Can't hit tee shots with the sun at my back

[ramstf]

Hello all,

I have just joined the forum although have been reading posts here for quite some time.  My HCP has gone from 28 to 9 since last June.  I am in the driving range every morning, I play 9 holes after work and then I hit the gym.  I want to get to scratch by the end of the year.  I live in southern Portugal so I am lucky to play year round.

I have a unique problem that I haven't read posted before.  When I started golfing, I was fighting slices and fades.  After changing my grip and working on my swing 9/10 times I hit a draw, fighting hooks on bad shots.

However, for some reason when I step up to the tee to hit a drive with the sun directly at my back with my shadow being cast in front of me, I hit fades.  Something is completely throwing me off.  I lose distance as well.

Has anyone else dealt with this?  What is causing it?  Any tips appreciated.

[Hatchman]

The shadow man standing in front or the the side doesn't bother me.  Can you concentrate on the ball?

[DaveP043]

32 minutes ago, ramstf said:

However, for some reason when I step up to the tee to hit a drive with the sun directly at my back with my shadow being cast in front of me, I hit fades.  Something is completely throwing me off.  I lose distance as well.

Has anyone else dealt with this?  What is causing it?  Any tips appreciated.

I'm sure lots of people have an occasional issue when their shadow is over the ball.  What causes your fade?  Somehow, your swing patch and/or face angle is different on these shots, as compared to your normal swing.  How do you fix it?  It becomes mind over matter, you have to find a way to make your normal swing all the time, no matter where your shadow is.  My suggestion is to first recognize that your shadow could be an issue, as you're getting set up for the shot.  Then, concentrate even more than usual on making a regular normal swing.  Look at your shadow, and then focus on the ball, put the shadow completely out of your mind.  Its not easy at first, but you'll learn.

To me this is a little similar to dealing with a water hazard.  When I'm getting ready for my shot, I'll look at the hazard, recognize that I do NOT want to be in the hazard, and then focus on the spot where I DO want to end up.  I'm not thinking about what I DON'T want to do, I'm concentrating on what I DO want.

Edited March 24, 2017 by DaveP043

[Lihu]

50 minutes ago, ramstf said:

However, for some reason when I step up to the tee to hit a drive with the sun directly at my back with my shadow being cast in front of me, I hit fades.  Something is completely throwing me off.  I lose distance as well.

Has anyone else dealt with this?  What is causing it?  Any tips appreciated.

The main thing that throws off my swing is my tempo and coming up too fast. Is it possible that seeing your own shadow changes your timing somehow?

[boogielicious]

1 hour ago, ramstf said:

Hello all,

I have just joined the forum although have been reading posts here for quite some time.  My HCP has gone from 28 to 9 since last June.  I am in the driving range every morning, I play 9 holes after work and then I hit the gym.  I want to get to scratch by the end of the year.  I live in southern Portugal so I am lucky to play year round.

I have a unique problem that I haven't read posted before.  When I started golfing, I was fighting slices and fades.  After changing my grip and working on my swing 9/10 times I hit a draw, fighting hooks on bad shots.

However, for some reason when I step up to the tee to hit a drive with the sun directly at my back with my shadow being cast in front of me, I hit fades.  Something is completely throwing me off.  I lose distance as well.

Has anyone else dealt with this?  What is causing it?  Any tips appreciated.

If you can, practice with it. It used to bug me but then I started working on it at the range and at home into my net. I can set up my net so the sun is at my back in the afternoon. I use the shadow to make sure I'm not sliding back in my backswing.

Now it doesn't bother me for full swings or putting and it is almost like a swing aid.

[Lihu]

5 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

Now it doesn't bother me for full swings or putting and it is almost like a swing aid.

This could possibly be a violation of the rules. . .luckily you wrote "almost".

 

 

 

[boogielicious]

Just now, Lihu said:

This could possibly be a violation of the rules. . .luckily you wrote "almost".

 

 

 

Words are important! 

[DaveP043]

6 minutes ago, Lihu said:

This could possibly be a violation of the rules. . .luckily you wrote "almost".

I'm pretty certain that the sun doesn't fit the definition of a "device".

[Lihu]

5 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I'm pretty certain that the sun doesn't fit the definition of a "device".

Sunlight fits within the definition of "Elements", and brings up a point that might be good for another thread pertaining to 14-2a.

However, I wasn't being serious anyway.

[DaveP043]

4 minutes ago, Lihu said:

Sunlight fits within the definition of "Elements", and brings up a point that might be good for another thread pertaining to 14-2a.

However, I wasn't being serious anyway.

Please, please, no more 14-2a11  Although the sun IS part of the elements, and you're not allowed to

Quote

.... make a stroke while accepting physical assistance ... from the elements

 On second thought, I agree, this can't be serious.   Its Friday, lets go get a beer instead 

[Lihu]

Just now, DaveP043 said:

Please, please, no more 14-2a11  Although the sun IS part of the elements, and you're not allowed to

 On second thought, I agree, this can't be serious.   Its Friday, lets go get a beer instead 

That's my plan!

[Groucho Valentine]

This might be the weirdest thing I've ever heard off...

[rehmwa]

I can see why that would be an issue.  You're getting a lot of extra info that you just don't need.  Practice will fix it eventually.

I used to practice full swings with eyes closed and got pretty good.  That's an option.

or just pack a left handed driver so you have another option

 

.......................... or just aim a little more left and plan for a slightly shorter drive

Edited March 24, 2017 by rehmwa

[DaveP043]

5 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

This might be the weirdest thing I've ever heard off...

What, shadow troubles?  I think it's not all that uncommon.

If you're talking about me and @Lihu acting like buffoons, that's not all that uncommon either.  Weird, perhaps, but not uncommon.

[Groucho Valentine]

3 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

What, shadow troubles?  I think it's not all that uncommon.

If you're talking about me and @Lihu acting like buffoons, that's not all that uncommon either.  Weird, perhaps, but not uncommon.

hmmm...I see....

[Lihu]

57 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

What, shadow troubles?  I think it's not all that uncommon.

If you're talking about me and @Lihu acting like buffoons, that's not all that uncommon either.  Weird, perhaps, but not uncommon.

Yup, not uncommon, at least on my end. . .

 

 

54 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

hmmm...I see....

Apparently we posted in the wrong thread. We need your healing lounge.

 

[jamo]

There are only 2 options I can think of:

• You subconsciously alter your swing to avoid looking into the sun (which ... I'm not sure how you'd look into the sun behind you).
• It happened a few times and you ascribed blame to the sun even though it doesn't happen all that much. 

[Patch]

I can remember wearing bifocals and having them bother me in shadow areas. I quit wearing them, and went with a really dark shade of sunglasses. That seemed to help.