How to stop pushing the ball

[bhgolfer07]

Hey

Ive been pushing the ball lately, and i was wondering what some of the possibilities that could cause the pull.

Thanks

[GregJWillis]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

Hey

Ive been pushing the ball lately, and i was wondering what some of the possibilities that could cause the pull.

Thanks

Clairify for me...are you pushing (goes right) or pulling (goes left)?

[bhgolfer07]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

im pushing it

ive just changed from a ten finger grip to a overlap

[Ian Hancock]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

bhgolfer07,

When you push the ball it usually means you have the correct swing path but an open clubface.

I would hazard a quess that it is a weak grip, the grip is the hardest thing to change as you have so many different places with the hands where you can apply to much presure.

Start with you grip change and check it to make sure it is correct using a mirror, I doubt very much it is a swing problem.


Hope this helps.....please rely if your grip is ok.


Ian.

[TeachingPro]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

A push isn't cause by an open club face per se and wouldn't have anything to do with the grip ... Grip problems would cause a ball flight that moves from 1 direction to another. A push is a straight right shot, so the club face is square to swing path.

So, forget the change in grip ... that couldn't cause a push, a slice or push-slice, maybe...

A push is caused by an inside-outside swing path and the club face is square to that swing path. The more you push it right, the more angled the approach is from the inside.

To straighten the push you need to keep your swing meachnics the same but "move" your swing path closer to the target line. You should be swinging inside-square-inside.

So, try this drill for starters:
Put a tee in the ground slightly (1 inch or so) inside the line and 3 feet behind the ball. Put another tee in a similar position on the other side of the ball. Now when you swing into impact and beyond it, get your club head to travel over the tees. Inside-square-inside ...

Post again if you still need help.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

Graham,

Can you help,

I used to play with a weak right hand grip, following lessons for a across the line swing I worked on a more "on plane" swingpath which I acomplished after several weeks.

When I returned for another lesson the only problem was I keep pushing the ball, the pro showed me that because my swing is now on plane the weak grip is causing the clubface to be open at the point of contact hence the push.

I have since strengthened my grip to a more orthodox one and the ball flight is now spot on.


I'm confused.........


I thought the correct swing path was in to square and in again, therefore....... in to square with an open club face "push".

I maybe wrong

Ian.

[TeachingPro]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

Nope ... if you hit the ball with a square swing path but the face is open ... the initial velocity will send the ball straight (following the swing path), the open face puts left-right spin on it and the ball will start to curve right ...

A push is a straight right shot (some players call it a block) and to hit the ball straight in any direction (whether it be intentional or not! ) the club face must be square or else it will have side spin on it.

Think of kicking a soccer ball. To kick it straight right, what do you have to do? Not kick it straight and put spin on it ... you bring your foot inside and kick straight at the target on the right ...

Got it?

[Ian Hancock]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

I must be more in to out with an open clubface then ????

[TeachingPro]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

Quite correct!

If your club face was open and you still pushed the ball straight right, then your club face must have been square to the swing path. That means you have been quite a bit inside-out in your swing path... To notice an open club face with the naked eye normally requires more than 3 or 4 degrees, so that means a swing path of at least from the inside!

Does your pro use video and swing analysis software?

[TeachingPro]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

I printed this quickly ...

[Ian Hancock]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

Yes Graham,
He does use a video, he told me to work on the swing changes without telling me about the grip, when I returned to see him he said "pushing them right", he new what I was doing before I had said anything.

He told me that it is important to work on one maybe two things at once max. he new I would be pushing right because I had squared my swing path up but the face was still open due to my weak right hand.

We simply straightened my grip up and imeadiatly got my slight draw back, within a couple of uncomfortable weeks with the new grip I was sorted.


Ian.

[ph_kingston]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

My problem shot is the push. My backswing is nicely grooved now and the push happens when I don't fully commit to the shot. I think what's happening is that at impact I haven't "cleared" my left side with enough shoulder and hip rotation so the swing plane becomes in to out. Does that sound plausible?

[gord962]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

Just to add a bit to the topic, if the push isn't more than 5 - 10 yards, you are okay. All you need to do is square your clubface to the target instead of your swing path and you should have a beautiful draw.

[TeachingPro]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

My problem shot is the push. My backswing is nicely grooved now and the push happens when I don't fully commit to the shot. I think what's happening is that at impact I haven't "cleared" my left side with enough shoulder and hip rotation so the swing plane becomes in to out. Does that sound plausible?

Pretty much, yes. You block the ball because your swing path turns in-out by your left side stopping the rotation (ie. shoulders and hips pointing right) and your club face is open to where it was (your initial swing path) but becomes square to the enventual swing path.

[braveheart]

Re: How to stop pushing the ball

Great explanation of this problem, gentlemen. I too push and push/slice many shots, especially my driver. My instructor has pointed out how I have an open clubface at impact. I come from the inside with too steep of a path and dont release well so my power is often negated with shots going to the right most of the time. I dont have this problem with mid/high irons. It is only magnified with the longer clubs. My grip is fairly strong so I dont see that as the problem. I have to flatten my swing path and think of rolling my wrists at impact or sooner and it improves. I like that drill mentioned in the thread, thanks, Ill try it.