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Hybrid Off the Tee

Hello, Saguto friends!

Tom, I can’t find any mention in your school about making adjustments for tee shots.

I’ve banished my driver (until I can get the range time in), in favor of a Taylormade 3 Hybrid GAPR Club. (A precursor to the UDI craze) My tee shots are often in the fairway, which is much more than I can say about my driver. I can strike it about 240 plus off the tee (well-struck), but my miss is a closed face hook.

I tee it up short, maybe a half inch, about one club inside my front heel. I’m wondering if I should move the ball back further in my stance? I‘d appreciate any and all comments.

Thanks!

7 comments

7 Comments

David

Sep 01, 2022

@Tim Rogers Welcome aboard Tim! I’m 62 years young myself. I‘m playing the best golf of my life since I signed up with Tom. I think the best way to deal with the game is to use the videos just like Awesome Steven describes. Video is now my friend. I’m also a Hugh fan of the alignment sticks. I typically use 4 of them to set up a grid to practice on Myself. I especially use the grids for proper consistent ball placement. Makes tracking ball position much easier for me. Thanks for sharing Tim and keep it crispy sir!

Tom Saguto

Sep 01, 2022

Hi Tim,

You do have some leeway and as such I would definitely begin with tweaking ball position, as this is something you can experiment with that does not involve making any adjustments to your swing. This is always the preferred way to begin when trying to correct a ball flight issue. Move the ball back in your stance in small increments and monitor the results with each change.

If this doesn’t correct the hook then we can take a deeper dive. Tom

Tim Rogers

Sep 01, 2022

Replying to

Thanks for getting back to me Tom!

I agree, I do not want to address swing mechanics at this point. It is a much better idea to start with ball position and set up.

Quick question: in your long irons and hybrids instruction video, you mentione the importance of pushing the lead hip forward a couple inches to set up.

I understand that it is important not to move the head while doing this, and ultimately, is this creating more lateral side bend on the trail side?

Many thanks, in advance, Tom.

Tom Saguto

Sep 01, 2022

Replying to

You may have slightly more of a “reverse K” look to your setup, but it’s nothing to concern yourself with. We’re simply adding a little more load into the lead leg with the longer clubs to accommodate the wider stance and more forward ball position - say 60% as opposed to 55% with the short/mid irons.

Tim Rogers

Sep 01, 2022

Replying to

Thanks, Tom…can’t wait to try it.

Steven

Sep 01, 2022

Greetings @Tim Rogers

Welcome to the School Forum! You just unlocked a key tool on your road to improving and adding fun and enjoyment to this game we pursue with passion.

I went through that faze years ago to the point where I was hitting 3 wood off tee and most times not teeing it up! Here in this KFC system S&T whatever you want to call it, I was back to driver before I came on board here but nowhere near control and distance. I'm a senior golfer @ 65( Did I just say that?😋). See my post POWER TIME & Money well spent.

That being said, know you said need to get to range

# 1 A video upload from down the line behind you and face on would be the thing to see.

# 2 What is your setup? Do you use a Hogan Type grid and keep ball in same spot and adjust stance with right foot?

# 3 Where are your hands in setup?

# 4 What is you weight distribution at setup?

I have experimented with ball position but pretty much have every club inside left heel and right foot moves wider as clubs get lower in number and I also slightly close the stance at higher irons and driver.

But when it comes to my fairway woods I have to break that rule for me for whatever reason it is I don't know but am going with what works for my 2 woods 3 & 5. Always been my best contact clubs in bag but when changed swing this year I started to be very inconsistent with fairway woods and a lot of tops even on range and just don't understand why. Long story short after a lot of experimenting with stance and setup for those clubs, for whatever reason I play those clubs with about a 3 iron width and ball just a hair left of center of my stance and am crushing it. Not going to over analyze it, it works and sticking with it.

As far as you moving ball I would experiment with moving ball back a little at time and use some alignment sticks. to see if you feet at squaring up with ball alignment and target.

My 5 cents.

Welcome and please share your progress it is an inspiration to all here.

Blessings,

Steven

Tim Rogers

Sep 01, 2022

Replying to

Steven,

Thank you for your prompt, awesome and thoughtful reply… I have been adopting SNT as taught by Tom over the last year plus. it is not an understatement to say that Tom‘s lessons have changed my game and swing dramatically. Last year, within two weeks of adopting SNT, I was able to break 80 for the first time in my life. With the swing changes being so fresh and new, I was hitting a high draw with my long irons. I still have a tendency to draw the ball, which is pretty cool.

I will take you up on your suggestions, regarding the alignment sticks, and moving the ball back a bit also, as Tom also suggested. Much better to start with set up and ball position, before tackling any swing mechanics.

Of course, consistency is the prize, and I believe that will improve with more work. I recently joined the online school, something I wish I would’ve done right away… The content and instruction that Tom provides is a bargain. Steven, I’m glad you are on the boards, and going strong at 65. I’m an older guy myself, at 58 years old.

Thanks for the feedback… I will let you know how it’s going!