Mizuno Hack's "hack'

[The Big Number]

tips, drills, & advice appreciated

So I've been playing for about 10 years......on a semi-regular basis for about 5. I've never had any kind of instruction so I figured I'd take the flip video to the local par 3 course and see what I could find out for myself.

The things that jumped out at me are:
-legs (especially my left) move way too much
-top of the swing is somewhat past parallel
-decent tempo

I'm hitting a 9 iron in this video (should have used an 8). I've never calculated my handicap but I score mostly in the mid 80's with a handful of rounds in the 70's and an occasional 90+.
My scoring inconstancy has led me to do these videos but I don't believe I have a good enough eye to spot anything beyond the obvious.
Any tips, drills, or advice you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks for looking

[The Big Number]

anyone have anything at all?

[Brandnew]

your grip looks strong keep your front foot down.... as for the video its a hard angle to diagnose swing faults

[ajgoodal.704]

I can't tell much either, but that grip is def. too strong. I'd work on getting it back to neutral, which makes it easier to square the club up in my opinion and alot of others too.

[ShennyGolfer]

Move the ball back in your stance a little. . . If you're having trouble w/ consistency work on taking the club back a little shorter - there's no need to take it past parallel - especially with an iron - you'll just get yourself into trouble.

[petypet]

Time spent doing drills would be better spent doing a lesson with a pro.

That said, I think a few things would help:

(you can go frame by frame by dragging the little bar, or quickly clicking play/pause)

1. Frame 7 seconds, just before impact the shaft flex is absurd! You are either swing way too hard or don't have a stiff enough club. Since this is a 9 iron I'll go w/ the former. A drill would be to try and hit the ball as you are, then the next swing, swing 75% as hard. The 75% swing should be your "normal" swing.
2. Same frame, notice how you look scruntched (lack of a better term). Again swinging too hard and maybe too close to the ball.
3. Bad angle, but it looks like the ball may be mid to front of your stance, it should be back of mid.
4. No idea of the swing path, if its too inside or too outside. With as much hands as you use, which is why you get way past parallel I would wager to snap the club too far inside to quick.
5. also as you noted, way too much lower body (even way too much for a longer club).

[morm0033]

you are releasing the club early. You should never have that kind of forward flex with a nine iron. I firmer shaft or softer tempo may do you good as well.

[The Big Number]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The shafts are stiff flex (stock that come with mx300 irons). I've done the frame by frame and noticed the forward flex too.Will releasing the hands too early cause this?
When I did my club fitting, s-flex was recommended for my swing speed . I've even slowed it down some since the fitting to make cleaner contact so I think the shafts should be good. Could a swing flaw cause such a flex?
I know I should be taking lessons but I've been laid off since last June so it's not in the budget at the moment. I'm currently volunteering at my local course in exchange for free golf, so I'm doing the best I can to try to correct my swing by my self.
Thanks again for any pointers.

[Fornesto]

your grip is way too strong also the club is shut at the top also you appear to "slide" through impact. shorten/widen your arc make a full turn to a BALANCED follow through. you should be able to stand in your finish for as long as you want

[draw1]

[quote name='ShennyGolfer' date='30 March 2010 - 03:06 PM' timestamp='1269979593' post='2350717']
Move the ball back in your stance a little. . . If you're having trouble w/ consistency work on taking the club back a little shorter - there's no need to take it past parallel - especially with an iron - you'll just get yourself into trouble.
[/quote]

Looked to me like the club didn't go past parallel at the top of the swing - the left arm was of-course. What parallel are you referring to? Am I looking at something different?

[The Big Number]

Here's a few screen shots of different frames:

#1. past parallel @ top

#2. Very next frame, a little better

#3&4. Shaft flexing

[bfactor]

[quote name='Mizuno hack' date='31 March 2010 - 08:47 AM' timestamp='1270050448' post='2352646']
Thanks for the replies everyone. The shafts are stiff flex (stock that come with mx300 irons). I've done the frame by frame and noticed the forward flex too.Will releasing the hands too early cause this?
When I did my club fitting, s-flex was recommended for my swing speed . I've even slowed it down some since the fitting to make cleaner contact so I think the shafts should be good. Could a swing flaw cause such a flex?
[/quote]
I suspect what you're seeing is "rolling shutter effect" due to a CMOS sensor in your camera and not actually happening... Flip your camera upside down and take the same video. I'd bet that the shaft is now flexed in the opposite direction.