Winter Swing Analysis needed!

[J9293]

Video Posted - Please give advice!

Hi Guys,

Spring is approaching here in Canada so my swing needs to shape up. I am going on a Mesquite golf trip in late March and I need my swing fixed before then.

A little about my swing:

• I hit it a bit fat which leads to distance loss (8 iron goes about 145-150).
• I stand closer to the ball than normal (anything further feels foreign and I lose my balance).
• My misses are hooks.
• I swing slower than an 8 year old girl.

Here is the video link:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=HK1Y08f2kT4


Any tips/comments would be greatly appreciated!

[MonteScheinblum]

The reason why standing farther away feels bad is because of your posture. You don't bend over enough at the waist enough, or your knees enough.

This causes your shoulder turn to be too flat/level to the ground instead of 90* to your spine.

That gets the club behind you, which forces your armswing and handset to overtake your shoulder turn and that doesn't allow you to accelerate through the ball.

This sound like a lot, but it is a chain reaction, most of which will be fixed if you change your setup...this will allow you to rotate and swing more freely.

[imaplus3wannaplay]

I would like to see a straight on view. You have a good athletic foundation, but there appears to be many points to work on. You have a lot of unneeded hand action, and set your hands improperly or not at all.

Here's a good drill for setting your hands properly... When your hands are in a position even with your right shoulder (in your back swing) try to imagine making a stop signal with your right hand (like directing traffic to your right). This makes you set your hands in the proper position and eliminates a flip at the top. From that point, your arms are done! Your turn takes you the rest of the way to the top.

Now, for the next problem... you seem to have a lot of lateral movement (hard to tell from down the line view). Even if you don't have, you are not clearing the left side quickly enough. This is one of the most common amateur swing flaws. Fire your left hip straight back (not forward). Post quickly on your left leg. This will create speed, consistency, and a powerful lag.

Lastly for now... you look very upright at address. You need to work on getting your hands a little lower at address. (further away from the ball) Agree with last poster.

Work on those things for a couple of weeks and then repost your swing. I'll take another look and give more feedback. you will get frustrated doing to much at once.

Are you relatively new to golf? You have a good start!

[J9293]

[quote name='MonteScheinblum' date='22 February 2010 - 10:05 PM' timestamp='1266894358' post='2270627']
The reason why standing farther away feels bad is because of your posture. [b]You don't bend over enough at the waist enough, or your knees enough.[/b]

This causes your shoulder turn to be too flat/level to the ground instead of 90* to your spine.

[/quote]

to monte,

I guess it felt weird to have the ball further away because I just reached out with my arms instead of bending from my waist and knees. When I bend my knees and waist more the club head automatically moves further away from my body without me having to reach out with my arms.

Thanks for the simple but effective advice!

[quote name='imaplus3wannaplay' date='22 February 2010 - 10:08 PM' timestamp='1266894507' post='2270633']
Now, for the next problem... you seem to have a lot of lateral movement (hard to tell from down the line view). Even if you don't have, [b]you are not clearing the left side quickly enough.[/b] This is one of the most common amateur swing flaws. Fire your left hip straight back (not forward). Post quickly on your left leg. This will create speed, consistency, and a powerful lag.

Are you relatively new to golf? You have a good start!

[/quote]

to +3,

can you clarify what [b]clearing the left side quicker[/b] means?

I have been playing this cruel game for 2 years so I am relatively new. I normally shoot in the low 90s so I don't think I can play with a +3 player yet!

[Cmartingolf]

Not too bad...

2 P's

1 Posture: Weight on your heels. During your set up routine, set your weight on the ball of your right foot as you set the club face to the ball, then set our left foot for ball postion, again with your weight more on the ball of your left foot. Then, drop your right foot back.

2 Pop out. You over rotate the club in your back swing. Work your hands in more while keeping the club head out... Visit Cmartingolf YouTube channel and see Tour Striker Trent.

Cheers

[J9293]

[quote name='Cmartingolf' date='23 February 2010 - 01:32 AM' timestamp='1266906720' post='2271017']
Not too bad...

2 P's


2 Pop out. [b]You over rotate the club in your back swing. Work your hands in more while keeping the club head out.[/b].. Visit Cmartingolf YouTube channel and see Tour Striker Trent.

Cheers
[/quote]

To Cmartin,

I watched that Trent video of yours on youtube and it sounded like Trent and I have a lot in common! I will work on what you said about keeping my hands in more and keeping the club head further out. This way my back swing wont be so flat in comparison to my down swing.

