My Swing (Isitthegenes)

[Isitthegenes]

I've been Playing Golf for: 15 years (off and on, just started again after 3 year hiatus)

My current handicap index or average score is: 20-25

My typical ball flight is: slice/fade

The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: Hard right slices

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Videos:

The first swing was a pretty severe slice, but the second started straighter with a less severe slice.  My first impression immediately after watching them was my balance - it really looks like I'm falling back to my right foot on follow through - too hard a swing maybe?

[nevrino]

After impact 95 % of the body weight should be on the left foot, it seems most of your weight is on the right after impact.

[keeps21]

Difficult to tell from this angle but your shoulders look very open to me which will encourage you swing out-to-in across the ball producing a slice.

Try setting up to the ball, lifting the club up in front of you and making sure your shoulders are square- then put the club back down as if drawing a half circle to your right (loop the club to your right and down to the ball - difficult to describe what i mean) - that should help square your shoulders off at address.

[Isitthegenes]

Originally Posted by nevrino

After impact 95 % of the body weight should be on the left foot, it seems most of your weight is on the right after impact.

I definitely noticed that right away and pretty sure that's something that's taking away some distance - one thing I'm going to try is waiting to accelerate until impact rather than trying to whip through at the top.  I'm also looking at videos to find some drills to keep my weight forward on the follow through - I think I saw one that has a "lean and stop" method to get a feel for the weight forward.

For the second poster - I think I get that.  By open shoulders, does that mean the leading shoulder is further up than the back shoulder or vice-versa?  And, for putting the club down, I'm visually a backwards "C" from the club in the air to the ground.

Thanks for the input on what's not a very good video - again, I'm working on getting a front and reverse view closer up and converting to a slow-motion video.

[dalabera]

I wish had your backswing! :-), however one of your main problem is your downswing...You look that you are only using your upper body. Your grip looks neutral, but if it works why change it. Try do to the famous drill of moving the righ feet forward once you hit the ball that should help you.

[Isitthegenes]

Originally Posted by dalabera

I wish had your backswing! :-)

Wow, that's quite the compliment - very much appreciated.  It took some time to get it into my head to remember I'm not striking the ball during my backswing - it's about creating the start of a good swing plane.

I've heard alternating comments about upper body and lower body - some things I've read say you want to keep the lower body quiet (aside from weight shift from right to left) and others talk about slight shift in the hips...Part of why my lower body's quiet is because I was shifting alot in the down swing and when I corrected that, I stopped topping the ball - completely.  I haven't topped a single tee shot this year (and now that I said that, I'm going to my next round) ;-)

[dalabera]

Yes, but your lower body seems to be stuck and not moving... A little bit would help you, but just don't exaggerate!

[Isitthegenes]

I do see what you're saying there and even noticed that in my practice swing, there's a more natural "flow" that does include some lower body motion as well.

The other thing that occurred to me, but is difficult to see from this angle, is that I may be standing too far from the ball, causing an outside - outside swing, a guaranteed slice every time.  I'll get a back-view as soon as I can, but am already planning on looking at my address next time I'm out.

[nevrino]

Originally Posted by Isitthegenes

I do see what you're saying there and even noticed that in my practice swing, there's a more natural "flow" that does include some lower body motion as well.

The other thing that occurred to me, but is difficult to see from this angle, is that I may be standing too far from the ball, causing an outside - outside swing, a guaranteed slice every time.  I'll get a back-view as soon as I can, but am already planning on looking at my address next time I'm out.

I rather think lack of lateral hip movement is the cause of the slice.

The ball should roughly be at such length from the body so if you hold your club and drop it to the left knee it should land just above the knee.

[Isitthegenes]

Thanks for all the suggestions - I went out last week and don't think I was really focusing on anything, as I was all over the place with the driver...I did manage to hit 2 fairways, though, so a minor victory.

I'm heading out to play tomorrow and thought I'd choose something to focus on as I'm playing - Rather than adding a bunch of things, starting with one at a time seems to be a better route to go (yes, I am planning on lessons at some point, but that's down the line a bit)

The suggestions I've had so far are:

- Gripping down on the club

- Keeping my shoulders square

- Allowing for some lateral movement in my swing

- Watching my distance from the ball more closely

What are others thoughts on which to pick?  I'm leaning towards (and no pun intended) watching my lateral movement on follow through, trying to correct the issue of my weight going to my back foot on follow through.  Some of the littler things (gripping down, watching stance) I could try and work in, but I was thinking of waiting until I hit the range to focus on more than one thing at once.