From shooting 82 to 100+ everytime

[TigerFan96]

I'm 16 years old, about six foot one and way about 75kgs. My handicap has somehow gone from a 10 to a 23?, main reason being my irons. I use mizuno mp32's because I used to like the feel of them and the way I would stripe them. About 3 months ago I was playing school golf, and on the first hole I hit an 8 iron approach, it was a hard low slice. 3 months later i am still hitting that low hard slice with the exception of the odd straight SHORT iron. What is HAPPENING?. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[TigerFan96]

Forgot to add that when I'm in rough, I get my old ball flight - straight and high

[Mr3Wiggle]

Where on the face are you striking the club?

Is is a slice that starts left and goes right?  How low are we talking?

[TigerFan96]

It feels just right of centre, and its been since my teacher at school changed my hip action and widened my stance. I just feel very uncomfortable. It is always changing, I block one right, and then I'll start one off right, and it will just keep turning. I have noticed that my divots are pointing left of my target though. I do take a taller stance with my wedges and just bend the knees a lot more, and its just like old times, like I said, I'm pretty tall. Before he changed things up, I was a solid ball striker. I'd hit my 9 iron 150+ if I tried, but now it's going about 120 it is so frustrating Thanks a lot for replying.

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by TigerFan96

It feels just right of centre, and its been since my teacher at school changed my hip action and widened my stance. I just feel very uncomfortable. It is always changing, I block one right, and then I'll start one off right, and it will just keep turning. I have noticed that my divots are pointing left of my target though.

I do take a taller stance with my wedges and just bend the knees a lot more, and its just like old times, like I said, I'm pretty tall.

Before he changed things up, I was a solid ball striker. I'd hit my 9 iron 150+ if I tried, but now it's going about 120 it is so frustrating

Thanks a lot for replying.

Are you shanking the ball at all?

[TigerFan96]

On the odd occasion, yes.

[Jimdangles]

sounds like an out to in swing path. Do you have the ball in the front of your stance. maybe move it back a little bit. I am not one to be giving lessons as im only a 16 handicap but 6'1" isnt that tall so it may be you could use some extra length on your clubs but not alot if any. Impossible for any real diagnosis without posting a video in the members swings thread.

[harms39]

I'm no pro so take what I say with a grain of salt, but it sounds to me like a few things may be happening. Not necessarily all of them but probably one or two.

1) Your arms and upper body may not be keeping up with your quicker lower body

2) Speeding up your lower body could be causing you to move laterally instead of rotationally - i.e. your entire body moves left toward the target rather than turning. The swing thought I use that helped me with this was focusing on keeping my head still and making sure I could see the bottom of the back of the ball when I make contact.

3) Out to in swing for sure. Your divot pointing to the left and ball flight to the right proves it. I wouldn't be surprised if you started slicing and to compensate started (sub)consciously aiming/swinging to the left which would only make it worse. It would also make sense that sometimes your short irons are still high and straight because by opening the club face, you add loft and the high backspin from a short iron overtakes and sidespin. That's why many players like to open up a wedge to add loft and still don't worry about slicing - that wouldn't work with say a 4 iron.

Again, take what I say with a grain of salt, but I'm guessing a couple of these are your problem. I'd suggest posting a video for some of the better players here to take a look at.