Hitting behind the ball

[Gerald]

I'm a beginner to golf, I've only started recently. I've never scored a round of better than 169 for 18 holes.

I'm developed a problem with my swing where I hit a lot of shots fat and I'm hitting the turf behind the ball on my tees shots. I take huge divots behind the ball and I managed to even take a divot with a driver off the tee on my last round.

I've also got a huge slice, although my better shots tend to take a natural draw when I connect well; as rare as they occur...

I know the problem is with my hips travelling ahead of my body/hands and my right shoulder dipping on my through-swing, but I can't help feeling that I'm casting when I start my downswing with my arms. I'm finding it difficult to hit down at the ball and trust the loft - I feel my game would improve astronomically if I could just get the ball into the air.

Ever since starting this sport I've been super-enthusiastic and it's literally taken over my life. I just wish I could put a sub-100 round in every now and again. I've been a victim of too many people, websites, and information on golfing advice, and the overload of tips is really confusing me.

If someone could provide a simple and easy to follow routine that would help my swing and at least get the ball into the air and towards the target, I would really appreciate it.

Kindest regards,

Gerald

 

[drawboy]

you probably have heard this a thousand times but please go and see your nearest PGA pro and have a lesson or two. He/She, will put right your mistakes quickly and get you on the right track faster than almost any advise you will get on the forum (as good as the advise is)for the little outlay you will reap massive benefits.

 

[Basher]

I will definitely echo Drawboys comments Gerald.

You can spend hours down the range or on the practise area doing the WRONG thing without knowing it.

I am sure a Pro will take a look at a few of your shots, diagnose the problem and get you going on the right road to playing better golf.

A small outlay for a lifetimes enjoyment of the game!

 

[lynchy76]

Have a good look at some golf tip videos, you can pick up some great tips on youtube eg. Thats what I have done as I can't afford golf lessons. My game has gradually improved over the last 12 months

 

[slowhand]

Another vote for a PGA Pro lesson. Then follow it up with sessions on the driving range practising what he/she has pointed out.

 

[nulassilb]

An hour with a local pro will give you all of the basics regarding grip and set up. I wish I'd had some lessons when I started at 14. I'm now having lessons at 45 trying to correct the faults I picked up. You won't regret it and you'll break 100/90 in no time.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

An hour with a pro will get you the basics correct. From there it'll be a lot easier to make a decent swing. They will also give you a few drills which you can perfect on the range. My advice for any beginner is ideally to book a course of 4-6 lessons if time/money allow (most pros will do good deals on blocks of lessons) and learn the basics (grips, alignment, stance and posture) and then moving on to the swing itself. It is a complicated thing to learn and takes time and practice. Get it right now and you won't be like many on here and constantly fighting in-built flaws.

Once you've got the basics, you'll make fewer mistakes, hit the ball better, longer and straighter and see the scores tumble. Get out, get taught and get playing.

 

[Bigfoot]

There is a drive to get newcomers into golf at present. You may be able to find a taster day at a golf course near you. My wife went to one last weekend - 3 hour, consisting of putting, chipping, full shots and then a couple of holes on the course. This would be a great start. My wife has no clubs so they provided them. All of this was free! The funding is from the Golf Union, I think. This would at least sort out the problem.

 

[Bigfoot]

http://www.getintogolf.org/

Look at this website.

 

[golf_bug]

There are numerous causes for hitting the ball fat and without seeing your swing it would be hard to advise. I would support the other forumers advice to go and get your fundamentals checked by a qualified teaching pro. As stated above, practising the wrong things will drive you mad and ultimately ruin your enjoyment of the game.

I have hit the ball fat in the past. If money is an issue and is making it difficult to have some lessons, perhaps try the following, which were causing me to hit fat:

1. Ball position - i used to play the ball too far forward in my stance. It should be positioned at the bottom of your swing arc....this is different for everyone! However, as a guide place the ball in line with your left arm pit (assuming you are right handed)and then experiment with different positions.

2. Weight stuck on back foot. By not getting your weight through the shot, your swing will bottom out early, causing you to hit the ground. Try and hit a few shots with your feet closer together to limit the weight shift and see if that helps.

3. Holding on too tight. If your grip pressure is too tight, you will not release the club properly. 'Casting' is where you throw the club from the top of the swing, thus losing the angle between your left arm and club shaft. If this happens, your swing will bottom out early and hit the ground behind the ball. Try really loosening your grip pressure. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being a strangle hold, aim for a 3.

Please note - I am not a teaching pro...far from it! However these are the things I have worked on to improve my ball striking.

 

[Fore]

Hi gerald,
if money is tight and you can't afford lessons, have a look
at this web site:

www.free-golf-lessons.com

It helped me immensely to get the basics going. Work on your 7 iron at the range to kick off with, get that working and move onto another club.

 

[janmolby]

I can't help with your question as I'm a high handicapper myself however if you're scoring close to the 200 mark for 18 holes then I would suggest putting away the driver & probably all your woods, for a while anyway. You're better teeing off with an iron & hitting it 100 - 150 yards close to or on the fairway than hitting it 200 yards with a driver & every 2nd tee shot being in deep rough.

I know some people won't agree with this as they like to hit the driver if the hole allows it but when you're starting off it makes a big difference, trust me I know

 

[THJahar]

I think the one thing that will help without costing much is using your video phone/camera.
Record yourself at the range and then put the videos on your PC. goto you tube and type in golf swing.
compare the two videos side by side freeze framing at:
set up
top of back swing
impact
Compare head postion, arm bend, wrist bend and speed.

And as others have said. Book a block of lessons. Important not to buy just a single lesson get 5-8 lessons. Make sure the pro knows that is ALL of the lessons you can afford and there will be no more so you want achievements quickly.
Make sure he gives you drills to do.