Help with casting and too much face rotation.

slytown · December 23, 2022

I'm about an 8 handicap. Been working on improving consistency. About a year ago I really worked on not sliding in the downswing to improve balance. However, I am much less open than I used to be at impact as a result of staying more on my right side in the downswing. Any advice for drills or swing thoughts to get back some rotation and stop casting would be greatly appreciated.

Valtiel · December 24, 2022

Your arms are definitely trailing your turn in the classic Monte 6-8 Ballerina position

IMO this is down to your hands/arms not being fast enough to back in front of you from this position:

Your hands get fairly deep behind you and your right arm/elbow flies out a bit. With the goal of getting that elbow down in front of your right hip at P6, this seems to be too far away from that for you to get it there in time. Note how Tiger's hands are more in line with his right shoulder (less deep) and his right upper arm is pointing more back at the camera whereas yours is pointing more left. This is a position that a lot of LPGA players get in to and it requires a few things to work.

The deeper your hands get, the more they have to move laterally in the downswing (out towards the ball). Your hands come down more vertically than is ideal/efficient for their depth which is part of the problem as well.

Suggestions would be to reduce backswing depth (get your hands/arms working up more) and keep your right elbow more connected which may have the effect of shortening your backswing slightly, which is fine. Think Billy Horschel:

slytown · December 24, 2022

Thanks Valtiel. Ill work those things in and get back to you.

slytown · February 19, 2023

Feels are good in the drills but having trouble translating it to the full swing. I think the hands are little better at the top. In the backswing drill I'm working on keeping the arms in front more and raising the club vertical so I don't lay it off so much.

Edited February 19, 2023 by slytown

slytown · April 30, 2023

This is where I am at after about 4 months of work. The backswing is still a little deep but I am getting there in a different way. Here are the things I have worked on in segments.

- Practice swings that are half backswings.

- Keeping the left shoulder down in the backswing and through transition.

- More hip and shoulder rotation in the backswing to get to a decent P4 position.

- Starting transition with leaning onto my lead foot.

- Hit the ball with my chest.

The results have been a greater rotational feel with better impact positions. I don't lift the right foot as much in the downswing. The last piece I think is just keeping the hands in front of the chest. I have to trust that the wrists will set if I pressure shift first.

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Edited April 30, 2023 by slytown

slytown · May 21, 2023

Finally slowly adding back in my left hip coming back and right side bend. Its been really helpful to stay more centered in the backswing. Excited for the season.