My Swing (mplsgolfer)

[mplsgolfer]

I've been Playing Golf for: 16 years

My current handicap index or average score is: Typically shoot between 76-82, some rounds dip close to scratch depending on how the flatstick is doing

My typical ball flight is: Fairly straight with a slight draw

The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: When I miss, I miss left.  I know its a miss on impact.  I'm trying to get even more consistency with my swing.

I know that my left knee flex is probably what needs the most work.  I feel like I load my hips up really well, but I think that the knee flex is probably too much and I subsequently lose control of the club when the timing is not right.

I also know that my backswing may be slightly too long.  From the time I picked up a golf club, my backswing has consistently been elongated.  I have tried to shorten it on a couple of swing changes, but I typically revert back to this swing as it feels the most natural.  Also, I feel that I lose a significant amount of distance when the backswing is shorter.

Thank you guys for looking and any input you have is appreciated.

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Videos:

Have to preface these videos with this: my fiancee was screwing around with me on the range and as a result, did her Ian Baker-Finch voice on one of the videos.   If you want to avoid being annoyed, I suggest you mute the vid.  Thanks.

[mvmac]

Going to start off simple.  Feet are too square.  With a "square" right foot the alignment of the knee joint is effected, the golfer is most prone to keeping the trail knee too flexed on the backswing and it makes it difficult to get the weight far enough forward on the downswing with a square left foot.

Flared feet help to turn your knees out and to allow your hips to turn more effectively in the backswing and to push your knee (and thus hip) forward on the downswing.  We want the rear knee to lose some flex on the backswing, not completely lock but lose some flex so the hips can turn.  When the hips can turn the arms won't have a tendency to lift.

Check this out

http://thesandtrap.com/t/54715/flairing-feet-with-driver-credit-to-mvmac

Another good example

[mplsgolfer]

Awesome Mike, Thanks for taking the time to have a look. I value your advice. Footwork/balance is an area I know I need work in, and will incorporate some changes to placement the next time I hit the range.

[Beachcomber]

Mashed Potatoes! LOL  Props to the Fiancee for knowing some golf smack talk.

Are you familiar with axis tilt?  It looks like you need more of it at address... Using Mike's example of Brendan Kennedy above - look how his left shoulder is higher than his right at address.  His head is slightly behind the ball - and the shaft is slightly pressed forward toward the inner left thigh.

Your shoulders at address are square (horizontal) - and your head is directly over the ball.

[mplsgolfer]

[VIDEO]http://youtu.be/JC9N5O_yfto[/VIDEO] I made some adjustments to my feet as recommended above. I am working next on developing a more compact backswing as I think mine runs a bit too long. I won't lose any power if I can strike the ball consistently with a smoother, more concise backswing. Thanks for your input and assistance, everybody.

[mvmac]

[mplsgolfer]

Thanks Mike. Backswing for me has ALWAYS been something that needed to be rebuilt for me. First time I picked up a club as a kid, I had a huge backswing and over the years it hasn't changed much. Not for lack of trying though, I have tried 2-3 other times to tune it and dial it back. This time I'm more motivated, so we will see what happens. Something funny though, in my head, I have shortened the backswing. I see it on tape and I can't believe I am taking it that far past parallel at the top. Just need to adjust and compact the swing more. Tape is amazing as it doesn't lie. thanks again for feedback.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by mplsgolfer

Not for lack of trying though, I have tried 2-3 other times to tune it and dial it back. This time I'm more motivated, so we will see what happens.

Yes like I said, it's about getting some of the pieces cleaned up that are connected to WHY you lift the arms too far back.