Badly curving shots

[BeeJay]

Hello,

I keep getting a problem when I am at the range, I start hitting fairly good straight shots for around 20 balls then after a while I keep hitting horrible shots that curve violently to the right, not shanks but looping shots that are very low and only travel around 80/100 yards.

I try everything I can to stop it but I end up hitting the same shot with every iron unless I just make a chip shot. Thankfully I don't seem to do this on the course but it is destroying my confidence. I think it may be due to getting my hands trapped behind my hips on the downswing but I am not sure.

Help please?

[Jeff Mann]

Re: Badly curving shots

I think that weak shots that curve quickly to the right are very characteristic of an OTT move that causes the clubshaft to approach the ball steeply from above with a slightly out-to-in swingpath. Optimally, the clubhead should approach the ball along a shallower, in-to-square swingpath.

See question number 10 in this section of my review - http://perfectgolfswingreview.net/downswing.htm

Jeff.

[shootin4par]

Re: Badly curving shots

the more tense people get the more they hold their breath without realizing it, this cuts off oxygen to the brain and muscles, a sense of panic and fear set in. So if you start out good and get worse, then work on your breathing, cause if you hit it good in the beginning then something other then your swing mechanics are the problem for what happens after that. Take the time to breath between shots and learn how to breath during shots. GregJwillis gave a very good tip of how he breaths in while setting up and he exhales during the swing. some people do not need to ever think of breath, others do, you sounds as if you are the latter of the two. the most important thing we do in life is breath and it is also one of the most overlooked aspects of our lives.

[BrianW]

Re: Badly curving shots

Is there something you are working on when at the range that starts this off? You say the first balls are OK, do you hit a lot of balls with the same club for instance?

[BeeJay]

Re: Badly curving shots

Is there something you are working on when at the range that starts this off? You say the first balls are OK, do you hit a lot of balls with the same club for instance?

I tend to start off using my seven iron, I will do some pitching with wedges and also fairway wood shots. I have been trying to slide and rotate my hips and drop my arms from the top of the back swing to make sure I don't go over the top.

[BrianW]

Re: Badly curving shots

BeeJay,

You mentioned earlier that you thought your hands were getting trapped, I think this may be exactly what is causing your problem. You are working on dropping your arms from the top and you may be dropping them too far behind your hips, this is getting you too far on the inside and preventing your right forearm returning back to the ball, thus creating a very open club face that is making a lot of clockwise spin sending the ball right.

As you drop your arms keep your hands a little more out in front of your right hip before release.

[jambalaya]

Re: Badly curving shots

When you first start hitting balls your mind is clear, your muscles rested and despite swing flaws one is able to more easily make adjustments to square the club face during the swing. When you start hitting bad shots you try to consciously make adjustments often making the situation worse and causing your swing to spiral out of control. You say your are trying to slide and rotate your hips and drop your arms from the top of the backswing. I have never been able to think of those three things at the same time and get them sychronized with any consistency. I hesistate to give you any specific advice but I think you have to find a way to start your swing where at least one of those things is triggered automatically without thought.