Swing problem...

Hi, newbie Rich here in the UK. I just started playing about a week ago.

I've been down the range a few times, and through the last 200 or so balls I'm slicing so badly, either off the tee or the matt, that I keep thumping the ball into the right wall.

If I reduce the swing length so I'm just chipping, i can generally get it fairly straight... but on a full swing I'm consistently awful. Woods or Irons, the result is usually the same.

I'm clutching at straws a bit now.. is it my grip (interlocked little finger and index finger), my weight distribution (i try to come of the ball of my feet), stance, ball position... I'm trying everything.

I've read all the beginners technique here... and I'm starting to think I should pay a visit to the club pro. But before I do I just wondered if anyone had experienced the same thing.

Thanks for your time everyone.

Rich

Richie, get yourself along to your pro as soon as possible. If you can't do that I can suggest a couple of typical beginners slicing faults.

1. Hands behind the ball at address - easy one to sort but maybe get a friend to stand facing you to make sure you do it.

2. 'Casting' the club. You are chopping the ball from the outside. Think of the swing with a clock between the ball and the target your hands should head for 2 o'clock as you follow through. On the way to the ball picture it as a cube and you are trying to hit the corner nearest your right foot not the flat side. This will promote an in to out swing and hopefully eliminate a slice.

3. SLOW DOWN!!!!! a tempo that is too fast often prevents everything else that i spoke about above from happening. Slow your tempo down by counting to three the backswing should be 1...2 and the contact with the ball should be 3 that should get the tempo about right.

Good Luck,

D.

Thanks for the pointers Darryl - I'll give that a try tomorrow... if my right arm stops hurting by then

Assuming you're a right handed golfer, half your problem lies in your previous statement - if my right arm stops hurting.

Keep your right side quiet. Use your left side as much as possible, and keep your right side 'limp' as much as possible. You'll probably lose distance, but the slice should disappear (as you'll no longer be pushing with the right side).

Another thing to check is your ball position. A ball too far forward is going to want to bend to the right. Try moving the ball closer to the middle of your stance start at 3" off your left heel and see what works from there.
I play my woods and long irons 2" inside my left heel, mid irons (5-7) 3" inside my left heel, and 8 iron to wedges pretty much in the middle of my stance (maybe half a ball width forward).

Also, make sure your stance is square, or slightly closed. Contrary to popular belief, an open stance will actually add slice-spin to the ball.

Just my .02

thanks - more stuff to try.

I think some of the pain comes from having hit into the matt a couple of times... i'll definitely try closing my stance a little too.

Once more, thanks. Appreciated!

You should not use your upper body at all to swing the club. Your upper body is only there to guide your clubhead and keep your shaft on plane. Use your legs and torso to create the speed and power in your swing.

If you feel you need an open stance to keep your balance try this. Line up with your feet parallel to your target line. Turn your left toe towards your target about 15 - 30 degrees. Double check that your feet are still lined up parallel to your target. You should always swing along the line that your feet are lined up with. This method works a bit better if you are not very flexable or have balance problems.

__________________
Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall

Thanks Gord, good stuff.

I'll let you all know how I get on.