The last month has served as my introduction to learning "The Golfing Machine". Although I know my basics (such as the three imperatives/essentials, hinge actions, flying wedges, etc.), I am having difficulty analysing my own pattern/stroke/swing and identifying mechanical faults. I was hoping you guys could provide assistance.
Before I describe the issues I am experiencing, I feel that I should provide a summary of my situation. I am 25 years old, 6'4", have above average athletic ability (based on other sports, not necessarily golf), and currently play off a 3.7 handicap (although, I haven't played much golf in the last three years). My goal is to progress as far as my abilities will allow.
The current issues I have with my pattern/stroke/swing revolve around consistency. I am satisfied with the distance that I strike the golf ball (although, who is going to say no to more distance?), so I would really like to focus on increasing accuracy and decreasing the severity of my misses.
My current pattern/stroke/swing can be seen on my YouTube channel posted below. I will try to upload additional videos with various angles (including down-the-line) in the near future.
My misses are primarily pulls with the divots pointing left (i.e. out-to-in path) and I appear to have an over-the-top move at the start of the downswing. I make an effort to exaggerate the in-to-out path on the downswing, but the results can be inconsistent and it feels more like a compensation than a solution. I have a feeling that my pivot may be the root cause, but I'm sure you TGM gurus will know better than me.
Lay plane and stance lines (dowels?).
Trace and look, look, look...
Thank you for taking the time to reply.
I am slightly confused on the correct way to trace the plane base line. I know that the right forearm and right forefinger are meant to point at the plane base line, but are they meant to point at it whilst moving in an arc or should it feel like it is moving in a straight line? I watched the video lesson that Lynn did with Colin, but am still unclear.
The last month has served as my introduction to learning "The Golfing Machine". Although I know my basics (such as the three imperatives/essentials, hinge actions, flying wedges, etc.), I am having difficulty analysing my own pattern/stroke/swing and identifying mechanical faults. I was hoping you guys could provide assistance.
Before I describe the issues I am experiencing, I feel that I should provide a summary of my situation. I am 25 years old, 6'4", have above average athletic ability (based on other sports, not necessarily golf), and currently play off a 3.7 handicap (although, I haven't played much golf in the last three years). My goal is to progress as far as my abilities will allow.
The current issues I have with my pattern/stroke/swing revolve around consistency. I am satisfied with the distance that I strike the golf ball (although, who is going to say no to more distance?), so I would really like to focus on increasing accuracy and decreasing the severity of my misses.
My current pattern/stroke/swing can be seen on my YouTube channel posted below. I will try to upload additional videos with various angles (including down-the-line) in the near future.
My misses are primarily pulls with the divots pointing left (i.e. out-to-in path) and I appear to have an over-the-top move at the start of the downswing. I make an effort to exaggerate the in-to-out path on the downswing, but the results can be inconsistent and it feels more like a compensation than a solution. I have a feeling that my pivot may be the root cause, but I'm sure you TGM gurus will know better than me.
Any help will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
Great looking stuff in that golf swing! A couple of things . . . if your ball is starting LEFT it's because of the FACE. You may not be over the top . . . you could just have the face rotating too fast or just not open enough. Do you hit pull hooks or pull slices?
To your question on plane . . . your arc is going to be more acute (sharper) depending on the plane angle you select if you imagine your hand covering a line on the ground. Ideally you'd like to stay on the same arc the whole time back and through. The steeper the plane angle the more close the "arc" or "line" will be closer to "straight" back.
Your head stays centered nice got super lag . . . Sounds like you need to get your concepts right on why the ball flies as it does. The ball for the most part is going to START OUT WHERE THE FACE IS LOOKING AND CURVE AWAY FROM THE PATH. The face is generally worth about 85% of the start line NOT THE PATH.
Hard to say without a down the line but it looks like you could "use the ground" LONGER . . . try to move your pivot longer where you feel like you're going to hit pushes. Keep the pivot going and it will keep the face from rolling as fast. Good swing.
