Struggling with the driver

[Peak]

Hi,

 

I’m gonna start off by saying I saw a pro last week because of my consistent issues with the driver and received some tips regarding keeping my wrist flat and lining my shoulders more to the right and I’m trying to bring those into practice. Neither have however solved my consistent issues with pulling shots, hitting the ground a foot before the ball and just being all around very inconsistent and short.

 

So, I thought I’d ask you what you think I could do better to get a functional shot out of the big stick. I’m not disregarding what the pro told me but I feel like there’s something else in there that’s messing with me in addition to the mentioned issues.

 

The attached video is one of my better driver shots.

[MonteScheinblum]

Let’s start with one simple idea that will help you of you progress.

 

Backswing is too flat.  Everything else derives from there.

[SNIPERBBB]

Wrong post

Edited June 5, 2023 by SNIPERBBB

[mizunotpz]

1 hour ago, MonteScheinblum said:

Let’s start with one simple idea that will help you of you progress.

 

Backswing is too flat.  Everything else derives from there.

Is that why it looks like he spins out of the shot. Having to fight an open face?

[MonteScheinblum]

1 hour ago, mizunotpz said:

Is that why it looks like he spins out of the shot. Having to fight an open face?

Part of it, yes

[Peak]

8 hours ago, MonteScheinblum said:

Let’s start with one simple idea that will help you of you progress.

 

Backswing is too flat.  Everything else derives from there.

Thank you. I was afraid that would be the issue. I questioned the pro about it but he claimed it was not critical because I get in a good position in the downswing. But it just makes sense to me combined with spinning out.

[MonteScheinblum]

20 minutes ago, Peak said:

Thank you. I was afraid that would be the issue. I questioned the pro about it but he claimed it was not critical because I get in a good position in the downswing. But it just makes sense to me combined with spinning out.

It’s not in a good position on the downswing.  

[Peak]

9 minutes ago, MonteScheinblum said:

It’s not in a good position on the downswing.  

Do you mind expanding on that? I'd love to be able to identify issues to see if a steeper backswing will correct them.

 

I'm going to try things out today and will get back.

[MonteScheinblum]

Shoulders too tilted and coming too far from inside 

[Peak]

Went to the range today to try to work on making the backswing less flat. Somewhat succeeded in that and the hooks weren’t as bad as previously. However, I think I’m now out-to-in in the downswing with the shaft too steep and the shots ranged from pulls to fades and slices. Swing also looks pretty similar in a not so good sense.

Here’s one shot I think was a fade.

 

Glad to hear any feedback.

[MonteScheinblum]

That’s because you’re used to being forced to shift the path left by spinning out.  Changing the backswing now forces you to make a better downswing.

[Peak]

20 minutes ago, MonteScheinblum said:

That’s because you’re used to being forced to shift the path left by spinning out.  Changing the backswing now forces you to make a better downswing.

That some what makes sense to my smooth brain 😅 So the next step would be to somewhat conciously focus on stopping that spin move? Or is there something more specific that is causing it?

[MonteScheinblum]

9 minutes ago, Peak said:

That some what makes sense to my smooth brain 😅 So the next step would be to somewhat conciously focus on stopping that spin move? Or is there something more specific that is causing it?

Better shift at end of backswing 

[MPStrat]

You will very rarely see someone with your backswing (or any backswing) exit as low as you do with the driver. Most with your backswing are going to exit very high and right and hit blocks and hooks as their miss.  You are swinging hard low and left. Your backswing isn’t ideal, but what you do through the ball is a separate issue entirely that will likely need addressed on its own. That’s what is causing what I would guess to be big pulls. The clubface is fairly strong so I could see your tendency to hit a straight pull instead of a fade.

[MPStrat]

[Peak]

Some positive development. Played the best round of my short golf life this week, with somewhat better control of the driver. Still wasn’t happy with how strong the draw/hook was. Also some bad drives mixed with the good.

 

Went to the range today to try to sort out the driver once again and I think I found something. While it may or may not be visible from the swings I posted my miss was a very strong pull hook. I tried to pay attention to my club face position mid shot when swinging completely relaxed and figured my grip must be too strong.

 

What actually worked was opening the club face more at address rather than changing the grip itself so much. I’m not talking miles open but what I previously thought was well alligned with the target might have just been flat out closed. This got rid of a ton of sidespin.

 

Takeaway in this swing is still miles inside (was focusing on just swinging easy as possible) but this change made me feel A LOT more relaxed and I feel like I don’t have to force anything and I’ve got room to swing. Follow-through is also still an issue. Looking to tackle those two next.