Swing tips for 18-hcp:er

[AndersT]

Hi!

2010 will be my third season playing golf. The first season I went from 36 to 27, and last season from 27 to 18. The goal for 2010 is to get below 12 hcp, but to do that, I need to get a more consistent swing I think.

I hit the ball a decent way, expected carry with 7i 175-180 yds (but my Cobra FP 7i is more like a 6.5i), and expected carry with driver is 255 yds+. But I think the distance is more because I'm in quite good physical shape, than a good, efficient swing.





I see four major areas of improvement:

1. I overswing alot even with a 9I
2. At the top of the swing, the club points WAY right of the target, probably gets worse with the overswing
3. I initiate the swing too much with the upper body, need to include the lower body alot more
4. Terrible posture, way too bent back

So, swing experts, I cannot fix all this at once, what should a focus on first? Maybe is it something not listed at all...

Grateful for any input!

[tartanpants]

If you stop the video at impact you'll see, in my humble opinion, the hips have not cleared out of the way through poor hip rotation and you're getting in your own way, hips should be almost facing the target at impact. You are correct in assuming you are leading the swing with the arms. You need the arms to be more passive and lead the downswing with the hips, torso and then arms. Watch the Pro ladies swing to get this - they dont have upper body strength but hit a long ball through good body rotation.
If you dont clear the hips well you are in danger of hitting shanks.
Hogans fundamentals book likens an elastic cord from your left hip to a wall behind you. As you turn into the backswing the cord tightens, as you start into the downswing think of the stretched cord pulling your left hip back towards the wall behind you. Remember its hip rotation, not a hip slide toward target you want.

[James_Black]

Focus on posture and your over swing first.

You can focus on the other stuff later

[sean_miller]

I agree with James. Work on the posture a bit. Hard to tell from that one angle, but perhaps you could go with a bit wider stance to get closer to the ball without bending your back. The overswing is deceptive - from the takeaway to the start of the downswing there's an agressive move, but you seem to be almost slowing down at impact.

Hard to say exactly with a 5 second video that's 60% waggling, but with my limited knowledge, I'd recommend a smoother takeaway, and putting some of the energy used in slowing down and initiating the downswing into the impact zone.

Actually it looks like a pretty solid swing for this being your 3rd year - keep up the good work!

[Nickynoodles]

I would start with posture. If i knew how to work a video editor i would show you the difference in my posture over the last year. The easiest way to fix it is infront of a mirror. You want to stick your buttocks out and up in the air and straighten your spine so that your back is flat. Bend your knees infront of a mirror and do this and you will notice a huge difference. You will not see anyone on tour and any good golfer of that matter with a slouched back and horrible posture. That would be the main thing i would work on first.

[WUTiger]

I would start with posture. ... You will not see anyone on tour and any good golfer of that matter with a slouched back and horrible posture...

Been there. I ended up with a slight slouch following a back injury about 20 years ago. Even had 2-degree flat irons for awhile. Changed posture when I rebuilt swing, and now have straighter spine and hit "normal" lie irons.

Anyway, have the lie angle/shaft length checked out by a club fitter. Possibly changes here might help straighten out your posture. As for as swing motion, 21HDCPer probably shouldn't give advice in this area. If the slouch comes from poorly fitting clubs, get it changed. You can hurt your back for the long run if your clubs work against your body build. Back in the 1960s, a tall golfer from Memphis area named Cary Middlecoff was a top PGA tour pro. He had to retire from the tour around age 40 - at peak of career - because he had played with normal length clubs and had messed up his back.

[AndersT]

Thanks for all comments! As prio one, I will improve my posture, this probably the easiest change also :) Then focus on overswing and hip rotation.
Need warmer weather though, we have had -5 to -10 degC for like two months now, too cold for driving range :(
My friend just got a Casio camera with slow motion video recording, so hopefully I can upload better vidoes in some time...

[AndersT]

Now I have a new video uploaded, recorded at 200 fps. I'm hitting a 5 iron. I have worked alot on keeping my right knee bent during my backswing to make sure I keep most of the weight on that leg before I start the downswing. I have made progress, however when I look at this video, it looks like my right knee/leg gets into a weird position. It dosen't feel bad, but maybe I will end up with knee trouble if I continue with this swing?
And I know I have the ugliest follow through :P

[James_Black]

actually looks pretty good.

1 thing.

Your swaying. That's how your able to get such a long backswing.
Keep the legs still on the backswing, you won't be able to swing so far back but you'll hit the ball farther.

Here's tiger's swing.



EDIT:

Also, any chance of a down the line video like your first post?

[Randy4h]

1) ON your backswing, don't let your weight get to the outside of your back foot. Feel like your back foot is braced against a wall. 2) You're losing the angle too early. Try to keep keep your hands ahead of the clubhead through contact. Feel like you are trapping or covering the ball with the clubface. Easier said than done, I know. Good luck!

[westcyderydin]

i would say that your swing looks awsome exept for the swaying which also makes your head move backwards on your backswing. so just keep your head still and let your hips turn back instead of swaying back. this will also create a much better position at impact as well.

[soloredd]

Take my advice for what it is worth but posture and dipping of the left shoulder seem to be an issue. I am working on the same thing with my swing, trying for a much flatter club on the backswing. Mine used to be like yours, pointing right of the target at the top. And as others have mentioned, a bit too much movement below the waist.

[AndersT]

James_Black, Randy4h, westcyderydin, soloredd: Thanks for the feedback! I do not have a down the line video now, but it will come soon.

The reason for my swaing is probably that I have been working alot keeping the weight on my right foot until I begin the downswing. Before I straightened my right leg in the backswing causing me to get the weight over to my left foot at the top of the swing. Seems I have overcompensated now... I will try to focus on keeping the weight "in the middle" of the right foot, not towards the outer edge...

[James_Black]

James_Black, Randy4h, westcyderydin, soloredd: Thanks for the feedback! I do not have a down the line video now, but it will come soon.

Just copy what tiger does with his legs and shoulder turn and basically everything else, he's got his swing perfect.

[Fatphil]

Just copy what tiger does with his legs and shoulder turn and basically everything else, he's got his swing perfect.

Are u really from Limerick, Ireland? Come on bro...hit us up with some golf limericks!