My Swing (mgd150)

[mgd150]

I've been Playing Golf for: 5 years (just getting serious about it this summer)

My current handicap index or average score is: Average score 120+

My typical ball flight is: fade

The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: general ball striking

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Sorry this is so short, it's my first attempt at recording my swing.  Also, note that there is no ball there, this was recorded after we were done hitting (doh!).  I plan on getting another video with an actual ball there.

As said above, Ive been playing for a few years now, mostly just messing around not really concentrating on getting better, but I want to start focusing more on improving my game now.  Please critique away.

Thanks!  And its great to be here.

Videos:

[mvmac]

Hips are shifting back, left knee moves too far back and  the left foot rolls back as a result.  I'd like to see the backswing stay more centered with the hips and clean up the leg work.  Make it much easier when you get to the downswing pieces.

[mgd150]

Thanks for the input,

Quick question on that, when you say 'hips are shifting back' do you mean back towards the camera, or back away from the ball?

Should I be trying to rotate my hips without shifting them right during my backswing and left in my downswing?

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by mgd150

Thanks for the input,

Quick question on that, when you say 'hips are shifting back' do you mean back towards the camera, or back away from the ball?

Should I be trying to rotate my hips without shifting them right during my backswing and left in my downswing?

Shifting to your right, away from the target.  Hips should turn in a circle, can move slightly forward.  Here's a good image

[mgd150]

Thanks for the quick feedback! I'll keep this in mind next time I'm out.

Unfortunately there isn't enough room in the stall at the range (silly Chelsea Piers and trying to maximize their space) to get a shot from behind or in front of me.  I may be out on a real course a few times this weekend so I'll try to get a few videos at those angles.

[mgd150]

So I picked up Hogan's Five Lessons book this week, read it, and I've been working on my grip and stance, since its pretty much all I can work on in my cramped apartment.  It is a wonderful read, and while I was at the range tonight I tried to incorporate what I read in the book, and the feedback given in this thread into my swing.  I was trying to concentrate on the backswing, and not sliding my hips back.

I noticed some more consistency with ball contact with my driver after using the grip and stance tips found in the book, and from looking at the video, I think the hip movement is a little bit better, but that could just be to my untrained eye.  I'd appreciate any feedback with your guys thoughts.

Thanks

P.S Thanks for setting my avatar, couldnt have picked a better one myself

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[Beachcomber]

Looks like your left foot is loading weight - much better than the original video.  You should concentrate on hitting basic backswing alignments so that you can get your clubshaft on plane better.  You have a very flat swing.

Check this video out - which will help you get on plane easier.  This is referred to as the popular 'one plane' backswing.

[Beachcomber]

Note, I like the video Josh Zander has done on the one swing backswing... But the other video I really like is Tom Tomasello does on alignments - and the 'right elbow placement'.  Understanding what a one plane backswing is - and then using Tom's method of connecting that right elbow to your side - should really help you tremendously.  I know it helped me.

[mgd150]

Thanks for the input.  I'll try to think about a steeper swing plane next time I'm at the range.

I've noticed my ball trajectory is fairly low, do you think the flat swing plane is contributing to this?

I'm using a 10.5* driver with a GrafalloyProLaunch Blue 65 Stiff shaft.

Also, when you say my left foot is loading weight, I'm assuming that is a good thing?

Thanks again!

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by mgd150

Thanks for the input.  I'll try to think about a steeper swing plane next time I'm at the range.

I've noticed my ball trajectory is fairly low, do you think the flat swing plane is contributing to this?

I'm using a 10.5* driver with a GrafalloyProLaunch Blue 65 Stiff shaft.

Also, when you say my left foot is loading weight, I'm assuming that is a good thing?

Thanks again!

Yes - your flat swing plane will cause a low trajectory.

Your left foot looks better (on the backswing).  That is a good thing.

[mvmac]

Definitely on the right track, going to add another piece that ties into what Beach is seeing.  The arms being too low is a reaction to turning the hips and shoulder too level to the ground, the trail knee is not losing enough flex.  There's no "stretch" in the backswing.  Losing some flex in the trail knee allows the hips to turn, and the arms/hands to ascend (up) because the right hip goes from flexed (at address) to extended (at the top of the backswing).  If we don't lose some flex in the right knee that trail hip can't come out of flexion, can't keep turning and the turn will be too shallow.  Look at the difference in the pic below with the angle of the hips, note how the hips for the player in the right pic are steeper.

Good thread to check out

http://thesandtrap.com/t/55080/myth-of-maintaining-address-flexion-in-the-rear-knee

One of the pics I shared earlier, notice how the players right hip is higher at the top of the backswing.  His right side is stretched at the top of the backswing

Here's a good way to start

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Yes - your flat swing plane will cause a low trajectory.

Why?

[nevrino]

Yes - your flat swing plane will cause a low trajectory.

Originally Posted by iacas

Why?

I can say that this is not true in all cases, my swing plane has been pretty flat and I had a high trajectory. Iacas I would like to know how a flat swing plane affects the swing compared to a more vertical?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by nevrino

Iacas I would like to know how a flat swing plane affects the swing compared to a more vertical?

Well, there are a lot of ways. The flatter the plane the more effect AoA has on shifting the club's true resultant path.

But I'm not sure mgd150's "My Swing" thread is really the place to get into it. If I can have awhile to think about it, perhaps a Swing Thoughts thread.

[mgd150]

I revisited this thread today, was watching the 1 plane swing video and practicing it in front of my tv (this turned out to be more useful than I originally expected, might do it more often).  One thing I think I gathered from this session is that if the arms are not extended at the top of the backswing it might cause an out to in swing?  He starts to talk about this around 6:29.

I'm actually having lots of issues with slicing my shots, more on the course than at the range.  I'm going to concentrate again on this one plane backswing, if I pull my arms in at the top, will that lead to an over the top and out to in swing?

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by mgd150

I'm actually having lots of issues with slicing my shots, more on the course than at the range.  I'm going to concentrate again on this one plane backswing, if I pull my arms in at the top, will that lead to an over the top and out to in swing?

It could, depends on what the knee work is like, elbow locations, how you transfer on the downswing.

[mgd150]

Any good drills or videos that I can do inside that will help an out to in swing?  Pretty much every time Im golfing with someone and they get a view of my swing from behind they politely let me know that Im coming over the top.  Should I just concentrate on trying to come down first then out?  Described in this video?  Obviously I cant stick an alignment stick into my apartment floor and try to hammer it in, but I can try to make the motion.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by mgd150

Any good drills or videos that I can do inside that will help an out to in swing?  Pretty much every time Im golfing with someone and they get a view of my swing from behind they politely let me know that Im coming over the top.  Should I just concentrate on trying to come down first then out?  Described in this video?  Obviously I cant stick an alignment stick into my apartment floor and try to hammer it in, but I can try to make the motion.

Something like this would be good http://thesandtrap.com/t/61376/5sk-video-thread#post_791160