Serious Golf Problems

Hello,

I am new to this site, and I have been golfing for just over two years. I improved immensely over the first year and started shooting in the 80's. My irons were very accurate even though I hit my 6 only about 150 yards.

I bought a new set of clubs (Ping i3+) and realized I had to change my swing to fit the clubs. I must have developed some seriously bad habits because I started shanking the ball on nearly EVERY SWING! After a lot of frustration I bought another set of clubs (Callaway Hawk Eye VFT) very similar to my very first set thinking this would get me back to where I was. However, things have gotten very bad, and now I hit the ball further right than I do far in terms of yards, and my irons go straight right (about 45 degrees from straight!!). Also, My driver goes about 175 yards and my 6 about 100, I am not kidding. Plus, I am shooting about 110+ these days. I am about ready to throw it in, but I wanted to know if anyone out there has some suggestions on whether I should start over and take it from the very beginning, and what things I should work on specifically... plus, should I just give in and finally get some lessons?

Any help is greatly appreciated, I truly do not want to quit the game I love.

I've been through a similar malady and can only offer what has helped me. Others are more expert and can contribute more knowledgably.

Check the fit of your new clubs. You should not have to change your swing, IMO, to accommodate new clubs. The lie angle may be wrong for your size. Did you buy them at a pro shop? Have them or someone check to make sure they are properly fitted to you.

Go back over the basics, paying particular attention to grip and stance.

Getting in such a funk begets an escalating cycle of frustration which leads to increased tension. Try to relax again, swinging with a relaxed rhythm. Don't try to muscle the ball straight. A smooth forward swing coming from the inside and focusing upon the inside back quarter of the ball will square the clubhead for you.

I'm repeating myself, but I think tension is the greatest culprit. A bad result can lead to increased tension, and increased tension leads to additional bad results. Tension is so self-defeating.

Don't quit. Golf is like life. You never master it but you never quit. It's all about improvement, however incremental that is. And it is sometimes one step forward and two steps backwards.

Now, I've offered all my golfing wisdom, and then some. I'll let the experts take over.

Bill

got to a pro and have him look at your clubs and swing. believe it or not could be something simple as a bad grip.

been there, done that!!!. I thought I could play this game without lessons, until I got so distraught I nearly packed it in. It is only when you get lessons you discover why these pros are a saviour to us mere mortals. With regard to your shanking, I had this problem lately. The solution for me was not a big enough shoulder turn. Hope this helps
Regards,
Robert

If you can afford lessons, then that may be the way for you to go, as msklar92 and Robert indicate.

However, I don't think they're essential, if you have the patience and perseverance for trial and error. Harvey Penick wrote that you can learn in a lesson from a pro what may take you six months on your own to figure out, and that may be true. Yet, if finances are a concern, keep interacting on GTO and patiently try things. When something works, remember how it feels and build on it.

I had the same problem with my irons and pestered the good folks on this site ad nauseam. I had my irons fitted and reshafted. I'm keeping a good spine angle and swinging a full turn around my spine. I'm hitting them better than ever (for me, that is--others would be in despair ).

So . . . hang in there and persevere. The journey to a good golf swing is trying but rewarding.

Bill

Darkclaw - I'm sorry to hear about youpr problem but it's sort of nice to see someone having the exact same issues as me! When I get into this funk (I think I'm just about out) I hit the ball further right than straight ahead. I agree with one of the other posters - it's usually tension in the whole process (from address to grip and so on).

My wife and son are getting me lessons for Father's Day and, after dreading the idea for years, I can't wait to have someone live an in person help me.

A couple of things to check

1. Your weight isnt too far on the balls of your feet
2. You arent rolling your hands away at the start of your takeway, thus fanning the club wide open
3. You arent sliding hard left at the start of your downswing
4. You have really soft wrists and no tension in your hands

Then what to do is go back to basics and be prepared to work hard for a while. See it as a challenge! Dont let it beat you.

Id recommend the half swing drill. http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/s...9&postcount=17 (Outside in swing path)

Do this in real slow motion and see where the club face is at impact. If its open go back and check the half backswing isnt fanning the club open and that you arent rolling it away too flat or too steep. Put the ball on a tee and just hit half shots until you feel it coming back again

Hey Darkclaw

Just an obvious question, but why haven't you tried going back to your old set instead of buying more new clubs? Especially if you were going so well.
As for help and drills etc, my advice is stop buying new clubs and go for those lessons. They will get you back on track. I agree with everything all the other guys have said to you, I am actually surprised shootin4par hasn't been on to mention set up but in the end you can't beat one to one with a good pro. Go for it, work hard for a while, be prepared to be hitting the ball poorly while you make those adjustments but then even if someone hands you the handle of a brush you'll be able to hit that ball out of the range!! Thats my effort at advice anyway. Oh, and don't give up! Everything has a cure, you just gotta find yours.

J