Hitting woods 90 degrees left..

[albatross]

I've been fighting the shanks with my irons and wedges but the driver and 3 wood have been working pretty well.

However, I have a few shots per round where my drive (I'm right handed) will go directly left. I mean like almost 90 degrees left. Is this the equivalent of a shank with a driver???

When this happens with the driver or 3 wood, it feels like I've swung too hard.

Ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

[sonicblue]

Are you actually hitting any meaningful distance, or are you dribbling it left? Either way, it's most likely a total, utter overswing, where not only have your hands flipped, but your stance has probably spun left as well.

Remember, the club is like a gun, the ball is like a bullet. Throwing a gun while pulling the trigger does nothing to increase velocity, but it sure hurts accuracy. Let the equipment work, don't force it.

[albatross]

Sometimes it dribbles left and sometimes it goes quite a ways. That's an interesting analogy. So probably a big overswing??

I want to also get some impact tape to see where I'm hitting it on the clubface when this happens.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Thats magical if you can hit a ball 90 degrees strait off of the face...hahaha..but seriously..you're probably coming so far over the top it your downswing is starting on top of the ball. Does your left side spin out when you do this?

[sonicblue]

Sometimes it dribbles left and sometimes it goes quite a ways. That's an interesting analogy. So probably a big overswing??

I wouldn't bother. Where on the clubface is irrelevant, IMO. Would it really make you feel better to know you're near the sweet spot when you're jerking it three holes left? Don't cloud the issue. Focus on tempo, balance and rhythm, all of which will help you more effortlessly return the club to the ball squarely. My cardinal rules of troubleshooting:

1) You are way too tense and not allowing natural movements to take place (rigid wrists, arms, or a locked lower body, e.g.). OR 2) You are overswinging, overmanipulating or generally trying too damn hard, changing all the angles and positions away from their address positions (straightening your spine during the swing, flipping your hands, e.g.). Think about this at address, as you stare at the club lying squarely behind the ball: all you have to do is return the club to that point. That is THE goal of the swing. If the club returns crooked, you're done for. You can hit it on the button, who cares if it's crooked? If it's straight, though, 10-20 yards short or long is often no big deal. Do as little as possible to "manipulate" the clubface, all you want to do is just build a little natural momentum, then let physics take over and trust it.