Driver Sick 2: Another Case of the Shanks

[JetFan1983]

I knew my driver would go to shit once I voted for the 210-230 average drive section in the NEW Avg. Drive Distance Poll....

So I'm playing yesterday, and my short game is great, blah blah blah, the best it's been ever probably, buuuuuuuuut, I'm pulling the hell out of my driver.

I'm standing much closer to the ball at address now (something new I'm trying) because I really really want to be coming from way inside on the downswing with arms like "al-dente pasta." I was basically trying to make the ghost of Ben Hogan proud yesterday by having the perfect set-up at address and really coming in on that shallow swing plane and striking the ball with some authority down the pipe.

Is it because I'm standing closer to the ball that nearly all my drives yesterday were pulled about 190 yards into the trees? I think it also could be that my club head is not far enough behind my hands and that I'm doing waaay too much of an arms-swing...They aren't duck hooking at all. I use an FT-5 Driver with a Stiff Shaft and a standard length for a 6'0" person like myself. I probably should be using regular flex, but I bought the stiff one because I don't feel like upgrading my equipment in a year when my swing speed is better.

Maybe it was because I was wearing 4 layers of clothing? It was 38 degrees out when I was playing yesterday afternoon and my Dad thought that could have been it.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!? AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

[Andrew Rice]

The only way to pull the ball is to hit from out to in! You must be hitting the outside of the ball no matter what it feels like or you are mentally trying to do.

[JetFan1983]

Hmmm, interesting. I wonder why it wasn't slicing. I was using a ball that generates a good amount of spin. I think I need to hit the range and work on some things.

[Hidalgo]

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!? AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Well, let's see.......

(a) You just made what sounds like a DRAMATIC swing change..... (b) Lots of clothing not only impedes the follow through, but more importantly it stops you from making a complete turn on the backswing which in most cases will cause a "smothering" type of delivery..... (c) You're "probably" not getting as far inside as you think..... Without seeing you, I could only speculate, but by your description I would suggest that you back away from the ball (it only binds you up) and try to get more FLAT in your backswing, and aim for the inside corner of the ball. This will cause you to get more inside. Sometimes when a student tries to fix a swing by trying to "get inside" what actually happens is that the swing gets steeper and the clubface hoods and closes before impact. I suspect this is what you are doing. But like I said....these are only guesses based on experience and not by actually seeing your swing.

[JetFan1983]

Well, let's see.......

Hmmm...Good point. I knew the answer was simple. Anyway, looks like I got some good stuff to focus on for my next range session!

[klaymon]

A pull is from an out-to-in swingpath with a closed club face (or the club face is technically square to the swing line). Slicing is out-to-in with a square to open club face (in relation to the target line).

[Hidalgo]

A pull is from an out-to-in swingpath with a closed club face (or the club face is technically square to the swing line). Slicing is out-to-in with a square to open club face (in relation to the target line).

Usually...but not necessarily or in all cases. You can pull the ball from the inside simply by having very quick hands or being too steep. All it takes is a hooded clubface and you're off to the races. Believe me....I know.

This is my worst miss and a problem that I have fought for a looooong time.

[Zeph]

Sometimes when a student tries to fix a swing by trying to "get inside" what actually happens is that the swing gets steeper and the clubface hoods and closes before impact. I suspect this is what you are doing.

Good point. A lot of problems are a result of something. Especially the swing path. Fixing an outside to inside swing by trying to come from the inside is very difficult and hard to get consistant. The swing path is the result of many factors. Instead of trying to force the club to where it does not want to go can be catastrophic. Instead, find out what factor is causing the problem and work on it.

As Hidalgo I don't know what your problem is, but to take an example from my swing. I had an outside to inside swing path. Forcing the club did not help at all, made it much more difficult actually. I analyzed my swing and found two essential factors. One being my swing plane being too flat, another being too much arms and very little body movement. By working on those two factors and manipulating my swing I'm in much better control. By making a very steep swing plane and/or turning the body too much I force the club inside to outside without trying to work the club itself. The club moves as a result of the body, by controlling the body you control the club. If I flatten out my swing plane and/or doesn't turn my body enough I'm forcing the club from an outside to inside swingpath, again without thinking of the club itself. I'm not saying this is relevant to your swing, but it's a tip on how to think and work on the swing with the body and not trying to manipulate the club. If the body move one way and you try to force the club the other you may hit some straight shots, but you'll never be consistant, under pressure it'll be almost impossible. I don't like words like pull, hook, slice, fade draw. They are defined and understood differently by everyone. The most important response to your swing is the ball flight. More essentially which way the ball started and where it fell down. These two details tell you very much about what is wrong, but not necessarily what you are doing wrong.

[iacas]

Usually...but not necessarily or in all cases. You can pull the ball from the inside simply by having very quick hands or being too steep. All it takes is a hooded clubface and you're off to the races.

That's called a hook, and no, you can't pull the ball from the inside.

[Hidalgo]

That's called a hook, and no, you can't pull the ball from the inside.

Erik, with all due respect, you CAN pull the ball from the inside. I've seen a student "snatch" the ball off the tee with a hooded/closed face. And it didn't hook. Straight left. I'll admit...it's a rarity. But I have seen it happen. Ball position comes into play.

[lhshurdl3r]

That's called a hook, and no, you can't pull the ball from the inside.

I LOVE that new avatar.

To the OP.. hope you cure your problem. I fixed mine for the most part... except now I'm just pushing the ball way right. I think it's because my hands are way too ahead of the club on the downswing (????)

[Hidalgo]

I fixed mine for the most part... except now I'm just pushing the ball way right. I think it's because my hands are way too ahead of the club on the downswing (????)

Or you're coming from the inside and have an open clubface at impact.

[iacas]

Erik, with all due respect, you CAN pull the ball from the inside.

Physically impossible, unless you're re-defining the term "inside."

If you disagree again, or want to reply, start another thread about how you've discovered that physics are wrong... let this thread get back to the correct topic.

[JetFan1983]

Based on the advice given by everyone, I really think that because I was standing closer to the ball, it steepened my swing dramatically. With my position at the top different than normal, I began attack the ball from the outside coming in.

I want to thank everyone for chiming in as I feel like I have a much, much better idea of what I was doing wrong than I did before posting this. I'm still a bit miffed by what is going on, but I plan on figuring that out for sure when I get out to the range this weekend. 55 degrees tomorrow here! Feel free to continue posting your opinions on this matter though, obviously, as I could use all the help I can get!

[mkrolewski]

I noticed that I was pulling the ball when I did not transfer my weight to the front foot. I am presuming the face is closed at contact due to my hips position, hence the push.

I am not that good or an instructor, but my two cents.