How can you fix a problem... Without a teacher?

[Baraethon]

When you don't know what the problem is?

I can't seem to take any shot other than 2: fat and completely catch the ground. With the occasional thin shot that kills my hands.

And I have absolutely no idea what is causing it. The only club I can hit decently is my wedges, and it has taken all the fun out of practicing. I've literally tried dozens of things, and they work for a couple swings perfectly, then I fall apart again.

What I'm really trying to ask, is: How do I fix a problem, without seeing a teacher? I have a lesson, but it's not for over a week, and I basically can't do anything. I try to take lessons often, but what do you do in between lessons to fix things that come up?

[Ben]

Read a book. In particularly this book: Ben Hogan's Five Lessons

There's a thread devoted to it in the Reading Room forum here. You'll find that this book is a classic in instruction. It's super easy to read and comprehend. It may not address your exact problem, but if you apply what you read to your swing, that problem will magically disappear.

[DrivingRangeJunkie]

Well, there are bound to be different answers to this. Ive been playing for a year, and I've taught myself how to swing without taking a single lesson (although that may soon change) If your hitting it fat, try to stand a little more upright and make sure your arms just hang freely from your shoulders and keep your knees bent and head still throughout your swing. Hitting it thin usually means you are too anxious to see the result of your shot before you've even hit the ball and you rise up and thin it. This happens to me alot too.

[KwSipp]

I had this same problem when I first started and I still from time to time hit them "fat" but anywho I was at the range workn on some stuff and this old man approaches me and starts giving me these lessons on the right way to transfer my wieght and some other stuff but one thing that he told me that I'll never forget is how his dad taught him ..... well his exact words were " my dad used to grab the hair on my head and squeeze just tight enough to where it didnt hurt but if I were to move my head in any direction I would scream" in other words what Im sayin is STOP MOVING YOUR HEAD lol and im sure there are some other things as well but I can bet that its THE main problem with your swing

[jcrob902]

When you don't know what the problem is?

This sounds like a problem! Check and see if your dropping your right shoulder through the swing either that or your pulling the club down with your hands instead of starting with the hips and letting your hips shoulders and arms follow this will cause a very steep angle of attack and fat and ocassionally thin shots. one question do you pop fly your driver alot too.

[FortAsel]

your right leg mist be straigtening in the backswing

[ks8829]

go watch a video regarding fat and thin shots and practice with your wedges.

I practice my short game for about 2 hours today and discover if I take my club back a certain way I make solid contact everytime. I will now take the same backswing and incorporate it into my iron shots and driver swing.

The full swing can be learned with the smaller swing of the short game. Can you make solid contact when you chip around the green consistently?

[flopdarock]

video tape yourself

[ks8829]

fat shot




Thin shot

[1dayIllBaPro]

I read a lot from internet, magazines, etc. I try to get as much as information as I can. Video tape yourself is the best way if you don't have anyone helping you.

[Baraethon]

Thanks for the vids, they were great. I have video taped my self, and I simply cannot figure out what is causing my swing troubles...

[BCgolfer]

I would go out and practice with the club you can hit. You will become a pro with that club while you figure out your problem.

[PEZGolf]

When you don't know what the problem is?

I have been a golf instructor for over 20 years, and a player for over 40 years. Here is my advice to you:

1. If you have a thorough understanding of the golf swing, and your swing in particular, it is OK to try and figure out the problem. 2. If you do not have a thorough understanding, then wait until your next lesson. Otherwise, you may try the wrong remedy and only get on "the wrong track" and make the problem worse.

[flopdarock]

Thanks for the vids, they were great. I have video taped my self, and I simply cannot figure out what is causing my swing troubles...

post it

[brahl]

This sounds like a problem! Check and see if your dropping your right shoulder through the swing either that or your pulling the club down with your hands instead of starting with the hips and letting your hips shoulders and arms follow this will cause a very steep angle of attack and fat and ocassionally thin shots. one question do you pop fly your driver alot too.

I'm having the same problem jcrob, and I also pop fly my driver!

Help! - Brian

[Baraethon]

Yeah, I've tried steepening my back swing, I've always had a major flat swing plane problem, it works about half the time but the other time I catch it fat.

I'm just really confused, luckily my lesson is on tuesday. I'll probably just take a couple swings each day till then, just to keep in shape.

[divottool]

Pop ups and fat shots can come from the same issue, and that is to steep of a downswing. Try having a more round your body swing.......this will flatten out the swing path.

I also have been experimenting with a little of the stack and tilt swing, and have found my divots are much more consistently in front of the ball.

[Baraethon]

No... One of my main problems is a too FLAT swing plane, not to steep. Often when i come in with a problem, that is what my teacher says is the problem.