How did you learn to trust your shot shape? (Alignment Issues)

[DrGolfer]

As my ball striking and understanding of ball flights has improved recently my shot shape has changed with longer clubs from a slice to an intentional draw that’s now the intended standard stock shape for my swing.

Most of the time I love it.

However, I still don’t trust myself and too often I’m aligning to compensate for a slice (aim left). That means I’m hitting a shot that goes too far left causing me all sorts of issues.

I know the simple answer to this issue is “stop aiming left!” but I was wondering if anyone had any tips on overcoming the mental barrier on this one?

Thanks!

 

[jim8flog]

Lessons and practice for me.

When it used to go wrong I would always go back to basics and use alignment and swing path aids.

PS are you sure it is a slice and not a push - 2 different swing paths with the same end result.

 

[DrGolfer]

Lessons and practice for me.

When it used to go wrong I would always go back to basics and use alignment and swing path aids.

PS are you sure it is a slice and not a push - 2 different swing paths with the same end result.

Thanks, I think on course practice is probably the best route.

To be more precise it isn’t tee shots that are problematic. It’s long approach shots where I’m taking a 3 wood or hybrid.

I used to aim left to compensate for a slice (had an out to in path but now in to out + strong grip + slightly closed club face). You make a really good point though as I occasionally hit push shots now and in my head I think the slice is coming back so start over compensating on alignment a shot/hole later to my detriment.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I am still working on getting used to always trying to fade the ball with my driver (in fact every club), and for that I must address the ball in a way that visually looks very closed (and odd) indeed. Plus I must aim left of my target line.

I remind myself of what I am trying to do every time I stand over a drive after my pre-address shot visualisation by saying to myself ‘trust it/yourself’. I know it works; I must drive down (sorry) my uncertainty, and boost my confidence in that what I am doing works.

 

[DrGolfer]

I am still working on getting used to always trying to fade the ball with my driver (in fact every club), and for that I must address the ball in a way that visually looks very closed (and odd) indeed. Plus I must aim left of my target line.

I remind myself of what I am trying to do every time I stand over a drive after my pre-address shot visualisation by saying to myself ‘trust it/yourself’. I know it works; I must drive down (sorry) my uncertainty, and boost my confidence in that what I am doing works.

Might need to say something audible that’s confidence inspiring to myself as I setup even if it looks a bit odd…

 

[ThinBullet]

I removed this fear by doing a Seve at the range. Purposely going wild with path and face on shots. Wild hooks and huge slices to feel the extremes. I'd flop shot 4 irons 100 yards and draw 50 degree wedges as far as I could. It's so easy to get trapped in a mould, but the range is there to get some freedom back in what good and bad results are and what you like to see. It's taken me about a year right enough to trust the 2 balls back in my stance gives me a nice draw with an iron. But it took hundreds of balls a week to know what it's like to get it wrong.

I feel i need to correct myself here.

I got a lesson recently, where I was feeling that I was aiming left, and still drawing or hooking the ball. It was doing my head in. Turns out, I was aiming left with my feet, knees and hips, but closing my shoulders. A few drills later, and 100 balls, and i'm hitting the softest fade. I stayed there for hours just hitting that shot. Felt it the next day though haha