Suchmo

If there's no obvious limitation, any 'feels' that might help me turn earlier (if there are any) would be hugely appreciated. Thanks again.

Hi again. I'm really struggling to change how that backswing looks. I just can't seem to get to A3 with anything more than ~50° of shoulder turn. Perhaps it doesn't help that I have certain muscle deformities in my back which give me very rounded shoulders and pectus excavatum, which means my chest is basically concave. Any advice on 'feels' that I might try in order to turn more and earlier in the backswing? (It seems like the sort of thing you should just 'do' but I can't seem to achieve it at all.)

I learned to swing a club (badly) with a ten finger grip. I now swing the club (still badly) with an overlap. Funnily enough, I didn't change consciously. I just messed about with it on the range, and after 60 or so balls, it felt natural. In short, if you want to change, give it a chance. I think it becomes natural feeling far quicker than many swing changes.

Just a quick note: In order to start the back swing with more of a turn (rather than the arms), my feel is that I'm trying to take the club-head back as wide as possible. This is just a feel, mind, as I am aware that the club actually needs to progress back, up and in.

I think I might have discovered where I was going wrong: On the backswing (and downswing) my right elbow was getting away from my body, and I was consequently getting the elbow stuck behind my body a little. Watching Erik's 'pitching from rough' video again, it dawned on me how different it looked. I tried again off sodden ground and boy did it feel better with better results. BIG thanks to those who replied to my earlier points.

The fact that I am indeed finding it far easier to 'clip it using the leading edge' does suggest that I'm not performing the technique correctly. I'll try to post a video in my swing thread and go from there.

Perhaps I'll be corrected on this, but I have a couple of problems with this technique: 1. In the UK, the ground is pretty wet/muddy for 7-8 months of the year. During this time, the 'slop' room of this shot simply isn't there. Half an inch behind the ball is dead, bounce or no bounce. Off a tight lie? Fine. Dry mud? Fine. Cart path? Fine. English turf outside of summer? Nope. 2. As a fairly new player learning the basics of the full swing (i.e. the first three keys), this method requires movements that are the near opposite of the full swing and I worry that this could interfere with my learning of the full swing. Alternatively, I might just be doing it wrong. Thoughts?

@Iacas Thanks. I've taken so much from this forum (your advice/videos, in particular) but I'm nowhere near the standard where I can add much myself, beyond expressions of gratitude and a recent purchase of LSW.

You say that the pitching method you advocate goes out the window on sloppy mud... Would you advise not pitching at all and just a mixture of chips and fuller shots, or have I misinterpreted you?

Isn't 'weight on the left foot, let gravity move the club' the method for all pitches? Does the setup not differ for really short pitches?

Earlier in the thread Erik showed in a video (chips and pitches for TST) a very short pitch, no more than a couple of yards, that he sarcastically described as really difficult. I'd love to be able to use this method of pitching for short shots like this, but find it impossible to use it for anything under 5-10 yards. Can anyone describe the alterations required to the standard pitching technique needed to achieve these shorter pitches? Usually I 'chitch' but this isn't always possible.

I'm no expert, but your swing looks considerably more tidy/efficient than mine and I shoot low 90s/high 80s. Just play more golf and those scores are going to plummet.

Thanks. Before my lesson, I'll ask what equipment is used (I.e. video, Trackman, etc) and on my first lesson I'll drop in some questions on how to hit a draw and the commonalities of good players. That should at least determine whether the pro has a basic understanding.

I've followed lots of the advice on this forum and have the greatest of respect for the opinions of certain contributors. I am keen to take some lessons from a local instructor, but I'm concerned due to the experience many people have had with inadequate teachers. In short, how - as an inexperienced golfer - can I tell whether an instructor is any good? Is there anything to look out for during my first lesson that would be suggestive of effective/ineffective teaching?

Thanks again to everyone who has replied. I'll try to 'change the picture' by turning more and earlier, as recommended. I'll post some further videos as soon as I feel it looks a little different.

I persuaded my girlfriend to film me at the range as close as possible to the prescribed angles. Any advice appreciated.

Point taken about the practice swings. I'll have to persuade my girlfriend to come to the driving range to take a decent video. Thanks for the advice given.

I've been Playing Golf for: 18 months My current handicap index or average score is: 18ish typical ball flight is: short and straight shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: straight pull / occasional slice Videos: Apologies that these are merely swings without a ball. Lack of tripod/suitable camera means this is the best I can do for now.

Gives a whole new meaning to "What did you shoot today?™

Great thread. Case in point, I stated earlier in the thread that I carry a 7 iron 140 yards. Some honest, accurate measurement later (not just counting shots in favourable conditions) and I reckon I carry it 125 if I want to be accurate. I even con myself in a thread about not conning yourself.

I almost can't believe that some people play 5 hour rounds. If my first round had taken that long, there likely wouldn't have been a second. Rounds at my local pay-and-play course rarely go past 4 hours, even with elderly foursomes walking the course. As a two, 3.5 hours is a maximum if we don't get repeatedly held up.

Ha! It's actually at the low end of a healthy weight. I can't begin to think why a predominantly American forum would consider a healthy weight to be too low. Just kidding. I AM too skinny. A healthy weight for my height would be closer to 140. Back to the topic, I think my 7 carries close to 135, but I'd love to hit my driver further. Would I be conning myself if I hoped to get it to 260 consistently without adding bulk to my physique?

I'm 5'9 and around 125 pounds. I'm a short hitter and probably always will be (7 iron carries 140 yards). I also practise far too much without proper feedback (i.e. no video) hoping I can feel my way to a good swing. I've been too tight and self-conscious to buy a camera and regularly film my swing at the range.

My slight gripe with instruction is that I feel like the instructor accurately analyses my swing in a minute or two, gives me a 'feel' or drill to work on and the rest is filler. The only reason the lesson is half an hour is to justify the cost. Five minutes every week would be far more beneficial than half hour a month, all at once.

I'm pretty new to the game and have never been fit for any club. I'd love to learn what kind of driver would work best for me (i.e. shaft flex, length, etc) but I assume the only way to do this is to save up the £250-£400 required to drop on a new driver. Are there any alternative ways to find out what might work for me? Naturally, I can get a club with adjustable loft and experiment but that leaves me in the dark with regards to shaft types/lengths. Any ideas? Or should I just start saving up?