Cured slice, now all over the place

[Moxley]

Cured slice, now all over the place

Hi All,

First post here, although I've read plenty of threads to help me to get to where I am now.

I've been playing about 2 years, I initially had lessons to try and fix a slice, which led to usual pointers about closing the clubface. This didn't really work but I kept the thought in my mind always and assumed this was the solution. Having played little over autumn/winter , I found this spring that my slice was getting more severe, especially with the driver. I read these forums (and other articles/videos etc) and realised my problem was clearly an out-to-swing and (OTT downswing), rather than squaring clubface.

After much trial and error on range using props and so on, I've been able to solve this by swing 'round' more and ensuring that i don't come back over the top. The result is encouraging, with draw spin and much more distance ( I was stunned by how much further these go). I focus mostly on my shoulder rotation, and not 'looping' the club over at transition to achieve this.
 
The problem is that I'm now inconsistent, especially with the driver - I do far fewer slices, but I am prone to hooks now as well as push or mild slices. This  is still a big improvement on where I was, because the lack of slice spin in most of my shots means I'm hitting nearly all of my shots a lot further, and usually closer to the fairway when I miss. However, the chance of now missing both sides has given me a headache in shot planning, and I really need to reduce the variation. I also am still naturally inclined to swing out to in OTT, and have to specifically remember to rotate the shoulders and then come back on the same path, or I miss to the right. Remembering stops a slice, but doesn't guarantee I get the right amount of draw spin.

So , other than practice , which i'm doing, how might I best improve consistency with my new swing and reduce curvature ? I have a new Benross 12 degree driver on order, which should help me a small amount from the 10.5. 

Any tips much appreciated. 

[DaveP043]

20 minutes ago, Moxley said:

So , other than practice , which i'm doing, how might I best improve consistency with my new swing and reduce curvature ? I have a new Benross 12 degree driver on order, which should help me a small amount from the 10.5. 

Welcome to TheSandTrap, and congratulations on curing the slice!  You mention practice, but practice without having a specific purpose may just help you to groove a flawed swing.  Your next step should be to get some instruction, so your practice will lead to a better swing.  Its virtually impossible for us to diagnose your issues without actually seeing you swing.  If you can find a good instructor locally, great.  You can get some advice on this website by posting videos:

https://thesandtrap.com/forums/forum/13-member-swings/

Be sure to open the "hidden contents" on that page to understand the rules for using that part of TheSandTrap, as well as advice on how to film your swing.

Also, please look around, share your opinions and experiences in the other areas of the site.  You'll find that you'll get lots more good advice if you're involved with the site as a whole.

[Shindig]

48 minutes ago, Moxley said:

Cured slice, now all over the place

Hi All,

First post here, although I've read plenty of threads to help me to get to where I am now.

I've been playing about 2 years, I initially had lessons to try and fix a slice, which led to usual pointers about closing the clubface. This didn't really work but I kept the thought in my mind always and assumed this was the solution. Having played little over autumn/winter , I found this spring that my slice was getting more severe, especially with the driver. I read these forums (and other articles/videos etc) and realised my problem was clearly an out-to-swing and (OTT downswing), rather than squaring clubface.

After much trial and error on range using props and so on, I've been able to solve this by swing 'round' more and ensuring that i don't come back over the top. The result is encouraging, with draw spin and much more distance ( I was stunned by how much further these go). I focus mostly on my shoulder rotation, and not 'looping' the club over at transition to achieve this.
 

Okay, good, you've learned that closing the clubface won't solve the problem -- the face angle at impact affects the starting line.   This is good starting progress for sure.

48 minutes ago, Moxley said:

The problem is that I'm now inconsistent, especially with the driver - I do far fewer slices, but I am prone to hooks now as well as push or mild slices. This  is still a big improvement on where I was, because the lack of slice spin in most of my shots means I'm hitting nearly all of my shots a lot further, and usually closer to the fairway when I miss. However, the chance of now missing both sides has given me a headache in shot planning, and I really need to reduce the variation. I also am still naturally inclined to swing out to in OTT, and have to specifically remember to rotate the shoulders and then come back on the same path, or I miss to the right. Remembering stops a slice, but doesn't guarantee I get the right amount of draw spin.

 

So , other than practice , which i'm doing, how might I best improve consistency with my new swing and reduce curvature ? I have a new Benross 12 degree driver on order, which should help me a small amount from the 10.5. 

Any tips much appreciated. 

 

How far into the checklist of @mvmac's thread about hitting driver are you?

As for inconsistency:  having a dominant shot cone is fine;  how bad are the hooks?  An occasional mild slice is fine, but of course you want to improve that.

[Buckeyebowman]

Glad to hear you are finding some improvement. But, improvement doesn't necessarily come all in one piece. Sometimes it comes in fits and starts. You've gone from a consistent slicer to someone who occasionally hooks the ball, draws the ball, hits a straight ball, hits a fade, and still hits the occasional slice.

I know this can make you feel lost. You now have a multitude of ways to miss the target, but, this means you are learning something about the golf swing. Believe me when I tell you that this is progress! It might not feel like it, but it is! Don't give up. Just keep working at it, Someday, something will "click"!

[saevel25]

It's impossible to tell what you need to do with out seeing your swing. I second @DaveP043, start a My Swing thread and post some videos. You'll get some good advice. 

[Moxley]

Hi All,

Thank you for the responses / welcome messages. I found the swing videos forum, so I will video on my next round (tried last time, but the video just missed some of my backswing so will have to try again. 

Currently hooks range from just finding the rough , to OOB, I believe the issue is shoulder rotation. Will try and work on a swing thought to make them more consistent in the meantime.

[Shindig]

6 hours ago, Moxley said:

Hi All,

Thank you for the responses / welcome messages. I found the swing videos forum, so I will video on my next round (tried last time, but the video just missed some of my backswing so will have to try again. 

Currently hooks range from just finding the rough , to OOB, I believe the issue is shoulder rotation. Will try and work on a swing thought to make them more consistent in the meantime.

Probably easier to take video at the range than on the course.  You get used to the video distances and angles -- although the last time I sent a video to evolvr I managed to cut off the clubface at the top of the swing, which was actually relevant to something I was working on.  

Anyway, we look forward to seeing your update.