Swing Video - Please Evaluate

[Chicago Lefty]

Ok, here is another update. I've eliminated the move laterally for the most part, but I am still dipping my head forward on my backswing. I included a few warmup swings as well because I noticed that I don't dip on those. Unfortunately I can't replicate that swing while striking the ball...

[Chicago Lefty]

Here's another updated video. I found an instructor that teaches a one plane swing and started lessons with him last week. Finally I've eliminated the OTT move for the most part. I think my shaft still might come over a bit, but it's much better than before.

When I hit my best ball, it's a left to right push draw. The ball moves 7-10 yards out and moves back on line. My misses are pushes mostly, also a ball that starts straight and hooks.

I know it still needs a lot of work, but I think I'm on the right path.

[walk18]

looking good. I actually liked your posture better on the previous one, but yeah I can see now you're much more on plane and you've eliminated the over the top swing. Looks like your ballstriking is much improved, so keep at it.

Is that the range in Elgin, btw?

[Chicago Lefty]

I agree about the posture. My spine angle might be a little too far over. I have a lesson tomorrow so I'm sure he'll address that.

It's Top Golf in Wood Dale actually.

[Addicted2Golf]

I just watched all of those video's and it was interesting to see the evolution of your swing in such a short period of time. Any suggestion I would have made after watching the first few video's was taken care of in that last one.

I too have fought the OTT move, especially with my driver. Even when I got it worked out with the irons, the driver still gave me trouble. The big thing that I did, and I noticed you are doing is staying connected throughout the swing. Your left elbow is staying connected very nicely, and your turn looks a lot better. I'm definitely no expert though.

[Chas]

Thanks for all the videos, very interesting. You are a very consistent swinger with a really good setup and spine angle throughout. Once you get a new move ingrained you should be really consistent with it. But the big improvement in your backswing I saw happening in #30 was lost in # 37 and 38. Erik (iacas) mentioned the problem that I'm seeing back in post #14.

My guess is that at some point in your game, like me, you cured a slice by taking the club back early and inside - clubhead low and behind your back. This leads to pushes and/or hooks unless you overcompensate and come over the top in which case you'll slice. Difficult to control but you have the ability to compensate effectively it seems. The key to your backswing issue IMO is your arm and club position when the shaft is parallel to the ground ("parallel position"). In every single video except #30, the top (handle) end of the shaft is pointing left of the target in the parallel position because you've broken your wrist early and brought the clubhead too far inside, behind your back. Stop all the videos at that exact point and you'll see. The triangle of your arms and club at address has broken down by that point. This forces you to bring the clubhead up at the top to avoid a big push or a hook.

Hogan is very good on this IMO. Try to keep that arms/shaft triangle the same from address to the "parallel position". The shaft needs to be pointing towards the target at the "parallel" - very important. It's much easier staying on plane when you do this, it just happens naturally because all you've done is rotated your shoulders (you've got the spine angle nailed). The correct early move is simply a rotation of the shoulders and progressive weighting of the back foot with no arm/wrist action at all - keep the clubhead right out there in front of your chest , not moving towards your back.

At first you're going to feel like your arms are coming up too high early in the backswing and will fear the dreaded slice. Trust me this isn't going to happen, your game is well beyond that in my view. If you do slice occasionally you can make minor adjustments. Don't forget that as you start the down swing with the hip turn & bump, your arms will drop down a bit (into 'the slot') automatically so being a tad high at the top (but only a tad) is fine - it's what many of the pros do.

[davbrucas]

The first vid on this page you have gone back to the over-the-top swing. Try to keep your hands and left elbow close to your body on the way down and try to hit the ball to the 10 o'clock position with your body aiming straight down the range. This will help you stay behind the ball and hit it from the inside instead of coming over on it.

[Chicago Lefty]

davbrucas - The first video on this page was before I switched to a one plane...I definitely still have the severe OTT move.

A couple more videos...

Driver Swing 3 months ago:


Current driver swing:

[davbrucas]

Looks great...but I see what your problem is...YOU ARE SWINGING FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BALL! :)

Take that swing to the course and you will be impressed.

[Chicago Lefty]

Yea, I used to shoot mid 80's to low 90's with the swing that's in that other video. Can't wait for spring to see what I can do with a consistent an repeatable swing/ballflight.