My Swing (l3rewski)

[l3rewski]

I've been Playing Golf for: I've had my clubs for 3 years or so, but only been on a course a handful of times in my lifetime.

My current handicap index or average score is: no clue, other than to say pretty high

My typical ball flight is: anything above a mid-iron tends to fade. Slices are common for woods/driver

The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: the fade and slice. My embarrassing miss is a dud that goes about 20 or 30 yards and slices to almost perpendicular of the target line. Throw an occasional fat or thin shot in there too.

So I feel like I'm finally ready to post up my swing to the forum. I've been a member for a few years, but never posted anything. I've watched tons of videos and have spent quite a bit of time in the swing thoughts forum in an attempt to build a swing. This is what I've come up so far. I've never had lessons, mainly due to financial reasons (college student).

In general, I know things are off with my swing, hence the fades/slices. I'm usually hitting in the middle of the face (judging by ball/grass marks), but my shots typically end up going right. I started to fade the ball towards the end of my range session today from changing the feel of the takeaway... no clue why really. Obviously I have no experience analyzing a golf swing, but looking at myself, something seems off in the lower body. I'm very flexible, but it seems like I'm making no use of that flexibility.

All I'm looking for is some semblance of consistency.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

And I apologize in advance for the mediocre quality. I'll get my tripod and DSLR next time.

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Time stamps are in the description. Both angles at regular and slo-mo speeds are included in this one video.

[l3rewski]

I took another look at this after looking at some tour swings. Is my main issue with the lack of hip turn? I don't know why they aren't turning. If I make a conscious effort in a practice swing, then I can turn them no problem. Once a ball is in front of me, then it becomes an issue.

[saevel25]

You need to decrease flex in (extend) that right knee.

Unlike a lot of people who tend to sway when they don't release flex, you just limit your motion to basically a 3/4 swing length.

Basically your inability to loose flex in that right knee is restricting how much your hips and in conjunction your torso can turn. Work on opening those hips more, and earlier in the backswing.

[l3rewski]

Any tips on what sort of feeling(s) I should be thinking of to force myself to turn more?

I went to the range today for the first time since posting this video, and looking at the footage from the day, I made little if any change to my swing. It "felt" like I was turning more, but in reality I wasn't.

[boogielicious]

Any tips on what sort of feeling(s) I should be thinking of to force myself to turn more?

I went to the range today for the first time since posting this video, and looking at the footage from the day, I made little if any change to my swing. It "felt" like I was turning more, but in reality I wasn't.

It takes a bit of time for a change to become ingrained.  Check out this thread on how to practice.

As for feeling, I like to feel like my right side is stretching straight up and my right hip is moving up and forward.  Practice the takeaway in front of a mirror from A1 (set up) to A4 (top of backswing) and focus on the hips.

[l3rewski]

I feel like I'm progressing. Thanks boogie for that link... it helped me a lot. I took it a lot slower on the range today and just deliberately tried to focus on turning.... lots of practice swings and slow tempo swings. I still like I got a ways to go as the full turn still feels "weird" but I'll get there with time. I'm also still doing weird things with the right leg. I hit a few driver shots at the end for the heck of it as well (last video). There's still a swing path issue, but I think it has a lot to do with the lack of turn. When I turned decently, the ball went straight.

Didn't turn to well on this swing below.

[iacas]

Two bits of advice:

1. You will not get better just trying to do something while making full swings.
2. Post elsewhere in the forum and people will be more inclined to help you.

[jamo]

From down the line, you pick the club straight up until about A2.5, then you lay it off fast from there. You're downswing is pretty much all turn, and because you don't slide your hips, you get this:

[l3rewski]

Two bits of advice:

You will not get better just trying to do something while making full swings.

Post elsewhere in the forum and people will be more inclined to help you.

Will do. I've lurked for a few years, but I'll make an effort to post more. As far as not making full swings, I'll try to improve my practice methods. I've been doing a lot of backswing rehearsals and mirror work in my apartment lately.

From down the line, you pick the club straight up until about A2.5, then you lay it off fast from there. You're downswing is pretty much all turn, and because you don't slide your hips, you get this:

Could you elaborate please? What am I looking for in that picture... a lack of weight shift?

[mvmac]

Could you elaborate please? What am I looking for in that picture... a lack of weight shift?

Yes.

[boogielicious]

Keep in mind @l3rewski that you should focus on one priority piece at a time at first.  It can take a while to break habits that you have ingrained in your swing.  So if you want to improve your impact position, just work on the drill that @mvmac posted.  Hip turn, the drill that @saevel25 posted.

[l3rewski]

Focused only on the hip turn today, and had the longest practice session ever doing so. I screen grabbed my position at the top of the swing from over a week ago compared to today for posterity. Lots of work ahead of me.

[boogielicious]

Much better.  How does it feel to you?

[l3rewski]

Much better.  How does it feel to you?

It still feels weird and different, but definitely feels more powerful and athletic.

[mvmac]

Yep, definitely better.

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

Much better.  How does it feel to you?

It still feels weird and different, but definitely feels more powerful and athletic.

It will for a few weeks before it feels 'normal'.

[mvmac]

It will for a few weeks before it feels 'normal'.

Yep. If it feels "normal" right away you aren't changing the picture enough. Seems like you are on the right track @l3rewski

[l3rewski]

I feel like I finally have the turn ingrained. So what should be my next focus? Weight shift? Swing plane?