how do i get that feeling...

[senorchipotle]

went to the range last friday and hit some balls. my rhythm was great, my hip turn, and when i was coming through the ball on the downswing my hands just kinda got sucked through the hitting area and my balls were flying farther and lower(which is good for me) than they have since i was striking them like this last summer.

i went to the range yesterday and tried to duplicate that, but i didn't feel my hands effortlessly whip through like they did last week. for all y'all who know that feeling i described, what are your swing thoughts and movements to achieve this?

[Zeph]

Swing through the ball, not at it. If I focus on swinging the club all the way through, or on swinging the club not at the ball, but at the air to the left of me, towards the target. By doing so, I remove the thought about hitting the ball, which leads to flipping. I haven't done any work on fixing it yet, but I've experienced the feeling.

It is only natural to try releasing the club at the ball, it is unfortunately not the best way to play golf.

[ks8829]

I try to focus on my backswing only. my goal is to make effortless solid contact with very little hand involvement but mainly shoulder rotation. I was focusing on the following to achieve this effortless swing:

1) set my arms naturally extended to the ground
2) immediately set my the shaft of my club down the target line
3) the toe is pointing up
4) pick the club up with a compact backswing
5) I will practice the backswing first at hip high and return to the ball making sure that I make solid contact, this is achieve with the shoulder rotating and the hands are there for the ride
6) the next backswing is at 3 o'clock, the wrist and shaft are pointing straight up in the air, the forward motion is again started back mainly with the shoulders to 9 o'clock.
7) solid contact noted with feel and the click sound the club makes with the ball
8) this drill helps me focus on the proper backswing motion
9) I use this backswing motion on all my clubs including fairway and driver.
10) I hit farther using this backswing technique on a par five making solid contact and ending up short only 40 yards after two great hits, previous to this the closest I got was 70 yards, I will disclosure the wind was with me on both hits, however I made two solid contacts with my driver and 15 degree Titlieist fairway woods, my son is using my Taylor Made.

[Fatphil]

As you say I think it has a lot to do with your hands. For me when I'm off it's usually my hands are not hinging correctly (I whip the club inside or drop the toe at transition), and then there's that funky little move at 3/4 back that rotates the shaft on line...then thru transition to me it seems that the toe drops or the shaft comes in too high at impact..which are actually just mental tricks I use to hold the lag, to keep from coming over the top or casting.

But the real secret is on tigerwoods.com click on [Contract With Satan] fill out the form, he'll have you at +3 by the weekend.

[senorchipotle]

But the real secret is on tigerwoods.com click on [Contract With Satan] fill out the form, he'll have you at +3 by the weekend.

lmfao... that's hilarious. thanks for all the advice guys, i'll keep these in mind when ii go to the range.

Swing through the ball, not at it. If I focus on swinging the club all the way through, or on swinging the club not at the ball, but at the air to the left of me, towards the target.

won't that lead to coming over the top?

[Zeph]

Not directly in front of the ball, but on the follow through.

Imagine swinging to the point where the club is parallell to the ground on the follow through, aimed at 3 o'clock at this picture. Keeping focus away from the ball will help prevent trying to release the club at it. Don't think about where the club is aimed horizontally, it will be aimed toward the left of the target. Just think about the part of the swing after the ball.

[senorchipotle]

Not directly in front of the ball, but on the follow through.

tussen tak(sp?) zeph, you're always full of great information. i noticed at the range i was swinging more at the ball instead of through it. i'm going to start writing stuff down so i don't have to re-learn my swing after winter.

[The Recreational Golfer]

I hit pitches crisply and with authority. I work on building the feeling of the downswing I make on that shot into the downswing of the rest of my clubs, with allowances for differences in their weight and balance. That's how I get it to repeat.

But like you, I've had insane ball-striking sessions at the range one day and the next day it's gone. Heck, I've even had warm-ups to die for that got lost between the practice ground and the first tee. That's golf, I guess.

[mship]

When I just can't seem to get my swing down, I try to imagine a car - a corvette maybe - at a stop sign, which equals the pause in my backswing. Then I think smooth acceleration through the ball. If my tempo is right then shoulders, hands, hips all seem to take care of themselves.

I guess some days that corvette is more like a minivan and nothing works, but when it does I definately get *that feeling*.