Impact Position

[Fred99x]

I've been fighting an over the top swing for many years and have taken a series of lessons to correct this fault. My swing would be very inconsistant in that I would pull left or slice right. I've now started using my lower body to initiate the downswing which has now taken the left side of the fairway out of play so I now know that I will be straight or right of the fairway. What I would like to do now is have the left wrist flat at impact for better ball control as I'm pretty sure that the clubhead is starting to pass my hands at impact. The question is, how to achieve this. Is it necessary to be pulling with the left arm in the downswing or is there another method that I'm not doing right?

Fred

[J.P.]

Hey Fred!

Well, "pulling" with the left arm will have the benefit of preventing the right arm/hand from dominating and throwing the club head past the hands/arms at impact.

The important thing to remember however, is that this "pulling" is accomplished by the lower body leading, and the torso turning - first the lower body shifts laterally, then turns, the torso goes next, since the left arm is attached, it will go with the upper torso and lead the club to impact, handle first. No independent effort with the arms without the lower body leading.

If you are still casting - club head passing hands - then I would think you need to quiet your arm swing - let the lower body pull it through. YOU are correct to think that most shots would go right - but thats why you have a strong grip, and turn down the knukles at impact - to close the face.

Good Luck!

[Azprogolfr]

next time you go to the range. Tee the ball up a little. Hit one some balls with just your left arm. This will teach you to keep your left wrist flat and not let it flip. You will be suprised at how well you will hit the ball in time.

[milesdowsett]

Hi Fred,

I wouldn't dare try and give advice on your particular swing without seeing you in action as such. However, typically when people come over the top in the down swing and the hands pass the ball at impact, it indicates they 'cast' the club from the downswing, meaning their wrists unhinge to early, which can be very inconsistent in terms of strike. Ideally you should hold the angle of your wrists as long as possible in the downswing, which will not only promote a late hit, and lots of power due to the increased club head speed near the impact position, it will also promote an inside path, allowing the club to drop into the slot on an inside path - you'll notice the difference in your flight once you do this effectively. Have a look at any pro on their downswing in slow motion; you'll see this demonstrated beautifully. Notable players who do this almost to an extreme were Ben Hogan and in present day Sergio Garcia.

Good Luck and have fun.

[Fred99x]

I've pretty much resolved the coming over the top issue but now I hit out to the right. I'm pretty sure this is a timing issue that I need to work on as I believe my lower body is to far ahead and the club gets trapped behind the body. I'm also going to try to not initiate the downswing by shift-turn to the left and try turn-shift instead. We'll see how that works. When the timing is right, the hits are solid but the longer the club, the more it tends to fade to the right.

[T-crank]

I find when I am coming over the top too much I'll back right off the tee and swing the club like a baseball bat. (side to side) If i'm slicing' I'll swing the "bat" as if I'm hittin' a home run with it. (Hitting that ball up in the air) making sure to follow through. I find that it teaches me to come alot more in to out on the ball.

Just my 2 cents.

[underpar]

a good drill that will help you feel where you should be at impact is set up to the ball like you would normally, start with a higher iron, 7 or higher. Set your weight on your left side with your hands slightly forward and lift your right heel of the ground. you should be on your right toes and have your right knee pointing towards the ball. Take the club back 1/4 or 1/2 or 3/4's keeping your weight stable and on your left side, and follow through to the same positon as you took the club back. This drill will not only help with weight shift but will improve your ball contact as well. give a try, hope it helps.

[Fred99x]

I'll give it a try and see how it works out. Currently, I'm working on my weight shift. Getting the weight shift right really helps with direction control so I'm trying to incorporate a good weight shift and proper downswing feeling through the ball. It's a matter of repetition, getting it right every time.

[bayareamtnbiker]

  underpar said:

a good drill that will help you feel where you should be at impact is set up to the ball like you would normally, start with a higher iron, 7 or higher. Set your weight on your left side with your hands slightly forward and lift your right heel of the ground. you should be on your right toes and have your right knee pointing towards the ball. Take the club back 1/4 or 1/2 or 3/4's keeping your weight stable and on your left side, and follow through to the same positon as you took the club back. This drill will not only help with weight shift but will improve your ball contact as well. give a try, hope it helps.

Underpar, great simple but effective drill! Used it today, liked it, showed my friend and he really benefited. THANKS!!

[mkoreiwo]

Fred, seems like you and I are in the same place golf-wise. I've always had trouble getting my lower body to really move through to the left, and with the bending of the left wrist at impact. Luckily I found a teaching pro who provided me wih some very good drills that have helped me IMMENSELY in getting my weight transfer correct.

We are now working on the proper release, as I tend to let my left wrist bow, and scoop a bit causing to high a ball flight. The drills we are working on for that have been a bit harder, but I can see the principles and the results.

Basically, what I am saying is, the best thing for me was finding a pro who was able to effectively find the way to get my swing work for me... You should perhaps stick with the lessons if they have worked so far.