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My Swing (ErikG15)


ErikG15
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I've been Playing Golf for: 25 years

My current handicap index or average score is: 6.7

My typical ball flight is: Pull or High Fade

The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: High Fades and Snap Hooks


It's taken meΒ too longΒ to get these up, and I hope someone can help me out.Β  In the DTL video it looks like I stand up a little in my downswing which is getting me a little too steep, and sometimes I get slightly under plane.Β  I could probably have a flatter wrist at the top.Β  In the FO videos I notice a lot of lower body movement, probably too much.Β  I also notice a bit of scooping even though I'm trying hard to achieve a flat wrist with hands in front of the ball.Β  I can also see a ton of flex in the shaft at impact.Β  I recentlyΒ used the Mizuno shaft optimizer and it reported x stiff in True Temper and KBS, 6.5 for Project X.Β  I was originally fitted for these irons over 10 years ago and they're TM 300 heads with stiff rifles so that probably explains it.

Any insight anyone could probably would be much appreciated.

Oh, and I apologize in advance for the belly shots in the Face On videos...

Videos:

DTL:

FO1:

FO2:

Sticks:

DR - TaylorMade R9 SuperTri

3W & 5W - Callaway Steelhead III

3H - Mizuno JPX EZ

4-PW - Mizuno MP-64's

GW & SW - Cleveland CG16's

Putter: Odyssey White Steel #2

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I've been Playing Golf for:​ 25 years

My current handicap index or average score is: 6.7

My typical ball flight is: Pull or High Fade

The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: High Fades and Snap Hooks

It's taken meΒ too longΒ to get these up, and I hope someone can help me out.Β  In the DTL video it looks like I stand up a little in my downswing which is getting me a little too steep, and sometimes I get slightly under plane.Β  I could probably have a flatter wrist at the top.Β  In the FO videos I notice a lot of lower body movement, probably too much.Β  I also notice a bit of scooping even though I'm trying hard to achieve a flat wrist with hands in front of the ball.Β  I can also see a ton of flex in the shaft at impact.Β  I recentlyΒ used the Mizuno shaft optimizer and it reported x stiff in True Temper and KBS, 6.5 for Project X.Β  I was originally fitted for these irons over 10 years ago and they're TM 300 heads with stiff rifles so that probably explains it.

Any insight anyone could probably would be much appreciated.

Oh, and I apologize in advance for the belly shots in the Face On videos...

Wouldn't worry about the flex of the shaft in the video, that's just an effect of the camera.

Here's what I recommend

1. Β Flare both feet at address and get your eyes down. Β You knees are pinched inward and it effects your ability to keep the hips centered on the backswing. Β This is part of why you see yourself stand up on the backswing

Then on the downswing, to compensate, your head moves back and you "flip". Β Having the left foot flared will also help get more weight forward rather than just a slide forward.

So turn both feet out about 20-25 degrees

Rather than have the eyes "up" feel like the chin is tucked and the upper back is soft. Β This will get rid of the stand up move you do on the backswing and make it easier for you to see the ball throughout the entire swing. Β More on that here

2. On the backswing feel like the left almost flexes over the left foot rather than caves in towards the right foot. Β This will help the hips stay centered and make it easier to getΒ the weight get more forward on the downswing.

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends onΒ Evolvr!
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@mvmac - Thank you for taking a look.Β  I have a couple of questions for you.

1. When you've completed your backswing,Β shouldΒ you feel tension in your right hip?Β  When I practice your suggestions without a club, I can definitely feel more tension there than I'm used to.Β  Should I be feeling like I'm trying to stay more on my left side, or keeping my left sideΒ stationary and turning against it?Β  My assumption is that if you're flexing your left knee over your left foot, your right leg will straighten a bit, and you should feel more tension there.

2. At address, I'm assuming that my upper back should be more rounded andΒ relaxedΒ while I tuck in my chin.Β  Should you also pull your shoulder blades down and back, while keeping the middle of your back relaxed, or should the shoulders be completely relaxed as well?

