Arm extension at impact

[Matty]

I am tending to strike the ball from the heel of the club, more so on longer clubs so especially noticeable on the driver. (Confirmed with impact tape).

I doesn't seem to make a difference if I move my body away from the ball so I suspect I am extending arms and body towards the ball through the downswing to the point of impact.

I've even tee'd the ball up _beyond_ to toe of the club and I still hit out of the heel!!

So, anyone got any tips or drills on how I can fix this - I'm certainly better at lower swing speeds but at present this problem is pushing my scores up and holding my game back

 

[JustOne]

Without seeing your swing it's hard to make a definite diagnosis. Is this something you have always done?

If you can hit the ball out of the center with slower swing speeds then it might simply be that you are losing your balance when you try to hit the ball too hard. Have you got a vid of your latest swing?

 

[Matty]

No video of my swing - I don't have the technology

Just off for 9 holes so I'll try a bit slower and try to focus on where my arms and hands are going through the swing.

I'll let you know how I get on!!

 

[RGDave]

I am tending to strike the ball from the heel of the club, more so on longer clubs so especially noticeable on the driver. (Confirmed with impact tape).

I doesn't seem to make a difference if I move my body away from the ball so I suspect I am extending arms and body towards the ball through the downswing to the point of impact.

I've even tee'd the ball up _beyond_ to toe of the club and I still hit out of the heel!!

So, anyone got any tips or drills on how I can fix this - I'm certainly better at lower swing speeds but at present this problem is pushing my scores up and holding my game back

Face it. You are messed up. If you are setting up off the toe and still hitting it out the heel, you are on a path to disaster. Take it from me, it's not going to go away....please go and get a lesson.

 

[Matty]

I left the driver in the bag all day and used the 3 wood. Carded a 45 on a par 33 with an 8 and a 9 in there along with 3 gross pars and one birdie!

I slowed the driver swing down loads and swung it about 60-70% of what I normally do.

RGDave is probably on the money though - time for a lesson I think to figure out what the hell I'm doing when I swing fast!

 

[JustOne]

If you are addressing the ball off the toe then you are telling your brain that you need to reach out to hit the ball... and it over compensates.

Try having the ball a bit nearer and/or address it off the heel. It 'should' make your hands come through a little closer to your body... forcing you not to shank it.

Make sure your hands are 4/5 inches away from your thighs at the start of your swing, leaving enough space for your hands to swing just slightly inside.

 

[Matty]

You know I think I might have picked this up playing PGA golf on the Wii!

I think a trip to the range is in order and see if I can keep my arms and hands on track through the swing and forget about everything else while I focus on that.

If that doesn't help it'll be a lesson!

 

[bobmac]

I suspect your hands are too close to your legs at address