Help Please

[Ian Hancock]

I find myself helping as much as I can on this site so I think it's time to help me.

Like most other keen golfers I take regular lessons and work hard on my game, however just lately I'm struggling to understand my problem,

Here goes, On video my back swing splits the plane lines in half (perfect), on the down swing I'm just under the lower line (slightly inside), however when I play my divots go to the left (with every club especially wedges) and I've been hitting a slight fade from wedge to driver.

At the range I hit a slight draw with every club, every time, on the course it changes????

Shot in the 70s again on Saturday and could have been under 75, but I'm definatley not comfortable.


Any help would be appreciated.


Ian.

[pnearn]

Re: Help Please

Ian, as you know youre a better player than me but I have done this from time to time as well (although my natural shot is a fade which sometimes turns into a pull draw)

My guess is your timing is off on the course and your release is maybe slightly too late? Leaving the clubface very slightly open at impact rather than slightly closed as you get on the range with your draw

I find that eveything happens almost naturally IF your're tempo/timing is right on

Maybe its too simpistic an answer but maybe it is as simple as that . Cant be much technically wrong if you getting it nailed at the range

[prowlsta]

Re: Help Please

I agree with pnearn- I find that on the course I tend to swing more with the arms and less with the lower body and this causes tempo and timing prob's- especially when I start to shoot a low score and tighten up!

[kiwi]

Re: Help Please

Ian

maybe on the course your using your right arm more? Concentrate on a good powerful release thru the target line. Firm left arm and full extension on follow thru.

Hopes this helps

Kiwi

[GregJWillis]

Re: Help Please

Are you practicing on mats? or regular grass?

[sinuetblue]

Re: Help Please

Not easy to make any good suggestions without actually seeing it. If your divotts are pointing left on the course (and presumably not on the range) could it be that there is some tension, especially if you half expect it to happen, and that you may be hanging back a bit in the downswing? Sometimes the body can automatically compensate for this change in swing plane by opening the club a little, especially with better golfers. This may not be the answer but could be a possible explanation and may be worth checking.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Help Please

Are you practicing on mats? or regular grass?

Mats in winter Greg, but latley grass, although I'm playing more than practicing now.


Ian.

[ph_kingston]

Re: Help Please

Interesting. When I'm warming up before a round and those muscles start to get nice and loose I tend to hit a slight draw with the ball starting just a tad to the right so I guess I'm a little inside just before impact but with a good release to roll the wrists and bring the ball back on line with the draw.

This rarely happens on the course as I'm generally seeking greater control. In this case I normally hit the ball straight or with a slight fade. I'd love to be just as relaxed on the course as I am on the range though, it happens occassionally on the big wide holes!

As with the guys, I'm taking a bit of a punt, but it might be the same thing; holding back on the release by a tiny amount and compensating for that by slightly less wrist roll.

[gord962]

Re: Help Please

I assume when hitting a draw on the range your divots are going right?

I am not going to expllain a slice/fade, but it only makes sense that you fade the ball with a left pointing divot.

Just to let you know, one of the pros at a course where I used to work used to hit draws all round and hit fades all the time on the range. You are not alone!!!!

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Help Please

Not sure on the range off mats,

My lessons are off a mat, but he takes the video off the grass and I clearly come from inside to the ball, so why do the divots go right on the course.


I'm stumped and don't mind admiting it.


Ian.

[gord962]

Re: Help Please

Is there a range where you can hit off grass? Mats are do not represent grass well and I find that my swing can be somewhat different from grass to mats.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Help Please

only with a max 9 iron

[gord962]

Re: Help Please

It's really hard to compare results from grass to mats. The only thing I can think of (and I've seen this before as well) is that the mats at teh range are a bit above your feet and therefor your swing plane is shallower, creating a draw.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Help Please

Thanks for the imput guys.......


I haven't got a clue either...............I think maybe Ricky maybe close, just a bit to much effort on the course.


Not using the range much this time of year and I don't practice much of grass, but when I do the divots are straighter thats why I think Ricky maybe right.


Thanks again


Ian.

[Carter]

Re: Help Please

Exactly the same thing happens to me - at the range it's draw, draw, draw. As soon as I'm on the course I'm taking divots that point about 10 degrees left of the target.

I put it down almost entirely to the extra adrenaline on the course (that urge to hit rather than swing). I just accept it and play from a slightly closed stance - it seems to improve as the round goes on, especially once I've hit a couple of draws and got my rhythm back...