My wrists don't turn through and leave the club face open. It's just been a struggle to get them to turn through when I swing the driver. I can do it more consistently with my irons.

7/10/2011 12:29:13 AM

^roll your right hand over a bit. Gives you a bit of a strong grip and can help square the clubface at impact. It's an easy fix for a round or two before you straighten it out on the range.

7/10/2011 12:53:57 AM

I was having that problem as well. To remedy it I was starting off with the club face closed, so that as it opened up through my swing it would end up hitting just about square. That helped, but I was still slicing it. What actually fixed the slice was stepping about 2-3 inches to the right and holding the club square.

7/10/2011 4:01:45 AM

Quote :

"Pretty decent with my irons but pretty much always right/slice with the woods. It tends to add at least one extra stroke to each driving hole. If I could get them relatively consistent (not necessarily long, just straight) I'd be much happier. The rest of my game I could figure out."

I have the same problem. I'm naturally left handed but i have no preference in golf so i'm sticking right handed. I've done different things, talked to a bunch of people, in the end i think i just need go to the driving range more.

this helped me some:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqHMmMLW9J0

7/10/2011 5:49:31 AM

^Some of the best players in the world play opposite handed. It gives a sense of pulling or leading with the strong hand. Many don't know this but Phil Mickelson is actually right handed but plays golf left handed. If you can play this way, I could see how it would be better. I think Mike Weir is the same way but I'm not sure about him.

[Edited on July 10, 2011 at 10:42 AM. Reason : Watch Phil sign autographs]

7/10/2011 10:39:59 AM

^^ I do remember from my swing analysis I got awhile ago that my spine angle was a little too upright. I've just neglected to try adjusting it while working on other things.

7/12/2011 3:12:25 PM

Going to play next Tuesday with some family friends. The husband used to dabble in some PGA Euro stuff so hopefully he can give me some pointers

7/13/2011 3:19:58 AM

Quote :

"My wrists don't turn through and leave the club face open. It's just been a struggle to get them to turn through when I swing the driver. I can do it more consistently with my irons."

As stateredneck said, adjust your grip. that's the first thing you always want to look at if you are consistently closed or open at impact...then make adjustments to your swing from there...obviously your swing path probably has a lot to do with it, but sometimes a grip correction and even get your swing on a better path.

Here's a Hank Haney video on the grip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcvA8tcuH2o

[Edited on July 13, 2011 at 8:14 AM. Reason : df]

7/13/2011 8:13:54 AM

My grip is neutral. I've tried strengthening my grip to close the face, but it had more negative effects than positive. The problem only consistently occurs with my driver, not my irons.

Thanks for the advice though guys. I'll get this shit figured out eventually. What sucks is back in school I pounded the ball straight with the driver. I took so much time off from the game I lost all my swing mechanics though. It's like starting from scratch.

Might be heading home to play this weekend. If not I might cash in my Eagle Ridge groupon.

7/13/2011 12:51:36 PM

I'm to the point where I'm about to give up golf.

I've had countless lessons, and been to the range I don't know how many times. It is just a game I cannot improve at no matter what I do.

7/15/2011 1:07:51 PM

So then play it knowing exactly how you'll shoot. It's still good just to get away and play...

7/15/2011 3:28:12 PM

^correct. I used to think I'd go out and shoot 80 every time and when I didn't, I had ZERO fun. Now I realize I'm gonna shoot 85-89 and if it's a couple shots higher, oh well. If I manage to shoot 82 or lower, even better. Enjoy the weather, the course, and a couple beers!

7/15/2011 3:36:07 PM

There is a point where its not fun though. If I knew I was destined to lose half a dozen balls and shoot 100+ every time I played, I'd probably stop playing. At that point its just a money pit that you get no enjoyment from.

[Edited on July 15, 2011 at 6:57 PM. Reason : .]

7/15/2011 6:56:56 PM

^ but how to do you get better? Is it playing even more? lessons just aren't the answer at this point. I know exactly how I'm "supposed" to swing, but I just can't make myself do it.