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Last edited by 12 piece bucket : 07-24-2010 at 06:09 PM.
Id agree with Buckets suggestions and would add that if your divots are pointing left then you do need to fix your club head path too. Research "Startdown Waggles".
Since golf is played on an Inclined Plane the clubhead does move in to out as it approaches the ball! This will produce the straight divot! (which actually has a little arc to it) Trying to hold the clubheads path in a straight line is "Steering" and non planar. Keep swinging out till your divots go straight.
Get into 2-C-0 until you understand the correct impact geometry and the difference between it and all three forms of Steering. Much of the book will open up for you after you get the correct impact geometry sorted out.
Just for fun, what are the results if you start your swing...
Originally Posted by BC85
Howdy Everyone,
The last month has served as my introduction to learning "The Golfing Machine". Although I know my basics (such as the three imperatives/essentials, hinge actions, flying wedges, etc.), I am having difficulty analysing my own pattern/stroke/swing and identifying mechanical faults. I was hoping you guys could provide assistance.
Before I describe the issues I am experiencing, I feel that I should provide a summary of my situation. I am 25 years old, 6'4", have above average athletic ability (based on other sports, not necessarily golf), and currently play off a 3.7 handicap (although, I haven't played much golf in the last three years). My goal is to progress as far as my abilities will allow.
The current issues I have with my pattern/stroke/swing revolve around consistency. I am satisfied with the distance that I strike the golf ball (although, who is going to say no to more distance?), so I would really like to focus on increasing accuracy and decreasing the severity of my misses.
My current pattern/stroke/swing can be seen on my YouTube channel posted below. I will try to upload additional videos with various angles (including down-the-line) in the near future.
My misses are primarily pulls with the divots pointing left (i.e. out-to-in path) and I appear to have an over-the-top move at the start of the downswing. I make an effort to exaggerate the in-to-out path on the downswing, but the results can be inconsistent and it feels more like a compensation than a solution. I have a feeling that my pivot may be the root cause, but I'm sure you TGM gurus will know better than me.
Any help will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
...from the Impact Fix position? Since impact is the test and the ball is a blabbermouth, maybe starting from Impact Fix would reveal the need for a longer pivot before release or too much head movement, or ball position adjustments, or too quick of a Flying Wedge (your hands) release? When I started using the Impact Fix position, I was able to reverse engineer a lot of insights. My hcp. is still a 15 so I'm not saying I know your solution but TGM gives a person a lot of perspectives to examine and the Impact Fix idea has given me lots of new ideas and insights.
Welcome.
Patrick
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HP, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Progress and not perfection is the goal every day!
Thank you all for replying, I really appreciate it.
Originally Posted by 12 piece bucket
A couple of things . . . if your ball is starting LEFT it's because of the FACE. You may not be over the top . . . you could just have the face rotating too fast or just not open enough. Do you hit pull hooks or pull slices?
I may be misunderstanding this matter (so correct me if I'm wrong), but if the ball is starting left due to a closed club-face only, shouldn't the divot still be pointing straight along the target line? Due to all my divots pointing left of the target line on my misses, I just assumed it was a path/plane issue. I generally hit pull hooks but occasionally hit pull slices as well.
Originally Posted by 12 piece bucket
To your question on plane . . . your arc is going to be more acute (sharper) depending on the plane angle you select if you imagine your hand covering a line on the ground. Ideally you'd like to stay on the same arc the whole time back and through. The steeper the plane angle the more close the "arc" or "line" will be closer to "straight" back.
That makes perfect sense, thank you.
Originally Posted by 12 piece bucket
The ball for the most part is going to START OUT WHERE THE FACE IS LOOKING AND CURVE AWAY FROM THE PATH. The face is generally worth about 85% of the start line NOT THE PATH.
Should I research the D-Plane more (if this is what you're referring to)?
