I've come to a crossroads.....

[Twire]

….And not sure which route to take.

I had my first video lesson for 6 years yesterday……. And I’m still reeling from what I saw. My swing plane has become very vertical (steep). I think this has come about by shortening my backswing over the years and forgetting to rotate. I have been given a drill to try and correct/improve this. My dilemma is, do I book a series of 6 lessons, and work hard to try and improve, knowing that I’ll probably write off any half decent golf games this year, or do I just carry on playing as I am?

I’ve never had a complete swing change before, and what I’m concerned with is how long all this will take. Will it make me a better golfer?

I’ve a good idea which way to go, but need some reassurance that it’s going to be worthwhile.

 

[d1217]

i recently had a swing change and to be honest with you it didnt take me that long to get it right, 2 or 3 weeks it took me because i once had a very vertical swing plane and sliced everything, now im tons more accurate and am getting good distance.

 

[Herbie]

Complete change is impossible for some golfers, depending on age group and physical circumstance. All of us can learn new bits and pieces and successfully adapt them into a game, but if you have played for a lot of years for example, you may not be physically capable of dramatic changes (Im not able to go back to my old game and swing, I simply cannot physically do it anymore). Small changes to give you a different swing maybe, if you are young then there may be no probs with more dramatic changing and all of these things should be discussed by your chosen tutor.

If you are physically capable of complete change of swing, who really knows how long this process will take for the individual?

One tip, if a teacher says rubbish to it and they can teach any current golfer of any age or disposition to play text book golf,or change their swing dramatically dont use them.

Painting on a clean canvas enables you to paint what you want, its much harder to paint over existing work.

 

[Cernunnos]

Twire, you are unlikely to sort anything out if you don't have a few lessons over the comming months.

Yes, I'm sure some of the swing changes & new swing thoughts will impact upon your game. Like yourself I am afraid of stunting a natural flow of my swing no matter how good or bad. But it does sound like something you need to sort out. Thing is...

I really don't think you need write off a whole season just because you might wisg to take a lesson a month or every other month, or one a week over six weeks, or whatever way you wish to follow up. You might well find you might be able to integrate any new thoughts morre naturally than you might imagine. Especially if you are revisiting old ground, so to speak.

Or you could simply play some Clapton in the car.... Crossroads.... oh never mind

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I had a very steep swing path when I got back onto golf in my late 30's (think Monty in his prime but with a Furyk loop the loop added in). I went to my coach in the Winter of 2006 and we spent three months or so breaking it down and rebuilding it. There are still certain things that are wrong technically (I lose my spine angle on the way down and the tempo is way too quick) and we are going to do another session in the Winter this year to specifically address those two areas.

I can effectively right off any good scores over the Winter period but given conditions in the last few years won't be losing too much sleep. I'll play in the winter matchplay league and that will be my lot competitively.

To answer the question, I guess it boils down to how urgent is the need to fix it. If you are able to scramble the ball round and play to the handicap (with summer conditions to help) my gut reaction would be to play the competitive season and then go to work over the Winter.

I agree to a point with HNJ that for most of us given the limited practice time we have and the onset of age (or other physical barriers) we have little chance of getting a picture perfect swing. However a good coach should be able to find something that works for you in terms of being technically correct and repeatable within your personal confines and there is no reason why a much lower handicap can't be achieved after a winter of hard work.

 

[Twire]

Thanks for the comments chaps.

I did say to the pro that IF I was to take up the lessons, he would have to work with what I've got, as I'm never going to have a text book swing. Funily enough he agreed with that.

There's nothing physicly wrong with me to stop me swinging on the right plane. It just feels very alian to me at the moment.

Homer, I would rather try to make the change during the summer period, due to the daylight hours. In the summer I can practice in the evenings as well as the weekends. I don't have any floodlit ranges local to me, so I feel I wouldn't be able to put the hours in through winter.

Think I've made my mind up to go for the swing change, lets hope with a bit of hard work it will be quick and successful.

 

[Cernunnos]

Good man

 

[Faldo_Fan]

As a student of the game.....and the pupil of endless golf lessons, i would agree that you must brace yourself for the worst case senario!
Everyone adapts to changes at different rates, i've picked up some things and found them easy quite quickly......other things i've struggled with to be truthful! And somethings just don't seem to stick and you find an old habit re-surfacing.
Having said all of that.....it never stopped me!

Good luck.

 

[forefortheday]

Go for the lessons twire they will pay off.

I've been having one every 6 weeks or so and I'm getting to a stage where it's coming together. (fingers crossed).

Find a pro who works with what you have got not one who tries to change it all.

For example last nights lesson involved using my shoulders more on the take away and not fanning the club face open.

We got to a stage where the fact that I cup my wrists on my backswing didn't cause that much damage.