7/16/2011 1:56:18 PM

i wish i had one of those golf simulators

but they run like $20000+ so it wont happen

7/16/2011 2:02:18 PM

^^how much better are you trying to get? From what HDCP to what?

7/16/2011 2:36:55 PM

I regularly shoot about 120, and lose 4-6 balls per round

I just want to someday shoot 90 to be able to play with business partners, father in law, brother in law, etc.

7/16/2011 2:47:38 PM

not trying to be rude, but if you're shooting 120, you don't really know how to swing.

How often do you go to the range?

7/16/2011 4:04:12 PM

once or twice a week

7/16/2011 4:06:45 PM

if you are shooting 120 ... keep the driver in the bag... keep your head down all the way through the swing... losing 4-6 balls is 8-12 in penalty strokes, but still no reason to shoot 120

you need to avoid chunking, and topping the ball on shots,,, saves strokes by the dozens for the inexperienced

7/16/2011 4:12:05 PM

it's really easy to say "avoid chunking and topping the ball" but much harder to actually do.

7/16/2011 4:13:19 PM

agreed. if chunking and/or topping (especially if it's both) is a problem, you're likely moving your head too much and looking up too early.

At the range, spend a good deal of time with a 7 or 8 iron taking half swings where your backswing is primarily an arm motion, but be sure to follow through all the way. Work on that until the ball flight is more consistent. It doesn't need to be straight necessarily, but you want consistency. Once that's achieved you can work on correcting a fade/hook/slice.

7/16/2011 4:19:52 PM

an arm motion? don't you need a full hip rotation?

7/16/2011 4:24:59 PM

you dont always have to rotate the hips "back"... i dont and get plenty of power

be sure to rotate hips THROUGH every time though

7/16/2011 4:26:43 PM

on half swings (esp. at the range) don't worry about rotating your hips back. Keep it as simple as possible until you get it down. agree with ^ that turning through the ball is important on all shots.

7/16/2011 4:30:22 PM

thanks for the tips, i'll try and practice a few weeks on just the basics before going back on a course

7/16/2011 4:37:10 PM

any tips for getting more hip movement? I have had my left knee rebuilt so I dont seem to put much weight on it or am able to twist it much. I try to just point my left foot a little down range to help me rotate through easier but i dont feel im rotating the hips much. Any advice? great thread btw.

7/16/2011 4:49:35 PM

this is very rare and hard to do but...

i have seen some people actually rock their body to help with motion and rotation of the hips and distributing their weight easier...

its so hard to do though cause you really have to keep your head still then.

i dont think you need to point the left foot out... just rotate through and work on really picking up the right foot heel on getting on those toes and having your chest facing down-course after your swings

7/16/2011 4:55:23 PM

Thanks for the pointer. My golf instructor said I was faking my hip turn. I have no idea what that meant. At the end of my swing I was facing down range. I guess I was mostly turning my shoulders.

7/16/2011 6:21:37 PM

your belt buckle should face your target on your follow through.

7/16/2011 6:36:41 PM

Thx. On Iron shots, should your hands be in front of the ball on impact?

7/16/2011 9:19:38 PM

Yes. This promotes a downward strike and compression of the ball, and therefore more distance.

7/16/2011 10:04:53 PM

^what he said... not to mention you get more backspin to STICK the green son

7/16/2011 11:40:13 PM

heading out to play today, Ill give these tips a try.

7/17/2011 8:43:35 AM

BEST round of my life!!!! shot 89 overall. Got my first birdie every and A HOLE IN FREAKING ONE!!

I got it on a par 3, 17, over water. Picked up some crappy ball and used it in case I sent it swimming. used an AW and hit it right at the pin. It landed real close and I was pretty excited to be so close then the fucker just disappeared. My wife and I started screaming and jumping around. Soooo awesome. After that she kept calling me bastard. haha Ah, best feeling ever. Im still floating.

The guy at the clubhouse gave me a little plastic thing to put the ball in. Best day ever!!!

Shot a 7 on the next hole, but could not care less. Couldnt stop smiling.