Thanks again for your help.Β  I should be able to get back out to the range sometime this week.Β Β I'll incorporate your suggestions, take more video, and post it.

Sticks:

DR - TaylorMade R9 SuperTri

3W & 5W - Callaway Steelhead III

3H - Mizuno JPX EZ

4-PW - Mizuno MP-64's

GW & SW - Cleveland CG16's

Putter: Odyssey White Steel #2

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1. When you've completed your backswing,Β shouldΒ you feel tension in your right hip?Β  When I practice your suggestions without a club, I can definitely feel more tension there than I'm used to.Β  Should I be feeling like I'm trying to stay more on my left side, or keeping my left sideΒ stationary and turning against it?Β  My assumption is that if you're flexing your left knee over your left foot, your right leg will straighten a bit, and you should feel more tension there.

1. Β Yes the right leg will straighten a bit which is something all good players do. Β It will probably FEEL like you stay more left, in reality the head will be steady and pressure will be right. Β Tough to say whether you'll feel tension in your right hip, everyone might feel something different. Β We tend to describe it as a "stretch" rather than tension.

2. At address, I'm assuming that my upper back should be more rounded andΒ relaxedΒ while I tuck in my chin.Β  Should you also pull your shoulder blades down and back, while keeping the middle of your back relaxed, or should the shoulders be completely relaxed as well?

2. Shoulders are relaxed as well. Β Almost feels "slumped" at address

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends onΒ Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap onΒ Twitter!Β  andΒ onΒ Facebook!Β 
Golf TerminologyΒ -Β Β AnalyzrΒ Β -Β Β My Facebook,Β TwitterΒ andΒ InstagramΒ 

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Another range session this afternoon.Β  I apologize for the poor video quality.Β  I'm using a Galaxy tablet to record my swings and I either screwed up some setting in V1 or the tablet didn't appreciate the mid 30's weather.Β  I'll figure it out.

Eyes are down, and shoulders are more slumped.Β  It's hard to tell but I can see that my hips are a little more open than last week at impact.Β  I'm getting a flatter left wrist at impact, but IΒ don't think I'm where I need to be.Β  I'm still standing up a little bit, and my head is moving back slightly.Β Β If I had to guess I'd say I'm adding roughly 5 degrees of shaftΒ steepness at impact relative to my address position.

The video quality here makes it difficult to see the wrists, but if the ball flight is any indication it has to beΒ much better than it was last week.Β  The flight overall was lower than I'm used to.Β  Last week when my shots hit the ground theyΒ would visibly bounce 2 or 3 times.Β  Today, they would bounce once and stay on the ground.Β Β It was 10 degrees colder today than it wasΒ last week so its not like the ground was any softer.Β  If anything it was harder.Β  I didn't hit them all perfect, but I'd say I only hadΒ 10 bad shots out of 120 or so forΒ the entire session.Β  I can't say that about any range session I've had all year.

My hips are steadier, my knees aren't flopping around as much, but it still needs a lot of work.

My head feelsΒ steadier, butΒ close toΒ and at impact my head is stillΒ going away from the target which is a problem I need to correct.Β  I don't think I'm stayingΒ on my left side as much as I should be.Β  I already feel like I'm staying far left, and going even further is going to be difficult.Β  This is going to take some work.

mvmac - I do have more questions if you would be so kind.

1. WillΒ stayingΒ further leftΒ in my backswingΒ left rid me of standing up or do you see something else that might be causing it?Β  It looks like I'm trying to keep my shoulders down, but my lower back is straightening.Β  Is that strictly a weight distribution issue?

2. I've seen your drill for the on plane backswing.Β Β When I start with the club waist high I can do it right every time.Β  My problem is getting to waist high properly.Β  My takeaway feels wrong.Β  In order for me to start the club on plane in the backswing I feel like I have pull the club up withΒ the front of my shoulders, almost like I'm trying to make a 45 degree angle with the shaft relative to my chest andΒ THENΒ start my turn.Β  I was actuallyΒ taught to do it this way, but it doesn't feel right.

