Heel Strikes and Sky Marks (Need Driver Help)

[OnTheWrongFairway]

Recently, I've had terrible performance off the tee. Either it's a major pull/hook/both or a skyball straight. I've moved to a heavier, shorter shaft to try and help strike location, but it has not made a difference.

I went to PGATSS with some foot-spray to see what's going on, and all of my marks are high-heel (would-be hosel shots) or center crown marks. The clip below was actually one of the better ones (actually one the face in the high-heel).

Can anyone recommend some fixes, drills, videos, etc. to get me started? I know lessons will help and I'm looking into those, but in the meantime I'd like to start working on the problem.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=11ucXZbvhmDj3rpMHbOF-E0W5w__aDvpz

(let me know if video won't play/load)

[glk]

Way, way too long backswing.

[OnTheWrongFairway]

> @glk said:

> Way, way too long backswing.

 

Do you think that is the specific reason for my strike problems? Or, is that just a general fix? I know it will help consistency in general, but just wondering if you see a specific correlation.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

[wagolfer7]

You should really consider lessons. You're going to get a lot of opinions on here and it could make your head spin.

But I would tackle your takeaway and backswing. At half way back (parallel to ground) the club is already behind you (should stay in front of your body). Your hips are way too open on the way back. All of this is creating somewhat of a reverse pivot. You most likely have more weight on your lead foot than your trail foot when you are the top of the swing (thus the over parallel look at the top of the backswing).

A proper shoulder turn and staying within a good posture would help you get on better plane. What you're doing now, is swinging so flat and opening your hips so much, that you have to move towards the ball after you unwind all that. When you move closer to the ball at impact - you will hit on the heel / hosle.

Shoulders turn the hips / hips do not need to turn the shoulders.

Try to have a steeper shoulder turn and keep your hips quiet (they will move, don't worry).

[OnTheWrongFairway]

> @wagolfer7 said:

> You should really consider lessons. You're going to get a lot of opinions on here and it could make your head spin.

> But I would tackle your takeaway and backswing. At half way back (parallel to ground) the club is already behind you (should stay in front of your body). Your hips are way too open on the way back. All of this is creating somewhat of a reverse pivot. You most likely have more weight on your lead foot than your trail foot when you are the top of the swing (thus the over parallel look at the top of the backswing).

> A proper shoulder turn and staying within a good posture would help you get on better plane. What you're doing now, is swinging so flat and opening your hips so much, that you have to move towards the ball after you unwind all that. When you move closer to the ball at impact - you will hit on the heel / hosle.

> Shoulders turn the hips / hips do not need to turn the shoulders.

> Try to have a steeper shoulder turn and keep your hips quiet (they will move, don't worry).

 

A lot of great information there. Thank you very much for sharing.

[Bluedemon1999]

Wow I wish I was that flexible, I guess I was 20 years ago. Yes, your backswing is way long and it makes you simply overturn and displaces your weight. You turn so far that you start leaning toward the target, causing kind of a reverse shift . Feel like on back swing you are pointing the clubhead straight up. In actuality you will probably be at parallel. It will feel short, but short to you should put you in the right place. Shorten it up but don’t rush it down. Practice rhythm with a short swing so you can feel your transition from top to bottom without panicking and whipping the club down. Kinda like if you have a tree behind you, it’s hard to take it back way short without just quickly whipping the club through and clanking it. Keep the transition smooth even when it’s shorter. When you turn until you can’t turn anymore, your body automatically tells you to swing down. When uou shorten it up, you have to ingrain your own stop or transition points.

Long story short, you hit it all over the club face because it’s hard to time such a huge turn. The club comes in different almost every time. You’re lucky though. You are super flexible so once you get the rhythm and stopping points of a shorter swing, it will be easy and you will probably hit it further. Smash factor is more important than swing speed.

[Justsomeguy]

Exceedingly average golfer here, so grain of salt etc. But I've had problems w this.

If u go that far back, the momentum can easily push you toward the target. When you come back around, the momentum is centrifugal, and pushes you out toward your toes. When you rock onto your toes, the clubhead goes outward, and results in heel hits.

To make the move you make, your heels would have to be nailed down to keep from rocking forward and pulling the clubhead with it. Just moves further away from you, and that explains the heel hit.

My problem is a balance issue bc of some back issues, extra weight, and my desk. Good days I stay in balance and hit the middle. Bad days the centrifugal force pulls me off center and it's always the heel.

Never ever the toe.

[Jkinluv]

Only thing I can see.... I had the same problem or similar. More shoulder tilt on setup to the right shoulder.