OFF TOPIC: Somebody try to help me with my swing ...

[Jersey Devil]

I'm just really learning the game of golf, so I don't know too much about technique and such. Anyway, I went out to the driving range today with my brother.

I started out with my irons ..... and it was great (for me). My 3 iron was going over 200 yards and straight. Even my sand wedge was going 100 yards and straight.

Then I got to my woods. I took out my driver, and completely hooked and sliced the ball every single time. Every time they'd come up short too, anywhere from 150-200.

I don't do much different in swinging my woods, and I don't try to kill the ball either. Any clue why this may be?

[lmanchur.]

...uh... not really "off topic"... this is the golf forum... we discuss golf.. you posted a golfing issue... thus, it's "on topic"... not "off" ! :)

...anyway, I can't really help you, but I can tell you that I feel uncomfortable with my drivers... only this year, after playing the game for two years, have I begun to feel better with my drivers....

[NickHammy]

The only thing I can tell you to do is to continue practicing, it may help, it might not.

[iFroggy]

Jersey,

Most likely something that your doing at impact. Why not hit your 5 wood or 3 wood off the tee and try it that way, while practicing with your driver off of the course. You shouldn't lose a ton of distance and it will keep it accurate, some people can't even hit a driver and rely on 3 and 5 woods, and its not a bad thing either.

To tell me more "why", I'd have to be there. :)

[Rick Dogg]

Originally posted by Jersey Devil

I don't do much different in swinging my woods, and I don't try to kill the ball either. Any clue why this may be?

Well NOTHING should be different in your swing. And their should only be a slight difference in your stance.

These are some theories of what you may be doing wrong.

Theory 1: You are intimitated by the size and length of your woods and don't feel "in control" of them. If this is the case, dont worry, I used to have the same problem. As you become more experienced you feel more comfortable with them.

Theory 2: You are not keeping the clubface closed on your backswing and takeaway. You might be picking the club up instead of making a nice backswing. That might be causing you to slice. If you are unsure of what that means, ask an experienced golfer and he will explain it better than I can.

I hope that helps. I would recomend that you get golf lessons and one of the pros can break down your swing more thoroughly.

[Jersey Devil]

The board is entitled ...... "PGA / LPGA / SPGA Golf" ...... not "John hitting some golf balls" ....... time for a name change Marc? :D

But anyway ...... what I meant by not changing much is that the club is longer, so I have to move back a bit away from the ball. Plus, my driver is lighter than my irons, so the swing is probably sped up. I tried the 3 and 5 too ... they weren't much better.

I'll have more time to play golf when I get to college next year. It'll be cheaper, and they have a nice indoor practice area. Until then I'll just play around with my swing a bit on random golf courses around here and learn the game by myself.

[Rick Dogg]

I hope you get better. Golf is very fun when you know what your doing.

[NickHammy]

Originally posted by Jersey Devil
I'll have more time to play golf when I get to college next year.

Where are you going to college?

[Marc]

Originally posted by NickHammy


Where are you going to college?
He's going to Rutgers. :) Now, back to topic...

[RaviPachai18]

:) Sorry for bringing up these old topics.

First and foremost, let me assure you that a slice is the most common mi**** for the amateur golfer ! So don't be too worried.

Secondly, there should be a slight difference in your swing with your woods. Your drivers and lower numbered clubs should have a shallower swing plane. While the higher number clubs would be a more straight up / straight down action. The difference would not be obviously noticeable but you would feel it.

Third, I've never heard that your club face should be closed on your back swing, this would promote a hook on impact so I don't suggest that. Keep it square, and make sure your rotation is correct.

To correct it? It could be a ton of things, your follow through, weight shift, club face on impact! My suggestion if you can't get an experienced golfer to look at your swing, they have these stickers that you place on the face of the club, get some of those and see exactly where you are hitting the ball on impact this should give you a good indication of why it's slicing as the flight of the ball is basically determined when the club hits the ball (no matter how funky your swing..look at Jim Furyk, but things like weight shifting and direction do come into play). I don't know where you can get them but try any local golf store or maybe somewhere online. It makes an imprint on the sticker and you can peel them off easily so there won't be any damage. If you can't find them I'm sure you can replace the sticker with some sort of homemade contraption which would act identically to that of the stickers (tape??). Also, if you have a video camera, video taping your swing DOES help or swing in a mirror where you can see if there are any obvious flaws! Or you can just get a pro lesson if you want :).

Ravi

[Rick Dogg]

Your right Ravi, I meant to say "open clubface" I said one thing while thinking another.

[McPatrickClan]

J, I have had the exact same problem. I can't emphasize enough the Harvey Penick books though. I am in the middle of the red book and it is amazing. The simplicity of it promotes a new outlook to the game. Don't break down your swing so much and you might just improve...

[#47]

Repitition, repitition, repitition. While ther are many great teachers and like the Harvey Penick books that McPatrick mentions above(i have also heard good things about those), there is no subsitute for practice and repitition. Nobody is built the same, nor are many peoples swings exactly alike but practice can only improve the hand eye coordination that is so valuble in golf. Listen to the few basic priciples like rotating the hips, swing arc, balance and grip. Then hit alot of balls.

If your willing to hit balls the improvement will come. What you'll eventually find to be even tougher, his when you get to be about a 8 to 10 handicap is knocking that down to about a 4 or 5. Those strokes take a lot of time on the short game.