3.Β  When I'm getting close to the top, in order for me to not cross the line I have to do a move that feels likeΒ the palm of my right handΒ is facing the target.Β  This feels powerful but I'm not 100% sure if I should be doing this.Β  Could this be an over swinging issue?

Sticks:

DR - TaylorMade R9 SuperTri

3W & 5W - Callaway Steelhead III

3H - Mizuno JPX EZ

4-PW - Mizuno MP-64's

GW & SW - Cleveland CG16's

Putter: Odyssey White Steel #2

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Yes definitely much better.

Arms lifting less

Hips much steadier, like you said could do little more, but nice changes by yourself in only a week

Before on the left, notice the difference in the left knee flex, much more "ballistic" on the right. Β More pressure into that left foot. Β Left leg is too straight on the left.

1. WillΒ stayingΒ further leftΒ in my backswingΒ left rid me of standing up or do you see something else that might be causing it?Β  It looks like I'm trying to keep my shoulders down, but my lower back is straightening.Β  Is that strictly a weight distribution issue?

2. I've seen your drill for the on plane backswing.Β Β When I start with the club waist high I can do it right every time.Β  My problem is getting to waist high properly.Β  My takeaway feels wrong.Β  In order for me to start the club on plane in the backswing I feel like I have pull the club up withΒ the front of my shoulders, almost like I'm trying to make a 45 degree angle with the shaft relative to my chest andΒ THENΒ start my turn.Β  I was actuallyΒ taught to do it this way, but it doesn't feel right.

3.Β  When I'm getting close to the top, in order for me to not cross the line I have to do a move that feels likeΒ the palm of my right handΒ is facing the target.Β  This feels powerful but I'm not 100% sure if I should be doing this.Β  Could this be an over swinging issue?

1. Notice in the face on backswing pic that the left knee is moving a little too much towards the center of you stance.Β  A good feeling or image is that that left knee is flexing over the left foot on the backswing.Β  It will feel like you turn less on the backswing and that the hips are working a little more like a teeter totter. Β You might always have a little tendency to "stand up" a little on the backswing, key is to limit it to where it doesn't effect the downswing very much.

So if someone was holding a stick against your left knee, the knee might flex up against it but wouldn'tΒ "push" the stick away.

Left knee would "push" the stick away here.

2. I have a few drills, not sure which one you mean. Β Yeah I noticed the club kind works and hands kind of work "out" on the takeaway. Β If you wanted to make it look better, you can make some swings with a tee under your left arm, the left arm wouldn't be able to work away from you during the takeaway. Β As of right now I'd don't think it's a big deal and will get better as you do the knee stuff from #1 above.

3. From the swing you posted, it looks good.

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends onΒ Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap onΒ Twitter!Β  andΒ onΒ Facebook!Β 
Golf TerminologyΒ -Β Β AnalyzrΒ Β -Β Β My Facebook,Β TwitterΒ andΒ InstagramΒ 

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mvmac,

The drill I was referring to was the drill where you highlight Kuchar raising the club off of ground before he starts his takeaway.

I have more questions when you have time.

You mentioned the tee under the left arm to help with the takeaway.Β Β Should the teeΒ be placed at the lowest point where the upper left arm makes contact with the chest or do you mean closer to the arm pit?

Can you think of anything I can put inside my left knee so that I can feel when I'm bringing it in too far?Β  WouldΒ a beach ball or a kick ballΒ between the knees work?Β  At address, do you think I could bend a little more from the knees to get them a little more over my feet?Β  Can IΒ squat a little bit on the backswing to maintain the space between my knees and get more stability?Β  At address do you feel like you have more weight left, and in your backswing you keep it left?Β  I'm assuming I kick that left knee because I'm not completely balanced.

