My game is in serious Trouble.

[Christian]

Hi All!
I'm new here at Lynnblakegolf.com, and I'm a big fan already. Seriously, wonderful site, a great wealth of information for me, being relatively new to TGM. The Alignment Golf dvd's were just awesome. And all of you who contribute at these forums as well. Amazing.

While not being able to contribute with good answers, I want to ask a question. Or three. And hopefully, since I'm hooked on TGM (studying 6th edition), I will be able to contribute, sooner or later.

So, I've been having big issues with my swing lately. This summer I implemented a few good things in my swing, while reading TGM, and Bobby Clampets Impact Zone.

I started out by making sure I had a FLW at impact, and I started hitting nice draws as my “standard “ shot. And had no problems hitting a fade at will. This only lasted a few months, give or take. That was until I tried implementing an aiming point concept. For starters, I think I did a pretty good job using a Aiming point and keeping an FLW. However the last few months without actually realising I have lost about 25 yards of carry - (after a three week break for back pain ) - on my 4 iron and 10-15ish on my 8 iron. I think that's pretty accurate, not sure if it sounds reasonable. I realise now that I had drifted away from that FLW, and -(or because of the flipping?) - start cutting the ball instead, with an outside-in swing path, getting heaps more trajectory on my shots, and not at all as penetrating/compressed as it was this late summer. I started hitting something like a small pull fade with my irons. It was still playable, but not to my liking.

And while wondering why this happened, I started overdoing the hip slide weight shift, I think I had too little rotation, and too much slide, that caused me coming off plane on the down stroke, forgetting completely about the Right magic forearm and only making things worse. This is just what I think. I cant really analyse my own swing video because well, I don't have enough routine.

I'm on my second season of playing golf, and with the application of FLW, I played from a 22 to a 15ish hcp in no-time. But right now, while I'm playing I guess I'm playing bogey-ish on a good day, but I feel I can do so much better.
Last few weeks, I've finally realised I was flipping the club, from getting my swing on video, and started working on that FLW again. And I think I have messed my swing up pretty bad. My misses are usually... well, all over the place. But mostly I would say its a pull, push, or a fade, or extremely thin shots. Way too many thin shots. AFAIK, that sounds like I'm still coming outside-in. 'Cept for the pushes, that happens when I subconsciously transfer to elbow plane on the way down trying too hard to come inside-out or square, failing to close my club face enough to hit a draw. (also what I “THINK”) I'm not qualified to say really.

My good shots are... good straight penetrating shots with a slight draw since I started re-educating my hands. But I have too many misses... and I have NEVER had any problems with topping – hitting the ball thin – before. The aiming point technique really helped me hit DOWN through the ball, however producing an unwanted fade/bad compression the more I used it. So as of now, my pivot feels messed up, my right forearm-takeaway feels awkward, and my Right forearm tracing isn't working. And for a stationary head, well, I think my head is all over the place. And, I think I'm round housing like a madman. - I didnt do it this bad before... most of these MAJOR faults were probably “implemented” while trying to find my swing again... Again. Just a guess.

I should add though, while at the driving range, my shots are really turning out pretty good most days. My misses at the range, since I started implementing FLW again, is mostly thin shots.

I would LOVE if someone would take a look at my swing and tell me what I should be working on, in terms of TGM. I am planning to see an instructor, but that probably wont happen any time real soon because of work...work...work. And the fact that I don't have anyone nearby.



Would it be ok to post a swing video?
As of now, I only have one prior to starting re-educating my hands. Few weeks old, flipping the club like mad. I will post a link to that one. (Hey, even If you choose to not comment, it might give you a good laugh! :P ). And if it would be OK, I will film a new one tomorrow, with my recent changes.

Also, on a side note, I did seek out a “regular” PGA-pro, and he said “your swing looks good and on plane, what I want to change is the straightening right knee in your back swing” And that's all the feedback I got. I realise I have bigger problems than that straightening knee, even though I'm working on that as well. Without really knowing if I should, or shouldn't. I would like to hear in TGM terms, what I should FOCUS working on first and foremost.

Even if I don't get a reply to this, I want to thank you all for a great forum, and a nice atmosphere.

Sorry for the LONG, long post.

Here is the video from a few weeks ago, prior to "re-educating" my hands. Flipping like mad.

[Florida Lefty]

Reading and learning TGM is a daunting task if you embark on your own. Find someone suggested by Lynn and
book a series of lessons. You will have a solid foundation on which to build a repeatable swing, and know what works and why. You will hear this refrain often on this site.
Welcome and good golfing to you.

[Christian]

Hi, yes, you are absolutley right. I am going to see an Instructor, as soon as I'm able. At the moment, I'm working too much, and only spending my weekends at home. So, it probably wont happen before Christmas, and it's a shame, but its the way it is... But I am going to see "Amen Corner" as SOON as I possibly can.

Thanks for your reply, and I realise I'm in over my head, and my swing looks like...well, horrible.

Anyway, going to try to get my changes on to film today. So i might post that later.


Cheers.

[Mike O]

What iron are you using in this video?

[Christian]

I was frustrated while filming this, and i can't recall. BUT, Probably it was a 7i.

I might add that it was a bit rushed to create this thread and post that video now. I should have thought about it more.

I am going to work on my Basic Motion until im ready to move on to Aquired, and total. I have diciplinary issues with this. I tend to forget my goals at times, and start hitting full shots, and trying to "implement" things on the fly, more or less. And with doing this, i fall in to old habits, having to start all over again.

I will be posting again when I get my things straight. And for now. Its basic motion until i got that part relatively figured out.

Thanks.

PS. I do have ONE question though. I can't figure this out. Looking at that video, is my swing considered Over the top? The question is, what is the major cause to my outside in path?

[hansli]

Hello Christian,

I´m not in the neighborhood of being an AI but I would like to try sharing my thoughts on your Swing. I see two things (the really knowledgeable see of course more).
1. You are taking the club back a bit on the outside in the beginning. "As it goes up it tends to come back".
2. You are a bit fluid with your headposition. More so in the downswing. There is not really a stable Tripod.

I hope I´m not insulting you with these reflections. Perhaps I got a bit courageous after playing 5 practiceholes on par and really feeling the whole swing hang together. My hard work is beginning to pay off.

Hans