I have NO idea what happened to my swing!

[bwell]

To start I just started playing golf constantly this year and finally got use to hitting my irons straight and got comfortable with them. I started getting birdies and pars feeling really confident in the game.

Well I always golfed in regular tennis shoes, so I decided to go out and get a pair of golf shoes to reward myself. This is where everything started to fall apart. Everything feels weird; I am chunking the ball, blading the ball, slicing the ball, missing the ball, even getting blisters on my hands... I have tried and tried to get use to golf with golf shoes but it’s not happening... If I golf in my regular tennis shoes I do fine but once I put those golf shoes on it just goes down hill...

Has anybody ever had this happen to them? Should I just sell the golf shoes and play in my tennis shoes?

[iacas]

Just one quick question: does the added confidence (in the grip your spikes provide) lead you to swing harder/faster?

[bwell]

I really don’t think so, I think maybe the extra height from the shoes might be screwing me up. I am going to the driving range today to practice some nice easy swings.

[saevel25]

It shouldn't, i don't think there is that much height difference.

Its probably a balance thing, i found the thing that was the hardest to get use to besides changing a grip, change how you keep your weight during the swing. when I got use to having majority of my weight on my toes for majority of my golfing life, getting my balance more equal with my heels and the balls of my feet, that was wierd. I honestly did not feel comfortable over the ball.

This screwed me up a bit when i first started getting a new pair of golf shoes, not broken in, they caused my feet to cramp a bit, I play horrible for the few holes until my feet loosened up a bit. So don't underestimate the feeling you have with the ground, its were all the power comes from, being grounded.

Just keep at it, you will adapt.

[newtogolf]

One difference I noticed myself when switching to golf shoes from tennis shoes was my front foot would turn a bit as part of my follow thru. In golf shoes this didn't happen, and I was not hitting the ball the same way.

[Varsity_Golf]

Just one quick question: does the added confidence (in the grip your spikes provide) lead you to swing harder/faster?

Iacas, I think you hit the nail on the head. The stronger the swing you take does not equal a better/farther shot.

[bwell]

Iacas, I think you hit the nail on the head. The stronger the swing you take does not equal a better/farther shot.

Well I went out in the backyard today to practice (didnt have time to go to the driving range), and after watching some videos online and listening to what everyone had to say I am swinging MUCH better now! I could actually chip and pitch straight again, my swings were nice and smooth, and most importantly I felt comfortable again. Thanks for all the help you guys!