k2theablam

Hey all, I played my first 18 hole par 3 course today. I shot my best rounds ever with 34 (+7) on the front end and 39 (+12) on the back 9. My highlight was a pitch shot that I holed 40 yards out with my 60 degree wedge with about a half swing. It was my only birdie of the day. Totally shat myself, I couldn't believe it. A couple notes though, my 25-35 yard chipping game needs work. I can't find that distance with my 60, but my next club, a pitching wedge, would be too much. I was told to choke down on it a bit so I'll practice that at the range soon. My inside 25 chipping with the lob wedge is improving greatly though. I'm getting a lot more 1-puts now that ever. Can't wait to get back out. I have a few new videos for you of my swing. My irons are a lot more natural and I'm a lot more consistent with them as well. Additionally, I feel like I'm in more control now and can pinpoint adjustments and make them depending on how I'm hitting during warm-up balls (fat, thin, etc.) I have a driver video this time. (guitar riff ensues) This is where I need help the most now. The problems I'm having most are consistency in striking the ball flush, and my wicked slice when I do hit the ball. When I'm hitting well though, I smack it pretty far and straight but 5 out of 10 is not going to get me anywhere on the course. I've noticed my backswing is REALLY steep and flattens out on the downswing. I really don't even know where to begin with dissecting my driver swing... any pointers or tips you can point out are great. Thanks a million.

Alright everyone. I've made the adjustments, and have a new angle for you to take a look at as well. The issues I worked on today were primarily stance and grip. I was able to hit the ball okay, but not as accurate as I'd like. Let me know what you think.

Double post

Thanks everyone, you're helping me out more than you may think. I'm reading Hogan's book now. On the second batch of videos, I tried to stand up too straight and my back was rather slouched. This is already fixed...I've put in some mirror work at my house since the last time I've been out to the range and I'm ready to try this the right way now. My grip is great actually. I read some verbal queues that really helped me out a lot. Keeping my hands and club shaft tight and cohesive, bringing my forearms closer together and keeping the "triangle" as tight as possible. This actually makes my shoulder turn more since I can't really compensate with my arms so it's helping out my backswing as well. I relate this to throwing a punch, with the force starting from the ground transferring up toward your fists. I think this will be the hardest for me to get down but I know my stance will help with a smoother hipturn. I think I just have to mentally drill it into my head until it becomes nature. I'm at work right now, but I'll get the screenshots and a swing analysis up tonight-both before and after. I'm also hitting the range again with all this in mind so we'll see how it translates in full swing. I'll have another batch of videos up tonight for sure...stay tuned.

You're right about learning the basics first and having fun with golf. I think that’s exactly what I’m missing right now- the foundation to build all this advice and tips upon. I'm able to hit the ball, but I want EVERYTHING to be dialed in so when I move to my long irons, woods, and drivers I’ll be able to get the full potential of the clubs, rather than hacking away and adjusting my swing all over again for the longer clubs. I’ll have face footage next time at the range. You’ve made a great point about leading with the hips and not my upper body, a tip I’ve heard from multiple sources so I know for sure this is what I need to work on. I think the root of this problem stems from my stance and leg position. After a closer look, at my second batch of videos and reenacting those swings in my garage, I’ve found that my back is hunched over quite a bit. Not in a sense that I’m LEANING over, but that I’m rounding my rear shoulders instead of pushing my shoulder blades together, making my back straighter. This is quite possibly the reason I tend to dip my upper body on a lot of those swings. This is in contrast to my first video, where by upper back, mid back, and lower back were completely aligned, albeit hunched over quite a bit. This isn’t necessary. The information in this post is exactly what I’m looking for, and has given me goals and key points to look for when I practice. Instead of simply going to the range to smack balls, I can pinpoint what I want, and target troubled areas in my swing based off of valuable information provided for me in this post. Trust me, nothing here is above my head at this point as far as advice and information, the only thing left for me to do is apply it, analyze the results, and come back to the drawing board if the results need work (with the help of this forum of course.) ANY help is appreciated, and I hate to police my own thread but this back and forth stuff isn’t going to help me, or anyone else who may be reading with my problem learn anything. Special thanks to everyone in this thread providing constructive feedback and helping me find my swing. It'd be great if you all could drop in time after time and provide input on my progress. I plan on updating this thread regularly with videos and thoughts based off advice given.

