Major Problems

[Keith Tobberman]

Hello,
A little over a year ago, I had had a problem with lagging my wrists from my swing and I would connect with the crown of the clubhead. Yes, I dented and cracked more than one club. After all of that was over, I was doing fairly well, I could hit the ball fairly solid 6/10 times. My scores on a 9 -hole were around 50. Now, I have another bad problem. I have such a hard time to square up the face at impact. It is snowy here, but I play at an indoor simulator. When I do my practice swings, whether indoor, or out in the snow, I seem to be able to square up the clubhead. Its when I try to hit a ball. The other day, I came down with the face so far open, that I connected with to heel of my driver and dented it, I did the same thing a few hits later and it made a crack in my club. I have tried many things, like stong grip, but I was wondering what are some drills, techniques and methods I could use to square the clubhead CONSISTANTLY.
-thanks

[GoNavy]

Re: Major Problems

Usually this beginner action is a result of not trusting the loft of the club and in an attempt to get under the ball the player bottoms out behind the ball dropping the right shoulder thereby fan open the club face.

The cure is try and hit down on the ball, feel as if the face will cover the ball, make no attempt to help the ball get airborne, the loft of the club and backspin imparted when you hit the ball will make it get airborne, you just have to trust that it will happen. In addition during the downswing make an attempt to have the knuckles of the left hand point to the ground, this will make the left arm more likely to roll through the shot as it should.

[Keith Tobberman]

Re: Major Problems

Thanks for the great advice. I will work on that.

[oldwease]

Re: Major Problems

Obviously, there's no way to be sure without seeing your swing; however, you mention that on the simulator you square the club face properly, which would suggest the hand action is OK. Check, though, that you have a proper arm extension through the ball.

One possible reason for your problem, especially with the driver, is that you're getting ahead of the ball. This is likely to happen if you sway too much or slide the hips too much to the left in order to impart more power. That said, I'm a bit concerned that you seem to be striking the ball with parts of the club other than the club face (open or not). I suppose that suggests far too much body movement in your swing. One drill you can try is hitting balls with your feet together then slowly build up to the full swing.

[Keith Tobberman]

Re: Major Problems

Hello,
Wow, you really know what your talking about. I have had problems with swaying before and always have used a lot of body in my swing. Thanks for refreshing that. I didn't even consider my swaying to be a factor in this problem. I will definately work on that and practice that drill. Thanks so much!!