Faulty Swing Mechanics?

[AlanN]

My ball striking has improved a lot recently, but there are still some horror shots that raise their ugly heads from time to time.

I have an idea as to what goes wrong but, as to the mechanics involved; this is a beyond my level of knowledge where swing faults are concerned. However, I have noticed a couple of things, when practising, which may be relevant

If I deliberately keep my weight on the back foot into the downswing, I can bring about a pull/pull hook (provided that I don't hit the ground 6" behind the ball that is!!!) At the other extreme, if I feel that I'm moving my weight very early, I get a slice/blocked slice which veers off course very severely. I get the feeling that my head may move ahead of the ball when this happens. Needless to say, the longer the club; the more this is accentuated. It seems that these faults may go hand in hand with, or contribute to an out to in swing path

Can anybody please explain why these pulls and slices can be induced by transferring weight at the wrong time? Also, perhaps a drill which will help develop a balance between the two extremes.

Thanks

Alan N

[pgmetcalf]

Golfbald

Maybe what the site needs is a "Why of Shots" diagram showing swing plain, swing arc and ball flight with a description of each shot.

I've tried to include a picture but I don't have a scanner - I used a web cam but I hope you get the general idea. The picture was taken from the Handbook of Golf by Alex Haye and Peter Alliss.

[Golfbald]

Alan,

Two drills that might help are done with a soft thick rope. Get 1 rope 8 feet long and 1 rope 4 feet long.

The 8 foot rope drill is: loop the rope on the ground with a tent stake or around something on the ground. Put you hands on each end and move your hips from 4 oclock to 10 oclock. Relax and let your hips move but not sway. Keep your head (eyes) on the middle of the rope. This is the lower body action and shoulder turn. You will feel the transfer of weight between the feet.

The 4 foot rope drill is: use the rope like a shaft. Swing the rope so it hits the back of each arm to the elbow. Try to snap the rope at the bottom and kick up a little dust. You will feel the rope going through the hitting area and release at the correct point in the swing. Try snapping the back of a ball with the rope. This will help you stay on plane.

Hope this helps you game!

GolfBald

[AlanN]

Indian rope trick

Golfbald,

Thanks for the reply. The first drill sounds familiar. Mike Austin and Mike Dunaway, I believe. Let me have a go at these drills over the next couple of weeks and I'll report back to you.

I would like to get the hang of the Austin/Dunaway approach. However, when I tried it, my swing went out of synch completely. Unfortunately, I started to pivot over the front leg. This caused a lot of my pull shots. Once I have gained more consistency, I will go back to the video.

best regards

Alan

[pgmetcalf]

A saw a trick with 2 broom handles to help practice the swing plane.

What you do is this:

Cut a length of broom handle to the length of a club, then attach 2 torches to each end with tape (make sure they are inline with the broom handle and shine outwards.)

Place the other broom handle pointing along the target line and take up your normal golf swing.

At address the club torches beam should hit the target broom. Swing back making sure the beam stays on the broom. At the top of swing the beam of the torch, where you grip, should be on the target broom. Make sure the beam passes straight over the club on the way back down.

Never tried it ... but it sounds interesting.

[AlanN]

Practising at night?

I've seen this somewhere before. However, you can only practise this at night or in very dim, daylight conditions.

[pgmetcalf]

get stronger torches