Swing thru the ball...

[hgillesp]

From the first set of lessons I ever took, I have been totally focused on hitting the ball rather than executing my swing.  My first pro even blindfolded me on several occasions so I would feel the swing and stop being so focused on the hitting the ball.  I had a lay off for several years, played sporadically for a few and am committed to playing regularly, getting better and working closely with a pro this year.  But I can't shake the swing at the ball thing and it really hurts me because I tend to decelerate at or before impact rather than swinging thruuuuuu the ball.  Fighting a slicey flight thing as well which I think wouldn't be such a problem if I swung through the ball.  Doesn't mean I don't have a pretty finish plenty of times - fully turned, buckle toward the target, but the deceleration and/or lack of acceleration are killing my distance.

Anyone dealt with this and found ways of working around it?  I have put tees on the ground in front of my ball to at least try to get my mind to be working ahead of the ball rather than at it, but I think I just need to figure out a way to lose the "hit the ball" mindset and start swinging through it.  My practice swings rock.  My real swings frequently are a mess.

Thanks for any help.  I really want to kick this bad habit.

[iceman777]

Had the same problem . Think it started when I tried to get extra distance by winding up on the backswing and swinging too hard .My practice swings are smooth and I realized it was the BALL that was changing things , I tried something unconventional .  I set up with my club where I want it to be , behind the ball . From then on , I focus on anything BUT the ball . In my case , since I have a tendency to sway back with my right leg and hip , it is to actually watch that area , keeping it more stable , as I start my backswing . I know it sounds crazy , but it works and the focus becomes more the swing vs the ball . Good luck .

[rehmwa]

I let my eyes go unfocused and swing my swing.  If the ball is in the way, well, it's his fault for sitting there......

Hitting with the eyes closed is pretty cool.  I'm surprised at how high the percentage is for pure contact.....It really is the swing that matters... IMHO

[Mac62]

Something I've tried recently that's been giving me better results:  Once I've taken my practice swing and am set up at address, I look down the fairway and pick a target - then I think of nothing else but the target and just let my swing happen.  I was having way too many technical swing thoughts and tying myself up in knots, this has really helped me relax and just swing through to the target.