New to golf, still can't drive straight!

[bri1974]

Hey, hoping some experienced holders may have done advice for me. Been playing about 8 weeks and really enjoying the game. Inherited an old set of ben Sayers irons from a friend and am improving steadily with them, they also came with a nike machspeed 9.5 driver with a stiff shaft which I really couldn't do anything with at all so I got a used ping g10 10.5 regular (25 quid!) which I feel more comfortable with. I am still however slicing most drives to the right which seems to be a problem for most beginners, I recently tried driving with my knees and feet together and this has immediately straightened my drives but when I try going back to "normal" stance the slice is back! Is this a timing thing? Guessing having my knees together is stopping me from moving my arms too quickly or vice versa. Advice please golfers! Thank you,

[Club Rat]

Most beginners who "slice" are the results of "over the top swing path."

This starts with several swing patterns a beginner will develop without taking proper lessons or guidance.

I would suggest searching this site for "corrections" which members have posted.

Both Eric (iacas) and Mike (mvmac) have posted many videos to this site which will give you a great visual to learn from.

Basically, a correct swing path is required to make "Square impact through the ball", for a player to hit the drive straight.

As an example, place an extra tee just slightly outside and slightly behind the tee ball.

Also place a third tee to the inside front of the tee ball.

When you hit this shot, you will probably hit all three tees.

A player who can hit only the tee ball without hitting the outside and inside tees, should hit the ball straight.

You can also practice by placing tees in the ground to indicate the proper swing path.

Also, I would suggest seeking lessons to help guidance with learning the basics.

Lessons will help you advance quicker and eliminate frustrations which will occur trying to learn the basics on your own.

Club Rat

[bri1974]

I'm quite enjoying working things out own to be honest. I think I will probably take a few lessons soon but in the meantime I like the trial and error approach. As I said, my irons are coming on ok, getting good connection and distance is improving but my driving is still pretty terrible. I only tried the knees together thing today and was surprised how immediately my drives got much straighter. Was just wondering why that was. Guess I know have to go about working out how to replicate the results with a normal stance. Or I could just play all drives with my feet and knees together, looks a bit silly but it works!

[chip n run]

Welcome to this great game !   There will be times of rewards, and times of frustration.  But stick with it.  Most people that I see that slice the ball swing the club outside-in.  The way I cured it ( at the driving range ) was to put a shoebox just outside of the ball, far enough so the clubhead  can strike the ball.  When you get tired of hitting the box, you'll be swinging from the inside.  I know there are other reasons for slicing, but this drill really helped me.  Too bad I cannot use my box on the course !!!

[bri1974]

thanks guys,

will keep trying! played my best ever round today (109!) so getting better all the time. previous best round was 120 and I hit far less duff shots with my irons today as they are really improving. still hit most drives right but feeling more comfy with the new 10.5 ping so will keep practising with it. had my handicap calculated today on my last three rounds and I'm 28, as I understand it, you can't get worse than that so it can only improve :)