Swing Eazy/Swing Hard ?

My driver has taken a vacation (after a couple of OBs last month) and its Irons all the way.

Since the course has no 650 yard Par 5s I have managed a couple of rounds without the driver with decent scores(low 80s). In the last round, I started of with the Iron (as usual) and swung it well. I surprised myself and the others as I drove my 3I, dead center (240) matching some of the fellow golfer's drive. I was not swinging easy, like I usually do but swung all out - no holding back, for I wanted to keep up with the group. I was 2 over at hole 9 - short par 4(375 yards). On the Tee I realised what I was doing(swinging all out). Left side was OB. I wanted to make sure I swung a little in control. I must have tightened up. Legs/hips probable did not move. The ball hooked right into OB. Hit a second, stopped feets away from OB. From there round went downhill.

Now is it swing eazy or swing hard. Tiger kills the ball. Swings hard. So does Big John. On the other hand Fred Couples and Ernie have the smoothest swings. So is it a matter of preference then? as long as the tempo is uniform?

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Ranga

There is no problem with swinging hard or swinging easy. As long as you are in sync, (all body parts are working together to get you into the correct impact position) then you will be okay. If you have been swinging hard all round and you are looking at OB, don't try to change for one ohole. You were obviously having success swinging full out, so don't change when danger lurks - it's a recipe for disaster!!!

I agree Gord.

The mental aspect will hurt you if you let it. You were probably thinking in your head, just dont hit it to the left. What you should have been thinking was hit it towards the right of the fairway. You'll be surprised at how much vizualizing a shot will help. Picture the flight path, trajectory, where it will land in your head. But if you picture the out of bounds, your ball will likely head there. Also, teeing up on the side of the trouble helps.

I agree. Keep the negative thoughts out. Don't concentrate on what NOT to do (don't go in the water, don't hit thin/fat, etc), just concentrate on a positive outcome (down the middle with a slight fade, hit down on the ball, land in the middle of the green).