Advice please on swing breakdown

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Hi all,

I am experiencing a breakdown in my iron play which I can not come to understand, and whats more, rectify. The breakdown is occuring on the iron from the fairway. my driver is fine, straight and average 250yds. Then when I attempt the iron, it just is not happening. Anything from a wedge to 5 iron is like a beginner. Topinng, slicing, anything but a sold strike. I should say at this point that over the last week or so I have been working on my release and folding of the hands through release. Now, I am just trying to get back the swing I had. Ironically the best part of my game was always wedge to 6 iron, but now a big problem. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Robert

[BrianW]

Re: Advice please on swing breakdown

Hi Robert,

When you say you have been working on folding of your arms through release are you referring to rotating the forearms?

It is difficult to understand what has changed but first look at(in no particular order):

Takeaway, make sure you are not fanning the club way inside.
Left wrist, check its not cupped at the top of the backswing.
initial downswing is leading with the legs and hips and not shoulders creating out to in.
You are making a full shoulder turn in the backswing and not just pulling round with your arms.
You are keeping your head behind the ball.
You are not swaying too much or keeping on the back leg in the downswing.

Hope the answer is in there somewhere.

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Advice please on swing breakdown

Is it possible that your previous back issues are preventing your iron play from making it back to where it once was? Maybe you back bones, and supporting muscles are just not ready yet. Or, maybe you might be subconsciously trying to not hurt your back again, which won't allow you to swing your irons correctly. Just a guess on my part. GJS

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: Advice please on swing breakdown

Dear Brian

Many thanks for your response. Yes, I do mean rotation of the frearms. I am nearly positive that it is this change is where my problem has come from. Not that I dont think it is a good thing to get right, but maybe it is confusing me to apoint where I have become unsure about the change I am attempting. With regard to the possibility of cupping, I think this may be a possibility now that you mention it. I think I may pay a visit to my coach as I am only going to end up with a total lack of confidence and bad swing thoughts. Good thing is I know my ability and swing has just gone absent for some reason. I am sure I will rectify this problem

[BrianW]

Re: Advice please on swing breakdown

Dear Brian

Many thanks for your response. Yes, I do mean rotation of the frearms. I am nearly positive that it is this change is where my problem has come from. Not that I dont think it is a good thing to get right, but maybe it is confusing me to apoint where I have become unsure about the change I am attempting. With regard to the possibility of cupping, I think this may be a possibility now that you mention it. I think I may pay a visit to my coach as I am only going to end up with a total lack of confidence and bad swing thoughts. Good thing is I know my ability and swing has just gone absent for some reason. I am sure I will rectify this problem

That sounds a good plan Robert.

I used to consciously rotate my forearms but found out that it took very good timing to get it right. I don't even consider it now and just concentrate on getting my arms to the release position with the club on the inside and my wrists fully cocked, I then push on forward with dead wrists, they will release all on their own if you trust them.

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: Advice please on swing breakdown

Cmays,

Many thanks. Your response is greatly appreciated. Tell me, what is your opinion on a perfect swing? What I mean by this is do you think all individuals can attain the swing of a single h/capper? I know natural ability plays an important part, but how important is the roll and release etc. When I was swinging well with irons I did not even think about the mechanics of the hands. I was alaways getting great connection and distance. Now that I am trying to improve my forearm and hand action, I am suffering from that syndrome known as "analysing is paralising". Where im at now is I have a tremendous golf swing which has abandoned me due to applying changes. Is it fair to say that we can loose the muscle memory by applying changes? Maybe I am talking rubbish here but i am trying to explain my problem as best I can. I need a starting point, only to get back to where I was before my attempt at changing. Another qustion for you before I finish: Where in your opinion should the hands start to break. Watching the pros on TV they seem to start a roll of the hands immediately at take away.

Many thanks
Robert

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: Advice please on swing breakdown

Brian,

Thanks for your help. As I have said to cmays, I am between change and really dont know whether I am introducing bad movement with this change. The consoling thing is I do know I have a good swing which I am trying to bring back, but the change I have introduced has really made things difficult to fix. I am asking myself the question should I persist on working on the hand and forearm change or try and get back to where I was.

Regards,
Robert

[BrianW]

Re: Advice please on swing breakdown

Brian,

Thanks for your help. As I have said to cmays, I am between change and really dont know whether I am introducing bad movement with this change. The consoling thing is I do know I have a good swing which I am trying to bring back, but the change I have introduced has really made things difficult to fix. I am asking myself the question should I persist on working on the hand and forearm change or try and get back to where I was.

Regards,
Robert

Hi Robert,

Well I guess there is something to the saying "If it aint broke don't fix it" but I expect you feel that there is some room for improvement thus the experimentation with your release.

There have been some discussions on Joe Dante's methods on the site recently. Please read the attached link, it may give you a better insight to the role of the hands and arms through the ball.

Discover The New Golf Swing And Master Any Putting Green

Regarding the early setting of the wrists, look at the first few pages, they explain a different approach to the takeaway that may be of some help.

I hope this will be of some assistance to you.

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: Advice please on swing breakdown

Cmays,

Many thanks for your input and advice. I am about to study your post and will let you know how I am getting on.

Regards,
Robert

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: Advice please on swing breakdown

Well guys,

I spent an hour on the range today changing this and changing that. Well, eventually, and I dont know why, I got the feeling that I was standing too close to the ball and maybe restricting my turn. On standing back and concentrating on my turn (didnt even think of hands or rotation), it all fell somewhat back into place. Is it possible that this standing too close, along with making a change in the forearm and hands was my problem? Well, if so I am glad to accept the solution. Funny thing is it seems too easy a solution