My Swing

[Paka]

Went to hit some balls Saturday to try out my new set of clubs, and when we got there, actually took a few videos of my swing. Though, every time we tried a video though I messed up, haha, stage fright or something. However, I've already been given some good advice-- mainly, that my backswing is too long, so I'm going to try to work on that next time-- and any other advice is always welcome. Going to try to play at least a couple rounds in the next few weeks; will try to get some video then too.

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Absolutely love the new clubs-- Wilson Hope LX-- but had a little trouble with the two hybrids at first; however, started to get the hang of 'em. Looks like I have to slow my swing down with them. Driver is very consistent, but am still slicing it a little bit.

[Wazmankg]

It looks pretty good Paka. You may be getting your weight too far to your right on your backswing and having trouble transitioning it back to your left on your follow through. That would cause a push/slice. Otherwise pretty solid. Disclaimer - I'm a 14 so wait for some others to chime in.

[pick-it-up]

Yeah, you could probably benefit from shortening your back swing. But you definitely have a nice powerful swing from what I can tell.

And it's hard to tell, but where is your weight when you're finished?

[Paka]

Thanks Wazmankg, I'll work on that too!

As I said, I'll try to get some more and better video soon after I correct the things pointed out to me now, then try to improve more from there. Eventually once I improve it as much as I can, I may invest in a pro lesson or two-- it has been a LONG time since I've had one.

[Paka]

Originally Posted by pick-it-up

Yeah, you could probably benefit from shortening your back swing. But you definitely have a nice powerful swing from what I can tell.

And it's hard to tell, but where is your weight when you're finished?

Thanks!

My weight seems more on my left foot when I finish.

[pick-it-up]

Your wight should be almost completely on your left side.

It maybe be in your case, but it was hard for me to tell via the video.

[Wazmankg]

Originally Posted by Paka

Eventually once I improve it as much as I can, I may invest in a pro lesson or two-- it has been a LONG time since I've had one.

That'd be the best thing. On your backswing your weight should never get right of your right instep. You should brace your weight against your right instep on your backswing. But for God's sake don't change anything until someone who knows what they're talking about posts.

[Paka]

Ok, thanks!

Hopefully next time we take videos they will come out better, lol.

[Johneli]

Your swing looks pretty good. I think you're on the right track shortening your backswing. As it stands now your backswing carries the clubhead way beyond the club being parallel to the ground (which is what a lot of players strive for.) Personally, the shorter you can make your backswing and still hit the ball a good distance for your height/weight, the more accurate you will become as time goes on. Remember that the longer the path your clubhead has to travel to get to the ball, the more things can go wrong. But you REALLY have a very fundamentally good swing. Here's a little tip to get to the right place in your backswing: Bring your clubhead back to a position that's well short of the one you're at now, but still comfortable for you. As you bring it back and settle into a comfortable position, look at the angle the shaft forms with your arms, and more importantly look at the angle of your wrist cock. Try to visually remember the wrist cock angle and also try to visually remember the height of your arms in relationship to the ground. Then when you practice try to use your peripheral vision (not really following the position with your head, but rather "feeling" the right spot to stop and using your peripheral vision to verify it. Soon thereafter, a shorter backswing will become second nature. It will also force a "ground up" swing where your left leg kicks in a bit to initiate the downswing and a pure centrifugal swing will follow IMO.

[Paka]

Excellent, thanks Johneli! I think I will go out in the yard here in a bit and try working on it.

[Johneli]

Originally Posted by Paka

Excellent, thanks Johneli! I think I will go out in the yard here in a bit and try working on it.

It's a confounding game....but stick with it....when gains are made it's just so gratifying because it's not an easy game to master.

[mr_bogey]

Paka, I have looked at your swing in slow motion a lot of times now, and I would like to chime in with a couple of thoughts. I have played for over 40 years, at scratch most of that time, played intercollegiate golf, and lots of amateur tournament play, in case you aren't familiar with me from other posts. I enjoy analyzing video swings here and hope I can offer you some helpful advice.

I would like to see you make two changes, one minor and one a little more involved.

First, at address, move your hands forward (to your left) a couple of inches. Here's the idea - as I look at you straight on at address your arm and club position look sort of like this: Y , while a much better position is for it to look like this: y. The address position serves you best if you form a relatively straight line with your left arm and the club. This starts your swing with your hands in a leading position rather than a trailing position.

