the inside path - help!

[bobby]

I'm currently playing off 25, have always played with a little of the over the top move (some straight, some fades, some slices) and with a fair bit of military golf - left, right, left, right etc
I made a determined decision around a month ago to change my downswing to the inside approach and allowing the right hand/arm to release over the left.
I have enjoyed the better ball direction (and more length) off the tee with more straighter shots and some with a little draw. I mainly use a 3W and a driver sometimes.
Questions:
*My new ballflight is a lot lower - how can I get it a little higher? (I'm using a 3W 15 deg. and Driver 10.5 deg.)
*For a fade, is it still necessary to release the arms?
*For fairway woods, I used to hit down on the ball but find now with a more sweeping swing, tend to now hit a little thin sometimes?
*For medium irons, should I be releasing the club similarly?
*What about short irons? I have always hit these well with a fairly steep swing - should I be attempting to release on these or hold the clubface straight?
As you can see, I'm a little confused. Thank you.

Bobby.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: the inside path - help!

Hi Bobby,

I think you are a little confused, you have worked on a more inside approach which is good and you sound like you have it sorted with a draw, better ball flight etc.

You have all these because you are releasing your wrists through the ball, in answer to one of your questions YES you should do this with every clud and shot.

However if you wish to cut the ball around a tree for example then you swing holding the face open (very deliberatly) if you just wish to fade the ball gently off the tee then alter your stance to slightly open and conciously make a out to in swing with a full release as before.

Hope this answers your question.


Ian.

[bobby]

Re: the inside path - help!

thanks for your help - your comments in your last paragraph has given me something to work on - a cut vs a fade!also, I have been afraid to release on short irons - you're saying I need to?

[Ian Hancock]

Re: the inside path - help!

Yes Bobby,

You should release naturally on all shots unless you are creating something different from the norm.

If you manipulate the club head in any way on the through swing there is normally a dead straight divot and maybe catch the ball fat.

I think you are finding it harder with a wedge because you are closer to the pin and tring to steer the ball.


Just let go and hit it.


Ian.

[cio]

Re: the inside path - help!

*My new ballflight is a lot lower - how can I get it a little higher? (I'm using a 3W 15 deg. and Driver 10.5 deg.) :
Driver : You will get the best combination of carry and roll when your driver catches the ball just slightly on the upswing. To do that, your head must be behind the ball at impact. And since your head goes wherever your weight goes, set up with 70 percent of your weight favoring the right (back) leg and your head will be behind the ball. The body has a natural tendency to return to the set-up position at impact, so you'll be in the right position to make an ascending hit.
*For a fade, is it still necessary to release the arms? Yes

*For fairway woods, I used to hit down on the ball but find now with a more sweeping swing, tend to now hit a little thin sometimes?
Fairway Woods/Long Irons : To encourage the slightly descending angle of attack necessary for these longer fairway clubs, set up with about 60 percent of your weight over the right leg. Your head should still be behind the ball at impact, but not as far back as with the driver.

*For medium irons, should I be releasing the club similarly? Yes


*What about short irons? I have always hit these well with a fairly steep swing - should I be attempting to release on these or hold the clubface straight?
This includes full-wedge shots, where your best contact and ball flight will result from a downward blow that contacts the ball first then takes a significant divot after impact. Let your weight favor the left (front) leg; this will keep your head slightly ahead of the ball, which promotes the necessary descending hit at impact.

Dont forget to check your Grip, Set-up, and swing path ( in to out ) + swing tempo

Good luck