Need Help! Hitch and slide move

[Pope33]

Long story short; I am a very good player when I have multiple alcoholic beverages on the course to calm my nerves. Also when I am on the range or play by myself, not any issues.

But when I play with others, I put a slide move and a hitch at the top of my backswing which in turn throws off my flow, making me block everything right. I know this is a serious problem that has only been getting worse.

But when I drink, it never shows up, so I drink every round now (including tournaments) to play good golf. I want to get away from this bad habit, but I hate playing bad golf.

Does anyone have experience like this or can anyone help me! Please!

[umpiremark]

Set down the drinks, stay loose with your partners and slow down ... slow way down.

If it were me ... I'd guess you get a bit anxious, "I'll show you dudes who can whack the ball the farthest ..." and your tempo is waaaaaay too fast. The worse you hit it, the faster your tempo and the worse your game then the faster your tempo and so on. Kinda like McIlroy's 7 on # 10 yesterday ... it just snowballs until it kills ya ...

Whatever your tempo is on the range or by yourself ... memorize some jingle in your head ... one and two and three and .... etc. or watch me hit this ball ... in ionic rythym ... remember that pace of tempo and repeat that on the course with your buds ....

My advice ... slow down.

[Pope33]

Your absolutely correct, I am way too fast on the course. But I can't get myself to slow down. I want to jump on the ball, thus creating a slide move and hitch at the top.

I am going to try a 1..2..3 caddence and practice with my feet together to try to stay back.

[senorchipotle]

slide move? i used to have a problem with my lead hip going forward toward the ball as my initial move and that made me push the ball. is this what you're talking about?

[Pope33]

Yes that's what I do. My first down move is sliding my left hip forward, causing a pause at the top of my downswing and blocking everything right

[umpiremark]

http://www.amazon.com/Tour-Tempo-Secret-Finally-Revealed/dp/0385509278

buy it ... use it ... you'll never regret it ...

[Pope33]

I'm getting it, thanks! Do they have it at any well know bookstores or just online?

[tanktwo2]

I read Zen Golf a while ago and got a good tip on tempo.

Do your preshot routine behind the ball VERY slow...when you walk up to the ball, walk in slow motion as if you are stalking the ball... just like a cat moves through tall grass sneaking up on a furry lil guy to have a good lunch.

Stalk the ball...give it a try!

Helps me when i'm under some pressure and speed up a bit

[senorchipotle]

ok... basically, you want to, at the top of your backswing, move your left hip back and keep your same inclination(spine angle) to the ground. if you can keep this diagonal bend from the waste at the same angle then your arms will have room to move beneath and in front of you. shawn clement has a really good video on this:

[senorchipotle]

fwiw, i've also found that keeping the back heel planted as long as possible makes it easier to make the right move

[iacas]

Originally Posted by senorchipotle

ok... basically, you want to, at the top of your backswing, move your left hip back and keep your same inclination(spine angle) to the ground.

What about the lateral motion of the hips?

[senorchipotle]

Originally Posted by iacas

What about the lateral motion of the hips?

With low handicap players, I've noticed that this hipslide happens whether or not they notice it. I chose not to address it cause i didn't want to complicate the issue. Besides, have you ever tried to keep your inclination and hit a ball without the hips moving toward the target? It's pretty much impossible not to and keep from falling over sideways.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by senorchipotle

With low handicap players, I've noticed that this hipslide happens whether or not they notice it. I chose not to address it cause i didn't want to complicate the issue. Besides, have you ever tried to keep your inclination and hit a ball without the hips moving toward the target? It's pretty much impossible not to and keep from falling over sideways.

Most, but some still don't get enough slide. We taught a + handicap last year (runner up city champ) who tipped backwards to get secondary axis tilt. But okay, yes, I agree with your generalization.

[Pope33]

I don't mind a little slide, but the hitch seems to go along with it. I ordered the Tour Tempo book which is coming tomorrow. Hopefully I can get some tips on routine, state of mind, and/or practice techniques that will help me.

I should be a scratch player, but cannot get past this issue. Thanks for all the help.