Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

[bw1969]

Here is a video of my swing...

I've been playing for only 3-weeks now and I must say I've been taken to golf! I sincerely enjoy it! But... my driver swing is not cutting it at all. I slice the ball like crazy!

In this video I am in my yard hitting a wiffle ball. From my opinion it looks as though my hips are opening too soon... but I am not sure! Any help would be appreciated!!

I thank you all in advance for any help.

[Neil18]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Tell you what. For a beginner that ain't half bad! Well done! Hogan would be proud of that effort! I'm seriously impressed.

For the time being (and this is without being able to see the clubface at the top of this swing in the video) trying strengthening your grip a touch i.e. moving your hands round a half-inch to the right on the grip.

Other than that, watch video's of Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. You've got a lot of them in your swing already which is both brilliant and enviable!

I know it's only an air-ball type thing, but the great thing is your slice (if this shot is typical of your slice) doesn't start left and curve back. It starts right and goes further right. So I really don't think you're coming over the top. Just gotta close that clubface down a bit. I like the hip move too. Not too early and just the right amount (as far as I can tell from this angle). Another vid from face-on would be great!

I'm seriously seriously impressed.

[bw1969]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Thanks Neil! I will work on getting some shots from the side and head on tonight.

Some times my driver will shank straight to the right - right at impact. Other times it will like you said, start right and go farther right...

A narrow t-box gives me fits! I put it in the trees everytime! There are times when the slice will carry about 250 yards and over into the other hole's fairway.

Again, thank you for the help! I took up golf because in my job I have many clients who want to play... I have yet gone golfing with any of my clients because I am scared to embarrass myself!! Working hard to fix this slice!!

Thank you!

[bw1969]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

You got me so pumped up about my golf experience... I ran home for lunch and took a few videos...

Here is a Head-on view:

Here is a side view:

Looks like the club face is WIDE OPEN! Please help!!

[BrianW]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Good progress, well done.

Your body rotation is outracing and getting out in front of your arms in the downswing, this traps your arms behind you and holds the clubface open.

Don't worry too much about speed or distance to start with but try and feel your arms staying the centre of your chest as you come down to impact, this will help you to square the clubface and make better ball contact.

[bw1969]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Thanks Brian! That is exactly what I thought was going on by watching the videos. I thought my hips were racing open.

Are there any drills that you may know of that will help me with this "timing" issue? I have tried your suggestions and can't seem to break that. I will work more of course but some aids may come in handy!!

Thank you again for your help!!

[Neil18]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Thanks Brian! That is exactly what I thought was going on by watching the videos. I thought my hips were racing open.

Thank you again for your help!!

Here's something to get your brain around.

Firstly, and I'm only playing detective here from stuff I see, but I reckon your left hand grip is way too much in the palm. I am seeing this from where the butt of the club sticks out of the top of your left hand, and also the 1st snapshot I've attached.

By that snapshot stage of your backswing, the club should be more like where the red line is. To get a more free hinging motion, grip the club diagonally across the base of the two middle fingers of your left hand. The further up your left palm the butt of the club goes, the less angles will be formed and retained in the swing.

Your right hand looks great from what I can see in this light.

The second snapshot shows partly why you push-slice it. By the time your club and arms/hands have reached this point, the ball should be long gone!

[GregJWillis]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Looks like the club face is WIDE OPEN! Please help!!

Get the top of your left hand to face the target into impact. You should feel some rolling over of the right hand over the left too...everything else should fall right into place.

[bw1969]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

THANK YOU Everyone!! Such a great feeling to see so much help!

I went to the range tonight with my new knowledge and I will tell you that I changed my grip. I WAS holding it tightly deep in my palm. I put the club more in my fingers (knuckles) like the example shown on the lessons video on this site... and wow! What a difference. I will post some videos soon but I am still feel as though I am throwing my body OPEN too soon. All in all, I can't stress how much help everyone has been. I think every reply has some pointers that are helping me!

I will say that my irons and my hybrid was so much better tonight with the new grip. I got height and spin, which before I did not consistantly get that.

Thank you!!!!

[Neil18]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Cool! Keep it up!

You'll find a little something here, and a little something there will go towards making your own swing.

My advice at this point would be to get yourself a brand new little notebook purely for the purposes of golf practice notation. Make a note of what you did/was told that worked ,and what you did/was told that didn't work.

Hogan did that and it helped him greatly. It stopped him revisiting cul-de-sacs and also helped strip away the useless ****.

Above all, enjoy the process! T'aint the victories, t'is the learning along the way. Especially in this game! My patience has rarely been so tested!

[bw1969]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Ok guys... still need some help! I am hitting the ball with my driver about 40% straight... the other 60% I still have a huge slice...

Here are some new videos. Now, I have corrected my grip, which helped!

I thank you all in advance for your help!!

[BrianW]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

There is a lot going on there!

You are very unstable throughout your swing. You need to stabilise your core and stay more stacked and centered. You are lifting your left heel on the backswing which looks like it is assisting with this swaying. You seem to be casting the club from the top which will promote an outside in swing, this may be a major factor in creating your slice.

I would recommend you having a few lessons with a good coach who could straighten out some of these problems.

[bw1969]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Thanks Brian for the reply! Should I keep my heel planted on the ground? or just focus on keeping a more balance set throughout the swing?

What about my club and wrist? am I getting enough hinge and should the hinge be sooner?

Thank you!! P.S. my lessons are right here! LOL

[bw1969]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Brian,

I think I have found a video of what you mean...

Is this what you are trying to say? I may work on this right here!

[BrianW]

Re: Video of my swing - NEWBIE!!

Brian,

I think I have found a video of what you mean...

Is this what you are trying to say? I may work on this right here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzx0tLOckiY

I think that's a good video and the drill will assist you in stabilising your rotation.