trouble with swing in general

I am seriously lacking consistency with my swings. I've only just begun to play golf again (after about a 3 to 4 year absence) this summer. I like the game, except when I get mad at myself for topping a ball or severely slicing or hooking my ball. I know I have to keep my eye on the ball to cure the topping, I can figure it out myself. I'm just having trouble finding a good drive. One time I'll slice it, the next I'll hook it, the next it'll go straight but not far. I guess I'm asking for advice on my swing that I can take with me Friday and this weekend to the range. My fiancee's cousin told me to work with my 7-iron until I can hit it good. I'm in need of some help. Thank you.

I dont have a way to get a video on here, so I'll try my best to explain what I'm going through and feeling.

Well...as far as slicing and hooking, it hooks and slices more so when its just reaching it's (the ball) highest point before it begins to fall. I guess I'm not sure of the distance that it slices or hooks, but I'd say maybe about ten to twenty yards away (minus the roll) from where it would land if it were straight.

I'm just more so uncomfortable with my swing in general. I feel like I'm rushing, I've slowed my back swing down from what it was, and it helped for a little bit. I guess I've gotta make sure I keep my wrists locked too. That may help the slice, I dont know if I'm too close to the ball in my stance or what for the hooking it. Maybe I'm trying to power it too much.

What kind of things, in general, would consist of a good swing for a drive? I've looked online and I dont really see anything as far as that goes. I think I've explained my swing as best I can. If more info is needed than I'll post on Friday after the range. Who knows, maybe I'll figure it out then by myself. Thanks.

The main thing would probably be to just develop a swing which feels most natural to you. You are probably thinking too much on each individual stroke, which causes the differences in your results. Once you have a consistent swing, and develop a consistent ball flight path, go from there.

thanks for the help, I'll keep that in mind when I go to the range.

I agree that it is hard to give advice without seeing your swing, so I am going to let someone else do it for me. Click on this link http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/h...lf/default.stm and listen to what the pros tell you in the masterclasses and skills section. In particular, look at the 'Why does the ball do that?' section, which will explain why a ball hooks, slices, draws, fades, etc...

Golf is about skill, but a smooth tempo and good course management will help you build confidence.

Let me know how you get on.

Cheers.
Lee.

thanks for the help guys, I've figured out my swing, at least for the most part. I'll be going out tomorrow to the range to try it again after a couple days not doin anything, and a lot less wind. I found that if I put the ball back, even with my right foot (I'm right-handed), I can get it to go more straight. I think what I was doing was that I was dropping my shoulder (left), or bending my left arm as I came through the ball (creating the hook), or my wrists weren't locked as they should be (creating the slice). Thanks for the input, I liked the link to the BBC, it's got some good pointers.