Getting worse

[AlanN]

Help, somebody, please. After my last two rounds, I feel like selling my clubs and giving up. My chipping and putting just about saved me from complete and utter disasters.

The root of the problem seems to be the lesson, plus swing video analysis which I had last week. Apparently, I was taking the club away well outside the line so, the pro got me to move the club back almost over my left foot (I'm left handed). I hit some good shots like this but, wonder whether this was more luck than intent.

Now I'm pulling most of my shots or, hitting them off the toe of the club. However, on the last two holes I started to hit the ball well. What I did was to feel as though my clubhead was coming into impact at about a 45 degree angle to the target line (in to out). Is this the feeling I should have?

Unfortunately, with this more inside takeaway my pitching is now awful. Blocking left or pulling right. I now have no idea where my swing plane is or what it should feel like, on any shot.

Any advice, opinions, tips, recommended training aids; all will be welcome. Yes, I know I'm grasping at straws but, if i continue to play like this, I'll be in a straight-jacket by the end of the month

[bill reed]

Re: Getting worse

hi
sorry to hear off your problems, the thing is when you make a big change to your swing it does take time and a lot of practise to get the feeling ingrained and to be comfortable with the new changes, i think it a case off give it time and trust what your pro has told you to do.
best of luck.
bill

[TeachingPro]

Re: Getting worse

I agree with Bill but ...

Lessons are not one-off's, firstly. In those 45-minutes or so, it is not nearly enough time to get the change to be part of your natural swing. That lesson would only have served to point out error, show you how to correct it and a drill or a "feeling" for the correction. You should have at least 3 or 4 more lessons with the pro to help you integrate the new swing movement into your "whole" swing ...

Don't ever expect to go for a lesson and an instant cure.

Now, secondly - with a new swing movement, your golf brain needs time to adjust to the new movement and train your muscles to execute accordingly. This is actually very difficult because your brain has to control so many things, including some elements of your subconscience mind that controls certain muscle movements, and re-train and re-time the sequence of events and movements that make up a golf swing.

Out of all of those changes your pro made, I wouldn't be too suprised if you're executing the new movement (more or less) correctly but your timing is out. Timing comes with lots of practice and patience. Give your golf brain lots of both ...

[bill reed]

Re: Getting worse

i agree with graham in teaching the full swing it takes weeks and a good few lessons and you have to work on the drills between lessons with the pro, its hard at first but the rewards at the end are worth it.
i have went for one only lesson on sand play and again on chipping and pitching. the sand lesson was 1 hour and the chipping and pitching was 1/2 day i got a lot out of both and was well worth the money paid.
if you find a good pro and you can talk to him and take in what hes saying easly then i would keep going back to him, your game will only get better.

lee trevino was asked why he never had a teacher and he said he had never met a teacher that could beat him at golf.
bill

[AlanN]

Re: Getting worse

Thanks for your replies everybody.

One of the difficulties I have is that I'm a senior golfer (age 64) but, only came back to playing 5 years ago, after an 11 year lay off. Most of my playing peers have faded/sliced all their lives and play with it. Apart from those who manipulate their hands through the ball to close the clubface.

I'm still strong and athletic and would like to play something like real golf. I have plenty of clubhead speed (occasional 300+yd drives). I've been described as "an enigma" by many good players who feel that I should be off 12 or less. This just makes the game all the more frustrating.

Everything feels so different at the moment. My main concern is should I have a feeling of approaching the ball with an inside path that feels like 45 degrees to the target line?

I only have a few years before Father Time catches up with me and would love to come close to achieving the potential which others believe I have.

[AlanN]

Re: Getting worse

Thanks cmays.

I understand what you are saying. I'm not bringing my hands inside. I am making a one piece takeaway and my club position looks right when my arms are almost horizontal. It's the feeling from transition into downswing that I would like help with. What should the angle into the ball feel like? Is my 45 degrees too much? Unfortunately, this is the only way that I can get the ball on target with the longer clubs but, it's a disaster when it comes to pitching.

Any futher help would be greatly appreciated.

[BrianW]

Re: Getting worse

Hi Alan,

I think 45% is excessive. If you consider a clock face on the ball with the target at 12:00, strike the ball from 7:00 to 1:00

[AlanN]

Re: Getting worse

cmays; How lucky you were to be able to have someone like Bob Toski on hand. I will have a look at the positions you refer to. Yes, I do rotate my right forearm a little, before reaching nipple high. Isn't this how to keep the clubface square to the arc of the swing? It's, certainly, something that Nick Faldo talks about in his book.

Brian W; I'd better try 5 to 11 (being a leftie) but, I get the picture.

Thank you, guys, for your input.

[jambalaya]

Re: Getting worse

"move the club back almost over the left foot"??? Man, that seems like way inside.

[AlanN]

Re: Getting worse

Thanks for your help; cbmays and jambalaya.

Sorry for the delay in responding but, I have been away for a few days. I think my teacher was trying to get me to over-compensate, as my takeaway was way outside the line before.

The good news is that I seem to be getting it sorted out. Played a lot better, today. More practise needed though.