Second, others have already mentioned that your backswing is too long. I agree in a way. As you approach the top of your current backswing, you allow your left arm to bend A LOT at the elbow, which is the move that drops your club so far past parallel. This causes your club to fall behind your body as you make your downswing, which makes you pull outside in through the ball and causes your slice. To correct this, when you swing back, try to keep your left arm straight. Swing back only as far as you can keeping your elbow straight - and I don't mean locked straight, but just comfortably straight, but it is okay to feel like you are reaching it back about as far as you can. Go ahead and let your wrists break as much as you like as you reach that position - parallel is nice but not a necessity - turning body and arms together in the downswing is a necessity. Swinging in front of a mirror or large window w/o a ball may help you find this position.

Here's what I see that is right - and it is a lot! You have a wonderfully athletic stance set-up and swing. You have a perfect one-piece takeaway, your head stays very nicely still throughout your backswing right up to impact, and you have the followthrough of a low handicapper - nice, full release and beautiful high and complete finish. You have some great basics - I think if you try my two suggestions you will see the improvement you seek. I hope this helps! Good luck!

[Paka]

Thanks so much, mr_bogey!!

[Nikeguy07]

Looks good...Just shortin it up, and a little weight transfer the right way, and you'll be all set...

I have a drill for you to do, but its to hard to type..I need to video the drill and put it on here...Maybe I can next weekend or something..Leaving for out of town tomorrow.

[Paka]

That would be great; thanks, Nikeguy07!

[straightshooter]

Paka: Some comments on your footwork: Like said before, the backswing is a bit long: See how far you can get while leaving your left foot planted on the ground (it lifts up now). That might be a good way to shorten your swing and eliminate some unnecessary motion. Check it in a mirror. Also, a sign of a good weight transfer is a balanced finish position with most of your weight on the left foot, and the right foot resting on its toe.

[Paka]

Will try that too; thank you, straightshooter!

[larryrsf]

Originally Posted by Wazmankg

It looks pretty good Paka. You may be getting your weight too far to your right on your backswing and having trouble transitioning it back to your left on your follow through. That would cause a push/slice. Otherwise pretty solid. Disclaimer - I'm a 14 so wait for some others to chime in.

That's what I see too. You are very flexible, but you must keep your right knee pointed toward the ball, your weight never allowed to go further back than the INSIDE of your back foot. Watch Gary Player setup. The whole thing is about starting the downswing with an aggressive weight shift to the front foot. That is followed by the hip and then shoulder turn toward the target. Good golfers like Nancy Lopez almost JUMP onto their front foot while their shoulders are still turned back--exactly like a baseball batter "steps in a bucket" to go toward a pitched ball.

Practice by swinging it horizontally like "baseball." In slow motion exaggerate the weight shift to the back foot as you backswing (be able to pick up your front foot) and then shift fully to the front foot AS you swing. If you late, shorten your backswing. Late means you would fail to clear the hips and slice, loss of power too. Don't fix the slice by closing the clubface, just fix the cause which is the poor weight shift.

Another good practice device is one of the heavy drivers that you can hit balls with. It will force you to make the downswing moves in the right sequence--and make a very aggressive full weight shift. Otherwise you will slice and slice.

Good luck!


Larry

[Paka]

Thanks, Larry!!

[Johneli]

Originally Posted by Paka

Thanks, Larry!!

LOL! You'll be on tour soon with all these suggestions! I think you should try all these excellent suggestions, but be sure to pick and choose what you feel comfortable with from the get go.

[Texas Wedge]

My suggestion would be to only work on one or two of these multiple suggestions at a time. Don't try to work on too many things at once. I've seen some excellent suggestions, too. I like the shorten your backswing and keeping your left arm from bending so much. Personally, I'd start by working on Mr B's advice and then work through the rest of them.

Good luck!!

[Johneli]

Originally Posted by Texas Wedge

My suggestion would be to only work on one or two of these multiple suggestions at a time. Don't try to work on too many things at once. I've seen some excellent suggestions, too. I like the shorten your backswing and keeping your left arm from bending so much. Personally, I'd start by working on Mr B's advice and then work through the rest of them.

Good luck!!

You're right TW. Mr Bogey should have a PhD in golf.