Blocking - what is it really?

[glebert]

I've heard or read plenty of people talk about "big block shots" but can't find a decent definition. I know it goes right (for a righty) but is it a push or a slice? Is it really caused by the hips blocking the arms?

Thanks,
Greg

[grantc79]

I've heard or read plenty of people talk about "big block shots" but can't find a decent definition. I know it goes right (for a righty) but is it a push or a slice? Is it really caused by the hips blocking the arms?

Basically a push.

The club face gets left open at impact and the ball is pushed right.

[wachesawgolfer]

A block is when you swing your hands through but the club is back and open through impact. This is the complete opposite of releasing the club through impact. Blocking is the result of poor swing conceptualization. Trying to make the downswing on "plane" or along the same route the club made in the backswing cause the left arm to come off the chest too early in the downswing and now the mechanisms to release the club and close the clubface are cut off so the club lags wide open through impact. Attempting to hold the "hit" can have the same bad result. Make a full torso turn in the backswing and swinging the club directly down while still turned gets the club on the correct plane so it will release naturally and not block.

[ebough]

I think of a blocked shot as incomplete swing follow-through with the right hand and arm. As noted above it keeps the face open for a push, fade or slice, depending on how extreme it is. It is not always undesirable and many pros do it deliberately to avoid trouble on the left or to produce a controlled fade.

[kyldo]

I block more shots than you can imagine. I think you need to swing from the inside to block a shot. With the inside path you don't release the club properly and blammo: a push straight right (or left in my case).

[nevets88]

I find blocking/pushing a sand/pitching wedge really annoying. You're thinking green light, scoring/birdie/par opportunity and whammo, you're pin high, but wayyy over on the right.

[Sherlockian]

I have been having the same problem lately. It only happens when I try to "nut it". For example, I am having a good round with a few pars and I come up on a 180 yard par 3 over water. Instead of pulling out the 4 iron or even laying up, I go balls full with my 5 iron(normally my 170 club). If I don't put it in the water, I am a least 25 yards right. When I try getting too much out of the club, I end up blocking, leaving the clubface open, and costing myself at least one stroke, if not two. This is my biggest problem on the course right now. I am having a hard time realizing that I am not 25 and in good shape anymore, I am 36 and could stand to lose few pounds, not to mention the surgically enhanced knees and shoulders.

[mako224]

To me a push and a slice are two completely different things. When I'm having a bad day I hit pushes. The ball flight is strait but I am off line to the right. My fault is coming too far from the inside with the clubface square to the path of the club. I always thought that was what people call blocking.

With a slice the clubface is open in relation to the path.

[JerseyThursday]

If you want to see a block in action play a round of golf with me sometime.
It lurks within me waiting to unleash its ugly head when I need it the least. It can kill a round, especially off the tee.
A block doesn’t curve right with spin (that’s a slice) it goes straight, but right. Usually with normal distance, almost like it was intended to be hit that way until you see it descend into the trees.
It sends chills down my spine just thinking about it.

[Chas]

Sherlockian has put it very nicely. The block, or the Big Push, occurs when you try to muscle the club for extra yardage, locking the muscles of your forearm and preventing proper release through the contact zone (which requires a free wrist action). This can happen completely subconsciously, and can be the very devil to defeat. I used to block a lot, especially when faced with a challenging situation (carry over rocky canyon or water), now I just tell myself to relax and maybe rotate the shoulders a little faster. Never let the arms dominate the swing - they should always follow the lead of the hips and shoulders.

[jambalaya]

One of the guys I play with has a big problem with blocking shots. His main problem is sliding forward into the shot . As you are sliding into the shot your clubface remains open. You have to be rotating to get the club turning and squaring up. Start your turn too late and you block.

[ks8829]

My definition of a block shot is one that goes straight right because your hips do not clear completely and your arms are forced to go right, when you block your shot and if you hold your finish your hips are pointing in the direction of where the ball is traveling right of the target.

The reason for blocks shots are lazy hip turn, you might not be turning back fully or coiling to release or syncronize your hips with your shoulders. try swing a driver with your feet together until your hips are syncronized with your shoulders and pointing to your target at finish and not right of your target causing the block shot.

[MRL]

I've heard or read plenty of people talk about "big block shots" but can't find a decent definition. I know it goes right (for a righty) but is it a push or a slice? Is it really caused by the hips blocking the arms?

Most blocks are caused before you even swing the club. If you struggle blocking the ball loosen up your arms at address. The lack of forearm rotation that accompaines most blocks will gradually disappear.