Slicing 3 Wood?

[Newbie4me]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

Yes, you've got good distance with your 3i.

Hands in front of the ball is good - you definitely want your hands in front. 4:30 might be a bit much (which indicates some serious clubhead lag). Part of the reason you're slicing is that the clubhead is still open because it's lagged so much. I must have missed that comment (about the flex and lag) earlier - you may want to try a stiffer flex, as this will help your clubhead to keep up with your hands.

LowPost42:
Thanks for the reply. My fault completely on not saying anything about head lag. I'm new to golf and don't know the lingo. Heck, I don't even know what is important to mention much less the lingo at this point.
I will concentrate on trying out firmer shafts with lower torque for my driver.
What do you suggest?
I am currently using a GBB System 60, Firm Flex that came standard with the Big Bertha II. The shaft is 44" long.
Should I go longer? I'm afraid that a shaft longer than 44" will flex too much (even if it is super firm flex).
Thanks again for your expert opinion.

Aloha!
Newbie4Me

[LowPost42]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

Now you say the shaft is 44".

How are you getting that measurement? From the top of the hosel or ferrule to the end of the grip?

The other thought that occured to me is that your club could be offset. This sets your hand out in front at address, and if you've got a good swing, you could be getting even further out in front. You don't happen to have any video or pictures of your swing?

[gord962]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but how tall are you? Unless you are over 6'2", 44" should suit you fine. If you are shorter than 5'10", you may need to take some length off. 44" is pretty standard length for a driver and if you get longer, you will start runing into control issues.

[Newbie4me]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

Now you say the shaft is 44".

How are you getting that measurement? From the top of the hosel or ferrule to the end of the grip?

The other thought that occured to me is that your club could be offset. This sets your hand out in front at address, and if you've got a good swing, you could be getting even further out in front. You don't happen to have any video or pictures of your swing?

LowPost42:
Thanks again for taking an interest in a newbie to golf.
The measurement is (I am quoting a golf pro posting attributed to you), "measure up the backside from the heel of the club @ the ground, to the grip cap (those double lines near the very end of the grip)."

As for offset, don't know what that is or how to measure for it.

Video was taken during one of my classes. The PGA pro reviewing stated that I have a solid swing. Sorry, I didn't get a copy of my swing and don't have a video recorder... I don't even have a digital camera. I'm lucky I have a computer to access the web from. =)

[Newbie4me]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but how tall are you? Unless you are over 6'2", 44" should suit you fine. If you are shorter than 5'10", you may need to take some length off. 44" is pretty standard length for a driver and if you get longer, you will start runing into control issues.

Gord962:
Welcome to my tiny part of the world!
As always, I greatly appreciate all assistance from the varied pros on this site.
No, you didn't miss anything. I didn't know that height would make a difference with clubs.
I am 6' tall. My irons have been lengthened 1.5" and the heads adjusted for my height (after I got my swing form down, the instructor put tape on the bottom of all my irons and made me hit off of a flexi-glass board, which put marks on the tape on the bottom of my clubs).

Do you have a recommendation for a new shaft? Or am I being too rash? I have been hitting at the range with the club for at least 600 balls.
I am finding that I am very consistently slicing with only the driver. Almost feel as though there is some bad juju associated with the club. The club feels very good though! The club is light and whips through the air very lightly.
The club came with a GBB System 60, Firm Flex that came standard with the Big Bertha II. The shaft is 44" long.

Thank you for any assistance that you can give to this newbie.

[LowPost42]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

I like the driver length - 44" is a good 'control' driver.

Out of curiosity, how are you off the tee with your other clubs? Slices? Straight? Draw?

If it's JUST the driver giving you problems, it might be time to head to your local golf store to try and find a new one.

Part of me wonders if you put a different swing on your driver than you do all of your other clubs.

For a while, I know I did. I'd have fine trajectory with my other clubs, but the minute I had a ball teed up, I'd either get a slice or a power fade - but my swing would totally change. It was at the point where I needed a 4 knuckle strong grip to keep the ball straight. Obviously, this was only a temporary answer.

My swing has largely evolved over the winter, so it will be interesting to see how the Big Dog will react.

[Newbie4me]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

I like the driver length - 44" is a good 'control' driver.

Out of curiosity, how are you off the tee with your other clubs? Slices? Straight? Draw?

