Shaft lean at address

[trickymicky69]

Help please.....

I was playing yesterday and had a horrible push fade shot going on all day.

My playing partner suggested I needed to lean my shaft at address more towards my left hip than centre. I tried it and it seemed to work with every club except the driver.

Is this a quick fix and will I run into trouble using this method?

[iacas]

Help please.....

It's not entirely a quick fix. If your handle is leaning forward you'll tend to come into the ball a bit earlier while you're still swinging in to out more (on the "back side" of the circle).

But if you're still hitting a push-fade with your driver, then obviously you've got more going on in your swing than an incorrect handle position.

[trickymicky69]

I think the reason I couldnt grasp it with the driver was because the shaft is so long.

Ok with the fairway wood, not the driver

[ERdiesel]

It's not entirely a quick fix. If your handle is leaning forward you'll tend to come into the ball a bit earlier while you're still swinging in to out more (on the "back side" of the circle).

Iacas.........so should you be leaning the handle/shaft more towards the left hip (righty) then? Curious on this one since that's what i've been doing as of late, but don't want to be doing anything incorrectly, thanks.

[iacas]

Iacas.........so should you be leaning the handle/shaft more towards the left hip (righty) then? Curious on this one since that's what i've been doing as of late, but don't want to be doing anything incorrectly, thanks.

Towards the left hip? In that direction, yes, but I think for most people having it actually pointing at the hip might be a bit too much lean.

If vertical is 0 degrees and towards your left hip is 15 degrees, shoot for 3-8 degrees of forward lean at setup... less in the long irons and a bit more in the shorter irons. It's somewhat of an individual thing, but don't lean the shaft TOO far forward either.

[ERdiesel]

Towards the left hip? In that direction, yes, but I think for most people having it actually pointing at the hip might be a bit too much lean.

Iacas, If you don't mind taking a look at this pic that i got off a video a buddy took of me out on the course. As mentioned, i've been tinkering with the forward lean the past few rounds and it seems to have helped my ball contact, but then again, I don't want to correct a flaw with another flaw. Based on your answer, it looks as if I might have been using WAY too much forward shaft lean at address? Thanks again.

[TourSpoon]

ER, I like the lean, just be careful not to open your shoulders at address (tough to tell but they appear to be open). If this is the case start with your left hand gripping the club in your address position with your shoulders square and then add the right without opening the shoulders.

[Scott_K]

trickymicky69, be careful with your shoulder alignment. With these excessive long drivers and teeing the ball forward, it's very easy to have your shoulder alignment get a little open while the alignment for your feet, knees, hips might be square. I think we talked about this a little bit on a similar thread that had to do with slices/fades with the driver but not with your 3w through irons. (really, I'm just remembering your avatar).

[iacas]

The shaft lean looks fine. It's between your zipper and your pocket.

Others have mentioned your shoulders already. Tough to tell from this picture.

[ERdiesel]

ER, I like the lean, just be careful not to open your shoulders at address (tough to tell but they appear to be open). If this is the case start with your left hand gripping the club in your address position with your shoulders square and then add the right without opening the shoulders.

Thanks, my shoulders do appear to be a bit open in the photo, however i'm not sure if the angle of the picture makes it seem that way (my friend wasn't standing directly in front but at an angle slightly to my right). However, it is a valid point and I will keep it in mind next time at the range or on the course and remember to keep my shoulders square. Thanks.