Looking for a Breakthrough.

[redddog]

Hey guys.

I've lurked for a while and this is my first post.

I've been hacking for years and score anywhere from 96-108. I've worked on my swing for years and always suffered from a driver slice and short long irons. It seems like no matter what I do, I hit all my long irons 150-170. I'm talking 4-8 irons. PW-lob are bearable but my long and mid game are problematic.

I've been really working on forward hands/hitting down, rhythm and swing plane and I feel like my swing isn't all that far off - like I'm one or two little things away from the "ah ha!" moment. I just can't seem to break through.

And you tube just seems to confuse the issue. There are so many instructors out there that stress so many different things it's amazing.

What was it that pushed you from Crappytown into Goodplayerville? I'm not afraid of the range but it seems like I just continue hitting crappy there - just over and over.

What really pisses me off even further is that I have 3 brothers that I play with and with the exception of my little brother (who is 41, lol), they all look like total idiots when they swing. Think DeNunzio. But they score and thus mock the crap out of me. It's ridiculous.

Anyway, I have the feeling that my ceiling is much higher than those clowns and I'm committed to getting there.

What to do to make some headway, fellas. I'm ready to break out of the basement!

[Harmonious]

I guess I'll start with the obvious question:  Have you ever had anyone look at your swing?  Doesn't even have to be a pro, although that would be a very good idea, but even someone like a really good player who knows about swing fundamentals. Anything to get you started.

Shooting 96-108 after playing more than 6 months or so (assuming you play more than once a year) is an indicator that your swing really is that far off. Have someone take a look.  Then you'll know what needs the most work.  Might have him take a look at your equipment as well.

That's a start.

[phillyk]

Well, if you say that you work on swing plane and keeping the hands forward, I'd say the problem might be weight shift/balance throughout the swing.  But, I can't say for sure.  If you can get a video of yourself and post it, that'd allow a lot people to help you out and get many opinions of what you can work on.  But I think a too far forward weight shift could explain slicing even if your working on your hands, because the wrist might not brake down completely before hitting the ball, leaving it out to the right.  But a video would help a lot, if you are able to!

[rossvanwyk]

It's very hard to give advice without seeing your swing. But basically it sounds to me like you need to start at the beginning so you can start scoring better. And that's the swing.

To anyone without a consistent swing I would suggest only worry about making good contact before everything else, like distance, accuracy, shape etc. You can't plan any of your shots if you have little doubt that you're actually going to strike the ball cleanly and how you want to.

You say you hit a slice. I'm guessing you probably have a bit of an out to in swing, otherwise known as over the top. Try to tuck your back armpit in a bit more. Pretend there's a towel or a glove tucked under your pit and it can't fall during your backswing.

Quite a few guys I see who are short hitters and really struggle with anything from a 6i to a 3i all do the same sort of thing. It's all arms. Their bottom half will be very static and everything is arms and they're trying to flip the ball etc.

Make sure your hips are working for you. I would go on youtube and look up some of Shawn Clements videos maybe. The drill where you swing with your feet together is great in my opinion. It gives you a real feeling of what a golf swing that generates power feels like. Get those hips working, moving forward and your belt buckle heading towards the target. I really suggest you do that. It's not about swinging hard with your arms or anything. I am a lean guy with very little muscle and I consider myself a decently long hitter.

As I said, I am totally guessing here but I hope at least something here helps.

Get your swing and consistent ball striking right before anything else. Once that is good to go, you can really start making some real inroads and your scores should plummet. Going onto the course wondering how your swing is going to work on a particular day and standing over the ball knowing you have a 50% chance of chunking or shanking it is not fun and makes the game hard.

I hope I helped at least a little!

[JackLee]

"What was it that pushed you from Crappytown into Goodplayerville? "

I started using the instruction called "The Golf Swing and Its Master Key Explained" by Noel Thomas.

[redddog]

Thanks fellas.

I'll check all that out. I've been meaning to video myself but have been avoiding it for obvious reasons.

I'll post something up if the offer still stands. Is there a better place to do that?

Thanks again, guys.

[Mattplusness]

I've been told numerous times on this forum that to lower my scores I need to work on my short game. Work on the shots closest to the green then work backwards. Starting small will improve your swing mechanics and eventually your score.

[redddog]

That seems right. I know that my mechanics are far better with short irons than with the longer ones. I'm sure it a weight transfer thing that comes into play with a bigger swing.

I looked at the Shawn Clements vidoes (some of them). He seems to really have some good tips and technique. The one question I have is this: Is it just me or does his swing seem incredibly bouncy. I've always tried to keep my back angle much straighter through the swing and he seems to bounce rather excessively.

Anyone else notice that? Does it really matter?

[xburbx]

Maybe give SnT a serious look?

[broombroom]

short game short game short game.yea seriosuly though the short game is golf like more than half your shots will be from 100 yards and in.  Aim to get up and down in 2 from 100 yards and in and you will see a massive drop in your scores.  You could probably shoot mid 80s with a decent short game a lone.  Your swing will come in time.  whilst you are working on that you should really get lessons with a pro.  but dedicate more time to your short game. when learning golf you should work from the green up i.e. putting, chipping, pitching, irons, tee

[rossvanwyk]

Yeah Shawn does have a lot of bounce but I think in his videos he accentuates it to get his point across. I've seen vids where he's playing holes on the course and its not that bouncy.

He's just trying to give you a feel of what he's talking about. Like feeling like you're already in your swinging motion and just catching the next wave. And the feet together drill is so great, gets your whole body working like you should so you're not rigid and stuff swinging with arms alone which isn't going to get you far.

I think a little bit of bounce is good. Not like the amount Tiger was using at one stage but hey, whatever works. I just like to make sure I'm moving forward thru my stroke and getting my belt buckle moving forward and up toward the target so I'm sure if I video'd my swing I'd see a little bit of 'bounce' or upward movement.

[redddog]

Cool, Ross.

Makes sense. I have gone through the "legs together" and "one leg" videos and they really do help. Also the tip about just letting the ball "get in the way" of the swing is a really helpful image.