What an enlightening bucket of range balls...

[amcquay]

I went to the driving range after work to hit my recently acquired G10 driver a bit more. The first two times I took it out, I hit it very inconsistently. One shot would draw a little, the next would fade slightly, one would slice badly, then go straight, etc. The predominant flight path was a slight slice.

So, today I tried a bit stronger grip and a slower, smoother tempo. I was confused at first, as after this adjustment the balls would come off the club and take a nose dive after about 100 yards, drop hard and yank to the left. I did this about three times before I stopped and thought about what was going on.

I realized that up until now I've been so worried about getting to the correct finishing pose that I was turning my upper body very fast, pulling the club up and around almost immediately after contact with the ball. I should have been extending, hitting *through* the ball, and letting my body follow naturally. The difference was drastic and immediate. The rest of the bucket (around 50-60 balls) flew dead straight and far. Well, far for my standards anyways . I was carrying 200-220, with a decent amount of roll afterwards, and all in a fairly tight grouping side to side. This was a very encouraging range session!

[moparman426]

You are describing the exact same thing I have been struggling with the past 2 weeks. I was just all over the place. I too think it was the fact that I was also pushing for the "picture-perfect" finish, turning the upper body past the hips, and doing it quickly. Your post inspired me to hit the range today, and I have done so, twice.......FINALLY!!!!!!! I am back to grinning again.

I think trying to have that perfect form throughout the entirety of a persons swing is over-rated. Not everyone is built the same. What works and what is easy for some, may just not be easy for another. I think that is the train of thought that messed up my swing. When I swing naturally, I get predictable results, and not so much of a sore back, in fact, no pain at all when I don't worry about the person behind me giggling under his breath about my swing.

Without reading your post, I probably never would have realized what i was doing....so Thanks!

[amcquay]

Glad I could help somehow! I've played tennis for years, and realized that I was basically hitting a top spin forehand - sweeping up the back of the ball instead of swinging through it. Like you said, it isn't a natural motion and it felt much better once I started swinging naturally and letting the club do the work.

[Bear]

Gratz on the new driver, I'm glad you found your fault and were able to fix it.

Just one small piece of advice if I may, I realize you were working on your driver but hitting a "bucket" of balls with your driver is a really really bad idea.

Frankly it's about the worst thing you can do for your swing. It destroys your tempo and usually does more harm than good to your swing. If you really need to work on just your driver I'd recommend hitting a couple of drives then hitting 3-4 sand wedges. I think you'll find that you hit your driver even better!

[CG031]

Gratz on the new driver, I'm glad you found your fault and were able to fix it.

Yeah, I agree. I usually hit about 3 drivers per day at the range (I usually hit 100-200 balls a day.)...I find on the course the driver ends up being my best club, which is the main reason I don't practice but I find I end up swinging too hard on the range if I hit a lot of drives.

[amcquay]

Gratz on the new driver, I'm glad you found your fault and were able to fix it.

I didn't spend the entire bucket on the driver, but probably 60-70% of it. I spent the rest of the time that day on my fairway woods and long irons. Thanks for the tip though, I hadn't even thought of it that way. I'll start mixing in more of the other clubs (specifically the short ones!) when I'm at the range. My new irons finally came in today, so I hope to get back out this weekend to get acquainted.