Consistency consistency consistency.... how?

SwedeUSMC · August 28, 2011

Critique please?

Hey everyone,

Since I've been golfing more and more to decompress from flying I've been trying to devote more time to getting better. Lately however, my biggest issue has been consistency. Iron play used to be my go-to strong point, but now everything has kind of evened out to a decent performance level, with spikes of brilliance and mediocrity. I'm hoping some of you might be able to help me experience more of the former. Example- shot a relaxed 3-over on the base course a few weeks back, then struggled to a 9 over the following weekend. I'm averaging 61%FIR and 48%GIR over the past 4-5 rounds or so.

I play to about a +-10 handicap. Ball flight is normally mid/high or low-rising-to-high with a slight draw when I get after it; little to no divot with irons/woods- average divot with wedges. When I miss it's about 60% chance to be either thin or a long/strong hook; 20% chance of push right; 10% chance being fat; and 10% chance of a lateral-shot caused by a laid off club face.

From the stills I took- I'm thinking my stance might be a bit wide, takeaway too flat, and I could stand to clear my body though better/sooner... Oh, and the ridiculous cast I seem to have. I'd definitely appreciate any comments or advice you guys could give me. Thanks in advance!

tfish · August 28, 2011

agreed about stance.

on the takeaway your first move is with your hands going up and out and then twisting the club over behind you. this puts your shoulders on a flat plane and the club on a flat plane behind you. hard to recover from.
i'd suggest trying a one piece takeaway....feeling like the shoulders completely initiate the turn while the arms/hands/club work as one solid unit just along for the ride. and you'll probably have to feel like your hands are working more towards your right pocket and your left shoulder is going under your chin to get rid of what you have now.

pretty good 'early extension' going on in the downswing with your pelvis moving towards the ball. lots of stuff on that subject here.
good, consistent players work their left butts back to the depth they were at address, and they roll their right foot over to the instep through impact......whereas you're up on your right toe halfway down which means you're thrusting your hips towards the ball instead of rotating properly.

possible flip going on too. hard to tell with that few FPS. could explain the no-divot, thin shots, & hook.

russc1597187869 · August 29, 2011

Your stance is too wide.You are setting up too far from the ball,which leads to getting the arms too far behind the body going back.Your hips are over rotated on the backswing as noted by your left knee going towards the ball on your backswing.
Setup changes will certainly help.
1 angle your left foot 1/4 turn(22.5 degrees). to the target.This will help restrict your hip turn going back.
2.In bending towards the ball try this simple technique.stand up straight.Push back on your hip sockets (in front of your body).You should feel your hamstrings stretch and your butt should almost feel like it is going up in the air.When you approach grounding the club,bend your your knees to ground the club.If you are still too far away from the ball start again only a little closer.
3 Narrow your stance.With an iron no wider than your your shoulders.
4.Brace your right knee by kicking your right knee down and in.Maintain this brace all the way to the top.This is very important for you since the brace of the right knee will naturally restrict your hip turn.Your backswind should feel shorter

drill to ingrain the correct backswing coil
Set up correctly.Place your hands on the opposite shoulder.Turn your shoulders so that they are in line with your right foot.Make sure that you maintain the brace of the right knee.