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Joined: 9/18/2007
Posts: 6
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Posted: Mar/10/2009 5:10 PM PST
Let me first start by saying there is always something to master in this game and always something to correct. Ever since I started golfing about ten years ago I have had a horrible slice (I am right-handed). Over this past winter I have worked on a new grip an it has made all the difference! I just went to the range and 10/10 were as straight as an arrow. Now for my NEW problem. A golf pro there was helping me with trying out a new driver and he stated that my tee flight was higher than it should be. They said that I am "scooping" the ball and I am creating a TON of backspin. My ball rises nicely off the tee but then drops right out of the air and comes straight down. Now since I have just overcome my biggest obstacle (the slice), I would like some roll off of my drive. I am satisfied with my drive mainly because it is very straight and consistent and I would not have thought anything of my ball flight but now that the issue has been raised does anyone have any suggestions to help with the backspin off the tee? Thanks!
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Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 9
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Posted: Mar/12/2009 11:05 AM PST
The golf swing is a backhand- which is the reason we wear a glove on our lead hand. If right-handed, your left hand should control and lead your swing-- actually your left ARM leads while the upper arm is tightly connected to your rib cage. The turning torso actually leads the arm which leads the club and PULLS the clubhead through the ball. That's why we see good golfers warming up with something soft held under their left armpit.
When your left hand leads, the left wrist should be slightly bowed-- which makes the handle of the club lead the clubhead-- and that is what imparts very little backspin with driver-- and "traps" the ball with irons. That is how Tiger makes a LONG divot in front of every ball he hits.
Of course there is more, a good golfer's hips actually lead his shoulders and his shoulders lead his left arm and his arm leads his hand, etc. etc.
We should all warmup by striking a few balls with wedge--left hand only-- just a few yards, but training your left hand to lead and control-and notice the grip orientation that hits them straight consistently. As you become better you will realize that your right hand must be subdued-- that it is really "only along for the ride" in this backhand game. You can never be consistent while fighting your dominant hand trying to take over your golf swing. OTT, slice, fat shots, mi#@!$s, etc. are all caused by that.
Larry
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san clemente
Joined: 1/14/2008
Posts: 333
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Posted: Mar/18/2009 10:24 PM PST
Wow that is quit a tip I have read it 3 times and still cant take it all in care to dumb it down a little for us mortals.
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Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 9
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Posted: Mar/19/2009 10:22 AM PST
Quote: Originally posted by duckybutters Wow that is quit a tip I have read it 3 times and still cant take it all in care to dumb it down a little for us mortals.
Read one of Bobby Jones' books--or watch one of the VHS tapes they made of his movie shorts. He tells us that that golfers must actually control the club with their lead hand, arm, side. They PULL the club through. The dominant hand must be "subdued" because its contribution is always harmful to the swing.
Beginners (and too many experienced amateurs) continue trying to play the game with their dominant hand controlling the club. And I believe that is impossible. The dominant hand erratically taking over is the source of nearly every swing error, chunking, topping, and especially OTT, the big slice or pull-hook that characterizes most amateurs.
So if we want to be consistent, we all must train ourselves to do it with our lead hand, the club held in and controlled by the upper three fingers of our upper hand. The lower hand simply rides along--
Bobby Jones was right--and he was likely the most cerebral of all golf's ancestry. Many (Jack Nicklaus) consider him to have been the greatest who ever played.
Larry
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Joined: 1/22/2009
Posts: 1
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Posted: Mar/19/2009 11:04 AM PST
There are some excellant video drills available on thegolfchannel.com. Just type a search for "firm left wrist at impact". A picture's worth 1000 words. Just remember, these are drills to cultivate feel. The swing is a sequence of events. Its all cause and effect. You say you battled a slice, its possible that in correcting for the open face at impact you began to throw the right hand to shut the face. There is a natural rotation of the forearms when properly timed with rotation of the left hip through impact. It is this motion that squares the clubface, not a conscious use of the hands, as so many self-taught golfers misinterpret.
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Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 9
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Posted: Mar/19/2009 4:00 PM PST
I agree, in fact I often do the drill describes in Ben Hogan's "5 Lessons" book. The golfer sets up with his upper arms "glued" tightly to his rib cage and swings by turning his torso--using only his forearms, allowing the club to flop up to about waist high as he turns back and then allowing it to flail through impact powered ONLY by gravity as he turns his torso toward the target--NO independent hand or arm action. The purpose of the drill is to learn that both clubhead speed and accuracy accrues with the hands stay directly in front of our chest. Some call this drill the "L" to "L" drill, since the club and arms form that letter on the front and back as he swings back and forth, back and forth.
Larry
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