Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

[mastroj]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum so I just wanted to introduce myself. I have been golfing for about 8 years now and have always have a fade swing. In the middle of last year I was shooting in the low 80's which is fairly well for me, then I had my first son and only played once until this season. I have played twice this year and have gone to the range a few times so far. I have been trying to practice my swing alot because my short game is finally up to par and have just started a duck hook, mostly with my driver. I think that I have been able to diagnose my swing for the most part I just cant figure out how to ingrain the correct motion.

My swing feels ok going back, I feel that I am in the correct position with my left shoulder behind the ball and my club face is square at the top. I have always had an over the top swing and just started trying to fix it. I noticed that when I take the club back more to the outside I would come over the top, so i started coming back more to the inside, which was working for a while. Then I started to bring the club to the inside on my follow through instead of down the target line. It feels that this is because my arms are lagging behind my body and when my body opens towards the target line my hands arent to the ball yet, which pulls them inside. I have always fired my hips pretty quick, which created alot of power when I was going over the top because there was less distance that my arms traveled. But now that I am not coming over the top my hands actual travel slower, which makes my hands get caught back and pulled to the inside when I fire my hips too early.

I have a really hard time slowing down my hips, are their any drills that will help me slow them down? Does this analysis of my swing sound correct?

Thanks to everyone in advance.

[jbrunk]

Re: Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

I would guess that your hands are dropping to the inside as you fire your hips faster. The key is to hold them up as your weight transfers and your hips turn. Holding them up keeps them from dropping inside.

[mastroj]

Re: Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

When you say "up" do you mean away from my body?

[jbrunk]

Re: Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

When you say "up" do you mean away from my body?

I am not sure I would use that terminology unless you are trying to cut it. (Video would help here.) Take some slow practice swings and at the transition feel like your hands are holding the club in the air while you make your weight shift/rotation. You should see/feel that they are making a slight loop. This feel is the club staying on plane and not dropping to the inside.

[Neil18]

Re: Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum so I just wanted to introduce myself. I have been golfing for about 8 years now and have always have a fade swing. In the middle of last year I was shooting in the low 80's which is fairly well for me, then I had my first son and only played once until this season. I have played twice this year and have gone to the range a few times so far. I have been trying to practice my swing alot because my short game is finally up to par and have just started a duck hook, mostly with my driver. I think that I have been able to diagnose my swing for the most part I just cant figure out how to ingrain the correct motion.

My swing feels ok going back, I feel that I am in the correct position with my left shoulder behind the ball and my club face is square at the top. I have always had an over the top swing and just started trying to fix it. I noticed that when I take the club back more to the outside I would come over the top, so i started coming back more to the inside, which was working for a while. Then I started to bring the club to the inside on my follow through instead of down the target line. It feels that this is because my arms are lagging behind my body and when my body opens towards the target line my hands arent to the ball yet, which pulls them inside. I have always fired my hips pretty quick, which created alot of power when I was going over the top because there was less distance that my arms traveled. But now that I am not coming over the top my hands actual travel slower, which makes my hands get caught back and pulled to the inside when I fire my hips too early.

I have a really hard time slowing down my hips, are their any drills that will help me slow them down? Does this analysis of my swing sound correct?

Thanks to everyone in advance.

Rejoice Mastroj! You are in good company! I have it on very good authority that people with good hand-eye coordination and those who are good at sports and physical stuff are the ones more likely to see the club come left after impact.

So figuring out why is the key.

I used to take the club more outside on the way back until I started seeing my current coach. He's been getting me to come more inside but it's easy to get too far inside, or bring it inside using the wrong body parts.

I've recently sorted this out for myself so I hope it helps you. This is how I see it.

Bringing the club too far back inside seems to encourage a hard body move from the top = still over the top. Hence you try to "drop" your hands more to the inside in the downswing and then they get stuck behind your body and hips and you can start flipping at it.

By all means swing back to the inside. But the right body parts moving in the right order is key. The start of the backswing up until your hands get just outside your back foot (a good visual checkpoint is seeing your left wrist cover your right ankle) should feel more like it's done with just the hands and arms. Turning ones body too early in the backswing can be disastrous, although it may feel powerful. Get the clubhead moving early using your hands and arms. You'll bring the club back inside and your right arm will start to bend ealrly but you'll be bang on plane.

When your arms can go no further, now is the time the body starts to turn, and then the hips will be pulled around by the shoulders. When done right you'll feel slightly tight across the left side of your back and you'll feel what I call "grouped". Like a cocked gun. It's not a big move, but it's a strong one.

If it's done right, from the top you just kind of just go! So many think the backswing is inconsequential with regard to the downswing and actually hitting the ball. Nothing could be further from the truth. All roads do lead to Paris, but the way you enter Paris affects how you leave!

[BrianW]

Re: Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

Rejoice Mastroj! You are in good company! I have it on very good authority that people with good hand-eye coordination and those who are good at sports and physical stuff are the ones more likely to see the club come left after impact.

So figuring out why is the key.

I used to take the club more outside on the way back until I started seeing my current coach. He's been getting me to come more inside but it's easy to get too far inside, or bring it inside using the wrong body parts.

I've recently sorted this out for myself so I hope it helps you. This is how I see it.

Bringing the club too far back inside seems to encourage a hard body move from the top = still over the top. Hence you try to "drop" your hands more to the inside in the downswing and then they get stuck behind your body and hips and you can start flipping at it.

By all means swing back to the inside. But the right body parts moving in the right order is key. The start of the backswing up until your hands get just outside your back foot (a good visual checkpoint is seeing your left wrist cover your right ankle) should feel more like it's done with just the hands and arms. Turning ones body too early in the backswing can be disastrous, although it may feel powerful. Get the clubhead moving early using your hands and arms. You'll bring the club back inside and your right arm will start to bend ealrly but you'll be bang on plane.

When your arms can go no further, now is the time the body starts to turn, and then the hips will be pulled around by the shoulders. When done right you'll feel slightly tight across the left side of your back and you'll feel what I call "grouped". Like a cocked gun. It's not a big move, but it's a strong one.

If it's done right, from the top you just kind of just go! So many think the backswing is inconsequential with regard to the downswing and actually hitting the ball. Nothing could be further from the truth. All roads do lead to Paris, but the way you enter Paris affects how you leave!

Have they been diverted from Rome or is it a new EEC directive

[Neil18]

Re: Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

Have they been diverted from Rome or is it a new EEC directive

Well according to Essex folklore, all roads used to lead to Basildon. However their own scholars eventually decided that couldn't be the case. And that was only last week. We're abit slow daan 'ere.

[rotator]

Re: Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

Hi mastroj,

I agree with Neil regarding the consequences of whipping the club too far to the inside in the backswing. In fact, I believe strongly that this itself could cause the OTT reaction, contrary to your thinking on this.

You should take a look at the video I posted in the "driver woes" thread. That explains it better than I could in a hundred words. Note that the tracing of the ball/target line with the butt end of the club, in concert with the other proper hip shift, retention of lag etc will ingrain the feel you are looking for.

Ted

[BrianW]

Re: Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

Ted's comments on the shaft tracing the target line in the backswing and down swing is a good one and a great way to keep every club on plane throughout the swing.

[mastroj]

Re: Swing path is to the inside on the up swing

Thank you everyone,

I tried some of these swing thoughts this morning driving into a net. I was bringing the club back much slower and also shortening my back swing a little. I couldnt tell exactly how the ball was flying but they felt much better then the previous duck hooks. My divots were also pointing down the target line, everything felt pretty well but I will see more once I get to the driving range.

Thanks again