Just had a lesson . . . despair

[mariner]

I've just had a lesson and seen the horror that is my swing on tape.
I've been playing quite well recently, I'm 16 handicap but have been playing to 11 on my last 6 rounds and I just intended to go and get a tune up to help with my driving which is my main weakness.
But now apparently I've got to go away and try and swing like Jim Furyk.
I've been taking the club away too flat and coming back to the ball from the outside and I've got to practice doing the exact opposite, take it away steep and loop it back down to the inside.
I'm depressed about it because I can hardly make contact with the ball at all and it feels SO wrong it's untrue. I really wish I hadn't bothered.

[rharris06]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

I dont want you to start getting confused now but this drill is absolutely perfect for what you are working on.

Set up to the ball normally but drop your right foot back 1 ft so the toes on your right foot are lined up with the heel of your left foot but still keep the width in your stance, now swing back to the outside and swing back down, with the position your feet are in the club will automatically drop to the inside and you will find you will hit some nice big draws.

Remember its a DRILL to do on the range, dont worry about where the ball goes, what direction it goes, how far it goes dont worry about that. Because you are trying to ingrain good positions in your swing, the results will come later after your hard work!

[pnearn]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

I've just had a lesson and seen the horror that is my swing on tape.
I've been playing quite well recently, I'm 16 handicap but have been playing to 11 on my last 6 rounds and I just intended to go and get a tune up to help with my driving which is my main weakness.
But now apparently I've got to go away and try and swing like Jim Furyk.
I've been taking the club away too flat and coming back to the ball from the outside and I've got to practice doing the exact opposite, take it away steep and loop it back down to the inside.
I'm depressed about it because I can hardly make contact with the ball at all and it feels SO wrong it's untrue. I really wish I hadn't bothered.

This is very much what i've been working on just lately too so dont despair! And it is right. Go back steep and come down narrow. Im hitting a lot of pushes and blocks at the range because im coming down too far inside and getting stuck and have had to work on things like grip and forearm rotation to get the right feelings.

Work on positions. When club is parallel to rhe ground on the way back, have the club shaft pointing down the line, and make sure the club head is outside the hands


From that point make sure the wrists hinge and the elbow folds which will being the club back inside a little and up to to the half way position. Butt of club should point to the target line. From there slowly feel like you shallow the club a little and through the ball

It always takes time to make a change .. i think i read it takes 10,000 balls to make it a natural movement but stick at it because it will be worth it in the end

[pnearn]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

One other thing to check is your distance from the ball. If you are reaching for it a little this will cause you to yank the club inside

Have a look at this thread from Chuck Quintons site

http://www.oneplanegolfswing.com/for...arms+away&PN=1

I think this is one of the best threads on a golf DB i have ever read. Had it bookmarked for the last year and refer to it frequently

[jambalaya]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

Things may much worse before they get better if you are completely rebuilding your swing. A tough choice to be sure. There are a lot of people out there with flawed swings, compared to some of the more traditional and ideal swings, but they have developed a repeatable action that gives them consistency. It sound like that is what you have done. Do you really want to start over?

[ogallalabob]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

Things may much worse before they get better if you are completely rebuilding your swing. A tough choice to be sure. There are a lot of people out there with flawed swings, compared to some of the more traditional and ideal swings, but they have developed a repeatable action that gives them consistency. It sound like that is what you have done. Do you really want to start over?

The big question is how much time do you have to work on it?

What are your golfing goals etc.?

Because if your happy with your game and only playing one a week at most, (and haeding into winter) not sure I would make a overhaul, but rather try and make some minor adjustments.

[shootin4par]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

should you be frustrated or should you have a sense of freedom? You now have a better idea of the problem, but you rather have stayed in the dark? an outside in swing will SEVERELY limit what you can do with a golf ball and what you can score, an inside square or inside out swing will open up the possibilities and now you have a better chance at rapid improvement. In order to be a sub 10 handicapper it is not really that hard, being an 11 is not bad but most everyone could EASILY be an 8 or lower. congratulations on your learning experience, good luck

[mariner]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

I'm going to try and make the change because I can't get any further with the swing I've got now - I'm swinging a momentus swing trainer 60 times a day and though I've only done four or five days I already notice a change on the range (first couple of sessions I could hardly hit the ball, then I started making better contact, and yesterday they were going quite well although nothing has actually drawn yet)
I think if I keep using the momentus but not think about anything when I actually play, things should change slowly.
My swing thought is weight shift first and keep the shoulders behind the ball though I have trouble with hitting AT the ball instead of through it.

[BrianW]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

I'm going to try and make the change because I can't get any further with the swing I've got now - I'm swinging a momentus swing trainer 60 times a day and though I've only done four or five days I already notice a change on the range (first couple of sessions I could hardly hit the ball, then I started making better contact, and yesterday they were going quite well although nothing has actually drawn yet)
I think if I keep using the momentus but not think about anything when I actually play, things should change slowly.
My swing thought is weight shift first and keep the shoulders behind the ball though I have trouble with hitting AT the ball instead of through it.

