FrankFi

I'd go ahead and use the ball on the toughest water hole on my home course... it wouldn't dare go into the hazard, would it??? , Frank

Another good thing for me to check - I note that in the recent issue of Golf, Harrington writes about hybrids and emphasizes getting his back fully turned to the target in the backswing... it would be easy for me to be quick and anxious on the course and not finish the backswing. Thanks, Frank

I'll check that closely the next round I play. Theoretically, I try to set up my hybrids like I do my long irons, but who knows - it is easy to forget such things on the course! Thanks! Frank

It does feel like a toe hit! A question, if I may - when you say I might be "pulling the swing", what do you mean by that mechanically? I know what a pulled golf shot is (left!), and I know what pulling the ball in baseball means, but I am not familiar with the term "pull the swing" in golf. I think you may be on to something with respect to my problem, so I want to make sure I am getting the right visual for what you are talking about. Thanks! - Frank

Hi all - Great forum. I wish I had come across it long ago! So, here's my problem. I'm an average golfer, index 13.7, who hits his share of bad shots. But, there is a shot I hit a time or two a round (or even more) that has me totally perplexed. I've had lessons with a pro, but I don't think I've ever duplicated this shot during the lesson, nor on the range in general. It is a course only thing. The best way I can describe it is "a shank look-alike but with a hybrid or fairway wood". The ball goes to the right at about a 45 to 60 degree angle to my intended path. It is far worse than a "push" (I am a righty). It doesn't slice or hook; its flight path is straight. The ball travels a fair distance, maybe half to two-thirds as far as it would if hit well and on-line. I only do this mis-hit with a fairway wood or a hybrid. I don't do it with my driver ever, and I can't remember the last time I actually shanked an iron (ok, now I have jinxed myself, I know). I've used various different hybrids/woods over the last few years, and I have the same issue with all of them, so I don't think it is the club itself. It is me! Needless to day, a few shots like this can inflate one's score pretty quickly, as the ball is almost invariably lost in the woods or in a hazard after this shot. And, to make matters worse in my own mind, I've played with all sorts of golfers over the years, from scratch (or better) players to 36 handicappers, and I have never seen anyone else do this. It is downright embarrassing! Anyone have any thoughts or advice? Desperate in Seattle, Frank

I have two, depending on the time of the year: www.newcastlegolf.com (Seattle area) and www.laconiacountryclub.com (central NH). - Frank

EXACTLY! Up here in the Pacific NW (Seattle area for me), we golf year round, just like the guys in Florida. Except it is 50 and drizzly. But we still golf! (OK, it isn't much like Florida at all; still, the courses are open). - sunglasses not required. - Frank

Good place for my first post... played 9 this morning. 5 pars, 1 birdie, and 3 absolutely-terrible-holes (triple, double, triple - not that I don't get those sort of scores often, but the way I did it was terrible) all caused by the same problem, which I will ask about once I get posting privileges :). So, a 42 (par 35). A decent score for me even with the terrible shots, and, as always, golf is great! - Frank