daveh

It would change the swingweight, but it would probably feel the same as choking up. Also it might change this balance as well (see pic - not sure what it's called) just a tad. But you can check both of those and fix it with lead tape. If it were me and it were a fairly cheap putter I'd cut it if it were too long. But I'm a do-it-myself-no-matter-the-consequences kinda guy. Edit: Looking at that pic now I realize that it won't change the balance as shown... but I think it might change it slightly if you did that same test holding the shaft at the balance point.

I'd say don't give up on the hybrid just yet. I am just figuring mine out (after almost giving up several times) and I'm finally getting the hang of it.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Lots of good comments. Those pics are a great comparison. I will have a look at that book. Also the inside pitch and hitting to right field analogies seem valid to me. A couple of things: - I definitely don't come close to shouldering the bat (that's pretty funny) - I have taken lessons... and (now that I think about it) one of the things my instructor had me do was practice swing more like a baseball swing because he saw that my rythmn and sequencing were a lot better when I swung chest high or even a foot or two higher than the ground. Somehow that sequence/rythmn breaks down a bit during a golf swing. That is probably the essence of what I'm looking for here. I would say that I am trying to hit the ball... I will check out those lighthouse drills. I think you're being a bit conservative though... plus 20 yards and on the fairway will take more than 5 off my handicap easily I think ;) In the shorter term I'm going to try to keep the flat left wrist and bent right like in the pic and see how that goes.

Question at bottom if you want to skip my rambling. I've been playing golf for about 3 months and I'd like to change my swing. A while back I started on a quest to cure my slice by going back and changing my grip, alignment... well, everything actually. I didn't change things to compensate for a slice necessarily (as in strenghening grip, closing stance) but rather started from square stance with a fairly nuetral (slightly strong) grip and straight alignment and worked on my swing path and timing. This made me slice less, but I also lost about 20 yards on my drive and the swing I ended up with just feels unnatural and awkward. And the last few days I've been hooking like crazy. Having nothing to lose I went back to a more natural feeling swing, i.e. a baseball swing. Not only does it feel nice, it is more powerful. Only trouble is, I slice it. Nevertheless, it really feels effortless, smooth and powerful enough that I think there is a lot I can take from a baseball swing and apply to my golf swing, so the question is.... What mechanics of a baseball swing need to change to make a successful golf swing? I'm sure it's not exactly the same for everyone, but what worked for you? Or should I forget about this approach entirely?

The second link didn't work, but the first seems to be saying that if you are too far uncupped (whatever the opposite of cupped is), it could cause a hook. This would jive with what everyone else is saying about a cupped wrist causing a slice. I'm no expert though.

That advice is much harder to follow than eating a couple of granola bars and drinking water. Pretty compelling story though.

I like the advice being given here. My back 9 is usually close to 10 points worse than the front. I'm going to bring snacks, keep hydrated, and stop totally my first 9. I know fatigue has something to do with my problem, and definitely the psych out from worrying about the score. Being a new player definitely also contributes to lack of consistency for me, but I know I can shoot better than I have been on 18. I tried snacking and hydrating yesterday with some success and did in fact get my best 18 from two mediocre 9's. Now i just need two good 9's.

I have no idea, lol. I will break 40 on 9 before I break 90 on 18.

Congrats and good luck on the course. Thanks for sharing that. Got a link to the vid?

These seem to get pretty good reviews. My girlfriend likes hers. http://www.golfworks.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_MA0073GCSET They have a cheap driver too: http://www.golfworks.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_DMLRHD And a 3w http://www.golfworks.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_DMLRBGD

I was hesitant the address the 'difference' between the grips because I'm no expert and no fan of spreading bad information, but I guess it's safe to give my personal impression if I stress that it's my personal impression. So, my personal impression as a beginning golfer is that for me the interlocking grip seems to lock my hands hands and wrists into position making it more difficult for me to do something goofy with my hands/wrists during the swing. This in turn seems to help my entire swing. So basically, with the interlocking it is easier for me to keep from "doin' it wrong" (tm). If I had a proper overlapping grip and kept it throughout the swing it would probably work just fine. For the record Men's XL golf gloves are snug on my hands so it's not a matter of small hands for me (like I've read in some articles).

I took a couple of lessons from different instructors and they both told me to use whichever (interlocking/overlapping) is more comfortable. I wish they had said "try both and see which works better for you". Overlapping is more natural and comfortable for me, but out of desperation I tried interlocking and (knock on wood) it is working much better for me so far. I guess the lesson is don't be afraid to try both just because one doesn't feel natural in the beginning.

I'm a beginner too, but if it were me, from the sound of it I'd go with the local pro to start with, especially if he's got a good reputation and seems like a decent guy. If you play at the club a lot that might be a bonus too. I took lesson from the instructor at my course, and I see him frequently on the course. He's able to watch me play holes so he sees mistakes and tendencies in my swing in a non-instructional setting. He also stops and chats when he sees me, and offers some friendly reminders ;). That's my experience anyway... your mileage may vary.

My municipal golf course has $7 twilight (after 5:30 pm). That's cheaper than the range for me. I'm no expert, but what about rather than 4 day at the range doing 2 days range, 2 days at the course?

lynchjo, I'm curious about how you feel about that Shawn Clement video above.