driver setup and downswing help

New to the board and to golf. Love both. have played 5 times this summer and totally hooked. Doing "OK" given a newcomer and hit 100 last time out at a simple local course. Trouble is the driver and huge slices. But I think I am onto the problem and the fix - wanted some advice.
After I hit a huge slice someone in the group said I was "cutting the ball" and it clicked that although I was using a strong grip and trying to swing on plane, I had been rotating by shoulders and shifting my weight forward way before I swung my arms, and so at impact they were way behind and striking at a severe angle. Went to the range this weekend and forced myself to start the downswing by starting the arms first and extending them more. Huge difference - hit 10 balls with a small 5 yd fade, and made better contact with more distance. Love not to revert back, any tips on this or any swing thoughts on my correction? Also, I am confused about how to set up with the driver and keep my shoulders square to target line even though I need to set the ball up near my left foot. in order to set up with the ball forward, the shoulders are open...... Any help?

WITB
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The movement that should start the downswing is turning your hips, but in a way that doesn't matter. Do what you have to do. If you hit the ball well by leading with your hands, do it. Enjoy yourself.

But be aware there is very much a 'received wisdom' element to golf where if you then ask for help, you won't be short of contributors, offering 'classic' advice

Yes - at the same time I started to focus on truly rotating my hips not sliding forward. This helped my arms catch up as well.

Any advice on the set up question:
"Also, I am confused about how to set up with the driver and keep my shoulders square to target line even though I need to set the ball up near my left foot. in order to set up with the ball forward, the shoulders are open...... "

Thanks

Welcome ms1

Driver set up consists of the following basics:
1, Ball position off left inside heel.
2. Hands hang down naturally with good body set up, i.e. knees bent and back not curved but lean forward.
3. Make sure everything from the feet to shoulders are square and paralell to target.
4. Tilt right shoulder to the side and feel relaxed in body and grip.

These are the basics, put them in your setup routine and the resuls should come. I wouldnt worry or think too much about the hips. If you start the downswing correctly, the body should react and move in sequence. Just concentrate on taking it away with the hands and getting to the top of the backswing. Dont think power, just rhythm and a good follow through.

Robert

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"Play to your ability, not your expectation"

Setup is a very big fundelmental, and you are right to pay close attention to it. For driver unlike the irons you really don't want the hands ahead of the ball at address, primarily for the reason you have already discovered, it makes the shoulders open, and the low point of the swing for driver is behind the ball, so move the hands back to the left pant leg and bump the hip slightly towards the target, this will allow the shoulders to square and give you a small tilt in the upper body.

Here is a picture of chip Beck with some reference lines.

Attached Images

ChipBeck.jpg (471.8 KB, 8 views)

The best tip I ever had,was forget the club head hit the ball with the hands.In other words the hands control the club head,not vice versa.
I always try to get the back of the left hand to beat the club face back to the ball.
Its the split second timing that good player's have that they allow the club head to catch up to the hands at impact:club head release.

great tips guys, thanks. Will be playing this weekend and will try these out. Thanks