Thanks for the great tip!

[mikpga]

You can adjust posture and swing more AROUND if you want...

I like the tempo and if you decide not to swing more AROUND, you are going to have to learn how to hit into a firm front side and feel like you are swinging the clubhead more down the target line...

[imaplus3wannaplay]

[quote]

to +3,

can you clarify what [b]clearing the left side quicker[/b] means?

I have been playing this cruel game for 2 years so I am relatively new. I normally shoot in the low 90s so I don't think I can play with a +3 player yet!
[/quote]

Sure... It appears that you tend to slide to the left side more than turn onto your left side. This is difficult to determine from a down the line angle, but it looks to be the case. You will naturally move somewhat laterally in your swing, but a full turn is vital. You should feel like your left hip is moving back and away from your left shoulder during your downswing. This creates separation which creates power and promotes a full turn. Your left knee should straighten and your weight should post and pivot over your left leg before contact.

A good drill...
Get a golf shaft or an alignment stick. Stick it in the ground (stand it upright) about 2 or 3 inches off your left heel toward the target. Swing without pushing into the stick but make a full turn. You can't slide too much and if you don't turn you will get stuck causing your swing to feel incomplete and unfinished.

[imaplus3wannaplay]

Another note about you setup position...

An easy setup tip is to setup like a shortstop (baseball). Get in an athletic and balanced position. Get somewhat low (as to stop a ground ball), but not too low (so you could jump for a line drive over your head). You should also feel like you can move quickly and freely in either direction. Your arms should hang straight down with little tension (so they can work independently).

This tip should help you achieve that hands low/ ball further away position you desire and need. This position should also feel very powerful and provide a nice sturdy base. Remember the swing happens from the ground up. You only have two points of contact in golf... 1. club to hands 2. feet to ground. Your power comes from the ground and how well your body uses it to create force.

[J9293]

[quote name='imaplus3wannaplay' date='23 February 2010 - 07:02 PM' timestamp='1266969734' post='2272612']
Sure... It appears that you tend to slide to the left side more than turn onto your left side. This is difficult to determine from a down the line angle, but it looks to be the case. You will naturally move somewhat laterally in your swing, but a full turn is vital. [b]You should feel like your left hip is moving back and away from your left shoulder during your downswing. This creates separation which creates power and promotes a full turn. [/b]Your left knee should straighten and your weight should post and pivot over your left leg before contact.

[/quote]

another great tip. if i am not misinterpreting this, my hips/lowebody should initiate my downswing followed by my arms/upperbody? i can see how this chain reaction will create a more powerful turn. hopefully it turns my 8 year old girl's swing speed to a 12 year old's!

i will definitly set up more athletically too. i tried bending my knees and tilting my hips forward a bit more and it automatically moved the club head away from me by 2.5 inches. that is exactly what i was looking for. so simple but so effective. before i reached forward with my arms (they are supposed to hang freely) which caused me to lose my balance.

i have alot of work to do at the range with all this new knowledge. thanks again for the advice.

btw great display picture.

[imaplus3wannaplay]

Sounds like you have it, but take it slow. One change at a time. Change can be frustrating and you likely will not receive immediate gratification. I would hold off on trying to set the hands correctly. Work on the posture, address position, and proper turn for a few weeks. After you have it, i would be more than happy to help you address more issues including the hand setting.

Make sure when you work on this new address position that you don't slouch. Keep a firm yet relaxed spine angle (stick your butt out). Many people develop a slouching habit when working on a lower stance. Pay close attention to this.

Good luck and have fun!

When you record your progress, get both angles... head on and down the line.

[Cmartingolf]

[quote name='J9293' date='23 February 2010 - 03:54 PM' timestamp='1266958497' post='2272163']
[quote name='Cmartingolf' date='23 February 2010 - 01:32 AM' timestamp='1266906720' post='2271017']
Not too bad...

2 P's


2 Pop out. [b]You over rotate the club in your back swing. Work your hands in more while keeping the club head out.[/b].. Visit Cmartingolf YouTube channel and see Tour Striker Trent.

Cheers
[/quote]

To Cmartin,

I watched that Trent video of yours on youtube and it sounded like Trent and I have a lot in common! I will work on what you said about keeping my hands in more and keeping the club head further out. This way my back swing wont be so flat in comparison to my down swing.

Thanks for the great tip!
[/quote]

My pleasure. Good luck and PM me if you need more help. Cheers.