Over the top?

[AlanN]

I've been playing quite well (for me), recently, and have seen my handicap cut from 20 to 18 in the last 6 weeks. My problem is still a lack of consistency.

I had a couple of lessons with a pro who told me that my two main faults were not making a full enough shoulder turn on the backswing and getting ahead of the ball in the downswing. The shoulder turn problem was because I was trying to keep my head absolutely still and not allowing it to turn a little on the backswing. I've corrected this and am now getting a much fuller shoulder turn.

Now to the crux of the problem. I'm driving very well indeed and my short game is not bad. But, I have a tendency to hit some of my iron shots quite fat. Sometimes the start of the divot is level with my back foot!!! Although the divots are quite shallow. I, also, pull quite a few shots, particularly with the longer irons and fairway woods.

Am I coming over the top; rushing the downswing or still getting ahead of the ball still? Can any of you experts give me your analysis and some help, please?

Thanks

[GregJWillis]

Re: Over the top?

With a divot that far back, your are swaying that far back and staying back. So try to keep a 50/50 weight distribution through the whole swing. This will keep you right over the ball and you will see better striking.

[AlanN]

Re: Over the top?

Thanks Greg. Would you advise this for all clubs, except the driver? Is there any link between this staying back and the pulled shots?

[BrianW]

Re: Over the top?

I would suggest you are keeping your head back in the downswing but pivoting incorrectly. What I mean is that if your head is back and your hips move forward in the downswing there are two pivot points you could use. One around your stomach which will create a reverse "C" that makes you hit behind the ball. The other is a pivot between your shoulders that pushes your head back and your torso and hips forward, this will push your weight firmly over your front leg.

I hope this is clear to you? if not please ask and I will try to give more information.

[takinitdeep]

Re: Over the top?

Try keeping the right elbow close to your hip on the downswing so it brushes the hip as it passes.

[AlanN]

Re: Over the top?

Thanks guys for your help. I'll make some notes on what you have suggested and get out on the practice ground. Hopefully, I can adapt my swing to accommodate your suggestions.

Brian; would you be kind enough to give me some further explanation?

Thanks again

[BrianW]

Re: Over the top?

Thanks guys for your help. I'll make some notes on what you have suggested and get out on the practice ground. Hopefully, I can adapt my swing to accommodate your suggestions.

Brian; would you be kind enough to give me some further explanation?

Thanks again

Alan,

Please look at the image below, particularly the lower one. See how the golfers head and shoulders are staying back through impact but his lower torso, hips and right leg are moving forward against a braced left leg. Although he seems to be leaning backwards in fact he has most of his weight pushing forward and his head nicely behind the ball. You will notice he is pivoting though a point roughly between his shoulders and his right shoulder is rotating down and under. Think of the image of a loaded bow that is about to fire an arrow.

Now! If he were to carry out a similar action but make the pivot point much lower down around his belt buckle, his upper body would be thrown further back and his lower body forward, the reverse "C" or reverse pivot. This action would bring back the low point of his swing arc making it impact with the ground much further back.

A picture us worth a thousand words.

[AlanN]

Re: Over the top?

Thanks a lot Brian. Your post seems to show why I'm hitting the driver so well yet hitting behing the ball with the irons.