My Swing, Please comment

[Hank3rd]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and want to improve my game. This is the first year that I have become serious and have played pretty often. Back in 2001 I took a few lessons and then played maybe 5 times up until this year.

I bought a used set of Ping G2 irons, a new Cleveland Hi-Bore XLS Driver and some other clubs. I have been going to the range and attended some "golf clinics" where Jack Lewis (Head Golf Coach Wake Forest University 1992 – 1997, among other stuff) is the Pro there and he gives a one hour one-to-few lessons. He change my grip and swing (rotation and weight placement), so it is just like starting over. I have a pretty bad slice, but when I sync all the motions, I do hit some straight. I know I need to turn and close the club face, but I was hoping for some tips. Sorry for the crude video, but i had my wife do it with my phone :)



Thank you in advance! I expect many there to be many things I need to correct, so do not hold back. I did notice that my back foot was not straight, I felt rushed to do the video because my daughter was with us!

[shortstop20]

Your setup is fine.

One thing that I notice on the backswing is that you get a pretty good shoulder turn but after your shoulder turn stops, your arms and hands keep going, to the point where you actually get the shaft pointed across the target line at the top of the backswing.

To add some power and accuracy I would suggest you work on keeping the left arm straight(or mostly straight) and keep your left wrist flat at the top of the backswing. These two things will restrict your arms so that you don't overswing and with the larger arc of your swing(because your left arm is straight), you should actually hit the ball further and with more consistency.

You don't have much lower body action on the downswing either but that's something you can work on later.

[Hank3rd]

Thanks for the information. I am going to try to get to the range and try a swing that does not over extend. The pro has been trying to have me use my lower body and rotate. Last week he helped me with keeping my weight on the insides of my feet. I was keeping the weight on the outside. I am learning allot as I go! Who would have known that there was so much to a golf swing.

[kafka01]

On your backswing, you clubhead almost points 30° away from the target due to overswinging. Also you left arm on the face on video - it almost looks bent 90° - which promotes this overswinging.

Your left arm always should be straight on the backswing - if you go back further than what a straight left arm allows you, you loose more power than you gain and its hard for you to make proper and consistent ball contact.

At the moment you mainly swing with your upper body, get your lower body in there - a good swing builds from the ground up. Also your first impulse on the downswing is upper body - fix this ASAP, it will save you a lot of nerves later on.

[Hank3rd]

On your backswing, you clubhead almost points 30° away from the target due to overswinging. Also you left arm on the face on video - it almost looks bent 90° - which promotes this overswinging.

Thank you for the response! So are you saying to start with hips and/or legs? I will try to address the overswinging and with a short swing until I can keep the arm straight ( keep going back more as I am getting better). I like all of the input and it can do nothing but help me! I will post a follow up video when I feel that I have improved some

[GamerJG]

from what i saw, i would recommend shortening your backswing and not go past parallel. i would swing a little quicker but keep your tempo without overswinging. in other words, slower back, build that coil, then let it loose coming down without jerking the club down to begin the downswing. like a previous poster recommended, keep your left arm straight a little farther into your backswing which will probably restrict the length of your backswing(i believe this is a good thing). you said you tend to slice but hit some straight. your setup looked good, but your feet were aiming way right from my view. this is very common and can be corrected fairly quickly. i recommend a slight draw. aim slightly right of the target. keep your inside takeaway, and swing through on an outside path, with your face pointing just to the right of the target on the followthrough. a wide backswing arc and big shoulder turn are the key, build up a nice body coil going back, then just let the swing unwind and develop a lot of club head speed on the downswing while locating the back of the ball with your eyes. this will keep you from lifting up and not completing the release at the bottom. you'll stay down and through the shot and finish with your hands nice and high on the follow-through. good luck, your swing seems to have nice potential. hope this helps

[SQ Bimmer]

Also, as iacas pointed out in another thread to another user:

...

At address, let your hands hang down low. This single bit of advice dropped my scores a couple strokes I'd say.

[Hank3rd]

I went to the range today and worked on the driver. I tried lowering my hands and straightening my left arm. I seemed to hit some better, but I need some more work and practice.

I also learned to keep relaxed by slightly opening my mouth and rest my tongue on the roof of my mouth ad address. I also need to work on rolling my arms through impact.

I am going to go a few more times, then I will post a response video to compare.

Thanks for the tips so far!

[uttexas]

good grip. nice balance at the finish. The left elbow does bend, your arms collapse a bit, and you cross the line at the top of the backswing (club points right). Try this (helped me). Swing back, keeping your left arm straight. When your left arm gets parallel to the ground, lift up and back, focusing on keeping your left arm straight. Your right elbow will bend and wrists will hinge naturally. Video tape your self doing this. It feels completely different from how it looks (atleast it did to me). Swinging like this maintains good width in the back swing and will prohibit breaking down at the top of the backswing.

[kafka01]

Thank you for the response! So are you saying to start with hips and/or legs?

Yes - just have a look at Bubba Watson - there is nothing moving in the upper body before the lower body starts the action

I also learned to keep relaxed by slightly opening my mouth and rest my tongue on the roof of my mouth ad address.

Where did you get that from? Good advice though, it helps you keep your jaw and neck tension free - the less tension you have during a swing the better.

I simply just stick my tongue out a bit, so if i would like to create tension i have to bite it, which isnt so great...

[Hank3rd]

Yes - just have a look at Bubba Watson - there is nothing moving in the upper body before the lower body starts the action

I heard it on a golf podcast, I think Ledbetter is the quote.

[GamerJG]

wow that bubba watson swing is amazing!! look at how wide his arc is and how he gets ridiculous lag. that is one powerful golf swing.