I went from hitting weak cuts to strong draws within 30 minutes (I don't have it on video so please believe me ) I still cupped my wrist a little bit but the damage was lessend by one change in my action.

I've got worse for 2-3 weeks many a time after a lesson but when I think back to how I used to swing a year ago to now then it's worth it.

 

[JustOne]

How steep is steep?

I had a terribly steep swing plane some years ago, in fact it had become so bad that I felt like my entire swing was taking place in front of me and I frankly couldn't hit the ball... I just lost it.

The cure?... Spine angle.

I was practically standing up straight and my entire swing was basically created by lifting my club up with my hands/arms instead of turning... it took 3 weeks to get used to the correct posture and now nothing phases me.

FWIW: Steep in my opinion is better than flat as you can drop into the inside swing path and strike down onto the ball properly.... something you can't do if you're too flat Most amateurs swing flat and the pro's swing steep

hope this helps.

 

[Twire]

How steep is steep?

Well looking down the line, when my left arm was at 9 o'clock, the club was very near vertical

I was practically standing up straight and my entire swing was basically created by lifting my club up with my hands/arms instead of turning... it took 3 weeks to get used to the correct posture and now nothing phases me.

My posture was fine. I think it's just a progression from a long slow back swing and not rotating. Just going up and down the line.

FWIW: Steep in my opinion is better than flat as you can drop into the inside swing path and strike down onto the ball properly.... something you can't do if you're too flat Most amateurs swing flat and the pro's swing steep

One of the drills he gave me is to try and drop down on the inside.

 

[JustOne]

If you watch this swing of David Toms and watch his left arm, it comes right back towards the camera, more-or-less parallel to the target line until it gets to 9 o'clock.
His spine angle is perfect.... for a 4-iron!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZuXp_qlNnw

This swing for a lob-wedge is also perfect, in my opinion.
Is your spine angle anywhere close to this?
Watch how steep the club goes without using the arms to lift the club, they just swing up with the shoulder turn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UotaPpIau8

What I'm trying to say is don't get too disheartened, steep is much better than flat (as long as you don't throw your shoulder round into a mighty out-to-in swing plane)

Posture and spine angle really are the key to good golf.

hope this helps... chin up!

 

[Herbie]

Twire, have you tried anything different and if so , does it feel good?

What every golfer knows instantly is if they hit the ball really well, their body movement to create it feels great too and that feeling doesnt always have to follow exactly to the classic golf swing lines.

You could post a pile of great golfers swings that would not fit well in the example that has been shown.

I think the secret to good golf for fully developed bodies, is to utilise and improve whats there and not try too hard to become someone else.

 

[JustOne]

I think the secret to good golf for fully developed bodies, is to utilise and improve whats there and not try too hard to become someone else.

No one is saying "become David Toms" or whoever that other guy is???? ... they are purely examples of swings. I wish I had seen swings like these 10 years ago when I was standing upright and somehow managing to swing the club steep without it appearing to go behind me.

I'd definately say to go with the changes , especially if you have someone there to monitor your changes. You might be surprised just how quickly you adapt.

Worthwhile?...yes.

 

[Herbie]

I think the secret to good golf for fully developed bodies, is to utilise and improve whats there and not try too hard to become someone else.

No one is saying "become David Toms" or whoever that other guy is???? ... they are purely examples of swings. I wish I had seen swings like these 10 years ago when I was standing upright and somehow managing to swing the club steep without it appearing to go behind me.

I'd definately say to go with the changes , especially if you have someone there to monitor your changes. You might be surprised just how quickly you adapt.

Worthwhile?...yes.

And nor was I saying become David Toms or the other guy?????
The OP suggests dramatic changes, dramatic changes can be as dramatic in success as in failure as well as damage, Ive seen this happen to someone which is why I am cautious about this.A complete swing change is a path the OP may follow if I remember?

 

[GRAEMBO]

yea...go for the swing change, you never know it could improve your scores in the summer!

 

[Twire]

Went up to our practice field last evening, and after 100 balls it's getting easier, but I think I need to do this for the next couple of weeks. Not sure if I'm coming inside enough yet, but I think its a good start.

 

[AliB]

Twire
good luck with the change - hard to let go of old habits but I suspect with the knowledge of your faults already in your head, you would find it hard to stay just as you are. And looks like the pro is onside.
I made a big change last year - felt impossible in lesson 1 but it made a big difference.
Cheers

AliB

 

[JustOne]

Went up to our practice field last evening, and after 100 balls it's getting easier, but I think I need to do this for the next couple of weeks. Not sure if I'm coming inside enough yet, but I think its a good start.

That's good news. I'd say that you need to get lots of feedback if possible to make sure you are doing the right thing. The sooner you can get your pro to check and/or make another video, the better. At least try and look at your reflection in the patio window (or something like that)

Regards...