, because I feel they are a joke.  What I mean is they are selling you more than teaching.  I got the, you don't have a bad swing and you can get low with your swing...

What's funny is I used to slice.  Now I hook.  It happened out of the blue.

Well, when I say I have a good grasp, I feel I'm implementing what I've learned.  I did have it inside for some time because somebody said shallow it out, but then I just recently went back to how I did it and what felt best and it helps some, but the downswing faults are still there.

Is it a pull hook?  Starts left and hooks left?

Not usually.  With 100 in I can pull hook.  I find I usually will pull hook if I slow my swing too much or I stay down too long with my driver.

My ball flight changed from slice to straighter or baby draw if I swing correct when I tried to stop killing the ball and focused on impact.  From 7i down is when the hooks come out.  I'd guess some of it's poor alignment at the target.  I'm getting my distances right, but the pulls or occasional slice are of course off the green.

If you're swinging over the top like you said, you can not draw the ball, you can pull hook it or slice it or pull it.

My guess is when they do have a draw or go fairly straight, I somehow put the golf swing together on that one.

My only guess on why I'm hooking rather than slicing is I've slowed my tempo down some allowing me to get to the ball better.  If that even could work.  They really did over night stop slicing for the most part...of course there are the occasionals.  Usually with driver (over swing) or longer irons.

Yep, i am an engineer, and i always am thinking thinking thinking. Right now i am striking the ball the best i ever had because i am concentrating on one thing, my right hand. I want to return the palm of my right hand at the ball, maintaining that right hand hinge. When i get that feeling, i really strike the ball well. So the best thing i say, try to isolate a feeling that works, and just work on that one only. Don't think about anything else.