Distance Inconsistency

[GD1634]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place or if this type of post is not allowed. If I need to post this somewhere else, please let me know.

 

Hello everyone! I've been having trouble with my distances to start the season. My ball flight is surprisingly straight for this time of year, but I can't ever tell how far I'll hit it. It's not that I haven't learned my distances, and it's not a thin/fat shot problem. One thing I've considered is a potential flip or early extension. From what I can tell from taping my swing, I think I might be really close to flipping before impact. On every swing I've filmed, I believe my hands are still in front of the ball at impact, but I am wondering if I'm not getting my hands in front of the ball in the on-course swings where the distance is affected. I've been given advice on my wrist position and flat shoulder turn, so I'll be working on those next. Is there anything obvious that might be causing this that you guys can see? I would also welcome any other advice that anyone might have. I'll post my most recent down the line and face on videos with my 8 iron. I'm not sure which would be more useful. Also, if there is a specific club that works best with swing analysis, let me know. I've just been using my 8 iron because it's my favorite. Thank you!

 

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biQic8aLl7A](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biQic8aLl7A "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biQic8aLl7A")

 

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnwLSYn-icI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnwLSYn-icI "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnwLSYn-icI")

[JonnyKrasnodar]

Dynamic loft - right at the last second there's a flip which you can see adds loft which will mean potentially less distance. In extremes it can turn a 7 iron into a 9 iron through your delivery.

 

 

The video might not be much use but there's a simple drill to improve the dynamic loft delivered at impact. Distances should quickly tighten up.

[ScratchyDawg]

You're rolling your wrists instead of hinging properly. More hinge = more distance. Gonna be hard to hinge properly with such a strong grip though.

[GD1634]

> @JonnyKrasnodar said:

> Dynamic loft - right at the last second there's a flip which you can see adds loft which will mean potentially less distance. In extremes it can turn a 7 iron into a 9 iron through your delivery.

>

>

>

> The video might not be much use but there's a simple drill to improve the dynamic loft delivered at impact. Distances should quickly tighten up.

 

Thank you for the video! I tried this at the range, and it did help me feel like I was getting my hands ahead of the ball. The feel was very similar to a punch shot, which I am very good at, although that probably means I have to use that shot too much. I haven't been able to film my swing for the last few weeks, but when I am able to, I'll be sure to film a regular swing and a swing after trying this drill. Maybe I'll see something that I can work with. Thanks again!

[GD1634]

> @ScratchyDawg said:

> You're rolling your wrists instead of hinging properly. More hinge = more distance. Gonna be hard to hinge properly with such a strong grip though.

 

Thanks for the insight! I did not realize I was doing this until you pointed it out, and I would have never picked up on it. I believe that flaw is a result of my attempt to be more like DJ at the top of my backswing. Somewhere along the line, I think I confused a cupped wrist with a hinged wrist as I was trying to get to a bowed position. I've since given up on bowing my wrist, but I've tried to keep a more "neutral" wrist position, as my previous one was very cupped. I'll work on this and see if I've made any progress next time I'm able to video my swing.

[Golfjack]

Yeah don't bow it unless it helps you! Anyway, distance inconsistency if you are not hitting it fat or thin it's due to strike quality. Basically you aren't hitting the sweet spot. Also if you introduce extra loft like you are saying, it would lead to shorter distances. Either that or you are sometimes closing the face and sometimes not. try to pay attention to the trajectories etc. Also could be due to rhythm of your swing maybe not being consistent? Lots of factors that could influence ball striking, and it takes a lot to work on it all lol. Or else we'd all be great ball strikers.

[Petunia Sprinkle]

> @ScratchyDawg said:

> You're rolling your wrists instead of hinging properly. More hinge = more distance. Gonna be hard to hinge properly with such a strong grip though.

 

Adding to the point Scratchy is making, if one's grip is strong enough (that is, if the back of the left hand is facing the ball rather than facing the target), it is my view that the hinge of the left wrist in a neutral grip is replaced by a cupping of the left wrist in the very strong grip. In other words, in a neutral grip, the upwards cocking of the club is, in part, achieved by a hinging of the left wrist (radial deviation). In a strong enough grip (four knuckle grip, like Paul Azinger's was), the upward cocking of the club is achieved, in part, by an extension of the left wrist. Yours is not quite Azinger strong, so I think you'll end up combining cupping and hinging. (I have a wicked strong left-hand grip. While I consciously cup my left hand in the backswing, it also automatically hinges, as well.)