Divots Pointing Left

[Chambo]

I know there is probably not a single reason for this or without seeing swing footage...but the last couple of weeks my divots have been pointing left, with the ball starting at the intended target and finshing right and sometimes way right of the target.

It is fine with the short irons but anyting longer than 6 or 7 iron and its horrible. Thedriver has been worst of late with sometimes 30-40 metre cuts.

I have been told that my hips can get lazy and not turn...can this be a reason why divots are pointing left, basically swinging with just an arm swing??

Any suggestions?

Cheers guys!!

[spookyhacker]

I think if your divots point left, probably means your coming at the ball outside to in. however if the ball goes right, you are probably doing so with an open clubface, causing a slice.

could even be an alignment problem, with the clubhead not properly perpendicular to the toe line.

im not an expert though, thats just my two cents.

[J.P.]

Chambo,

You look like a rather good player at 3/4 hcp. This diagnosis has to be an open club face at impact - here's why. First part of ball flight reveals path - your flight is straight shortly after impact. Path alone can't be the cause of this problem. Late flight reveals clubface influence. Your balls presently have much side spin on them. In the short irons, this problem is masked and in fact overridden by overwhelming backspin - as it should be. As the clubs get longer, and impart less backspin, the sidespin begins to win out and by the time you get to the driver - well - you know what happens then - banana.

I saw a teacher on Golf Channel having Morgan Pressel do a drill with an impact bag & her driver - taking a normal back swing, then a 1/4 to 1/2 speed downswing, simply have the toe of the driver win the race to hit the bag before the heel. Do what you have to do to make it happen. Watch it at slow speed first.

Divots pointing straight, or to the left, or starting straight, then bending left are all ok, providing the clubface is square at impact.

By the way, Colin Montgomery says all his divots point well left - cause thats where he aims to hit his signature cut/fade shot.


Good luck!

[Fletch09]

This happens to me quite often. I usually counter it by hitting a bucket or two (varying clubs) while closing my stance and trying to hit an exaggerated draw. Don't worry about snap hooking the ball. Hit at least full bucket that way.

Then, go back to your normal stance and try to achieve your normal ball flight. You should have returned to a shallower path and get away from the dreaded "outside-in".

[teebuck911]

sound likes a good drill above.. but it sounds like you might be casting with the info you hav given...

[Chambo]

casting?? i dont think ive heard this term/problem before??

[mstuk]

Casting same problem I always fight , in my case back swing gets to upright and I in effect force the club forward when I initiate my backswing and have to cut across the ball to hit it . thereby causing what in polite golfing circles is known as the powerfade.

I do an number of things to counter this

1) stand a little more closed the longer the club at setup.

2) swing on a shallower plane more around my body really concentrating on a good shoulder turn , I have found I am really prone to this when my arms become too active.

3) concentrate on swinging away to the right of the ball , I dont but it straightens my divots up no end .

[teebuck911]

casting--- when you take the club back away on the inside but at the top of your downswing there is to much top body movement (sholders) causeing the club to moce to the outside line then back to the inside after striking the ball... causes a realy nasty slice or pull..

tom

[Titleism]

i agree with Tom that you may be casting at the top of your swing, mainly because of what you said about your hips. You clearly have an outside-to-in downswing plane as indicated by the direction of your divot, but ball direction usually starts off in the direction of the divot (hence Colin's controlled fade, he knows the ball is starting well left of the target).

When I start casting, I try to visualize the downswing being slightly inside the takeaway plane, and yank the butt end of the club around my body on the downswing rather than in front of my body. Above all else, tempo and balance is key.

With a 4 handicapp, I'm sure you'll figure it out.

[teebuck911]

when practising try releasing more from the nees and less from the top of your body and keep your right elbow tucked in to help stop casting and more importantly practice..

tom

[Chambo]

Thanks heaps guys for your input. It sounds like casting is what is happening...I used to swing flat and coach has helped me swing more upright being around 6'4 but i think i have gotten to upright.

I was playing yesterday and on the 14th tee my friend noticed that my shoulders were pointing approx 30 metres left of where my feet and hips were aiming. After changing this and feeling extremely closed I started to hit the ball a lot better and had 2 birdies in the last 5 holes.

I will endeavour to try the casting tips you guys have given me and ill report progress here.

Just when I thought I had my swing in a place that was fairly reliable...ive had a tough two weeks lol

Thanks guys!!!

[teebuck911]

lol. your welcome, feels good to now that i have help some one for a change

tom

[Titleism]

I was playing yesterday and on the 14th tee my friend noticed that my shoulders were pointing approx 30 metres left of where my feet and hips were aiming. After changing this and feeling extremely closed I started to hit the ball a lot better and had 2 birdies in the last 5 holes.

Aha! That'd make sense. Since your shoulders were pointed to the left from where your hips were aiming at address, I'll bet that your takeaway was too far outside.

The takeaway is one of the most crucial part of the swing, the 2-3 feet when you start your upswing is extremely vital. If you takeaway on the outside, you'll more than likely come into the ball on an outside-to-in path. Glad you sorted it out.

[Ian Chin]

I know it's 5+ years later some great insight here. Had the same problem and I'm working on fixing it this week. Thanks everyone.