New Golfer...please critique my swing.

[CoupleOfFew]

Just started playing golf in December. Any help would be appreciated. My stance isn't open as it seems...I was hitting a little to the left.

[Shanks A Million]

Certainly quite good. A few faults to think about though... For one thing, the swing is a lot of arms and hands, and very little body. The lower body, core, and chest muscles do about 80% of the work in a golf swing. Even all the way back, your shoulders are not turned very much at all, maybe 50°. You ideally want about 85° of shoulder turn minimum, more like 90° ideal. In other words, your shoulders should be turned so your left shoulder is pointed at the ball. The arms and hands should simply follow the shoulders and core, being very passive.

My guess is that you don't develop as much power as you should, and that you feel a lot of friction when the club hits the ground. This is all evidence of an armsy swing. Now, mind you, it's not that armsy, but just enough to be a bit of concern.

Notice, the pros really turn those shoulders:

[CoupleOfFew]

ahh ok. so instead of bringing the club back with my arms, I should focus on turning my core and shoulders and have the arms follow and bring the club back naturally. makes a lot of sense. thanks for the info and taking the time to look at it.

[jamo]

Also, ir you can pause at impact, you will see that you have hardly even started moving your hips, and thus your right foor it completely flat on the ground. Ideally, you want your right foot just starting to roll off the ground at impact. That is why you can't hold your finish. You haven't turned through the ball all the way.

[vokeyprince]

make sure you get onto your right side in the backswing
and also give yourself a bit more time at the top of the swing and you should do fine pretty good basic swing going there pal

[mikeinodessa]

I see potential. Rotate the Torso; allow the rotation to take the club back... pause and rotate down; again allowing the rotation to s-w-i-n-g the club. Backswing appears to be about 40 to 50 percent. Just a note as I wouldn't worry about it too much until the swing is fine tuned; then just make it it bigger.

You'll hear alot of folks talk about weight transfer from rear foot to front foot. I'm not seeing it very readily, but believe it is there. I think it will be more pronounced as your sing arc gets larger.

[jamo]

make sure you get onto your right side in the backswing

Thems forbidden words around these parts, partner.

I wouldn't never suggest that to someone, especially am amateur looking for help. Throw off the timing completely.

[Shanks A Million]

Yeah, I would focus on getting the body to move the club, not the arms. Don't worry too much about the weight transfer or lengthening the backswing, so long as the core does the work, and the shoulders turn, the swing will be well on its way. Just keep the arms as passive as possible.

[CoupleOfFew]

Yea about the weight, at address I have about 65% of my weight on the inside of my right foot and then try to shift it forward onto my left. And I use a short backswing so that I can really focus on my ballstriking and then I'll gradually lengthen it. Thanks everyone for the input!