Aiming left...

[AmandaJR]

This may sound daft but I have issues when I aim left - especially off the tee. I never feel comfortable or balanced or aligned correctly and the poor shots from that position indicate I'm actually standing open rather than square to a target on the left.

Any tips for taking such a stance and ensuring it is in fact square and not just open?

 

[bobmac]

How do you aim ?

 

[AmandaJR]

How do you aim ?

Behind the ball to assess the target line, club behind ball on said line and then try and align feet, hips and shoulders to the club.

 

[bobmac]

Do you use your left shoulder as a double check?

 

[AmandaJR]

Do you use your left shoulder as a double check?

No but do feel that's the culprit and I guess need to ensure that's not "behind" me as such?

 

[bobmac]

No but do feel that's the culprit and I guess need to ensure that's not "behind" me as such?

I'd say it's a good place to start

 

[AmandaJR]

I'd say it's a good place to start

Will do. Will have a go at the range as I hate standing skew whiff to the mat!

 

[FairwayDodger]

I have the exact same problem, Amanda. If I'm aiming left of where the tee markers point I just never feel "right" and am as likely to hit a mad slice as anything else.

I'll try this tip as well!

 

[virtuocity]

Will do. Will have a go at the range as I hate standing skew whiff to the mat!

Me tooooo. Really feels odd and wrong and no doubt my subconscious is changing my swing. Must either practise this more at the range or practise less at a range altogether!

 

[Wolfman]

This must be common and an eye/ brain set up issue

When at the range the lines on the mats etc can be misleading and as mentioned trying to swing non square to the tee box / or range mat is hard on the eyes to accept

Good point about the shoulders Bob

 

[AmandaJR]

This must be common and an eye/ brain set up issue

When at the range the lines on the mats etc can be misleading and as mentioned trying to swing non square to the tee box / or range mat is hard on the eyes to accept

Good point about the shoulders Bob

I can also find it an issue on the course when the fairway mower lines don't agree with my target line!

 

[JustOne]

It's probably the exact same thing that makes us pull and push putts.

I'm sure it's down to our eyes seeing too many problems and we just don't feel comfortable over the ball. It's never easy aiming left when your stock shot is a draw. Quite often I see people aiming left but they don't then get the ball in the right position accordingly, it's still sitting where it would be if they were straight (or further back).

 

[AmandaJR]

It's probably the exact same thing that makes us pull and push putts.

I'm sure it's down to our eyes seeing too many problems and we just don't feel comfortable over the ball. It's never easy aiming left when your stock shot is a draw. Quite often I see people aiming left but they don't then get the ball in the right position accordingly, it's still sitting where it would be if they were straight (or further back).

I'm glad it's not just me - thought it was my OCD!!

 

[JustOne]

Theoretically this is something that you should be able to work on at the range, instead of looking to hit the perfect shot everytime try hitting one down the right, the left and the middle.... make it random.... mix between irons and woods..... that's 6 shots altogether....................... roll a dice or something

 

[Lump]

Think this also depends on what your bad shot is. I know aiming down the left is a safe shot,as my bad shot is a fade. It feels wrong aiming down the right hand side of the fairway and I'm never comfortable doing it.

 

[AmandaJR]

Theoretically this is something that you should be able to work on at the range, instead of looking to hit the perfect shot everytime try hitting one down the right, the left and the middle.... make it random.... mix between irons and woods..... that's 6 shots altogether....................... roll a dice or something

I should also save my back and not try to perfectly square up the mat when I get there! Session planned tomorrow so will mix it up a bit...

Think this also depends on what your bad shot is. I know aiming down the left is a safe shot,as my bad shot is a fade. It feels wrong aiming down the right hand side of the fairway and I'm never comfortable doing it.

Agreed. My bad shot is usually a pull so aiming left just feels wrong. Happy to aim down the right hand side all day long.

 

[richart]

I have the opposite problem. If I aim left I usually cream it left. If I aim straight, I cut it straight right.

 

[SocketRocket]

Try picking a target way in the distance, something like the top of a far off high tree. Let your mind ignore the teeing area, the green, the fairway or the hazards, just focus on the far off target and align to that and hit your shot at it. A cloud in the distance will do if there is no static object.

The problem you describe is due to your mind taking in conflicting information, the subconcious mind will settle on an instruction in the positive and will ignore any negatives. For example: 'Do not hit into the water on the right' will be understood by the positive subconcious as 'hit the water on the right' If your mind is clicked in on 'Hit the far off tree on the left' It will try to carry out this instruction.

 

[Heidi]

its an odd one - i experience it sometimes too
there is one hole on the course i play in spain which is over water. the tees are never lined up towards the green, they point to the right and the bunkers

i find it almost impossible to get the ball to the green!

weird...