I’m new to the group and using Tom’s techniques has definitely given me some excitement in my life. At the driving range, I am hitting a number of balls extremely “crispy”. However, most are going very high with a bit of a fade to the right. I believe this means I am still taking the club back too high in my backswing and leaving the face a bit open on impact. Any ideas would be much appreciated.
MD
@Mike Dunham still working on this? You made a comment that “I don’t think I am getting the face square.” 1. Face is aiming where the ball starts. 2. Swing path is just slightly left of the face if it’s a slight fade (if it’s a push that’s different, means face and path are matched up). First, I would make sure you are using an alignment rod for feet. I would also place an alignment rod about 10 feet in front of you stuck in the ground. It’s critically important to know if you are starting the ball left or right of the pole in the ground.
Have you tried tweaking your ball position, Mike? If you are hitting crispy straight pushes then it may be that your ball position needs to be nudged forward a little bit so that at impact the face is open to the target and closed to the path, thereby producing a push-draw. With your current straight push the face is likely open to the target and matching the path.
Ball position is something simple that you can try first which does not involve any significant swing intervention. In fact, this is always the preferred way to begin when trying to correct a ball flight issue. Move the ball forward in your stance in small increments with your irons and monitor the results with each change. If this does not resolve the issue then we can dive into the swing itself, but if you are currently striking it well then you may just be an inch or two of ball position away from that desired shot shape. (By the way, I strongly suggest using alignment sticks when monitoring ball position - one on the foot line, a second one parallel to the first to mark the target line, and a third perpendicular to these to show ball position – as our side-on view from above tends to skew our perspective of the actual location of the ball relative to our stance.)
I look forward to doing your V1 Analysis as soon as you are ready.
TS
The shots I hit that feel crispy are the ones that go high and right. The others are ”mis-hits”. As I think about it more, they are probably more of a push than a fade. I really do think that I’m not getting the club head square at impact. When I try to keep the club low in my backswing, I tend to hit the ball very thin, so I think it’s a matter of finding that “sweet spot”. I’ll look to take some video and send to you via the V1 app (I purchased a lesson). I will definitely go back and watch the videos in section 2:8 before-hand.
MD
Welcome to this great forum community, @Mike Dunham!
As @Steven suggested, Drill 2.8 is always a great one to fall back on as it brings us back to the basics so we can sort things out. Beyond that, we're going to need a bit more detail in order to respond more specifically. Is your contact crispy on the shots that are flying high and fading? And what is the ball's starting direction - at the target, to the pull side (to the left for a righty), or to the push side? Also, have you taken any video of your swing to confirm what you think you're doing? Remember - "feel vs. real"....
TS
Interesting and WELCOME!
I found the opposite, I use to have a fade and sometimes even a slice.
But since switching swing I actually am pretty straight and a tad left of target. I believe I still need to align better.
I would say yes still not getting between shoulders and middle of back and have to keep hands forward through impact.
Have you done the 2:8 drill? I did that with 90 balls and just 7 and 9 and wedge irons to get the feel. Need that muscle memory.
Heading to practice facility then to good course for iron and short game, 5,700 yards from back but postage size greens so figure good place to get ready for opening league day next week. Suppose to be windy here in CO but that's the game!
Again welcome and keep us posted!