As forΒ the steeper path on the downswing.Β  Is the path I'm coming down on acceptable or should I work on shallowing it.Β  It's not significantly steeper, but it is steeper.Β  This is obviously a product of standing up, and I'm curious if there is anything I can do to shallow it out.Β  I readΒ a post of yours about shallowing, and basically you indicated that keeping the right arm below the left arm would shallow it.Β  From what I know, over plane is better than under plane, I'm just concerned that I'm over too much.

Thanks again for taking a look, and for your help overall.

Hopefully in another week I'll make more progress.

Sticks:

DR - TaylorMade R9 SuperTri

3W & 5W - Callaway Steelhead III

3H - Mizuno JPX EZ

4-PW - Mizuno MP-64's

GW & SW - Cleveland CG16's

Putter: Odyssey White Steel #2

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mvmac,

The drill I was referring to was the drill where you highlight Kuchar raising the club off of ground before he starts his takeaway.

Gotcha, yeah that drill is for players that get the club head too far inside the hands on the takeaway. Β I don't see that as something that you do so I wouldn't worry about it.

You mentioned the tee under the left arm to help with the takeaway.Β Β Should the teeΒ be placed at the lowest point where the upper left arm makes contact with the chest or do you mean closer to the arm pit?

Tee is in the upper part of the arm, basically in the arm pit.

Can you think of anything I can put inside my left knee so that I can feel when I'm bringing it in too far?Β  WouldΒ a beach ball or a kick ballΒ between the knees work?Β  At address, do you think I could bend a little more from the knees to get them a little more over my feet?Β  Can IΒ squat a little bit on the backswing to maintain the space between my knees and get more stability?Β  At address do you feel like you have more weight left, and in your backswing you keep it left?Β  I'm assuming I kick that left knee because I'm not completely balanced.

Do you have an alignment stick or driveway marker? Β I would put a stick in the ground like the pic below. Β I'm not a huge fan of have a ball between the legs,Β too restricting imo Β To maintain the space between the knee you have to flex the left knee more over the left foot and feel the right hip stretch up. Β Allow the right leg lose some flex. Β Check out the video.Β  Weight can feel slightly left at address but don't lean the spine left at address.

As forΒ the steeper path on the downswing.Β  Is the path I'm coming down on acceptable or should I work on shallowing it.Β  It's not significantly steeper, but it is steeper.Β  This is obviously a product of standing up, and I'm curious if there is anything I can do to shallow it out.Β  I readΒ a post of yours about shallowing, and basically you indicated that keeping the right arm below the left arm would shallow it.Β  From what I know, over plane is better than under plane, I'm just concerned that I'm over too much.

From the video you posted it's not clear enough. Β I wouldn't say the shaft is that steep from what I can tell. Β It's not your priority piece imo, so stick to the knee stuff. Β The better you do with the weight forward at impact, the easier it is to shallow the shaft.

In terms of "shaft plane", the red line would be much more preferable than the green one

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends onΒ Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap onΒ Twitter!Β  andΒ onΒ Facebook!Β 
Golf TerminologyΒ -Β Β AnalyzrΒ Β -Β Β My Facebook,Β TwitterΒ andΒ InstagramΒ 

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mvmac,

We've had an unusually warm week, and luckily I have a range at work so I was able to get a couple sessions in this week.Β  These are all snapshots of the videos, so I do have the actual video footage if you'd rather see that.Β  Overall I think the knee positions are much better.Β  I'd say that left knee is only coming in about an inch, and some swings it'll be closer to two inches with poor execution.Β  I'm pretty confident that I can do this with consistency, but I will continue to monitor it.Β  My wrist is flatter than it was with the first videos but I'm still breaking down because I can tell my right wrist is flat as well.

FO Address

FO Top

FO Impact

I'd really like to get your input on how to shallow out this plane.Β  If we're using the picture of Zach above as a guideline for shaft steepness, I'm definitely closer to the green line than the red line.Β  I cannot figure this out, and it's extremely frustrating.

