More on Shaft Lean

[TourSpoon]

Ok, I just got back from a lesson and the one thing that is coming out from my past golf experience is my overemphasis on shaft lean. I am the kind of person that can easily take an idea too far and in this case I have. From chipping to the driver I have been guilty of too much lean. With chipping it has translated into a driving type chip, which is not a bad shot to have but really shouldn't be your only shot. With the irons, I got away with it, but with the driver it became a real problem resulting in blocks or flips trying to attempt to fix at the last minute. Before I started this thread I did a search and found this set-up tip which I believe runs true throughout the swing.

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.

I am now on the path of getting my hands slightly ahead of the ball at impact, especially with the short game. It has shed some light as well to help keep the blade square through impact longer resulting in more shots starting on line with the proper trajectory. I am starting to feel that my hands are still leading through the ball, they are more solid through impact, more shots are online, that my consistency with direction is where it needs to be, and I am able to use my body more with the arms/hands helping to deliver the club to the best position for solid ball striking. Even more impressive is the new options that are coming in the short game department. So anyway, with any concept, it is possible to overdo it.

[McGolf-Doggie]

Ok, I just got back from a lesson and the one thing that is coming out from my past golf experience is my overemphasis on shaft lean. I am the kind of person that can easily take an idea too far and in this case I have. From chipping to the driver I have been guilty of too much lean. With chipping it has translated into a driving type chip, which is not a bad shot to have but really shouldn't be your only shot. With the irons, I got away with it, but with the driver it became a real problem resulting in blocks or flips trying to attempt to fix at the last minute. Before I started this thread I did a search and found this set-up tip which I believe runs true throughout the swing.

Read with interest as, among other things, I may have been culpable of excessive shaft lean at setup.

I know I liked to start from a very impact like setup. Kinda like one of iacas's videos posted earlier -- with the goal of making more simple to return to that position, having started from a hybrid of that position, at least as far as the shaft and hands ahead of the ball are concerned.. (Although I'm still not totally sure on that. Won't be for a while, as the annual neck disc aagravation and shoulder are acting up.) Since my pro had me change my right hand grip to a weaker one, on the irons, I am now less prone to leaning the shaft too far to the left, at setup, if that's possible. Still iacas's vid, if I remember correctly, was intended to show folks a drill that would help them strike a more downward iron blow on the ball, and is very useful (while remembering that, in the video the legs are also in a dynamic impact position all the way through).

[TourSpoon]

Not only have I had it at setup, but I sometimes start my swing with a forward press which can really screw me up. Ahhh, everything in moderation, right?

[bullseye]

This may be too simplistic and I apologize but doesn't the club "tell you" the shaft lean? If the sole is flat on the ground front to back and toe to heel and square to the ball,then the manufacturer was kind enough to tilt the shaft. I simply address the ball, keeping it as far back as I can with still being able to keep my head behind it at impact, and that's where the shaft goes. Anymore lean and you would be hooding the club, any less and it is open. Am I off base here or what? Besides, if you hood the club or push it toward the target how do you keep from opening your hips and shoulders? maybe I need a lesson.