Slowswing

Well also a more neutral grip will make it "easier" to slice and a stronger grip would make it easier to close the face, theoretically. Don't get caught up thinking about to much stuff. Just work on a back swing that comes more inside bringing the club a little more behind you then try a back swing more outside in. Use your same swing just practice different club paths, the fix is simple I think. You could also play with ball positions a little bit, try moving it a little more forward and see where that gets you.

Have you tried playing with ball position a little? Trying moving it a little more forward to see where it ends up?

I think you sway to far backwards in your swing personally (knees specifically). If you can make it work though, who cares. If your slicing it is swing plain and you are cutting across the ball. I was hooking earlier this year it was from a swing coming inside and I was throwing my hands at the ball cutting across the opposite way you are describing. I played around with my swing plain and learned to slice and hook then chose a happy medium that shoots it straight. Good luck!

My swing is starting to come around for me. I just started playing this summer and I'm finally starting to carry 300 yards at the range. I took a cool picture at the backswing and wanted to share! I'm not really big but I feel like I get a good bit of club head speed for my size. I wish it was something more special, so many people carry 300 yards now days, it's really not that rare. :(

Sorry I think my problem is my left arm. I am not keeping it strait through impact. I'm pulling it in and it's coming up.

Why did y title change and video get removed. .. Fail

I haven't had any formal lessons just reading and watching videos. I have been practicing in my garage to save some money. I'm noticing that the mat's are very forgiving. I hit many shots that appear to be very nice but soon as I hit the grass... I top the ball very consistantly. It's almost like I have a ground phobia... I can tee the ball up and hit OK but, unfortunately I can't use the tee all the time. :) I have video taped it, unfortuantely it's not in slow motion but it's best I could do. If anyone has any tips or drills to get me to stop topping the ball I would much appreciate it. That's all I'll say for now to keep things simple as if they ever are with a golf swing.

If we are talking about specifically the biggest reason why the participation has declined I would say money as well. Golf is expensive, even cheaper courses. If you want to play on a weekend.. 30$ plus gas/food w/e you spend. Many people (that are considering learning the game)can't justify that. I have no idea what your average income is but, most anyone with a family to support can't afford to do that once every weekend. Or even once a month in some cases. You also have to consider the price of budget clubs that are worth playing. 200-300$ plus shoes/balls. It's just a pricey sport. One of the best investments for me was making a range in my garage hitting against a blanket. Spent about 50$ and I can hit 3/400 balls a day for free. Even the range is expensive. 8$ for 60/70 balls. That can add up quick as well.

I think that people need more patience. The world doesn't revolve around one person, everyone pays the same amount, let them hit from where they want. Who am I to decide how someone plays. If I get lucky and the person in front of me is faster, that's great. If not I'll get over it and enjoy my game. Life is short learn some patience.

I'll try that. I have even tried taking practice swings over and over and I can't "scrap" the ground. I can force it to hit but it feels unatural and it's inconsistant..

That could be it, I will try and get a video. Are there any tricks that help keep your head down?

I have been reading a lot about technique and what not.. trying to learn as much as you can on paper then applying it at the range. I am now at a point where I feel I have really good ball position and leg flex but, I am topping the ball constantly. If I tee the ball up just barely, I can hit beautiful shots. I have this weird phobia about the ground. I just have this mental block that when the ball is on the ground I wont be able to accelerate through it I guess. I use to chunk the ball a lot so that may have something to do with it. I have sense fixed that for the most part. Isn't this very weird? I am running out of ideas to help me. I think it's mental. Any tips to help me drop about a 1/4 inch consistantly? I feel like my knee flex is perfect and my distance from the ball is good but, I may be wrong.