Hybrid and 5w woes....

[RGDave]

2 seasons ago, I changed to two new Wilson Fybrid clubs. Both have served me really well. I've been working hard on my swing recently and it's changed quite a bit, and my scores have certainly reflected this. My driving is as solid as ever (including the 3 wood), my irons are middling-OK (good), but I can't seem to hit either a hybrid or 5 wood off the tee. Off the ground they'll either be sweet or a little thin. Off a tee, I can't even seem to find the middle of the face...heel or toe almost every time.
Has anyone else had a similar problem? Maybe I should take the pair out (the hybrid isn't even in) and practise endless 3 irons?
Ball position? Tee Height?

 

[One Planer]

2 seasons ago, I changed to two new Wilson Fybrid clubs. Both have served me really well. I've been working hard on my swing recently and it's changed quite a bit, and my scores have certainly reflected this. My driving is as solid as ever (including the 3 wood), my irons are middling-OK (good), but I can't seem to hit either a hybrid or 5 wood off the tee. Off the ground they'll either be sweet or a little thin. Off a tee, I can't even seem to find the middle of the face...heel or toe almost every time.
Has anyone else had a similar problem? Maybe I should take the pair out (the hybrid isn't even in) and practise endless 3 irons?
Ball position? Tee Height?

I've been having a similar time with my 5 Woods (and driver on occasion) as of late.

Every shot I hit with it is either a strong draw or a hook. I think I've found the problem though as when I checked my grip, it was a little too strong (Left hand).

Everything else is going ok, I think it's just me not checking my grip as part of my set-up routine.

Just lazy I guess

 

[RGDave]

I've been having a similar time with my 5 Woods (and driver on occasion) as of late.

Every shot I hit with it is either a strong draw or a hook. I think I've found the problem though as when I checked my grip, it was a little too strong (Left hand).

Everything else is going ok, I think it's just me not checking my grip as part of my set-up routine.

Just lazy I guess

You know what, this actually reminds me of one thing that really confuses me with these clubs. My driver has a closed face, my irons are offset but I'd say my fybrid 5 is totally neutral. When I look down on it, it looks open (which seems logical) then I grip it strong (to hood the face a little) and then I'm in about 5 minds.....

No wonder I can't hit it.

 

[One Planer]

I found my issue through trial and error. Checked my posture, distance from the ball, ball position etc etc.

The absiolute last thing I checked was my grip, should have been the first really

 

[RGDave]

I know what's going on. A short session with a trackman produced enough evidence for me to "understand" what is going on.
Just got to fix it now.

 

[kid2]

I've been having a similar time with my 5 Woods (and driver on occasion) as of late.

Every shot I hit with it is either a strong draw or a hook. I think I've found the problem though as when I checked my grip, it was a little too strong (Left hand).

Everything else is going ok, I think it's just me not checking my grip as part of my set-up routine.

Just lazy I guess

You know what, this actually reminds me of one thing that really confuses me with these clubs. My driver has a closed face, my irons are offset but I'd say my fybrid 5 is totally neutral. When I look down on it, it looks open (which seems logical) then I grip it strong (to hood the face a little) and then I'm in about 5 minds.....

No wonder I can't hit it.

Hey Dave.....This may not be of much use to you but io read an peice in a Mag one time a while back about Harrington and the input that he has on Wilsons clubs.....

They asked him about closed open or neytral faced clubs for the average golfer and his answer was that most of Wilsonstaff woods have neutral faces and he reckons that its partly his fault because he doesnt like looking at open or closed faces at address....He prefers to manipulate the clubs himself and he said that if the average person has and out to in path an he buys a club to counteract his shape then its only a matter of time before his slice comes back even with the closed face ......

As a side note i play with Pings i15's and they all have open faces but i just seem to hit them much better than closed ones...

Ill see if i can dig it up...

Read down through the piece and you'll come across it.


http://www.padraigharrington.com/tips.php

 

[RGDave]

Hey Dave.....This may not be of much use to you but io read an peice in a Mag one time a while back about Harrington and the input that he has on Wilsons clubs.....

