Big problems off the tee

[mcecki]

In my round today only with my driver, I had some serious issues off the tee.

first of all I'm a left handed golfer, so think opposites. (like i have to every time I read a friggen thing about golf)

I'd hit the ball and it would either go straight, or a tiny bit to the left, then about 170 yards later it just cut left hard.

It was really stressing me out, and I don't know what to do about it, if anybody has any tips it would be greatly appreciated. I would have had a solid round today if I made fairways with my driver, but instead I had one of the worst games of the year.

[lhshurdl3r]

i know what ya mean, check the "Slicing... I dont understand" thread. Good suggestions in there that helped me.

[mcecki]

k thanks, any ones in particular that really helped?!

[sonicblue]

Whenever I have problems with my driver, I usually discover that it's because my arms are swinging, not my "connected self." Try to focus on keeping everything moving as a unit BUT also keeping relaxed. I find that helps keep your swing plane flatter and lets the club fall into the inside slot, preventing the over-the-top cut path.

[mcecki]

in the other thread, there is a lot of discussion about rolling the hands. What does that mean exactly?

[Norm66]

in the other thread, there is a lot of discussion about rolling the hands. What does that mean exactly?

Not that I give a lot of tips (because I'm not that good), but I just covered this two weeks ago with my new instructor. Essentially the idea is to snap your forearms over through impact: for a lefty, your right forearm's top is up during the backswing. Then when you come down from the top your forearms flip over so after impact your left forearm's top is up thus hopefully getting the face square at impact. And I mean really snap them over too. You can actually hit balls surprisingly far just with just a short backswing and flipping the forearms over. This was something I had not done at all prior to taking lessons and it's helping me immensely. In fact, couple that technique with a full turn and holding my follow-through for a second has pretty much eliminated my horrible tendency to slice.

The best advice I can give is advice I resisted for most of a year after taking up the game: Get a few lessons. I've made great strides with just two lessons under my belt. In fact in consecutive days I've broken my previous best 9-hole scores (by 1 and 2 strokes respectively). Good luck.

[Ringer]

In my round today only with my driver, I had some serious issues off the tee.

Your hands are comming accross your body.

Try finishing with your elbows out in front of your chest. Don't let your right elbow point behind you.

[h3king]

turn clubface in more, turn your hips faster, try to straighen out your left arm quicker, swing more level through your swing. try those

[erock]

is your grip strong, neutral or weak? stronger grip will help with slicing.

[Ringer]

Gahhhh!!!

These last two replies drive me CRAZY!!

Stronger grips, quicker hips, and straightened left arms actually PROMOTE the thing he's doing wrong. Sure it may fix it temporarily but what happens when with the stronger grip, quicker hips, and stiffer arm he starts slicing it again?

[erock]

sorry for giving bad advice.

your thoughts on the 'one plane swing'?

[Ringer]

sorry for giving bad advice.

It's not really your fault. You're trying to be helpful. I don't blame you two one bit for it.

The way you FIX a slice is to weaken the grip and try to hit a hook. Then when you can do that, bring everything back to neutral. One plane theory is not entirely new. It's simply setting up further from the ball, tilting more, and swinging your arms around your body instead of over your shoulder.

[Leek]

In my round today only with my driver, I had some serious issues off the tee.

Big slice. I have an article can send you called Never Slice Again. If you do what it says, you will never slice again!

[alleghenyman]

I have the same problem, except opposite since I'm a rightie. Extremely frustrating, especially since I'm straight and reasonably far with 40 year old blades irons. I know the problem is in how I swing the driver but I can't figure it out. No advice but just thought I'd commiserate.