Softball/Baseball effecting golf.........

[bigfreddy200000]

I first started golfing towards the beginning of last summer, when a friend got me to try it out. I love golfing, even though i'm not very good yet. I also play softball during the summer. In baseball/softball, I was always taught that when i'm swinging, my hands should come across my body first and my bat should follow behind. I've played baseball/softball for so long, that my body is so used to this motion.
In golf on the otherhand, I think it is different, even though my body wants to do the same thing. Aren't you suppose to be able to draw a straight line from the base of your club up to your right shoulder when you are hitting the ball? The way I swing now, my club face opens up when I hit the ball. Anyways, i don't know what to do to correct this, cuz it seems like my body is set on swinging that way. I've tried closing my club face by rotating the club counter clockwise in my hand before I swing, but it is just too inconsistant, and I know the way I hold the club like that isn't right.
So can someone please tell me how I can fix this problem, some advise, maybe some visuals I can think about or drills I can use to solve this problem?
Thanks in advance for any help.

[LowPost42]

Re: Softball/Baseball effecting golf.........

I've heard that a good baseball swing will really hurt your golf swing.

The main difference I've felt between baseball and golf is that (for a RH player) is that in baseball, part of the swing is pushing with the right shoulder, whereas in golf, to push with the right shoulder puts the club outside the plane, forcing an out-to-in swing path, causing a slice.

You need to learn the golf swing - time for some lessons.

Start by keeping your right arm and shoulder as limp as possible - use only your left side.

Start your backswing by lifting your left upper arm (biceps/triceps) away from the target up under your chin. Keep reaching back with your upper arm(feeling as though you're trying to put your left shoulder over your right knee - thanks Gord!). Once you've wound up, try pulling down with your left arm, as opposed to pushing with your right shoulder. Again, leave the right side as dead as possible - the right hand goes along for the ride. See what happens.

This is a touch overkill (as you obviously need some right side to support the club), but once you stop using your right side to hit, you may find your results better.

[GregJWillis]

Re: Softball/Baseball effecting golf.........

In golf, the straight line is the left arm and the club. This is the hardest thing for all baseball players to change. They do exactly what you are doing...closing the face down rather to counter the extream slices.

To start, take My Lessons (at the bottom) and see what you can get out of them. There are so many books out there, it will make your head spin. My suggestion is to get a local pro/assistant pro (a littel cheaper) to get you the basics. Then go from there.

GL!

[braveheart]

Re: Softball/Baseball effecting golf.........

I played baseball and then softball for the last 30 yrs.. I just took up golf this past year and immediately the pro asked if was a baseball player. First thing, in baseball you do not turn your back to the target as you should do in golf. This is explained better by low post42 in previous replies as being making sure you turn shoulders (L shoulder to R knee)during backswing. After that, grip tension must be lighter than when holding a bat, tempo must be in controlled. Both issues I continue to struggle with.

[bigfreddy200000]

Re: Softball/Baseball effecting golf.........

Thanks for all the replies. I'll try some of these things out and see how it goes. It is still winter here (minnesota) and i guess we're suppose to get 2-4" of snow tonight, which sucks because it means I can't golf for a while, so I guess I can just try to improve my swing without hitting balls for now. But thanks again.

[LowPost42]

Re: Softball/Baseball effecting golf.........

If you watch pro swings (golfdigest.com has a ton), especially 'down-the-line' swings, you'll notice pro's don't turn their shoulders around their spines - they reach across their chests with their lead arms, keeping their trailing arm (and shoulder) next to the body - not like in baseball where your starting position has the trailing arm seperated from the body, and the shoulder pulled back.

The trailing arm bends or folds up as you swing back - the elbow getting high and away is a sign of pulling with the shoulder, not reaching with the lead arm. You can practice this by gripping your lead thumb, and doing your swing - I do it all the time (really - I stay at home with my kids), trying to keep my swing in shape over the winter.

[bigfreddy200000]

Re: Softball/Baseball effecting golf.........

Hell, 2-4"......make that 12". Now i'm pissed. We haven't had this much snow all winter, and now i'm looking forward to golfing, and we get dumped on!

[LowPost42]

Re: Softball/Baseball effecting golf.........

You sound like a Canadian!

[bigfreddy200000]

Re: Softball/Baseball effecting golf.........

Minnesotan actually...lol.