If it's JUST the driver giving you problems, it might be time to head to your local golf store to try and find a new one.

Part of me wonders if you put a different swing on your driver than you do all of your other clubs.

For a while, I know I did. I'd have fine trajectory with my other clubs, but the minute I had a ball teed up, I'd either get a slice or a power fade - but my swing would totally change. It was at the point where I needed a 4 knuckle strong grip to keep the ball straight. Obviously, this was only a temporary answer.

My swing has largely evolved over the winter, so it will be interesting to see how the Big Dog will react.

LowPost42:
Thank you for following up with me on my issue.

No, I don't have any issues with my irons. I hit straight to reinforce my swing, but can force a draw or slice if need be. It is only my driver that is giving me grief! =)

I did have a bad habit with my driver of trying to smash the ball by over extending my back swing (causing a "flying elbow") then turning my shoulders way too fast such that the face of the club was open when it hit the ball. I was able to correct it after a few hundred swings.

I don't know what a 4 knuckle strong grip is, but have been suggested that I use a strong grip where the club shaft goes from the meaty portion of my left hand diagonally to the point where my first finger meets my palm. This grip allows hard hitters to turn the club head easier. The way you can tell if you have the grip right is if you can see the back of your left hand when you are setting up.

I practiced over the winter as well. To be honest, the reason I am trying to fix my driver situation is because I lost 20 balls during a charity golf tournament. I had never played golf before (except for going to the driving range twice) and embarrassed myself pretty good! =) The 20 balls went into the woods, ponds, and housing areas. The balls went over the first rows of homes facing the golf course. I was just happy that I didn't read in the papers the next day about an accident caused by an errant golf ball! =)

So right now, I am just practicing at the range where I can minimize my capacity to do damage. I still feel sorry for the cars in the parking lot when I hit with my driver... One heck of a curve on my slice. Sure wish I could throw the baseball like that when I was in High School. I woulda made the Majors!

Hope you do well this coming season! Cheers!

[LowPost42]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

We're talking about the same grip here. If you look down at your hands at address, and can see 4 knuckles (or the back of your hand) on your left hand, it's a 4 knuckle grip - also known as VERY strong (this has nothing to do with grip pressure).

The only problem is, like I said, it's a bandaid solution. Yes, if you're casting, (often caused by the flying elbow) it seems to get the clubhead closed enough to promote either a straight shot or a pull-slice (or pull-fade, aka Power Fade). The problem is that if you use it and DON'T come from the outside - an immediate duck-hook is the result... low and left in a hurry. Not to mention that your club looks broken after the swing (as the head is all twisted around due to the ultra-strong grip).

Another couple of questions re: ball flight. Does your shot start straight then banana out right? Or does it go straight right then curve some more?

My assumption, from everything you've said, is that you're coming down the line nicely with an open clubface - very open.

You might try closing the clubface at address. The other thing you might want to check is your ball position. As Bonzi has stated, let's get it forward (if it ins't already). Try playing the ball level with your lead heel.

Since you're at the range, drop a couple clubs on the ground. Have the first one point out to the range (this is your target line). Put your toes up to this club. Have the other club touching your lead heel, making a 'T' with your target line club. Tee up the ball in line with the intersection. Swing away.

[gord962]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

Is the shaft flex on your driver different than the flex of the rest of your clubs? Even if it is, there is no standard for what a 'stiff' or 'regular' flex is. One of my co-workers has a TM R580 with a stiff shaft. He took it in and the shaft tested as a XX stiff. He now has a frequency checked shaft and everything now works fine for him! From your posts above it sounds more and more like you are hitting too stiff of a shaft. Take it in to have it checked where they adjusted your irons - this could fix all your problems quickly.

[LowPost42]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

Gord makes a great point.

To add one more thing - just because you need a stiff driver shaft doesn't necessarily mean you need a stiff shaft in your irons.

[finlay]

I seem to be unable to correct this problem, no matter should I address the ball square on on try and adjust my stance to try and correct the angle at which the club is approaching the ball it still manages to slice way of to the right. I have been using a MD golt Surefire driver with a mid flex graphite shaft and was wondering could this be my problem? Should i maybe try a stiffer shaft to see if this could help?

[LowPost42]

Re: slicing my drives

You should go get a lesson or two. Then see if your slice isn't gone.

Nothing cures swing problems like lessons from competent coaches.

