Grounding the club

Soliciting feedback and opinions about grounding the club at address.

I have a habit of grounding the club at address and resting my arms weight on it. I think this has a detrimental effect because on the downswing I feel cramped and so have to lift my left shoulder before impact and this results in hitting fat and thin.

I have tried hovering the club over the ground at address. WHile it is harder to keep the club still in this position, I feel I have more room to swing down at the ball. Although at this stage I am not hitting it consistently flush because the hovering is a new feeling. Am I doing the right thing now?

Thanks.

GPF,
It's all about personal preference, I find it very difficult to hover the club at address, so I tend to lift and drop a few times.

One thing is for sure you should always waggle or keep the club moving just before you hit the ball.

If you let the club just sit there, this tends to kick start the mind into doubting you ability and your body start to become tense, it's hard enough with the ball just sitting there.

Just try to find some kind of movement that suits you......


Good Luck


Ian.

I keep all my clubs grounded just before I start the backswing whether it be a lob wedge or the driver. I make a few waggles and very minor adjustments until I am comfortable and then rest the club down, ensure my shoulders are relaxed and my grip very soft. I find this is an excellent check of my address position, particularly my distance from the ball and it helps me start a slow deliberate backswing without picking the club up.

If your weight is bearing down on the club it might be that you're standing too close to the ball.

As Ian also mentioned, standing there rigid for a few seconds only allows the mind to start wander which could result in those niggling self-doubts creeping, or less-obviously, but just as damaging you can lose concentration.

Hope this helps.

Paul

As said, it's a preference thing, I ground lightly. I stand motionless (sorry fellas), preload my right side, and go.