The Swing

[WWG]

In the next hour or so I am going to the driving range, and it has got me thinking. As I have said many times before, I only recently took up the sport. I am 58 years old and have realistic expectations. To be honest, if I can ever get to a 18 handicap I would be delighted, not to say surprised. My drive can be reasonable, I can chip and run quite well, and I appear to be a natural putter. My problem is the fairway and the rough shots, and despite having lessons I am still struggling a bit. I watch other golfers at my club who have swings that don't resemble the text book swing, but still play to a reasonable standard. This has made me think, should I continue with lessons in the attempt I can develop a swing that looks like I know what I am doing, or should I try and find what works for me.

Example, I play with a man in his late 70s. When he hits the ball his arms stay almost still, and his body pivots around on the spot. In short, he looks totally out of control, but more often than not he hits the ball straight and far. I on the other hand try and do what I have been taught. Feet shoulders width apart, chin up, focus on the ball, concentrate on tempo rather than speed, keep my body still on the back swing, and then follow through without trying to hit the ball hard. So why is it I top the ball and dig up divots like there is no tomorrow.

 

[tsped83]

You're new to golf. Lower your expectations and LEARN to hit the ball well. A PGA pro would be the best route at your stage of the game.

 

[rudebhoy]

I'm the same, I see loads of players with terrible-looking swings hitting the ball well.

I just keep thinking that they have probably been playing for 20 or 30 years, and have ended up with something which works for them, no matter how odd it looks.

 

[xcore]

I think half the beauty of the game ( or rather frustration) is everyone needs to find their own swing. Like you I have been attempting for the past 5 months and getting nowhere fast!

 

[delc]

In the next hour or so I am going to the driving range, and it has got me thinking. As I have said many times before, I only recently took up the sport. I am 58 years old and have realistic expectations. To be honest, if I can ever get to a 18 handicap I would be delighted, not to say surprised. My drive can be reasonable, I can chip and run quite well, and I appear to be a natural putter. My problem is the fairway and the rough shots, and despite having lessons I am still struggling a bit. I watch other golfers at my club who have swings that don't resemble the text book swing, but still play to a reasonable standard. This has made me think, should I continue with lessons in the attempt I can develop a swing that looks like I know what I am doing, or should I try and find what works for me.

Example, I play with a man in his late 70s. When he hits the ball his arms stay almost still, and his body pivots around on the spot. In short, he looks totally out of control, but more often than not he hits the ball straight and far. I on the other hand try and do what I have been taught. Feet shoulders width apart, chin up, focus on the ball, concentrate on tempo rather than speed, keep my body still on the back swing, and then follow through without trying to hit the ball hard. So why is it I top the ball and dig up divots like there is no tomorrow.

Sounds as though may be swaying, dipping your head at some point in the swing, hitting from the top, or just miss-timing your swing. Also 90% of poor shots are probably caused by a poor set up. Remember the acronym GASP - Grip, Aim, Stance and Posture. If you get those right you have at least a fighting chance of hitting good shots.

 

[Foxholer]

...Remember the acronym GASP - Grip, Aim, Stance and Posture. If you get those right you have a fighting chance of hitting good shots.

Er...That's 'Alignment'!! More (elements) involved than simply 'Aim'ing.

 

[shewy]

A good pro will not teach textbook he will work with what you have, Denis Pugh said as much last night.

 

[delc]

Er...That's 'Alignment'!! More (elements) involved than simply 'Aim'ing.

Bottom edge of clubface aiming at the target, line of shoulders, hips and feet pointing just left of target, ideally. Imagine a railway line running to the hole; the ball will be on the far rail, the rest of you on or parallel to the near rail.

 

[Three]

You need to remember that golf is not just how your swing looks, it's a very difficult sport that requires a certain amount of skill and coordination to hit a pretty small ball with a small clubhead on the end of a metre-plus long stick.

My advice would be practice more short shots, ie chipping and pitching, and really focus on what you need to do to get a good contact. Keep your elbows together through impact.

 

[delc]

Bottom edge of clubface aiming at the target, line of shoulders, hips and feet pointing just left of target, ideally. Imagine a railway line running to the hole; the ball will be on the far rail, the rest of you on or parallel to the near rail.

Sorry, just to clarify something, you should be aiming down the TARGET LINE, as this could left or right of the actual target in a cross wind, or if you are deliberately trying to draw or fade the ball.

