My Swing (sumdude)

[sumdude]

I've been Playing Golf for: 14 months

My current handicap index or average score is: 95-105

My typical ball flight is: high fade

The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: block or slice

Hi All! I have a few general questions about recording and diagnosing swings, plus a few specific questions on the videos below. Thanks for your time! I've read the "How to record" thread - very helpful!

1. Is my recording setup correct? Obviously I need to zoom out a bit to get the entire club path - what else is preventing me from proper analysis? Angles correct? Do these file sizes work? Can I change settings (cell phone - Note 3) for better videos? Etc. Etc.

2. Swing elements I am currently working on: One-piece takeaway, setting wrists properly, smooth swing, point butt of club at ball in downswing, hip turn.

3. Goals for next month are to groove the swing in the first video, uncover flaws, and work on longer clubs (3h, 3w/5w, driver). Working with a local PGA coach to set priorities and approach.

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Videos:

1. 9i about the best ball striking you will see from me currently. Shots were on target and mostly straight. Two different shots, composite in Kinovea. Interested in comments and suggestions - at this point I'd be happy if >90% of my swings looked like this on the course!

2. 56* wedge. One shot went on line with desired flight, the other was a low blade. Why are these two shots so different?

3. Wedge (PW?) One shot went on line with desired flight, the other was a low blade. Why are these two shots so different?

[mvmac]

Welcome to the site @sumdude , you have a pretty good swing for someone only playing 14 months. With your swing I'd like to see you create more depth with your arms and pivot on the backswing. This video will help.

[sumdude]

Thanks Mike!! All I can say is, "Holy moly, I've got no turn!". I'll try the foot flare and hip turn suggested in your video and see what happens. Any general comments on the video angles, video quality, etc.?

I'm still puzzled about the wedge shots in videos 2 and 3. Such different outcomes.

Thanks again for your time!

[14ledo81]

Welcome @sumdude !!!!

Consider yourself fortunate that Mike responded.  He is an excellent instructor.

[mvmac]

Thanks Mike!! All I can say is, "Holy moly, I've got no turn!". I'll try the foot flare and hip turn suggested in your video and see what happens. Any general comments on the video angles, video quality, etc.?

Camera angles look fine.

I'm still puzzled about the wedge shots in videos 2 and 3. Such different outcomes.

Thanks again for your time!

Yes it can be surprising for golfers to learn that swings that look similar can result in different outcomes. Golf swings don't change that much from swing to swing, unless you're trying to do something different.

You have a tendency to steepen the shaft on the downswing and it requires compensations in a short amount of time to hit the ball solidly. The priority is still what I suggested in my earlier post.

[sumdude]

Thanks, Mike! I'll be working on the shoulder turn and post some more video.

[sumdude]

Thanks for the welcome! Having read Mike's posts, I agree with your assessment.

[14ledo81]

Thanks for the welcome! Having read Mike's posts, I agree with your assessment.

You bet.

Mike helped me a lot, so I know from experience.

[sumdude]

Progress update from today at the range after playing 18. Comparing this swing to the one posted 12/24/14, I don't see any progress towards my goals. Still see lack of shoulder turn per comments made by @mvmac Interestingly, I saw my instructor and he stated I have a full turn. I also noticed a few other issues, namely the dipping during downswing and lack of extension at impact.

I have begun reading "The Picture-Perfect Golf Swing" http://www.amazon.com/The-Picture-Perfect-Golf-Swing-Complete/dp/0743290275

I'd love to hear any insights from the forum, and thanks for looking!

Videos:

[mvmac]

I saw my instructor and he stated I have a full turn.

Yeah, I disagree. I know you're hitting a wedge so the swing won't be as long as others but you still need to turn more.

Player on the right is hitting a wedge.

Here's a piece I would add to help. Notice the difference in the shoulder pitch with the player in red, lead should has gone down longer. With your swing the lead shoulder hasn't gone down enough so the shoulder doesn't have room to turn "under" the chin.

[sumdude]

Yeah, I disagree. I know you're hitting a wedge so the swing won't be as long as others but you still need to turn more.

Yes, sir - I concur with your assessment. I was rather surprised when he stated that! Thank you for the images, I plan to work on making a full shoulder turn and full extension of the forearms at impact. I'll post a video after I've made some progress.

Thanks again, @mvmac !

[sumdude]

Yeah, I disagree. I know you're hitting a wedge so the swing won't be as long as others but you still need to turn more.

...

Here's a piece I would add to help. Notice the difference in the shoulder pitch with the player in red, lead should has gone down longer. With your swing the lead shoulder hasn't gone down enough so the shoulder doesn't have room to turn "under" the chin.

...

Thanks again, @mvmac . Been working on shoulder turn and extension of trailing elbow at impact. Here's some progress:

I notice more shoulder turn, as can been seen in this still at A4:

Bit of a reverse pivot? That tends to creep up in my swing.

Impact position tells me that my downswing is all arms:

Still lots to work on, one of my main issues seems to be "holding back" the release of the club, thereby slowing the clubhead and leaving the face open. Trying to get a smoother swing.

BONUS QUESTION: I clearly am hitting all my shots way off the toe, I have a few theories (standing too far from ball? outside in swing? lack of extension at impact?). Anyone care to comment?

Here's a DTL from today, 9i

[mvmac]

Still lots to work on, one of my main issues seems to be "holding back" the release of the club, thereby slowing the clubhead and leaving the face open. Trying to get a smoother swing.

BONUS QUESTION: I clearly am hitting all my shots way off the toe, I have a few theories (standing too far from ball? outside in swing? lack of extension at impact?). Anyone care to comment?

More of the way the right wrist is working on the downswing. I would recommend you feel like you're "revving" the motorcycle (bowing the right wrist) on the downswing. You have too much cup in the lead wrist and that is causing the toe and face problems.

Bit of a reverse pivot? That tends to creep up in my swing.

Impact position tells me that my downswing is all arms:

Head is going to bit too far forward on the backswing, I'd focus on the wrist stuff right now though.

[sumdude]

Thank you for the feedback, @mvmac , I really appreciate your time. Your suggestion to focus on "revving" my front wrist feels similar to the trailing elbow extension I've been working on. I'll hit the dirt for a bit and post again.

[mvmac]

Thank you for the feedback, @mvmac, I really appreciate your time. Your suggestion to focus on "revving" my front wrist feels similar to the trailing elbow extension I've been working on. I'll hit the dirt for a bit and post again.

Just to be clear about the "revving", I want the right wrist to feel like it bows or goes into palmar flexion, think Dustin Johnson's left wrist but on the downswing.

[sumdude]

Just to be clear about the "revving", I want the right wrist to feel like it bows or goes into palmar flexion, think Dustin Johnson's left wrist but on the downswing.

Yes, sir. I just reviewed palmar flexion to make sure I understand your advice. During impact, the right palm will hinge towards the body.