Help! Confused by the golf swing

I currently play off 5 - but in danger of going higher. I was off 3 a couple of years back and decided for the first time in my life to take lessons - I just got confused! My handicap went up.

I used to play with a draw and hit it quite long. My pro worked on me taking the club back less on the inside and reduce the role of my wrists in the swing. It got me straighter but I have lost 30 - 40 yards with the driver. I think I am really not turning back and through and where I used to snap my hands through they are nuetral. I now sort of slap the ball and my confidence has gone because of my poor striking.

I have tried a couple of other pros to try and get back on track. I am conused by the suggestions on the backswing. One told me to hinge my wrists on the backswing and the other just to get a good shoulder turn and not worry about the wrists.

Any ideas about how to make a powerful backswing and what role the wrists play?

Also, I think I have stopped turning properly which makes me hit over the top in an attempt to get some power on the ball.

I hope this makes sense!

OK, where to start!

Why did you change in the first place??

I will work on the assumption you were trying to iron out the draw.

To achieve any sort of power in the swing I beleive that you have to hinge the wrists on the way back.

Take the club away low and slow and try and get the clubhead to reach an imaginary target just beyond range behind you on the swing plane, as soon as you think the clubhead cant go any further away from you hinge your wrists up and complete your turn make sure you get the club horizontal at the top, check (well, get a friend to) for the clubhead pointing left or right of target. Bring it back down smoothly and powerfully but not too fast. Wait until the butt end of the club is almost back at the ball and then unhinge the wrists. Try and get the feeling of throwing the club out to 2 o clock on the clock face on the follow through, remeber its a hit THROUGH the ball not AT it.

Start this off very slowly and deliberately. As you get the feel for it build up gradually to your natural rhythym. When you are confident with it make an effort to whip the hands through as you unhinge the wrists, you will get more action on the ball this way.

Unfortunately what you describe has wrked its way into your confidence as well. Try and practice a good bit more than you play until you are satisfied you are striking the ball well again. Then go out and play and ignore the score and concentrate on playing the shots. Once you are hitting every shot reasonably well at least some of the time, start intense short game practice and get the fel back, THEN start counting scores.

I know its a bit late in the winter to be doing this with the season just 6 weeks away but you can always wait until the late summer to start playing Medal golf, you only need 3 cards to keep your handicap remember, the worst you can do is go up by point 3. If you do well who knows what you may achieve......

tthe very best of luck to you,

D.

As always, great advice Darryl. Here is the link to my backswing drill:

http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/v...rticle.php?a=4