still having trouble

[bobby]

I'm a 24 handicapper with weak shoulders that only allow my hands on takeaway to reach about shoulder height....my swing is fairly slow and my age is mid 50's (distances 5I/145m, 3W/180-190m etc)

Some months ago I posted and said I was determined to change my over the top swing to a more inside path, seeking more consistency and a draw for extra distance.

In the books I read, I understand the swing should be natural with the forearms turning over after impact with little or no hand manipulation.

(off the tee) On my driver and 3 wood (this is what I mostly use), I have to consciously turn my hands over to create a draw. I can do this fairly well but certainly haven't created any extra distance (although it's a bit hard to tell currently - it's been pretty wet in Oz). Certainly my drives find more fairways than my old OTT swing although my ball flight is a lot lower than my previous OTT swing. (which doesn't help in winter)

With my irons, when I turn the club over, the five iron and longer can create a little draw but the ball often heads out to the left of the hole. (a pull/draw) - the divot is left of the target although I consciously think I'm hitting the inside of the ball?

If I don't turn the hands over consciously, with the longer irons I'll probably hang 1 out of 3 out to the right on a slice path. With the shorter irons I'm a liitle more accurate.

My golf strengths are my 8 iron, 5 wood and I chip fairly well!

Any hints?

[Ian Hancock]

Re: still having trouble

I'm a 24 handicapper with weak shoulders that only allow my hands on takeaway to reach about shoulder height
In the books I read, I understand the swing should be natural with the forearms turning over after impact with little or no hand manipulation.

Any hints?

Hi Bobby,

No matter how weak you think your shoulders are, they are a lot stronger than your arms,which are stronger than your wrists. It sound to me like you are doing exactly opposite of what you have read in your book regarding hand manipulation.

I think you are swinging more with your arms and flipping the wrists hense the hooks/pushes if you flip to late a push and flip to much a hook, the arms and hands are to inconsistant to develop a good swing.

Shoulders, can you perform a full shoulder turn?, if so they you should be fine don't worry to much about hands and arms at this point, try working on the shoulder turn, turn them until your left shoulder is under your chin, thats about 6 inches of movement, practice this and hit balls, don't even think about your hands they will turn through the swing naturally, it's actually quite difficult to hold the clubface open through the shot it takes alot of effort.


6 inches of shoulder turn is a lot less to think about than wrists and arms.


Hope this Helps.


Ian.

[bobby]

Re: still having trouble

Yes, I am turning the left shoulder under the chin - no problems!
You could be right with the arms tending to dominate though?
Back to the practice tee.
Thanks Ian.