I own a 0 iron. It's a Tommy Armour 845 cavity back that came with the set when I bought it locally. I also have the matching 1-3 irons to boot. I highly doubt I'll ever use them though.

...aaaannnnndddd another one. You are correct. It was the Van Nuys course, which I always thought was the Woodley course everyone keeps talking about. Learn something new every day.

Here it is... A couple things I've noticed. 1. My body dips and does this weird motion right after impact. This is new to me, and wasn't apparent in the first video. I think it might have something to do with my body being used to hitting at that angle but it looks completely wrong. 2. I don't square my hips during the follow through. 3. My swing is still kind of steep. I'm not sure what path my club should take, but I try and swing it back at 7 o'clock every time (inward) and following through out toward o'clock (outward). Comments anyone?

I just got back from the range with what I think was a productive session. First and foremost I addressed my stance and grip. My grip is a lot closer than it was before, with my right pinky right over my left index finger. I also straightened up a bit, bringing the ball about 3 inches closer and brought my feet together just a little smaller than shoulder width (I have wide shoulders). I tried both my old and new stance and they feel like night and day. I see what you guys were talking about. I played Woodley just this past Sunday. It was my first time at a golf course ever in life so I was pretty excited to even be hitting off something other than driving mats. We played the 9 hole par 3 and I scored a 49 I'm going back again this Sunday and probably every Sunday after that until I shave my score down. I'm totally down to meet up too. Let's definitely pencil something in for the future, either where you are or over here in the valley. Should be fun... but I need to get my game up first. I have a video uploading right now... should be up in about 15 or so. I've found some things I'm not to happy with and could use some input.

Excellent point. This will be addressed today, Thank you. I'm in the SFV, this is the range in Encino, on Balboa and Burbank blvd. That club wasn't fitted for me, but I'm about 5"10' with an average build. The shaft is a regular flex though, and I swing at about 75 mph (found out at golfsmith) so I think I'm fine as far as the club is concerned. As of now, I have a set of Tommy Amour 845 Silver Scots that I was able to pic up at a great price locally. I'll be using these for a long while until I either get better, or unexpectedly come into a large sum of money. The angle of the club to the ground at my starting position seems a bit severe and should correct itself with a higher stance. I'm assuming with the higher stance, It'll be easier to tighten up my swing keeping my arms and hands closer to my hips while they rotate as described by MDL. Thanks again everyone. This is the closest I can get to affording lessons and appreciate every bit of input. I'm ready to put in some work tonight at the range with all this in mind.

I'll definitely check this book out today. The reviews look very promising and it'll help me cover some bases that I know I've missed. My grip has changed quite a bit since that video. My hands are a lot closer now, with my left thumb tucked closely into my right palm. As for my swing plane, it was my understanding that vertical isn't always a bad thing when hitting with shorter irons. I'll make my stance adjustment and straighten up and see how that works out for me. As for swinging inside-inside, I'm not sure I understand what you mean. I was told my backswing was to be toward "7 oclock" and downswing to be toward "1 oclock" and "pull down" on the club like a rope instead of swinging wide like a baseball bat. (I used to have a really wide swing that caused my right elbow to move from its tucked, inner position) Can you further elaborate on becoming a draw player by swinging "inside-outside" Thanks for the responses, any help is appreciated.

What range is that? Is that near Camarillo?

Hey everyone, as you can see I'm a new member and also a new member of the golfing community as I've only started swinging for a month or so. I've gotten a few tips and queues from the internet and driving range friendlies on my swing but am looking a few focused tips on hitting and aiming. I'm hitting with an 8-iron, as it was the only club I had access to at the time. I can hit somewhat consistently now, but am finding my balls heading just right or left of my target, by about 20-30 feet. The variables I've been working on are ball location compared to my foot placement, club face (closed or open) and my swing plane but can't put my finger on the exact formula. I just want my balls to go straight. :/ Without further adeu, here's it is. Thanks in advanced people.

Bicycle mobbing the empty streets at night and the capture of light.

I'm in my early 20's. Easy answer.