t-smit

Thanks, I think I'm going to give the online swing analysis a chance first and see what the results are after a few weeks. If I'm not making the progress I want to I will bite the bullet and get a real lesson.

Thanks I am certainly going to look into the 9 to 3 drill you have both mentioned and will give it a go. As per the suggestion to get a lesson. Have you ever used an online instructor? I've found a couple of (what look like) good sites where you can submit your swing videos to a pro who will return a video analysis of your swing etc. I've always been a bit hesitant when it comes to getting a 'real' lesson. I know it sounds stupid but I feel awkward as a grown man stood with another grown man watching me and teaching me to play a game I play for fun (sounds even more stupid now I've put it down in writing!). Thanks guys

Thank you for your advice and encouragement, it is very much appreciated. It is starting to feel slightly (very slightly!) easier as I use it more and I am using this as an opportunity to really think about my swing and 'relearn' it the correct way. I've never really thought about it too much before and ended up with the super strong grip and (as you mentioned) have developed a number of compensatory 'faults' to be able to make contact. Hopefully it will pay off in the long run, if nothing else I have turned my sometimes enormous hook into a fairly consistent slice!! Thanks again

Lots of debate on what the 'average' distance is but here are my stats based on making solid contact (usually 7-8 times out of 10) i.e the club I would choose from that distance. (Don't use driver or woods too erratic at them moment, not worth playing 3 or 5 off the tee every other hole!) (3 + 4 are hybrids and I very rarely use them) 5 - 175 (I use this club a lot!) 6 - 160 7 - 145 8 - 130 9 - 120 PW 45'- 110 GW 52'- 100 SW 56' - 90 LW 60' - 80 (I do not hit this full swing too often) I don't have an official handicap but I tend to play about 25 over on most courses (give or take 5 shots).

Hi all, I have been an occasional weekend player for the last couple of years and have always managed to play to a reasonable enough standard (for me) to at least enjoy the game. Over the last 3 months or so I have really begun taking the game more seriously and have cranked up my practice and playing time. I seem to have reached a plateau and if anything am getting worse. I have developed a tendency to hook (sometimes wildly!) I am 99% certain my lack of progress and tendency to hook is being cause by my strong grip. I don't just mean a usual strong grip either, it's the most extreme strong grip I have seen, my left hand is way way over the top of the club (if I had 7 knuckles I would see all of them) and my right way underneath the club. Anyway for the last 3 trips to the driving range I have forced myself to use a neutral grip. It feels SO unnatural and awkward, I can with no consistency whatsoever make solid contact with the ball (it literally could go anywhere, with a slight tendency towards slice/push) BUT on the occasional shot where I do make good contact the ball flies much higher and longer than my 'old' grip. It's such a lottery though and I can't even think about going anywhere near a course and attempting to play with this grip at the moment. Sorry for the long essay, my real question is what can I do to help me through this process? Is it just a case of sticking with it until it feels right or are there any drills/tips to help. Also I would be really interested to know if anyone else has been through this process and what the results were? Did you stick with the new grip and improve your game eventually? How long did it take? Or did you go back to your old grip? Thanks for reading, look forward to hearing any comments. T-Smit