It was time !

[buteman]

So far this golf season has been, for the most part, highly rewarding I have had 29 rounds so far, and of those 24 in the seventies on some good courses. Although my short game is as good as it's ever been when things go wrong it's always the hook on my tee shots and for me personally it creates a mental block that can ruin a good round. I finally sought out some professional advice, it was time, it took the instructor very little time to spot the problem. I had started off the session by hitting about a dozen 7 irons, he liked everything, good grip, stance and posture and the plane of my swing was where it should be. After a smooth warm up session we went to the driver, I hit six pull hooks, likewise with my 3 wood. His comments, I was reaching for the ball, causing me to swing out at it, secondly, and this was the big thing that I had no idea I was doing, although at address when I thought every thing was nice and square in my set-up it was not. My feet, knees and hips were nice and square but my shoulders were open, pointing well left of the target ( as I saw on video ). So first of all we squared up the shoulders then I moved in to the ball, only a couple of inches, the results were quite amazing. I hit the balance of the range balls with my driver landing them about 240 yards with just a hint of a draw, I feel ( and I am ) much better balanced. I took it to the golf course yesterday, the only poor tee shot I hit was a big push but it was well off the tee and got up and down on that particular hole for my par. You can't beat the trained eye in this fickle game can you.

[BrianW]

Re: It was time !

This problem is quite common. Using the driver or three wood the ball is positioned forward in the stance, often a little too forward. If the club is addressed behind the ball the shoulders will be set open. I prefer to setup with the club 4 to 6 inches behind the ball so that my shoulders are square with my feet and hips.

[buteman]

Re: It was time !

This problem is quite common. Using the driver or three wood the ball is positioned forward in the stance, often a little too forward. If the club is addressed behind the ball the shoulders will be set open. I prefer to setup with the club 4 to 6 inches behind the ball so that my shoulders are square with my feet and hips.

I'm sorry Brian I'm not quite following you when you say " setup with the club 4-6" behind the ball " My normal setup for my driver is with the ball level with the heel of my left foot ( the toe of my left foot is slightly open ) and I have my hands level with the back of the ball. With my 3 wood I play it with the ball about 4" inside my left heel and my hands just slightly ahead of the ball. I did try to play the ball more inside my left foot but I had a wee bit of a problem hitting that nice sweeping shot off the fairway with my 3 wood. Thanks.

[BrianW]

Re: It was time !

I'm sorry Brian I'm not quite following you when you say " setup with the club 4-6" behind the ball " My normal setup for my driver is with the ball level with the heel of my left foot ( the toe of my left foot is slightly open ) and I have my hands level with the back of the ball. With my 3 wood I play it with the ball about 4" inside my left heel and my hands just slightly ahead of the ball. I did try to play the ball more inside my left foot but I had a wee bit of a problem hitting that nice sweeping shot off the fairway with my 3 wood. Thanks.

What I meant was that if your ball is forward of centre (Left heel) and you ground your club behind the ball your shoulders will be pointing left of target. I find it is better to ground the club back from the ball so that the shoulders are parallel with the feet and hips.