Which of these issues would you consider to be the most important?

[camforreal]

Hey guys first post in Instruction and Playing Tips. I have just recently started playing again after a long layoff and I am shooting low 80's consistently, but I am trying to cross that threshold back into the 70's. I feel that the only reason I can't yet is consistency (which is most likely due to taking so much time off.) I am sure their are definitely other areas that need improving, but I have (or I feel that I have) identified three flaws with my swing as it currently is.

1. Closed clubface at the top of the backswing.
-Probably could be fixed just by repetition in front of a mirror, but I am not sure how concerned I really should be about it.

2. I don't feel that I am keeping my right heel planted long enough right before and during impact.

- But it makes me nervous to keep it down because of what #3 is.

3. Whenever I try to play a draw with my driver, I sometimes (not sure the exact terminology) feel like I get stuck inside.

-It feels like my right arm comes under too much almost and when it rotates through it makes me off balance and I don't transfer my weight through properly. I can play a cut/fade if I need and I can draw it with decent consistency, but sometimes I get "stuck" and I end up hitting it a mile straight into the right woods.

If you have shared the same issues, have any easy drills you are familiar with, or feel like you know which would be the most important to address first please let me know. I would love to hear any feedback, and maybe I can get my fiancée to video me swinging this afternoon after work.

Thanks!!

[TJBam]

Originally Posted by camforreal

Hey guys first post in Instruction and Playing Tips. I have just recently started playing again after a long layoff and I am shooting low 80's consistently, but I am trying to cross that threshold back into the 70's. I feel that the only reason I can't yet is consistency (which is most likely due to taking so much time off.) I am sure their are definitely other areas that need improving, but I have (or I feel that I have) identified three flaws with my swing as it currently is.

1. Open clubface at the top of the backswing.

-Probably could be fixed just by repetition in front of a mirror, but I am not sure how concerned I really should be about it.

2. I don't feel that I am keeping my right heel planted long enough right before and during impact.

- But it makes me nervous to keep it down because of what #3 is.

3. Whenever I try to play a draw with my driver, I sometimes (not sure the exact terminology) feel like I get stuck inside.

-It feels like my right arm comes under too much almost and when it rotates through it makes me off balance and I don't transfer my weight through properly. I can play a cut/fade if I need and I can draw it with decent consistency, but sometimes I get "stuck" and I end up hitting it a mile straight into the right woods.

If you have shared the same issues, have any easy drills you are familiar with, or feel like you know which would be the most important to address first please let me know. I would love to hear any feedback, and maybe I can get my fiancée to video me swinging this afternoon after work.

Thanks!!

I think that's a "block."  I.e. I blocked the shot. Caused by swinging too much from the inside.  Your clubface remains open at contact instead of square, which is the cause of the ball's initial flight.

I'd say #3 is your biggest point because spraying from the tee box will cost you the most strokes.

Let me elaborate on blocking. The inside-outside swing will produce a draw.  However, the ball's initial flight is determined by the position of your clubface at moment of contact.   An overly open clubface will usually result in a push no matter the swing plane.  I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can confirm or correct this and maybe expand upon it.

A good drill I use is practicing only the downswing, in slow motion.  Watch your clubface turn and square up at impact.  Over and over until you know how it "feels" making it easily replicable.

Anyways those are a couple observations from a guy who shoots slightly worse than you.  Lol.

Find a good club in GA yet?

[camforreal]

Originally Posted by TJBam

I think that's a "block."  I.e. I blocked the shot. Caused by swinging too much from the inside.  Your clubface remains open at contact instead of square, which is the cause of the ball's initial flight.

I'd say #3 is your biggest point because spraying from the tee box will cost you the most strokes.

Let me elaborate on blocking. The inside-outside swing will produce a draw.  However, the ball's initial flight is determined by the position of your clubface at moment of contact.   An overly open clubface will usually result in a push no matter the swing plane.  I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can confirm or correct this and maybe expand upon it.

A good drill I use is practicing only the downswing, in slow motion.  Watch your clubface turn and square up at impact.  Over and over until you know how it "feels" making it easily replicable.

Anyways those are a couple observations from a guy who shoots slightly worse than you.  Lol.

Find a good club in GA yet?

Thanks TJ. I was pretty sure it was from coming inside too much. Every time I try to steepen it up just a hair I over correct and come over the top some. I guess I need to just need to do it over and over until I find that slot. Can't find that sweet spot.

I think I am gun shy on the whole thing because I used to try to play a draw with every club and I always had issues with snap hooks. Right before I quit I seriously changed stuff around started trying to play the fade just because I hated the snap hook so much.

I have a few in mind. Got some prices for all of them. Gotta try to trick my fiancée into letting me shell out that much cash a month. I don't really like my local club, but the price is decent and I really don't want to commute to my "home course." That way I can just swing by after work and do some game improvement. Trying to figure out all the logistics and pick one that works the most for me.

[camforreal]

Wish their was some sort drill I could use to help get that feeling of being in the right spot. Not too steep, not too flat.

[camforreal]

Maybe there is a certain distance your hands should be from your right leg as they pass by to the impact zone that could be used as a reference point? I usually close my stance some to make more room for my arms to come from the inside.

[TJBam]

http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/ball_flight_laws

These are the ball flight laws.  Maybe read up on some of those.  My very limited expertise has been exhausted.

The 5SK show key #5 square club face at contact.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/55426/introducing-five-simple-keys

You are obviously very far along being a +10 and I'm sure that these threads above and also other posters can help out more than myself.

[camforreal]

Lol I have been playing for probably over 15 years total and I am only a 10. Last few years I would only play a few times a year, but I could usually take a year off and go shoot an 85 without hitting a single ball or putting a single putt. I am a shining beacon for mediocrity lol. Played 3 rounds last year probably and one of them was a 75, but then I just quit again. I finally want to get semi-serious about improving my golf game. Laziness and lack of motivation are my best features.

[camforreal]

Originally Posted by TJBam

http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/ball_flight_laws

These are the ball flight laws.  Maybe read up on some of those.  My very limited expertise has been exhausted.

The 5SK show key #5 square club face at contact.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/55426/introducing-five-simple-keys

You are obviously very far along being a +10 and I'm sure that these threads above and also other posters can help out more than myself.

And thank you for the links TJ I will check them out once I get a chance at work.