Is my swing too upright?

[Apollo]

As in, too "ferris-wheel" and not enough "merry-go-round".

I play off about an 18 handicap, and struggle with misses to the right off the tee... usually a fade or block, if I try to swing really hard then it's a push-fade. If the stars align, then the ball goes like a rocket and I get about 280-90 yards. My irons are a lot more consistent, but still the occasional block. A playing partner (not a coach or pro) told me my swing looks too upright and I should try flatten it for better consistency. Would you agree?

Watching the video I realise I stand up at the top of my backswing, but that's probably due to lifting my left heel, which I didn't realise I do. Is this likely a contributing factor?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Club Rat]

Looks like you start your backswing without body rotation (arms only), then shoulder turn occurs, followed by lower body. Yes you do straighten spine angle very upright during swing. When transition at the top occurs, you raise up (right leg straightens, spine lifts upright) then the swing plane becomes very upright.

 

[iacas]

No. Your swing is not too upright.

[mdg74]

I'm a 15 handicap, so take this with a grain of salt, but my swing was very similar to yours. I think the reason you stand up in the back swing is that your arms are pulling you out of your posture. I would concentrate on turning back with your body while keeping your arms in front of you. I would look at your video right around the 6 second mark, that should be the top of your swing (your shoulder turn is done).

 

[mvmac]

  On 11/20/2015 at 1:11 PM, Apollo said:

As in, too "ferris-wheel" and not enough "merry-go-round".

Expand  

Not too upright, the left arm is just above the shoulder plane.

I think this would be a good thread for you to look at.

 

[Apollo]

Awesome... Thanks for the feedback, guys!

[Ernest Jones]

@mvmac has you covered. Work on a better turn to eliminate the standing up and you'll be much more consistent. I used to stand up at around A3.5 and then again coming into impact. Terrible way to hit a golf ball! I tried a lot of stuff to fix it but didn't make any real changes until I focused on the correct priority piece, which while seemingly unrelated, cleaned up that standing up fault automatically. I won't tell you the piece because yours is likely different but the moral of the story is listen to @mvmac . 

[Apollo]

  On 11/21/2015 at 6:58 AM, mvmac said:

I think this would be a good thread for you to look at.

 

Expand  

I've been working on this in front of a mirror today and am excited to put it to the test. Initially, it FELT like my weight was actually shifting to the left side on backswing, but in the mirror it's a nice centred turn. The alignment stick against the hip drill is particularly effective.

Thanks!!

  On 11/21/2015 at 3:12 PM, Ernest Jones said:

@mvmac has you covered. Work on a better turn to eliminate the standing up and you'll be much more consistent. I used to stand up at around A3.5 and then again coming into impact. Terrible way to hit a golf ball! I tried a lot of stuff to fix it but didn't make any real changes until I focused on the correct priority piece, which while seemingly unrelated, cleaned up that standing up fault automatically. I won't tell you the piece because yours is likely different but the moral of the story is listen to @mvmac . 

Expand  

It seems he does! ;) Practising a centred turn in front of the mirror and my standing up is gone. Nice.

[mvmac]

  On 11/21/2015 at 3:43 PM, Apollo said:

Initially, it FELT like my weight was actually shifting to the left side on backswing, but in the mirror it's a nice centred turn. The alignment stick against the hip drill is particularly effective.

Expand  

Yeah the weight/pressure will still shift to the right side. Overall the pivot will be more dynamic, keep up the good work with the mirror practice.