Dead Pushes

[MSUGolfer]

Hey guys,

Long time lurker and just recently decided to register and finally post, maybe I can add my 2 cents in at some points when necessary =). Anyways, little about me I picked up this fine game last year and was immediately hooked. I have been athletic all my life, but something about golf seemed to click. I learned as much as I could reading Hogan's Book, Haney Essentials, PM Short Game DVD etc, but that's a different time, here is my real question.

I headed out to the range yesterday since the snow and weather has finally turned for the better in Michigan. I hit some very nice shots with some great ball flight, but they were all dead pushes and with my longer clubs there were push-fades to some push- terrible slices. I tried to figure out exactly what was going on by googling what caused pushes obviously coming to far from the inside with the club. Anyone have some 2 cents to help me with my new problem?

Also, I understand it would be much easier to see a video of my swing and go from there but unfortunately I don't have access to a camera at this point (cheap college student) and I've seen from quite a few posts that people are quick to rip on others without that, but I was hoping someone could maybe help point me in the right direction!

I appreciate the comments and any helpful tips from everyone. Also, if anyone is looking for a playing partner around East Lansing, Mi let me know I'm always down to learn from someone much better than me.

[david_wedzik]

  MSUGolfer said:

Hey guys,

Without video...push is an open face at impact (this can be a good thing by the way as long as it isn't TOO open)...push with fade/slice spin is an open face with a path "out to in" relative to that face (moving left of the face angle for a right hander). You need the face to be "less" open (ball will start only slightly to the right) and the path to be more "out" to the right of that face angle (so the ball will draw back). Strengthening the grip alone could take care of the face btw - but don't overdo it. I hope this makes sense.

[Woodtek]

My usual shot with woods was a dead push. Starts right and keeps going right. I can end up anywhere from thirty yards right to 50+ yards right, it depends on how far it goes. I've started making a slow swing and turning the club so it's square at the inpact position before my real swing. It might be a bandaid but most of my drives are going fairly sraight now, once in while a hook. If I come over the top and go out to in I still get a big slice, but at least I know it right after I swing now even before the ball starts to slice. It's frustrating to look at the face of the club and see the ball marks right in or around the sweet spot and have go right that way.

[Rexx]

Just wanted to stress what David said, that a push isn't a bad swing path, but an open club face. The more you try to correct the push by adjusting the swing path, the more you are going to slice it. So few people come from "too far inside", that it's unlikely to be your problem. As David said, a stronger grip might help (you do know what that means, right?). Also, a lot of golfers leave the club face open because they apply the death grip on the downswing, preventing the wrists ability to "naturally" unhinge and square up the club face at impact. See what happens when you relax that grip and wrists during the downswing (at least by the halfway point)...

[MSUGolfer]

I'll try strengthening my grip a little bit a see how it goes tomorrow when I play my round and also relaxing my pressure a bit. Thanks everybody for the tips, they are much appreciated.