That said, (assuming you've had no lessons), you're probably coming from the outside, and with a reverse pivot.

If you can get some video of your swing (and upload it), that would be a big help.

With a mid-firm flex, unless you're a female or a senior, it should be a good flex - keep the club.

http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/v...highlight=tips

These are the results of my 2 lessons, aimed at getting a decent swing.

I had a real slice problem - and I still battle the occasional hip shift (I tend to sway back after a long layoff [like winter]).

I think the table drill may help, and if you can get in front of a mirror, you'll see all sorts of things.

Also, for your coil, Gord talks about trying to put the left shoulder over the right knee (for a RH Golfer).

There's so much advice to offer, but we need to pinpoint some things first...

[Newbie4me]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

We're talking about the same grip here. If you look down at your hands at address, and can see 4 knuckles (or the back of your hand) on your left hand, it's a 4 knuckle grip - also known as VERY strong (this has nothing to do with grip pressure).

The only problem is, like I said, it's a bandaid solution. Yes, if you're casting, (often caused by the flying elbow) it seems to get the clubhead closed enough to promote either a straight shot or a pull-slice (or pull-fade, aka Power Fade). The problem is that if you use it and DON'T come from the outside - an immediate duck-hook is the result... low and left in a hurry. Not to mention that your club looks broken after the swing (as the head is all twisted around due to the ultra-strong grip).

Another couple of questions re: ball flight. Does your shot start straight then banana out right? Or does it go straight right then curve some more?

My assumption, from everything you've said, is that you're coming down the line nicely with an open clubface - very open.

You might try closing the clubface at address. The other thing you might want to check is your ball position. As Bonzi has stated, let's get it forward (if it ins't already). Try playing the ball level with your lead heel.

Since you're at the range, drop a couple clubs on the ground. Have the first one point out to the range (this is your target line). Put your toes up to this club. Have the other club touching your lead heel, making a 'T' with your target line club. Tee up the ball in line with the intersection. Swing away.

LowPost42:
Thanks for the quick reply. Sorry I haven't been able to respond sooner, but was away at a conference.

Sounds like the strong grip I am using is a temporary fix...
For your information, my driver gives me an immediate curve. Sometimes posing some danger to other golfers at the right end of the range (range has approximately 40 stalls). I usually hit it over the fence on the right.
My hit usually starts a little to the right, then reeeeaally curves to the right.
I can hit straight sometimes if I slow down my swing considerably (usually hits 180-200 on first bounce). I have been lucky at times and have hit into the 240 fence when the stars are in line...
Just for yucks, I tried a Taylor Made 540 (I didn't have clubs at the time so I asked the proshop for their best loaner with the firmest/low torque shaft) and found that I still hit slices, but not as bad. I was able to keep all 50 balls on the range, but didn't quite get the "feel" for the club. I was averaging about 220 (excluding the 10 "topped" balls until I got used to the club) and never really got in a good swing.
I'll try your suggestion and put the 2 clubs on the ground to adjust my ball placement. I have to admit that I have been putting the ball more torwards the outside toes of my left foot rather than the heal.

Thanks again for the assistance. I will keep you updated on my progress.

[TeachingPro]

Re: slicing my drives

I wouldn't think it's the club to be honest ... a mid flex shaft will suit most golfers.

The problem with a slice is it has many causes and effects, it's not just a single factor ... I suggest you visit a teaching pro and get him to look at your swing and ball flight.

Without some detail of your ball flight or divot pattern, it really is difficult to give you advice on what the problem could be. Can you post a video of your swing?

[Newbie4me]

Re: Old-guy newbie needs to stop slicing

Is the shaft flex on your driver different than the flex of the rest of your clubs? Even if it is, there is no standard for what a 'stiff' or 'regular' flex is. One of my co-workers has a TM R580 with a stiff shaft. He took it in and the shaft tested as a XX stiff. He now has a frequency checked shaft and everything now works fine for him! From your posts above it sounds more and more like you are hitting too stiff of a shaft. Take it in to have it checked where they adjusted your irons - this could fix all your problems quickly.

Gord962:
Thank you for responding. Sorry for taking so long to reply. I was at a conference.
The rest of my clubs are Ping red dots with steel shafts and a Taylor Made #5 fairway wood with titanium shaft.
Good suggestion on taking the driver into the proshop for analysis. Maybe they can tell me my head spead as well.
I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Thanks again for the assistance!