Squaring the Clubface

[dsc123]

I had been fighting a slice so bad that and stopped carrying my driver all together.  I assumed that I was coming over the top, but while getting fit for a driver last week the flightscope showed that I was swinging in-out a lot (he said too much) but my clubface was way open--as much as 11*.   He had me move the ball forward so that the path wasn't as dramatic and to give me time to close the club face.  He then told me to try close the face and hit a hook.  I accomplished this by rolling my right forearm over through impact.  This had the added benefit of getting me to extend my arms which I had not been doing (my right elbow was bent a lot at impact).  I immediately started hitting the ball dead straight and gained 30-40 yards.

I'd like to know people's thoughts on rolling the forearms to square the clubface.  Was I just missing an obvious part of the swing?  Or is this an just a mask for some other flaw?  My miss with my irons is usually a fade or a push, though nothing like the driver.  Should I do the same thing with my irons?

[rubch]

If you're already swinging from in-out, then you're right, it's just an issue of the angle of the club face at impact.

You could try some of the following:

-- Keep the club face square (or even close it) on the backswing, as you may be opening it too much on the backswing

-- Make sure you're properly rotating your shoulders on the backswing so that your shoulders aren't "spinning out" on the downswing. This will cause your shoulders to be very open to the target line at impact. There was a good "Golf Fix" video on "spinning out" if you do a quick search

Anyway... hope this helps. Just my 2 cents.

[Beachcomber]

Biggest thing you need to check is your takeaway from A1 (start-up) to A4 (top of swing).  Once you start nailing the proper geometry on the takeaway... It is easier to return the clubface to square at impact.  Without even thinking about squaring the clubface.  Your hands will automatically square the face if you're on plane.

Note: You may need to check your grip as well - as the grip can impact the alignment of the club.

[dsc123]

Thanks for the responses guys.  I've been so focused on rolling the forearm in the downswing that I didn't consider the effect of the backswing at all.  I'll definitely look into that and the golf fix video.

[Beachcomber]

I just linked this video in another thread... And I'll link it again, because really - this is how you get the club on plane - and square at impact.  Practice what Lynn is saying and it should really help.