DTL Address

DTL Backswing 9 o'clock

DTL Top

DTL Downswing 9 o'clock

Same position as Zach, but significantly steeper plane.

DTL Impact

Is it because my arms continue to rise when my shoulders stop?Β  When I get to the top I feel like I can't shallow out the plane at all.Β  I feel like I don't have any freedom of movement at the top.Β  The only way I can shallow it out is if I shallow my backswing, but if I shallow my backswing I come inside and get stuck.Β  Am I correct in thinking this is one of the hardest faults to correct?Β  Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to fix it?

Sticks:

DR - TaylorMade R9 SuperTri

3W & 5W - Callaway Steelhead III

3H - Mizuno JPX EZ

4-PW - Mizuno MP-64's

GW & SW - Cleveland CG16's

Putter: Odyssey White Steel #2

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I'd really like to get your input on how to shallow out this plane.Β  If we're using the picture of Zach above as a guideline for shaft steepness, I'm definitely closer to the green line than the red line.Β  I cannot figure this out, and it's extremely frustrating.

Is it because my arms continue to rise when my shoulders stop?Β  When I get to the top I feel like I can't shallow out the plane at all.Β  I feel like I don't have any freedom of movement at the top.Β  The only way I can shallow it out is if I shallow my backswing, but if I shallow my backswing I come inside and get stuck.Β  Am I correct in thinking this is one of the hardest faults to correct?Β  Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to fix it?

I think that is part of it. Β To lessen the arm run off I'd like to see the eyes lower, chin and eyes are too high at address. Β So if the chin is up, shoulders will want to turn flatter, have to lift to create some ascent.Β Β Compare the pitch of these guys neck/eyes to your own. Β Going to feel like the head is "hanging" down more, chin might even feel a little tucked. Β Good thread to check out

Then I would suggest playing a tee in your right arm pit, will help the structure on the backswing and I think you'll see some improvement with the shaft shallowing on the downswing. Β Next video you post, have the tee in there.

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends onΒ Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap onΒ Twitter!Β  andΒ onΒ Facebook!Β 
Golf TerminologyΒ -Β Β AnalyzrΒ Β -Β Β My Facebook,Β TwitterΒ andΒ InstagramΒ 

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mvmac - Thanks again for you help.

If you could summarize the contents of that thread.Β  Would it be:

1. Tuck your tailbone in or point it down (straighter lower back)

2. Bend from the mid back

3. Shoulders slumped

4. Tuck your chin

???

You did mention that you believe that part of my plane issues are a result of the arms continuing to rise.Β  Lets say I fix that aspect of my swing.Β  What do you believe are the other contributing factors?

Sticks:

DR - TaylorMade R9 SuperTri

3W & 5W - Callaway Steelhead III

3H - Mizuno JPX EZ

4-PW - Mizuno MP-64's

GW & SW - Cleveland CG16's

Putter: Odyssey White Steel #2

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mvmac - Thanks again for you help.

If you could summarize the contents of that thread.Β  Would it be:

1. Tuck your tailbone in or point it down (straighter lower back)

2. Bend from the mid back

3. Shoulders slumped

4. Tuck your chin

???

Yes and for you, you just need to feel a little of the tailbone tucked under you and the eyes down.

You did mention that you believe that part of my plane issues are a result of the arms continuing to rise.Β  Lets say I fix that aspect of my swing.Β  What do you believe are the other contributing factors?

I'm going to keep it simple for now, let's improve the plane stuffΒ via these pieces. Β If you need something else in the future then ok but I don't want you worrying about something that can't be "fixed" without getting the pieces below better.

- Eyes, chin down at setup

- Knee/hip work on the backswing.

- Hitting balls with a tee in the right arm pit.

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends onΒ Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap onΒ Twitter!Β  andΒ onΒ Facebook!Β 
Golf TerminologyΒ -Β Β AnalyzrΒ Β -Β Β My Facebook,Β TwitterΒ andΒ InstagramΒ 

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Note:Β This thread is 3765 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic.Β Thank you!

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