How can I improve my swing? (video)

[Jimbooo]

Hello!

I've uploaded a video of my swing to youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z87CtAyFZxM

Until this summer, I've just been playing for fun really a few times a year, but I have begun to get a lot more keen since then. I've tried to copy the main traits of the pro-swings that I've seen on television, and I don't have an official handicap, although unofficially its about 18.

Can anyone offer a critique on my swing? Any tips on how it might be improved, or what I might be doing wrong?

Many thanks!

Jimbo

 

[brendy]

Cant help you much other than it looks like you need to hit the ball harder, seems like a weak finish to me.

 

[bigslice]

i reckon if you tee the ball up at the red tees you will gain some distance. welcom to the forum

 

[sawtooth]

Nice swing but maybe your posture needs slight tweaking?

You may benefit by bending over more from the waist and straightening your knees just a touch. The shoulder turn looks a tad flat in the clip. Just a thought.

 

[Jimbooo]

Thanks for your comments everyone. I'll try and improve my finish - I had a feeling it was a bit weak! I think I tend to lean forwards a bit during the stroke as I often end up off balance (falling forward) after finishing the swing.

What did you mean when you said my shoulder turn looked a bit flat in the clip?

I'll try and post a new video soon with (hopefully) some improvements!

James

 

[sawtooth]

This clip might help ( it did with me),

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6cntSpVbZo

If you bend more from the waist the shoulders will turn on a different axis than if you were stood up more. Only a suggestion but bending from the waist a bit more and maintaining that spine angle throughout the swing might help your swing.

 

[Jimbooo]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I liked that Tom Watson video - makes it look so easy

I've uploaded a couple of new videos:

Driver (head on):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDBqAFDKHAo

Driver (behind):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpclgRurJqY
(this one's a bit dark, sorry)

My gut feeling says my swing plane is too steep/vertical, and that I'm not getting the hips forward enough on the downswing. Any criticisms, feedback, or tips for improvement are of course welcome!

Thanks again

 

[bobmac]

2 small points if I may.
From behind, the arms and club seem to move away from your body so is a bit above plane.
And secondly, I'd like to see a bit more hip turn on your backswing.
Apart from that, pretty good

 

[Jimbooo]

Thanks again for the suggestions.

I've been working a bit more on my swing lately - here are a couple of updated videos: -

Driver (Front)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLc6VUyq1YA

Driver (Behind)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX-qPRRoO8s

I'm no pro/coach, but my observations on my current swing are: -

- left heel moves away from target on downswing
- left leg straightens at impact then slightly bends again after impact
- head moves quite a way back/away from target on backswing (too much?)
- much more lag to be had (I guess I'm hitting about 220yds right now)
- left arm bends slightly at top
- left arm only goes to 10 o'clock on backswing - could go to 11 o'clock to get more power?
- right knee comes forward/out too much after impact (visible on 2nd video only). I have no idea why!

No doubt there are probably other things wrong with it too, although I am hitting it straight fairly consistently (a slight draw sometimes), and getting a lot more distance than I used to.

Soooo.... Am I on the right track here? If anyone can offer advice on how to improve the swing further, or some drills to help with the issues I noted, it would be much appreciated.


Cheers

 

[bobmac]

If that's the same as your atual swing on the course, I'd say you're heading in the right direction all right.
I wouldn't worry too much about any of the above although there is one thing I would suggest...
Look at your hands at address and compare them to a tour player.
Your arms hang almost straight down from your shoulders.

Compare that with Rory Mcllroys set up.

Ignore the club, it's just a prototype he's testing for Richart

If you move your hands and arms away from your body a bit, I feel that will help.
Good swing though

 

[0]

Look at your hands at address and compare them to a tour player.
Your arms hang almost straight down from your shoulders.

If you move your hands and arms away from your body a bit, I feel that will help.
Good swing though

+1
you are also too crouched for a driver, bend forward from the HIPS not the spine which will let your naturally hanging arms move out from your body and give them ROOM to swing, your current set up is forcing your body to fight with itself for space to move freely.

 

[Jimbooo]

Thanks again guys...

So, my hands should be directly under my face at address?

Cheers