7/17/2011 3:03:44 PM

^freakin' awesome man...congrats on best round and the hole in one....sadly i don't have my hole in one yet and i'm a scratch!

played river ridge today...1st time...nice course but they need to keep their greens in shape...too many freakin' pitch marks on the greens.

7/17/2011 8:28:43 PM

I hate greens that are pocked with ball marks. It's not that hard to repair them.

I played the crossings satuday and played the worst I have all year, shot 100 even. Course was in good shape though.

7/17/2011 10:01:22 PM

probably getting a set of ping g15 irons shortly. anyone play them? have thoughts?

7/22/2011 2:47:19 PM

my best tip for becoming at least a decent player is to play as much as you are able to, and find 1 club that you hit well and make it your money club. i can hit my PW 145yard and in, from anywhere. i simply just adjust the club & swing according to distances. it really takes the pressure & guesswork out of "well, maybe i should hit this degree wedge...or should i use this one..."...i don't have to think about the club. i only have to think about distance and the loft i want. plus it gives me more time to drink in the cart without having to think.

here are so many "tips" out there and technicalities to hitting the perfect shot that i don't give a crap about...the key is to just do whatever you gotta do to start hitting it well, and then keep doing it over and over.

drink a lot of alcohol when you play. its a critical part of my game. i used to shoot between 95-105 and now i shoot anywhere in the 80's pretty regularly.

final tip: shotgun a beer for every birdie.

7/22/2011 3:17:48 PM

lol, nice final tip!

7/22/2011 3:42:53 PM

my tip is to not listen to kevmcd86 if you ever want to be a serious golfer...if you don't, then his philosophy is a fun way to play.

however, there is nothing good golfers hate more on a golf course than shitty golf etiquette. i'm all for everyone enjoying themselves, good and bad golfers, but please learn etiquette. (let faster players through, proper attire, etc) /rant

also, just make sure you don't wear jorts on a golf course...it looks awful in public, so that means it looks ridiculous on a golf course


[Edited on July 22, 2011 at 4:09 PM. Reason : df]

7/22/2011 4:07:21 PM

^correct...in no way am i a serious golfer...but personally i'm happy shooting where i do and having fun doing it.

i like to model myself after John Daly.

also- bring your portable sound dock. i love bringing my iPod & sounddock and jammin to some 69 Boyz, C&C Music Factory, and EMF. keep it at a level where you cant hear it 40-50yards away, but can jam while you're in the cart.

[Edited on July 22, 2011 at 4:24 PM. Reason : .]

7/22/2011 4:20:46 PM

seriously? playing music on the course? I don't wanna sound snobby, but leave that shit at home.

7/22/2011 5:06:07 PM

yall are getting trolled.

so easily too, its ridiculous.

7/22/2011 5:14:08 PM

yay.

7/23/2011 8:04:26 PM

did you let Johnny Drama borrow your driver?

7/24/2011 6:46:24 PM

Anybody ever put a head cover in a washing machine before? Mine are getting pretty dirty...

7/24/2011 8:14:10 PM

^^the driver is about 4 or 5 years old and was hitting it yesterday and noticed something weird...so then i popped it on the ground to see if i heard anything and it broke straight in half.

It's an X-stiff and my swing can reach 120 mph when i really jump on one, so i think it just finally wore itself out.

i've been wanting a new driver so this kind of lets me get one w/ a good excuse. I went ahead and ordered a Titleist 910d3...very pumped.

7/24/2011 8:44:00 PM

I'm 25 been playing fairly regular since I was 12 and a +1 handicap and never had or seen a hole-in-one. eyedrb consider yourself lucky, it could be your only one. I've had numerous ones hit the stick but never fall. It's a sad thing to see many good golfers that have never had one. My dad has been playing 30+ years at pretty decent level 0-5 handicap and has had 2.

7/24/2011 9:22:35 PM

^i've seen 1 hole in one...was awesome.

i've had, i think, 4 or 5 eagles from the fairway, but of course those don't count

I've had flag sticks hit on par 3's, par 5 (for double eagle), but never a damn hole in one...hopefully i'll get there...we'll see. i'd rather get consistently under par than get a hole in one if i had my choice.

7/24/2011 10:42:58 PM