Driving Problems

[PeterPumpkinEater]

I am really hoping that this is just a spell i'm going through but I am having Horrendus problems with my Driver.

Having had a video lesson a couple of weeks ago to rectify this (a high slice) I find myself in a quandry of what to do next. I am trying hard to adopt the one thing that my pro has told me but I think its more than what he has said. Dont get me wrong the guy seemed to know what he was talking about but he was only the junior teaching pro.

No word of a lie my drives that used to be 270-280yrds and fairly straight are now either pulled and 80yrds or 190 yrds and sliced 40-50yrds, and I've been told that it is down to 'casting' the club as I start my downswing and really chopping down on the ball, for gods sake I take a bigger divot with my driver than my 4 iron!!

As I've posted before I went to a Vector Launch Monitor session and it was advised that I moved from my Cobra 10.5deg stiff to a 11.5deg regular. I did this and purchased a Nike Sasquatch 5000......no difference, if not worse. My irons especially on the range are pretty good, but the tell tale signs on the course are divots pointing to the left!

Now in my mind i've got a few options:-

1. Hit many many balls to get muscle repitition.
2. Have more lessons with the same guy.
3. I've looked at lessons at The Belfry with their state of the art technology which looks very impressive.
4. Give up! Yes, I really felt like walking off the course on Saturday and staying on the range for the next few weeks/months until i'm cured.

I think that we all set ourselves standards, and whilst i'm perfectly willing to accept that I'm no Tiger Woods or even a scratch golfer, I cant honestly remember the last time that I hit a long straight drive and it's really p'ing me off

 

[forefortheday]

Sounds like you have a problem with the fundamentals not the driver Peter.

I would suggest lessons,lessons and more lessons.

I was swinging away in the back yard the other night watching my reflection in the living room window when I noticed a major fault in my swing which sounds exactly like yours "casting".

I think (and I'm probably wrong so please forgive me) it comes from starting down with your shoulders. Try putting the club at the top of your swing then looking in a mirror and notice the difference between starting the downswing with your hips and then with your shoulders.

I found the club goes waaaaaaaaaaay of line when I start with my shoulders

 

[USER1999]

There are loads of cures for casting, so best to continue to see a pro, and lots of practice.

I find it helps to pause at the top of the swing, and then start slowly and build momentum. Also stop trying to melt it until you get the basics right again.

Casting is something I suffer from, and have been trying to cure for years, along with looking for the ball before I have hit it, Sorenstam stylie. Works for her, doesn't work for me.

 

[birdieman]

PPE as a tip start training with a seriously weighted club/bar/broomstick whatever over the winter. It is extremely difficult to cast a heavy 'club', the weight makes you drop the club down on an inside line and it keeps the action slow which is crucial to not casting. It will keep that right elbow in at side too. If you do this thinking of the old Faldo adage of 'pulling a church bell action' you'll eventually get the swing plane in the right place ready to kick some erse next season!

A weighted club is a seriously good training item as it also helps retain muscle mass when you're not playing as much.

 

[forefortheday]

Good idea Birdieman I may well see if I can get one for a christmas present

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I do have a Speed Stik, should I be using this every day?

Muscle mass is not a problem mate, as I run 4 times a week and use a 5ft Kick and Punch bag 10mins 3 times a week.

 

[Parmo]

Good idea Birdieman I may well see if I can get one for a christmas present

DG sold them off for £9.99 sold out now

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

Good idea Birdieman I may well see if I can get one for a christmas present

DG sold them off for £9.99 sold out now

Sold what for £9.99 Chubb?

 

[Leftie]

Last winter I cast a lump of lead around the head of an old 7 iron. The whole club weighs 3 lbs with all the weight at the bottom.

AS BM said,it is impossible to swing this fast and it definitely strengthens wrists and forearms, promotes a good turn and forces a good follow through, and you can't help but go in to out with hands leading the club.

Note to myself.... must start using it again.

 

[USER1999]

Remember one of the pros put his back out swinging vj's heavy club. Need to be careful with this one, especially those prone to back problems. That'll be me then

 

[ricardodaintino]

Make sure you see the pro again to try and straighten it out before blitzing hundreds of range balls in the wrong direction!

Practicing is great but if you hit 100 balls with a bad swing you only succeed in bedding in your problems further!

Stick to the basics, slow it down and eventually you'll be hitting them over the back fence again!