My swing (yeri)

[Yeri]

Here it is, in all it's glory (who am I kidding? :) ) Took a camera to the range today for the first time, it's very eye-opening to be sure!

Some background, I'm still a newbie, only been playing since July of this year. Haven't had any private lessons (took a couple of group lessons, that was enough to get me hooked). Been mostly practicing like mad, lurking here, reading everything I can get my hands on, and watching lots of youtube vids.

The main problem I'm trying to fix is ball flight -- I am fighting a push to the right, which turns into a bad slice if I don't get a good hit. Trying to hit a nice S&T; draw, no such luck. Not really sure why I can't do it either...

Looking at the video I took today, I can see a few things (collapsing my left arm after impact, might not be getting my hips left enough, follow-through and finish look horrible), but I'm overall stumped. I could really use some advice for what I need to work on.

Here's the vids, these were all hitting with a 7I


The first one is a typical bad shot with poor contact, only goes a handful of yards -- I included it because of the direction the ball goes, that's my typical angle off to the right




This second one is a bit better, still not good by any means


Now for the FO shots, these were actually much better than the DTL shots

First one was about 100 yds distance, and about 20y to the right


And this one was actually my best shot of the day, 125 yds distance and only about 5y to the right (still straight, no drawing)

[Thanaton]

Hi Yeri,


First of all, I am by no means a professional or even a good golfer. There are probably a lot of other forum members that can explain and / or analyse your swing much better.

However, the things that I saw: It looks like you start your swing by turning your whole body (including arms) at the same time. Me is thought to start the swing with your hips and work it up from there (shoulders, arms). It has to feel the same as throwing a ball with your right hand from below. A drill to do this, is to get your feet and knees together and hit a few balls that way. Or to take a step right in your backswing, and take a step left in your downswing / followthroug (while your feet are apart again).

Next to that, it looks like you are standing up to fast. Try to keep looking at the ball, till your club is way through the ball. Also, try to keep your left shoulder low till your can't hold it any longer. However, keep turning your hips as you was already doing. To get this working, you can image that your left shoulder is leaning agains a wall when you take your stance. You have to keep contact with that wall (but not try to push it over!) during all parts of the swing (except late in the followthrough, when you have to stand up, and turn the shoulder a bit backwards).

This is all just constructive critisism, and I hope it helps you.


Greets,

Thanaton

[uttexas]

Your backswing looks pretty good up until the very last bit of the backswing. You over stretch at the very end of the backswing and sway your weight over the outside of your right foot. This is a difficult position to recover from.
It's the forward swing that needs the most work. Gotta get your hips and legs driving much more toward the target as the initial move and dominant move on the forward swing.

Watch this video many times.

[srjorion]

You over stretch at the very end of the backswing and sway your weight over the outside of your right foot.

I used to do the same thing. A great drill to help get the feeling of keeping the weight from moving to the outside of your foot is to push a golf ball into the ground to where about half of it is sticking up above the surface. Place your right foot so that the ball is on the outside part around the arch. Your foot should be tilted inward slightly and when you do your backswing you will really feel what it's like to keep that weight on the inside. It will feel restrictive at first, but trust it.

It's not a drill you need to hit a ball while doing. Just make practice swings to get the feel and then hit balls without stepping on the ball in the ground. If you do decide to hit balls I recommend using a tee. SRJ

[Shanks A Million]

Not really sure what's with all the little details mentioned, the problem is as clear as day, it's all arms and hands. You use your arms and hands to swing the club, and you flip the club well before impact. That's pretty much all there is to work on for now. These are really common mistakes for a beginner.

[wrx_junki]

Take a swing that will keep you balanced throughout the swing. You are falling backwards as you try and lift the ball up. Let the loft of the club do its work.

[tgwise]

When arriving at the range take some time to watch someone who appears to have a good swinging motion. If your anything like me and this goes for everything not just golf but I tend to learn better by watching rather than listening. When I first started playing golf I went and bought a cheap driver just to swing in the back yard. I would take the club and just swing it back and forth with out stopping to set up like your getting ready to tee off, just swing it with a complete follow through bring it back without stopping and swing forward again. Do this several times and your body will start figuring out what your wanting to do. (I know it sounds weird) but I think it will help. I have started several nephews out this way. It builds confidence that you can do it. Good luck and don't give up, you will get it down.
Not only that, you live in Florida so you can work on this whenever you have time. I live in the Midwest, getting ready to start hitting snowballs soon.

[Yeri]

Thanks everyone for the help, I really appreciate it. It seems like the most common thing that I'm not using my hips properly and that I'm unbalanced (I've definitely felt that!)... Looks like I've got my work cut out for me!

[Jaywun]

Hi Yeri, I have a slightly different approach than most. I like to start at impact and work back. Before anything else I would focus on having my hands ahead of clubhead at impact. This is imperative! Look at film of all the great champions past and present. The ONLY position that is always the same is shaft angle at impact. Now how to get there will vary greatly. Remember every teaching pro will give different drills and direction, but they will all be ultimately aiming at you arriving at proper impact position. In the end you will want to get there the simplest and most energy efficient way possible. Good luck!

[Shanks A Million]

Jaywun gives good advice. I'd be careful of most advice though, as people tend to give it based on what has been working for them recently. Your problems are nearly all that your swing is a lot of nature, and not a lot of nurture. You need to work on what he said, you want to use your body, not your hands to swing the club.