Golf re-starter after many years - now cannot hit my 3w or driver

[weevil]

Hi people,

Registered on this forum as I have used it for assistance with my own game, but now I thought I'd actually post my own question rather than trying to merge many peoples suggestions about slightly similar problems to my own.

I have had a few lessons with regard to my iron swing, which I now have down and can reasonably regularly hit my irons straight and true - getting that to 95-100% is sheer practice rather than any major technique improvements.

My driving on the other hand is a completely different matter.  No matter what I do I cannot hit the ball true with my driver.  I have seen many youtube videos about how the stance is different where the ball is more in-line with your front foot rather than central, but even doing that I cannot do anything with the ball!  At the range last night I was trying all different tee heights but nearly always the ball was being hit here:

Now I know its difficult to give any specific advice without looking at my swing or whatever, but I can feel my left arm being stretched and I seem to be leaning towards the ball.  I know the ball gets his when the club is going up rather than at the low point of the swing, but whatever I do I cannot get it right.

Any beginners now not beginners have similar problems and how did they get around them?

Thanks!

[iacas]

Toe hits are commonly caused by swinging too far to the left. The problem is exaggerated when the ball is on a tee and the length of the shaft is long.

For the time being, you may try a few things (like addressing the ball in the heel of the club), or swinging at the driver like it's your five-iron. It's not optimal or best, but it may easily beat hitting every one off the toe.

[weevil]

How do you approach a 3w shot like its your 5i when the shaft is so much bigger? :)

How would I correct my swing as you say its too far to the left - what would be the way I would correct that?

[proflymaster]

I have Literally had exactly the same problem about a month ago. Every ball I hit was on the toe.Let me gues, your hooking everything? I tried everything you can imagine, lessons etc.. Well, I finally figured it out on my own. What I did was widen my backswing low and slow as they say.I also made sure that I was leaning and had pressure on my back foot during my bavkswing. Finally, most imortantly ,I was NOT releasing my wrists upon impact. Make sure when you cock your wrists on your backswing, you remember to release them. Pretend you are actually releasing them about a foot behind the ball, this will insure that it actually uncocks at the right moment. I instantly hit about 30 balls the way I envisioned a drive to look like. Another thing to think about is when you practice swing, it will actually feel and look like a professional swing IF it is done properly.You will swing the driver and strike the ball in a slightly upward blow and finish with the club around your back completely balanced. Hope this isnt confusing. Good luck

[PirateJim]

I have had a similar problem and continue to sometimes struggle with it .  For me, the toe hits tend to come from an outside to inside downswing path.  As proflymaster suggests, a flatter back-swing helps me promote having the head of the club moving inside to out on my downswing.  You can probably tell if the swing path is part of the issue by examining the sole of your driver.  (At least in sandy Florida I can see tracks on the soles of my clubs.)

[stoverny]

swing with a driver should feel exactly the same as an iron, only difference is in the setup. I think if you are consciously trying to do something different (to hit the ball on the up, for instance) that may be your problem. Ball position and setup takes care of all that.

[weevil]

Originally Posted by proflymaster

I have Literally had exactly the same problem about a month ago. Every ball I hit was on the toe.Let me gues, your hooking everything? I tried everything you can imagine, lessons etc..

Well, I finally figured it out on my own.

What I did was widen my backswing low and slow as they say.I also made sure that I was leaning and had pressure on my back foot during my bavkswing.

Finally, most imortantly ,I was NOT releasing my wrists upon impact.

Make sure when you cock your wrists on your backswing, you remember to release them. Pretend you are actually releasing them about a foot behind the ball, this will insure that it actually uncocks at the right moment.

I instantly hit about 30 balls the way I envisioned a drive to look like.

Another thing to think about is when you practice swing, it will actually feel and look like a professional swing IF it is done properly.You will swing the driver and strike the ball in a slightly upward blow and finish with the club around your back completely balanced.

Hope this isnt confusing.

Good luck

Yea BIG time hooks, ending up going 90 degrees left!

I will take your advice and give it a go at the range, thanks bud!