Hitting the ground behind the ball

This is about my Dad who always hits the ball fat. Most of his fairway woods are fat. His irons are mostly fat shots as well. He even duffs little chip shots which only require half swings. When he does connect well the ball never seems to go straight (snap hook or a wild push slice).

As anybody got any tips to stop him doing this ?

It looks to me like he's taking his eye off the ball (looking up).

I've told him this but he says he can't stop looking up.

Lifting up will often cause thinned shots. His problem may be where he is keeping his weight on his back foot at impact and trying to hit under the ball as to hitting down at it. See if he can start his downswing by letting his hips move a little towards his front foot so that his weight gets transferred. Swaying can also be a problem, get him to keep centered about his spine as he turns.

If he is lifting up ask him to focus his sight on a very small point like a spot on the ball or a blade of grass and keep looking at that point until the ball has gone.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

Many Thanks Brian

His swing is in the gallery if you don't mind having a look.

It's disapointing seeing someone struggle so much especially when I'm hitting the ball really well !

Had a look. There are a few problems there, the main ones are that he needs to stand a little closer to the ball, he is reaching and that is putting him off balance. He is not rotating around his spine through the shot and pulls his right shoulder up through impact, see how his back foot stays on the ground right to the end.

He needs to rotate around his spine in the downswing so that his right shoulder turns under his chin and he maintains his tilt, his right knee needs to turn in towards his left leg as he turns through, his right foot should come up onto the toe at the finish.

take a look at this site and pick the "Maintain Spine Angle Drill" the problem this guy explains with the right shoulder raising is what your Dad is doing.

http://partners.golfserv.com/apps/in...lf/archive.asp#


I hope it helps him.

__________________
Best Regards
Brian

________________________________
Funny o'l game!

Thanks Brian !

I've been telling him for the last 20 years that he's standing too far away from the ball. He doesn't listen. I'll pass on your advice though.

Thanks again !

I have the opposite problem; I end up standing too close to the ball AFTER I've hit it.


Oh I know its an old one but I couldn't resist.

I have found a way of 1) adding 20 yards to my drives and 2) knocking 8 shots off my game:

1) After hitting a drive run like the clappers in the opposite direction.

2) Miss out a par three hole

Are these his swings?
http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/g....php/photo/736
http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/g....php/photo/733

In addition to standing far away from the ball as Brian mentioned it also appears that he is setup with his spine tilted toward the target (face-on view) instead of slightly away from it like the pros.

Something that might help him stand closer to it would be to tell him to have the shaft, grip, or his hands lower at setup (so that it points more toward his belt buckle. If you recommend that he approach the ball with his right elbow near his right hip as he is coming in to put the club behind the ball that should help him get his spine tilted away from the target, and get him setup closer to the ball. That better setup position would probably help to automatically correct some of the other errors we see in his swing(s). Below I have included your dad's setup(s) above the setup(s) of Peter Jacobsen. If you think he is resistant to your recommendations without proof show him the comparison pictures.

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3...acobsenrt9.jpg

Thanks for that AvidGolfer !

It was very helpfull !

i had this problem, tell him to try choking up on the club, it worked for me.

Hi Puttking,

He sets up similar to Moe Norman, perhaps a little to far away.

My advice for him is simple, you need to explain to him the ball weighs about as much as a small bird and really doesn't deserve to be hit that hard, if he just relaxed and swung within himself he would enjoy the game more.

He looks like he is swinging an axe at a tree, it way to much effort.


Ian.

Ian

I've been telling him for the last 20 years that he swings too hard at the ball. But he just replies when he swings slower, the ball doesn't go anywhere !

David,

Trying to teach a family member is normally a no go area. maybe your dad would benefit from a few lessons with a professional coach?

He won't go for lessons. I tell him there is nothing to lose. It's not expensive but he comes up with lame excuses. I've had loads of lessons. Most of them were terrible but at least I made the effort !

ThePuttKing65

Can I ask a question about your Dad. Does he suffer with any bad hips! Possibly on his right side!

Before I attempt to improve his balance/swing I would like to know about his mobility. It is of course quite possible that there is no problem in this area and a change in swing set up would suffice, but best be on the safe side before changes can be made.

Regards Cliff