Try to keep your swing thoughts simple, try thinking you are standing in a barrel and swinging the club around an inclined circle (Like your momentus). The barrel will encourage you to keep your belt line level and reduce any excessive sway, the circle should help to keep you on plane.

[bdbl]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

I've just had a lesson and seen the horror that is my swing on tape.
I've been playing quite well recently, I'm 16 handicap but have been playing to 11 on my last 6 rounds and I just intended to go and get a tune up to help with my driving which is my main weakness.
But now apparently I've got to go away and try and swing like Jim Furyk.
I've been taking the club away too flat and coming back to the ball from the outside and I've got to practice doing the exact opposite, take it away steep and loop it back down to the inside.
I'm depressed about it because I can hardly make contact with the ball at all and it feels SO wrong it's untrue. I really wish I hadn't bothered.

I know I shouldn't but as I also know I'm pretty much the only one on here who is heretical enough to say that for ordinary golfers video is worse than a waste of time I had to chuckle at your post.

So tell me, do you think that that video lesson is more or less likely to get you playing to single figures from 11 than a 9 hole playing lesson from a pro who can work on your course management.

[BrianW]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

I know I shouldn't but as I also know I'm pretty much the only one on here who is heretical enough to say that for ordinary golfers video is worse than a waste of time I had to chuckle at your post.

So tell me, do you think that that video lesson is more or less likely to get you playing to single figures from 11 than a 9 hole playing lesson from a pro who can work on your course management.

Hi bdbl,

I think both have their individual merits. A playing lesson will certainly help with course management and help to tweak little flaws in chipping, putting etc but it's not so good at identifying and fixing a fundamental swing fault.

Actually seeing your swing on a video gives positive feedback on what is going wrong, the alternative is someone telling you and then you trying to get a mental image of the problem, which in my experience is not easy.

[Christo]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

I know I shouldn't but as I also know I'm pretty much the only one on here who is heretical enough to say that for ordinary golfers video is worse than a waste of time I had to chuckle at your post.

So tell me, do you think that that video lesson is more or less likely to get you playing to single figures from 11 than a 9 hole playing lesson from a pro who can work on your course management.

I believe video analysis can help you a lot. What I've experienced is players getting down to a 9-12 handicap and then they get stuck. They condition their swing to work to some extent, but they lack fundamentals.

Video analysis gives the player an idea of his swing and with visual intake you can establish the problems. 90% of the things we learn is by observation. The problems I had in my swing I saw in a video analysis. Never thought I had these problems, until I saw it for myself.

Course management is crucial and you need this component, but if you don't have the swing your going to struggle to become a low handicapper.

[bdbl]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

Hi Brian

I did say I was a heretic, and I'd agree that video can show you what show you what's going wrong; but I'd argue though that for many many high handicappers thats all it does.

Why? Well lets try a test - really for 20+ players like me.

Take a pitching wedge and just a friend, or even a video! Swing 20 times stopping alternatively when you think the club head is at hip and at shoulder level.

Now check the tape or ask your mate and see how close you were. Not too good I'd bet - something supported by the many posts on here on estimating backswing length.

Now I might (and probably do ) buy the big picture / mental image argument but how many people have the club head control to benefit from frame by frame analysis of something thats over in zip? I think its this technical frame by frame aspect of video that I have most doubts about.

However, changing the subject whilst sticking to mental images, thanks for the image of moving your sternum in an earlier post - if it ever stops raining I'm going to try that to see if its helps with my "big stick" problems.

[Christo]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

Hi Brian

I did say I was a heretic, and I'd agree that video can show you what show you what's going wrong; but I'd argue though that for many many high handicappers thats all it does.

Why? Well lets try a test - really for 20+ players like me.

Take a pitching wedge and just a friend, or even a video! Swing 20 times stopping alternatively when you think the club head is at hip and at shoulder level.

Now check the tape or ask your mate and see how close you were. Not too good I'd bet - something supported by the many posts on here on estimating backswing length.

Now I might (and probably do ) buy the big picture / mental image argument but how many people have the club head control to benefit from frame by frame analysis of something thats over in zip? I think its this technical frame by frame aspect of video that I have most doubts about.

However, changing the subject whilst sticking to mental images, thanks for the image of moving your sternum in an earlier post - if it ever stops raining I'm going to try that to see if its helps with my "big stick" problems.

Seems like you are convinced about the videos not working. As i've said in a previous post it worked for me. I was a 20+ handicapper myself and with visual intake I corrected a lot of faults.

[msklar92]

Re: Just had a lesson . . . despair

on the throughswing, aim for the inside quarter of the ball. This will help you to come from the inside. check with your pro, but if your pulling the club back too inside you may want to go to a slightly open stance with your feet rather than a closed stance.