Dropping Hands/Shoulders Opening

[drs6222]

So after a range session, I can look at my divots and see my problem. The divots face left, but because I am oopening the face not everything is hooking, the slice and hook cancel out *some* of the time, most of the time it's more of a slice.

I asked for some advice from a pro there, and he said my shoulders are opening too early, and my swing is coming outside > in. He said drop my hands before my shoulders open. I tried but really just couldn't get the feel for it.

Anyone have any good drills they could advise, it's been a huge problem.

Thanks

ds

[fusioncal]

Instead of turning your shoulder right to left (horizontally), try turning downward and then upward (vertically).

Watch this and this videos from Steve Bishop.

Hope that helps.

[lolzzlolzz]

Bad pro... bad pro...

He's right that you should drop the hands before you open up your shoulders, but he didn't tell you how to do it. Another case of someone thinking in terms of the result, instead of the cause.

The hips start the downswing, which bring the hands to about hip level. Then the shoulders open. Then the arms move, then the hands. You move your hands last.

Other than that, I can't help you. You are compensating for your out to in swing by opening the club face. You need to rebuilt your swing from scratch, starting with the grip. Drills wont help.

[JaY_B]

Bad pro... bad pro...

To be fair, the pro wasn't being paid The only 'drill' you can do is make slow practise swings where you drop your arms straight down on the down swing without unwinding the shoulders. In terms of ingraining this feeling I would suggest hitting balls at a very slow swing speed so that you can effectively put the swing thought in to action, if you try to swing too fast you will not be able to implement the new move in to your swing. In terms of how slow you want your swing too be - try hitting your 7 iron (with a full swing) about 50 yards, this will also do wonders for your rhythm.

[drs6222]

Thanks, so when doing this slow, at what point should I start the shoulders?

Is it when the grip of the club is almost at my right thigh?

Thanks!

[tm22721]

In Hogan's 'Five Lessons', he emphasizes that the downswing takes care of itself if you initiate with the hips instead of the hands. That being said, he has a drill where you perform a 1/2 swing back and through being sure to keep the arms/elbows close to your body.

[lolzzlolzz]

Yeah. The hips start, which bring the hands to about hip level. Then the shoulders, arms, and hands unwind in one cohesive movement from start to finish.

The movement of the hips is the cause, and the dropping of the hands is the result. The pro told you (drs6222) to drop your hands, which isn't the right way to start the downswing.

[JaY_B]

Thanks, so when doing this slow, at what point should I start the shoulders?

With your given swing fault, I would simply try and feel like your holding off the shoulder rotation/unwinding as long as possible, the shoulders will start to unwind naturally so don't worry about when they start.

You will know when you have it correct when your shots start a little to the right of the target.

[drs6222]

Instead of turning your shoulder right to left (horizontally), try turning downward and then upward (vertically).

Thanks, I went to the range, unfortunately not before watching this video, and I hadn't practiced all weekend... Divots were very chunky and still very left. Not good contact....but i plan on going tommorow until I get it right. I will work on the above tips, as well. Thanks

[drs6222]

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13991

Thread with swing videos.

No range footage, sorry.