Originally Posted by 12 piece bucket
Hard to say without a down the line but it looks like you could "use the ground" LONGER . . . try to move your pivot longer where you feel like you're going to hit pushes. Keep the pivot going and it will keep the face from rolling as fast.
I will try to get some more video (with face-on and down-the-line angles) uploaded tonight.
I agree in regards to the pivot. However, I don't know how to execute it correctly. I have tried the drills in "Alignment Golf" but it hasn't worked for me. This was my downfall whilst trying "Stack and Tilt" as well, as I was unable to slide my hips laterally.
Originally Posted by O.B.Left
Research "Startdown Waggles".
I will look into it, thanks.
Originally Posted by O.B.Left
Since golf is played on an Inclined Plane the clubhead does move in to out as it approaches the ball! This will produce the straight divot! (which actually has a little arc to it) Trying to hold the clubheads path in a straight line is "Steering" and non planar. Keep swinging out till your divots go straight.
This has been my main effort (consciously swinging in-to-out) since I am unable to execute the pivot correctly. At times it feels like I am swinging out 45 degrees. However, would this be considered a compensation or is it a feeling that is making me perform the mechanics correctly?
Originally Posted by O.B.Left
Get into 2-C-0 until you understand the correct impact geometry and the difference between it and all three forms of Steering. Much of the book will open up for you after you get the correct impact geometry sorted out.
I'll also look in this, thanks.
Originally Posted by innercityteacher
Since impact is the test and the ball is a blabbermouth, maybe starting from Impact Fix would reveal the need for a longer pivot before release or too much head movement, or ball position adjustments, or too quick of a Flying Wedge (your hands) release? When I started using the Impact Fix position, I was able to reverse engineer a lot of insights.
"Impact Fix" confuses me slightly. Is it just to create a feeling of impact before playing the shot or is there more to it?
Thank you all for replying, I really appreciate it.
I may be misunderstanding this matter (so correct me if I'm wrong), but if the ball is starting left due to a closed club-face only, shouldn't the divot still be pointing straight along the target line? Due to all my divots pointing left of the target line on my misses, I just assumed it was a path/plane issue. I generally hit pull hooks but occasionally hit pull slices as well.
That makes perfect sense, thank you.
Should I research the D-Plane more (if this is what you're referring to)?
I will try to get some more video (with face-on and down-the-line angles) uploaded tonight.
I agree in regards to the pivot. However, I don't know how to execute it correctly. I have tried the drills in "Alignment Golf" but it hasn't worked for me. This was my downfall whilst trying "Stack and Tilt" as well, as I was unable to slide my hips laterally.
I will look into it, thanks.
This has been my main effort (consciously swinging in-to-out) since I am unable to execute the pivot correctly. At times it feels like I am swinging out 45 degrees. However, would this be considered a compensation or is it a feeling that is making me perform the mechanics correctly?
I'll also look in this, thanks.
"Impact Fix" confuses me slightly. Is it just to create a feeling of impact before playing the shot or is there more to it?
Hard to say with just the divot could depend on ball position as well in respect to low point. you certainly can research d-plane and trackman too . . . . but just think of the face angle magnet thingie . . . the ball is generally going to start where that thing is pointing. So if your balls are starting left it's because the face is looking over there . . . could be due to it just plain being looking there or because it's rotating too fast.
Mike says you are over . . . . not sure how you can tell that from face on . . . . but you could be a reckon. Put the DTL up. You do some nice stuff.
Pivot: You're pulling down with your arms and shoulders and then you start your hip turn. You will always come over the top with that combination. You have two choices. Stop pivoting or stop pulling with your arms and shoulders.
Startdown Waggles are the best drill for the over the top problem to my mind. The best video on them is in the Premium Address Routine Video with Ted Fort. It'll cost you about 20 bucks but is well worth it. On the range I do two of them for every pull shot and then fire one off quickly without any added thinking. Those things work.
Here is a great photo of Hogan employing a Hip Slide with a Delayed Hip Turn. Notice how his left hip has slid over to above the outside of his left foot.
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