How to correct a collapsed backswing?

[Jack Johnson]

Through the many years I have developed a deadly case of swing yips--- I have so much tension in my grip and golf swing that I over swing to the point my backswing collapses and I am left with a nervous "twitch" in place of a real downswing resulting in weak , skulled or shanked shots. I produce nothing that even resembles a golf shot.

I have always employed a very weak grip, and I am certain this weak grip has led to some of my current (25 years actually) problems making solid contact with a golf ball. My grip I so tight that my hands are actually sore the next day from trying so hard to "hold" the club in the correct position(s).

This problem extends all the way down to short pitch shots, chipping and putting. The only shot I can occasionally pull off is a greenside bunker shot where I preset the wrists, pick up the club to the outside and then slide it under the ball. But that's the only shot I can (occasionally) strike properly.

 

Any insightful swing gurus with helpful suggestions would be much appreciated. I am not ready to quit but I am close.

[boogielicious]

13 hours ago, Jack Johnson said:

Through the many years I have developed a deadly case of swing yips--- I have so much tension in my grip and golf swing that I over swing to the point my backswing collapses and I am left with a nervous "twitch" in place of a real downswing resulting in weak , skulled or shanked shots. I produce nothing that even resembles a golf shot.

I have always employed a very weak grip, and I am certain this weak grip has led to some of my current (25 years actually) problems making solid contact with a golf ball. My grip I so tight that my hands are actually sore the next day from trying so hard to "hold" the club in the correct position(s).

This problem extends all the way down to short pitch shots, chipping and putting. The only shot I can occasionally pull off is a greenside bunker shot where I preset the wrists, pick up the club to the outside and then slide it under the ball. But that's the only shot I can (occasionally) strike properly.

 

Any insightful swing gurus with helpful suggestions would be much appreciated. I am not ready to quit but I am close.

Start a My Swing thread in the Member Swings section. We can only guess without seeing.

[lastings]

On 4/21/2017 at 4:38 PM, Jack Johnson said:

Through the many years I have developed a deadly case of swing yips--- I have so much tension in my grip and golf swing that I over swing to the point my backswing collapses and I am left with a nervous "twitch" in place of a real downswing resulting in weak , skulled or shanked shots. I produce nothing that even resembles a golf shot.

I have always employed a very weak grip, and I am certain this weak grip has led to some of my current (25 years actually) problems making solid contact with a golf ball. My grip I so tight that my hands are actually sore the next day from trying so hard to "hold" the club in the correct position(s).

This problem extends all the way down to short pitch shots, chipping and putting. The only shot I can occasionally pull off is a greenside bunker shot where I preset the wrists, pick up the club to the outside and then slide it under the ball. But that's the only shot I can (occasionally) strike properly.

 

Any insightful swing gurus with helpful suggestions would be much appreciated. I am not ready to quit but I am close.

First of all..  Welcome.   I'm sure you will find all the guys around here very helpful..  they always are.  

As boogie said, get your swing on video and post in the member swings section.  

The weak grip is probably a symptom of some issue, but for the most part it just sounds like you are entirely too tense.  get out to the range, loosen up that death grip you have on the club, and just take light easy swings until you become a bit more comfortable standing over the ball.  breathe.  relax.  

 

[Jack Johnson]

2 hours ago, lastings said:

First of all..  Welcome.   I'm sure you will find all the guys around here very helpful..  they always are.  

As boogie said, get your swing on video and post in the member swings section.  

The weak grip is probably a symptom of some issue, but for the most part it just sounds like you are entirely too tense.  get out to the range, loosen up that death grip you have on the club, and just take light easy swings until you become a bit more comfortable standing over the ball.  breathe.  relax.  

 

Thank you and I appreciate the two comments so far. Just to give you a visual idea, if you've ever looked at Phil Mickelson's swing, he over swings with his driver and as he begins his downswing as the club starts to shallow out you see him in what I would call an unattractive position where his driver shaft appears to be sitting almost on the back of his neck, with the club in a real vertical position. Now that ugly position is my "top of the swing" look. So while Phil doesnt make my error, he does mirror my top of swing look as he start's in transition. And besides Phil can 3/4 his iron swings which is the look I want with my driver and all iron swings. I don't know how I developed this swing flaw but it's a deal breaker. 

As far as the weak grip , this is something I picked up as a teenager in the mid 1970's from Johnny Miller who was running the tables on tour at the time. To Miller fading and drawing the ball was to be done with your golf swing and not your grip. Johnny had a real weak grip at the time and I copied it. It was great for a while but I think it lead to alot more tension in my swing as I grew older and had less and less time to play the game. I believe this tension leads to my over swing/collapse. 

I am just know being able to play a lot of golf again after a 35 year work career and would like to play well again. I played 100 rounds in 2016 and assumed alot of my swing problems would work themselves out but that was not the case. As I said my hands are sore the day after playing. 

I'd be real happy with about 12-13 solid shots per round and another 12-13 mediocre shots per round. I am not looking to be the best player at the club. By the way the last time I struck a solid shot was May 1988. Not many people can make such a claim. It's wild. 

Thanks