heel shot off driver

Hello,

I am new to golf, only played two times. However it is safe to say that I am addicted. Although I have only played two times I spend a lot of time at the driving range or swinging in the back yard.

My main problem is that I strike the ball with the heel of my driver. I figured this out today at the range because I just bought a new driver and all of the ball markings were on the heel of the club. The shots that I did hit with the sweet spot are sailing much farther and I would like to be able to do this consistently.

I do not have have any problems with slicing (fixed that already ) just that dang heel shot.


I read in a previous post that this may be caused by starting the downswing with the shoulders before the hips. Does anybody know a drill to practice "hips first"?

Any other causes for the "heel shot"?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Jeremy Christopher

Hello Jeremy,

So, You've got the disease..er..golf bug huh? I had a similar issue with a long driver. I had club shortened to regulation length and stopped hitting on heel.
Maybe this is your issue.

This works for me: From the top of my backswing, as I shift my weight back to the left I focus on getting my right elbow into my right side and "hit the ball with my right hip". The arms and hands remain passive and will follow. Give it a try.

Good luck and enjoy the game!

Shooter

Try moving away from the ball another inch at address.

Do you have a video camera that you can use to post your swing. The root cause could be 1 of a 1000 things.

Thanks for the input guys. I do have a video camera and I am planning on recording my swing.

Played a round today and could'nt hit the driver at all .

Well, I'll be practicing.

Thanks again,
Jeremy Christopher

Just remember, practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent.

Make sure you're only practicing good things!

Ensure you are standing the correct distance from the ball.

With your driver, ball position should be just inside your left heel (for righties). With your club aligned to the ball, your arms should hang naturally from your shoulders. Try this: staying in your address position, let go of your club with your right hand and let your arm hang loosely. Close your eyes and move your right arm to the right about 12 inches. Now, let your arm swing back towards the club. When your right hand gets to the club, your hand should hit exactly where your hand should be placed in address.

__________________
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

Jeremy,

There are a number of reason this could be happening but here are a couple of the major ones.

1. Your address position is changing and you are getting closer to the ball at Impact then where you were at address.
2. The club is swinging too much in to out.

As for #1 - if you set up with the weight favoring the "ball" of the foot then you will be pulled forward, toward the toes, in the downstroke. This is a result of the outward pull of the club - away from center - during a golf stroke.

#2 is pretty self explanatory - the club is off Plane.

Let us know if you are having balance issues and the feeling of your weight being on your toes coming into and after Impact.

__________________
Chuck Evans, G.S.E.D.
www.chuckevansgolf.com

I do feel more weight toward the toes on the downswing. I am now concentrating more on balancing my weight more towards my heels on the downswing. This seems to help some.

Now I am working on not topping my Iron shots. I think I need to stop standing up on the backwing. Anyway, thats a different thread (unless anyone would like to comment ).

Thanks again,
Jeremy Christopher

To get into the proper position at the top of the backswing, your left shoulder must be over your right knee. If you are getting your left shoulder over your right knee, it is almost impossible to stand up. If you do stand up, your left foot is going to come off the ground. I would start by fixing the weight transfer - this will probably solve your problem. If not, let me know and we'll work from there!

Thanks Gord.

How can I start working on the weight transfer. Do you mean transfer from right (on backswing) to left (downsing)?

I just tried placing my left shoulder over my right knee. It feels awkward, I need to work on flexibility!

Thanks again,
Jeremy Christopher

Hi Jeremy,

Here is my drill to get into the proper position at the top of the backswing, which describes some of the check points for various positions in the backswing:
http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/v...rticle.php?a=4



As for how to properly transfer your weight and when, try GregJWillis's walking drill:
http://members.cox.net/gregjwillis/LESSON2.htm

If you have any questions about the drills or want any more drills to work on, let me know!

Gord,

I must say that you are a lot of help. I really do appreciate you taking the time to give me some advice and resources.

I will be practicing the drills you provided and when I hit my next wall Ill let you know, if thats okay.

Thank you,
Jeremy Christopher

I'm glad I could help Jeremy!