 

[WWG]

Sorry, just to clarify something, you should be aiming down the TARGET LINE, as this could left or right of the actual target in a cross wind, or if you are deliberately trying to draw or fade the ball.

Doesn't matter where I aim, because half the time the ball only travels about 2 yards.

 

[WWG]

I think half the beauty of the game ( or rather frustration) is everyone needs to find their own swing. Like you I have been attempting for the past 5 months and getting nowhere fast!

Thank god for that. Possibly we could meet up, get drunk, and then discuss what sport we can take up next.

 

[the_coach]

So why is it I top the ball and dig up divots like there is no tomorrow.

without question the best ways to go about starting the game would be through lessons with a PGA pro, for sure.

what you are describing is all part of the same issue - an inability to deliver the 'low point' of the swing arc in a consistent spot a few inches target side of the ball, so low point after impact. (exception to this being the driver off of a tee when low point is few inches before the clubhead reaches impact)

number of things can play into this

- like lateral sway off the ball
- not keeping vertical height by the body coming out of posture - note nothing to do with 'head up' head only moves up because some of the body angles have extended - (keeping your head down the very worst piece of advice perhaps ever exchanged between folks)
- lack of rotation - so more body tilt not true turn
- weight pressure moving in the wrong direction (so weight on the lead foot when the club is traveling back to weight pressure then on the trail foot as the club travels to the ball - reverse pivot)
- improper swing sequence that loses the angles early

so a bunch of things which grip, stance, address posture, ball position, weight pressure at address can all easily play into making any or combination of the motion issues occur with alarming regularity

rather than buying new clubs or attempting to go it alone - unless you are able to study and understand yourself - by far the best is take the plunge and book those lessons

 

[delc]

Doesn't matter where I aim, because half the time the ball only travels about 2 yards.

Where does it go the other half of the time? :mmm:

 

[delc]

without question the best ways to go about starting the game would be through lessons with a PGA pro, for sure.

what you are describing is all part of the same issue - an inability to deliver the 'low point' of the swing arc in a consistent spot a few inches target side of the ball, so low point after impact. (exception to this being the driver off of a tee when low point is few inches before the clubhead reaches impact)

number of things can play into this

- like lateral sway off the ball
- not keeping vertical height by the body coming out of posture - note nothing to do with 'head up' head only moves up because some of the body angles have extended - (keeping your head down the very worst piece of advice perhaps ever exchanged between folks)
- lack of rotation - so more body tilt not true turn
- weight pressure moving in the wrong direction (so weight on the lead foot when the club is traveling back to weight pressure then on the trail foot as the club travels to the ball - reverse pivot)
- improper swing sequence that loses the angles early

so a bunch of things which grip, stance, address posture, ball position, weight pressure at address can all easily play into making any or combination of the motion issues occur with alarming regularity

rather than buying new clubs or attempting to go it alone - unless you are able to study and understand yourself - by far the best is take the plunge and book those lessons

I have always kept the model portrayed in "The Search for the Perfect Swing" by Cochran and Stobbs in my head. In this the swing rotates about a more or less fixed point, or hub, somewhere in your upper chest. Attached to that a bit higher up is your head, so if you keep that reasonably still, then the hub will stay still and the bottom of the swing should be in the same position as it was at address. I agree that you shouldn't hold your head too much down, as then your chin tends to get in the way of your shoulder turn, and that 'head up' is usually caused by loss of posture and/or taking your eye off the ball too soon.

 

[WWG]

Where does it go the other half of the time? :mmm:

Quite a long way, but normally not in the direction I would like it to go

 

[delc]

Quite a long way, but normally not in the direction I would like it to go

So therefore you may not be aiming yourself correctly! One of the difficulties of golf is that you have to stand at right angles to the direction you want the ball to go in! :mmm:

 

[ruff-driver]

Quite a long way, but normally not in the direction I would like it to go

So therefore you may not be aiming yourself correctly! One of the difficulties of golf is that you have to stand at right angles to the direction you want the ball to go in! :mmm:

http://golf-info-guide.com/golf-tips/swing-stick-golf-tips/generate-more-power-in-golf-synch-up/

 

[HomerJSimpson]

So therefore you may not be aiming yourself correctly! One of the difficulties of golf is that you have to stand at right angles to the direction you want the ball to go in! :mmm:

Or it could be an OTT swing and a huge slice. Lots of generalisations going on.

If I was the OP I'd be speaking to a PGA pro and going back over what has been shown and say you're not getting it. A good teacher will find another way of getting the fix across.