Lack of distance with my Driver.....

[Smiffy]

Played yesterday at Bearwood Lakes, scored pretty well (37 points due to some really good chipping and putting) but I found my distance off the tee, especially with my driver, was terrible. I was hitting it fairly straight, but was a good 30 yards or so shorter than I normally am. I know the fairways were a little damp, but conditions were the same for my playing partners who I tend to be neck and neck with off the tee normally.
The Missus came with me and took lots of pictures on the way round, and one in particular stood out.
She stood behind me as I teed off on a long par 3 (using a hybrid) and to say I was standing closed was an understatement. I wasn't just aiming slightly to the right, I was miles out. This fault has obviously been creeping into my game without me realising and I was shocked at how bad it was.
Could this be contributing to my lack of distance? I am assuming that to get back in behind the ball I'm having to make massive adjustments on the way down, and won't be swinging as "freely" as I was a few weeks ago when I was absolutely stonking it off the tee, long and straight.
Most of my drives were going straight yesterday, albeit not as long as they should. A couple we pulled (not badly) but also a fade has started creeping in which is also robbing me of distance.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Rob

 

[CrapHacker]

I've been told by my pro that my crappy alignment has been the major cause of my slice, pull, and lack of distance.

By alining up to the right of the target, I thought I was encouraging an in to out swing, but he says my subconcious knows my body is wrong and wont commit to the shot fully, coz if I hit it cleanly miles right, I'm in all sorts of trouble.

So I automatically engage the old over the top swing, which encourages casting, which means no lag, hence less power.

And the over the top swing means cutting across the ball introducing the fade ( slice in my case ) and a reduction in power.

Basically, every which way you look at it, you lose distance, control, direction, distance and control. Oh, and direction.

Not sure I've fully interpreted what he said exactly right, but it's there or there abouts.

So basically....

YES

 

[bobmac]

Smiffy, do you have any pictures of you at the top of your backswing please?

 

[Smiffy]

Smiffy, do you have any pictures of you at the top of your backswing please?

I haven't mate sorry.
The one picture I am talking about was the only one taken from directly behind and it's so bloody obvious as to how closed I'm standing it's hard to imagine I hadn't noticed it. Playing a par 3 of about 185 yards into the wind and if you look at where my feet are aimed I guess I am aiming about 20 yards to the right of the hole. And there was no wind at the time so it wasn't as if I was looking to ride it in on that!!
The picture was taken at address as Sam has learnt not to click the camera mid swing!

 

[bobmac]

Ok.
The reason I asked is if you have lost distance and you feel as if you are striking it ok, you must be losing clubhead speed.
Below you will see 2 pictures of my backswing.
The one on the left is very common in golfers and shows a poor wrist hinge leading to a reduction in speed. On the right shows a better hinge therefor more stored power.
Just one way of losing distance.
HTH

 

[Smiffy]

There was a piccie of me at the top of my backswing posted on my Bearwood Lakes Invitation day thread if you remember Bob. Sometime around the end of May.
I can repost it if you want, but looking at the picture now there appears to be a good wristbreak at the top of the swing so on the basis that I don't feel I am doing anything different during the actual swing I am guessing (rightly or wrongly) that my closed address position is not enabling me to swing through "freely".....
Could all be cobblers though????
Rob

Edit.
Found it!

 

[bobmac]

I doubt if you would loose 30 yds just by aiming too far right I'm afraid.
The other cause may be that you haven't lost any distance, just your friend has learned to hit it 30 yards further
Try just aiming straight and hit the ****** thing with confidence.

 

[Imurg]

Extra shredded wheat for brekkie?

 

[CrapHacker]

I doubt if you would loose 30 yds just by aiming too far right I'm afraid.
The other cause may be that you haven't lost any distance, just your friend has learned to hit it 30 yards further
Try just aiming straight and hit the ****** thing with confidence.

Not often I disagree with you Bob, but doesn't what my pro tried to say ( or my very bad interpretation of it ) make sense ?

If you are aligning right, but hitting it straight, you must be making a ( comparative ) out to in swing.

If you make an out to in swing it is likely that you are casting from the top, therefore losing all your lag, and not getting your natural action through the ball ?

IE you can still hit it straight to your target line, but you will almost certainly lose a lot of your natural power.

Because of my slice, I found myself lining up more and more closed, trying to encourage an in to out swing, but I'm told that that was just making it worse, causing me to come more and more over the top, so I'm hoping that by working on my alignment, my slice should naturally lessen as well. Ok so it's not working 100% at the moment, but I've not had much chance to pratice it yet.

Or is that all rubbish ?

 

[bobmac]

I know what your pro is saying and yes I agree you could lose a bit of distance, but just because you are out to in on the downswing, doesnt mean you will definately cast the club.
I know plenty of long hitters who aim right and swing out to in. As long as the face isn't open and you start to slice or fade the ball, you shouldnt lose that much distance.
I would like to see your swing on youtube Smiffy if you can.

 

[bobmac]

CH, if you want to encourage an in to out swing, aim LEFT

 

[Smiffy]

I would like to see your swing on youtube Smiffy

I can guarantee you wouldn't Bob

 

[CrapHacker]

CH, if you want to encourage an in to out swing, aim LEFT

Don't get me started on that !!

I am actually prone to have my lower body aiming right, but my upper body aiming left, apparantly. ( There's so many ways I can mess up this game that the rest of you don't even think about )

I think I'll stick with trying to aim straight for the time being. It's easier on my brain

 

[CrapHacker]

I would like to see your swing on youtube Smiffy

I can guarantee you wouldn't Bob

I've seem Smiffy's swing, and I'm not sure the camera has been invented that could capture it in all it's glory. At least, I'm sure the cameraman would commit hari kari before inflicting it on the nation.









Joking ! I'm JOKING ffs.

Well, a bit........

maybe.

 

[JustOne]

It's old age finally catching up with you mate... might consider a 7 wood for those 160yard shots soon
...and get a chipper!

You're good enough to cure bad alignment pretty sharpish.
Can't help you with your putting issues though

 

[Leftie]

I would like to see your swing on youtube Smiffy if you can.

I'm playing with Smiffy (if you will excuse the expression) on Thursday. If I remember to take my camera, I will photo every swing. Hopefully, that should upset his rhythm as he is wanting to play for money

 

[bobmac]

Smiffy, are things really getting that bad?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Love it. Actually I've got a game with smiffy on the 16th so lets not rush too fast lads. I've a feeling he'll take the money anyway!

 

[JustOne]

CLASSIC! Nice one Bob.

Like the way he's playing it at 111yards

Probably just laying up








Would be advisable to picture the shot with a bit more confidence...

 

[Smiffy]

I thought this was "ask the experts?"

First post asking for help and a gaggle of knobs come along....