mdg74

I've been working hard on my swing- eliminating unnecessary movement, shortening the backswing, etc. I'm now struggling with contact, and I think it's because of my early extension. I have a lot of pushes, thin shots, and the occasional shank. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

My top 5 favorite golfers... 5) Speith - for making me feel not so bad about my chicken wing. 4) Tom Watson - I just like the guy. 3) Wie - She's 150 pounds and can rip the ball 275+. She's fun to watch. 2) Tiger - because he's Tiger. 1) Couples - smoothest swing I've ever seen.

No, my integrity is worth more than any check.* *due to a binding endorsement contract that stipulates I mention Powerade in each comment I just wanna say that Powerade is delicious and it cools you off os a hot summer day. And I look forward to Powerade's release of Mystic Mountain Blueberry.

I just want to share with you a drill that helped me with my flipping. I set up to a ball with a short cue stick, with the handle end against my left side (I'm sure an alignment rod will work well), then I swing without letting the "handle" end of the stick hit me in the side. I'm not a great golfer so take this for what it's worth- but it did help me a lot.

Thanks for all the advice @boogielicious @mvmac and @Alfie- it's really helped me out and I went from shanking 2 or 3 shots per round to not shanking at all since January. I went from hitting fat shots to hitting some thin shots and I'm still pushing some out to the right. I don't know if my turn through the ball is good enough or if something else is going on. Does anyone notice anything obvious? thanks!

I've been trying to get rid of my flip and add lag as long as I've been golfing, with just about zero luck. The other day I started taking swings and removing my right hand completely at the top of the swing and realized I wasn't flipping at all, perfect impact position. This made me realize my right hand was the likely culprit, so I tried something I have never heard anyone recommend and I'd like to know if anyone has tried this or heard of it: From the start of my downswing, I started pulling "up" with my right hand- almost like I was fighting the downswing. What resulted was a powerful strike with tons of lag and almost no flip. I've posted some before and after shots. If you're looking to stop casting, try this and let me know what you think. I haven't been able to try it at the range because it's been raining for a week solid. Thanks!

I'm a 15 handicap, so take this with a grain of salt, but my swing was very similar to yours. I think the reason you stand up in the back swing is that your arms are pulling you out of your posture. I would concentrate on turning back with your body while keeping your arms in front of you. I would look at your video right around the 6 second mark, that should be the top of your swing (your shoulder turn is done).

After going out and shanking the ball all over the course last month, I decided to go back to the fundamentals. I dusted off my copy of Ben's 5 lessons and have been grinding away at the set up, take away and transition. I've noticed that with a deliberate backswing, my right arm is not nearly as deep, as @boogielicious noted. I haven't gone back to the course, but my range sessions are great- nice penatrating flight with a slight fade. I have noticed that I hit one fat every dozen or so balls. I'm not sure if this is just because I'm tired and losing posture, or if there is something mechanically wrong that I'm doing. I could be releasing a bit early, but I don't want to consciously hold my release. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

It all depends on the personality of the person taking up the game. I'm highly competitive, so what got me hooked is my friends betting me I couldn't hit the fairway at 100 yards. After I was humbled I was hooked. If the person is frustrated easily, then the best move is to take them to a clinic and then play an easy par 3 with plenty of beer and good times.

I don't have an official handicap, but it's around 19. My scores have been declining quickly since I've joined the forums here and started swinging daily on my optishot. Next year at this time I think I will be around a 10 if I continue with my current routine.

So I took every video you guys posted and worked my ass off trying to not get my hands so deep and keeping my backswing on plane. I was about to break 80 for the first time on Saturday, but on the 16th the shanks returned and I shot 83. My swing is in much better shape, but I think I'm still getting stuck and maybe a bit of early extension? [VIDEO]https://youtu.be/eN7uTdx8zn8[/VIDEO]

Thanks for all the info, I've seen that Jim McLean video, and that's the reason I've given up trying to fix my backswing. I know it looks terrible, but my ball striking has improved greatly since I've given up trying the "traditional" backswing. I can usually loop my club over the top to get back on plane, but once on a while it drops further inside, leading to the shank, hook, and other round ruining things. Basically I'm looking for validation that my backswing is viable and that if I work at getting the club on plane on the downswing that everything will be ok. Since the majority of my bad shots happen late in the round, and it's often over 90° when I play, I think fatigue may be my biggest issue at this point. You're correct that the first thing inductors want to change is my backswing, but I think I'm going to give this a year and see if I can work it out. Here's my swing as of last season, the problem was I could never repeat it consistently. [VIDEO]https://youtu.be/FU8o2GeLzV0[/VIDEO] A ton of over the top weak slices and fades. At least now I get decent trajectory and a good draw. Thanks for all the feedback, I'll take it all in and see what works!

Great videos, thanks! I've struggled with "getting stuck" for quite a while and I know it's the cause of many of my issues. I was just never sure why, but this makes a lot of sense.

I've been Playing Golf for: 5 years My current handicap index or average score is: 16 My typical ball flight is: draw The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: shank/ hook/ push (I think these are all related) Videos: