Crockme

I'd wake up in the mornings after golfing with pain in my hands and fingers too. I am in my 30's but I think it it was pretty much arthritis. It was kinda scary thinking I might need to give up golf or golf much less. Fortunately, I tried changing from a interlock grip to overlap grip. The issue quickly went away. Try a grip change?

Congrats!

Yes, it needs to feel like your are maintaining the bend in right knee you had at address. Hogan said to do that. High profile coach Nick Bradley says to do it. In reality it doesn't look like it when the right hip turns in backswing, lessening the bend. I've seen the thread. But for them and me anyway it should feel that way.

Same here. Get my hands lower and farther behind me at top of the backswing. And maintain flex in right knee during backswing. Driver slice gone.

For the last several weeks I had the same problem with often shanking my 56 degree wedge. I researched many fixes and some kind of helped such as those mentioned above, but shanks would still creep in at the worst times. I recently stumbled onto a fix that is working amazingly so far and am pumped. I stand taller, legs closer together, slightly closer to ball, body parallel to target line, with club more upright, and club head more toe down at address (like a Runyon chip but even with full swings). I feel like I am picking it clean with the toe of club as I hit down. I almost feel like I can't shank it this way as hosel is slightly above ball at impact. Seems weird but my distance control and accuracy is amazing and consistent. Give it a try.

I recently purchased Ping i20's irons fitted at 4.5 degrees upright and +1" length. I like them and am getting used to the fitted dimensions. Now I want a new 56 degree wedge with the same custom dimensions (4.5 degrees upright and +1" length). I'd prefer a 56 degree Titliest Vokey or the Ping i20 SW (maroon dot) with these alterations. There are no nearby golf stores to drive to in my area. Is a +1" length, 4.5 degree upright, 56 degree loft wedge something that can be bought online? I am striking out.

I've had that same "feel it" thought and it helped temporarily. One point of caution, in time that "feel" thought lead me to start casting the club more. You feel the club better and better when casting, buts it's a consistency and power killer. So, combine that "feel" thought with the "pump drill for lag" you'll find on YouTube to ensure no casting. That drill that has helped me more than any other.

You sees many pros thrust jumping? No, they stay down thru and way past impact. That may help with distance but not consistency. That will make you rise up thru impact, instead of steady head. I only say this because after recently videoing my swing, that seems to be what I have done for years, and I'm currently trying to correct it. My best tip would be to video swing and compare to pros with similar builds. Try to do what they do. What you thinking you are doing you're probably not.

Looks like your right elbow at the top of the backswing looks too far out from your body. Keep it tighter to your body. It will allow you to come from the inside better on downswing, resulting in more of a draw swing. Common drill is keeping golf glove under right armpit during swing.

Make sure your clubface grooves are clean too. Sometimes I get lazy and have dirt caked in there. Then kick myself when my pitch rolls farther than I planned.

Read Hogans Five Lessons. He used to hook his misses, until he became the master and simply stopped missing. ;) His principles will prob cure your hook... Most important being start the downswing with a hip turn, then shoulders, then arms, then hands.

Called a "Dick out" around here. Just a joke and not done besides maybe an occasional bachelor party or other drunken golf outing.

I followed these 2 rules and putted lights out last night. Thank you.

Nice. Find the freshly mowed fields for best practice and fewer lost balls.

Something that has helped me lately to get the club at the correct place at the top is Nick Faldo's YouTube tip/drill on the take away. I am on my phone so don't have link, but is easy to find. A DRILL he recommends is standing at address, turning hands 90 degrees so club is parallel to ground and parallel to target line, then just turn your shoulders. Now you are positioned perfectly at top of backswing. When I am worried my backswing is getting off plane, I might do this drill one time as a practice swing on the course.

Congrats! I can relate over last few weeks. Feels great. Keep it going!

Assuming your grip isn't too strong, focus on a good hip turn. Hard to come over top with good hip turn. Downswing is started with turning hips, then shoulders, arms, hands in that order. As long as I make good hip turn, neutral grip, and swing down target line, then I keep from hooking.

My local course doesnt have a driving range (no range within 40 mins), so I have been taking advantage of a local soccer field to practice my short irons. Really seeing improvement in all aspects of golf game (except putting- my new focus).

After studying and working CORRECTLY on my game this summer, I think I am about to drop into single digit handicap for 1st time of my life. Answering your question in %'s as you originally asked I'd say, to improve at golf: 50%= learning the correct fundamentals (for starters study the book Hogan's 5 fundamentals... It's the bible. I attribute most of my recent improvement to it.) 30%= commitment to practicing these fundamentals and working hard to improve in general. (implement fundamentals by finding a soccer field or range and work on mastering your short irons several times a week). 20%= athleticism/ coordination. Some coordination definitely helps but golf is a game where learned technique, focus, determination, & intellect can overcome sheer athleticism. Go get em!

Agree, the hollow of my left arm facing up at address is a key for me. Doing so keeps my left arm straight and probably keeps that triangle together better as you mention.

I think my handicap is about to drop into single digits for the first time in my life due to this book. I've worked hard to copy everything. Only deviation is stance (foot position always parallel to target line). Whenever I start missing I eventually always realize I deviated from his swing instruction in some way (off plane backswing, weight not slightly more on heels, left elbow not pointing at left hipbone, etc). Just need to fix my putting and then look out.

Kinda figured. Thanks gents!

Off the green when chipping or hitting an iron, I like to use intermediate targets within 2 feet of my ball on the target line to assist with alignment, aim, and confidence during the swing. However, sometimes when I look down nothing jumps out at the eye that is perfectly on-line. Quick research on the rules of golf state that you can't place anything on the ground and leave it there during the swing to help aim. So one time during my previous round, when I did n' t see anything helpful on the target line within 2 feet of mall, I just thumped my club on the ground in front of the ball, right along the target line. It barely left a mark and wouldn't be noticeable to anyone but me, as it only slightly smashed the grass down. It served it's purpose, but after doing it I felt guilty and didn't do it again. Is this illegal?

After having a similar issue, I recently went to a stronger left hand grip for my Driver compared to irons. Then I ensure I make a good hip turn and I am golden lately.

Definitely look at your hip turn. Ben hogan initiated downswing with hip turn and your hips barely turn til after contact. Hips key to consistency.