Way Right

I have been playing golf for about 4 years. While my ball striking has improved tremendously and I rarely skull the ball anymore, not much has changed. I know I need lessons, just can not afford any. However I could really use a couple of tips from you. This thread will be about my drivers and short Irons, which I can make very solid contact with, however (esp. with my drives) the ball goes way right. I find it hard to call a slice when it just starts far right immediatly off my clubface. The obvious problem is that my face is just wide open at contact. The ball still travels very far, 250+ (I have a lot of power for a shorter backswing) but I just can't keep it on or near the fairway.

I know this is hard to analyze my swing without seeing it. I will try to upload a video soon. I will give you some details about my swing

I have always a strong left hand grip which I have recently been trying to lay off of. However this has not solved it. I have what would be a 3/4 swing for most people (even on my drives). It does not get to parallel. I have a fairly stoic lower body. My stance may be a little wider than shoulder width, but not much. Ball is usually off my front inside heel and I stand relatively stretched from the ball, but it is consistent (tweaking this does not effect the problem).


Any tips would be more than greatly appreciated.

Are my hands coming too late? Should I snake the club behind my arms at all? Or is my swing path just alllllll messed up?

hi
address the ball as you normally do and swing back to about hip high then move your body like you do when swing back down into impact and swing your club back to the ball so now your hips will be more facing towards the target than when at address and check where the face of the club if now looking. if its open then use your right hand to turn the shaft but not move your left hand, then address the ball again and your club will feel like its closed and again do the drill and check you club face.
if its OK then take a full swing and see how the ball flies,
your hand may be in a good set up at address but could have the wrist turning a little at impact.
give it a try and see how you get on.
cheers
bill

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you have an open face yes, but if it starts right as you say that means you have an in to out swing which if not overdone can be a good thing. if you closed the faceand keep your in to out path you should hit some nice draws.

as far as having a square face of closed face its hard to tell without your swing. what works for me is to keep the face square throughout the whole backswing so i never have to worry about squaring it.

try this link http://www.newgolfswing.com/newgolfswing05.php

You are probably swinging on an in to out path and not allowing the toe of the club to pass the heel through impact, this would create a draw.

I would suggest you concentrate more on bringing the clubface to the ball on an inside path then make sure you keep it turning back inside again into the follow through. Many players think they must direct the club more straight down the line past impact, this is wrong and will create a pushed ball.

Ever hit a hook? Try hitting some hooks on the driving range then work your way to a draw...

I agree. Try aiming right but closing the club face and playing out in the middle of your stance. Really close it to start with and swing away like you normally do. You might go a little too far left to start but adjust the club face bit by bit until it draws back

The closed face will look odd but stick with it

Alternatively you may already be lining well to the right without realising it (although youve probably checked this!) and be hitting a fade. With you normal set up aim at the left side of the fairway, to do this your body will feel like its aimed 2 fairways left but again stick with it. Might just be what you hit now is actually a very good fade, just badly aimed

If you master both you'll be able to hit draws and fades off the tee