They asked him about closed open or neutral faced clubs for the average golfer and his answer was that most of Wilsonstaff woods have neutral faces and he reckons that its partly his fault because he doesnt like looking at open or closed faces at address....He prefers to manipulate the clubs himself and he said that if the average person has and out to in path an he buys a club to counteract his shape then its only a matter of time before his slice comes back even with the closed face ......

As a side note i play with Pings i15's and they all have open faces but i just seem to hit them much better than closed ones...

Ill see if i can dig it up...

Read down through the piece and you'll come across it.


http://www.padraigharrington.com/tips.php

Much appreciated. I thought it was all in my mind?!

 

[RGDave]

Gone again. Just did a quick 60, most with 5w and can't hit a damn ball. Not off the mat, not off either of my low tees.

Nothing. Zero. Completely can't hit it.

The only few I caught that actually hit the face went about 160 yards.

How can I be knocking on the door of such steady golf and can't even hit a 5 wood.

I think a 'phone call to my pro is in order......maybe he can be as completely shocked as I am. I'm sure he'll have seen it all before.

Not happy about this.

 

[kid2]

Gone again. Just did a quick 60, most with 5w and can't hit a damn ball. Not off the mat, not off either of my low tees.

Nothing. Zero. Completely can't hit it.

The only few I caught that actually hit the face went about 160 yards.

How can I be knocking on the door of such steady golf and can't even hit a 5 wood.

I think a 'phone call to my pro is in order......maybe he can be as completely shocked as I am. I'm sure he'll have seen it all before.

Not happy about this.

Dave i know that the preverbeal 17 capper giving a 10 handicapper advice is a bit of a moot point and its something that i rarely do is give people lower than me advice but what is exactly happening with your woods...

One part of my game thats pretty consistent is my fairway woods so i might be able to help a little...

 

[RGDave]

Well, TrackMan and impact tape shows I was either
a) thinning the hell out of it. or
b) closing down the face so badly, I was getting 10-12 degrees launch. or
c) leaving it well open and flighting up a crazy-high fade.

I've tried ball back (get skys and thins), ball forward, high tee, low tee, you name it.

For as long as I can remember, 3i/3h/5w have been a dead-cert sweet hit with small fade....as in, "aim at the left bunker and just hit it". Trouble is, I'm pushing and drawing just now and if I set up left (open) I just hit a pull.

 

[kid2]

For as long as I can remember, 3i/3h/5w have been a dead-cert sweet hit with small fade....as in, "aim at the left bunker and just hit it". Trouble is, I'm pushing and drawing just now and if I set up left (open) I just hit a pull.

Very similar at times to whats happening with me...

I know that what happens me with thins and woods is that im raising a little at impact...
More often than not it helps me when i feel im looking out under the ball after the hit....

Try this....Not sure of your swing but if i keep my head centred through the swing and not swaying...Just a little behind the ball.....Thats when i get the best contact....

Fairway woods require near perfect timing to hit well...I think thats why people have hassle with them when their swings are off.

Have the shaft and hands just behind the ball at address "Not" in front and for the first 2 feet or so try and keep the club as low as possible...

Play the ball about level with the inside of your left trouser pocket....

This works well for me off the tee.....The killer for me is if i sway a little in the swing...Everything goes pear shaped then.Thats when the tops and thins start with me.
From the fairway i move the ball back to nearly centre and take a slight divot....
I think this way i come in a little steeper but the ball flight is a lot more penetrating.....


My hybrid i hit from the centre of my stance but with no shaft lean at address....I get a higher flight like this.....If i lean the shaft forward so my hands are slightly ahead then i take a divot again and i get a lower flight...

I dunno will any of that work for you bet it might be worth a try before you splash out on lessons....

 

[kid2]

Have a peek at these and it'll give you an idea of my ball and hand position....
Excuse the swing....Its a little better since these...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX5183hu39k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=080E_oYKMyE