You ever have one of those aha moments when hitting balls at the range and you notice and correct a major flaw in your swing? Well folks, today was my day. I came out to the range at my club this afternoon to hit a few crispy SG shots. Well, sadly, from the get-go it was not to be. I was suddenly chunking everything. No matter how far forward I shifted my weight, or how still I kept my head or how hard I focused on the tilt and extend, I just wasn’t getting good contact. All my irons were fat and chunky. I tried slowing down my swing to 3/4 and employing the 90% weight forward drill and nothing was working. I was chunk city non-stop!!
I was getting very frustrated after about 15 minutes of this debacle, and decided to switch to my 3 wood and driver and then the crispness returned. Whew! I was relieved but still a little gun shy to go back to the irons. But of course I couldn’t leave without at least trying to hit some solid irons, so I got out my 8 iron, took the club back focusing intently on the SG swing fundamentals and alas the chunks returned. Nooooooo!!!! I was bewildered to say the least! After 3-4 chunky, fat, miss hits I decided to try something different. Instead of staring straight down at the ball at address, takeaway and follow through I decided to focus on a spot on the ground an inch in front of the ball throughout the entire swing. AMAZING!!! The crispy ness instantly returned and I started getting great compression and no chunks to speak of with all my irons!!! It was a fascinating discovery!
Not sure if anyone else has tried this technique of focussing—not on the ball but on a spot just ahead of the ball—but it worked like magic for me! We’ll see if this transfers to my upcoming round this week but I thought I’d share my experience and unique discovery. Fascinating stuff! Onward!
@kipheeg - Nice job! As Flight Director Gene Kranz says in Apollo 13, "Work the problem, gentlemen." In other words, go back to your drawing board, reverse engineer things based on what you know, consult the "manual" (i.e.: the lessons, drills, S&T book, etc.), and "figure it out"! Yours is a great example of this process in action, and I commend you for not falling prey to frustration but instead finding the fix through discovering the feel/thought that worked for you. This is an important step towards taking ownership of your swing!!
I’m going through the same thing. last week went out and shot a 38 and was pumped. This week could not get feel and chunked almost everything. Went to range and worked two drills. Flying wedge and 80-90 % weight forward with straight arms. My contact improves but still a lot of fat shots. I think I’m off on weight forward and start leaning too much. Need to figure this out soon.
@kipheeg Yea, I did the same thing a few weeks ago. It was the only thing that allowed me to feel what it's like to "swing through the ball." It was a magical moment! I use it on the course now and then if I start struggling.
I also had another Aha moment this past Friday with getting my hips moving first in the down swing. All of a sudden, I was hitting the ball effortlessly and with great distance! Like 145+ yard 9 irons and 175+ yard 7 irons. I grooved it for about 3 or 4 holes on Friday but, I couldn't keep it for Saturday. I hit some really great shots and even got a nice birdie on the 9th! It was only my 2nd birdie ever!
It was nice to feel that effortless swing for a while and it's encouraging to know I have the ability to pull it off. I just need to get it engrained so I'm not always searching for it. I think Saturday may have had some intimidation factor (all contributed to me and my lack of confidence) as, I played with a guy that's a PGA golf instructor, whom I've playing semi regularly over the last few months. He's a buddy of my Brother-in-Law (who joined Saguto Golf last week BTW) and I was anxious to show him how I was progressing. I sure showed him! It wasn't all bad, but, the 1st 8 holes were awful. Then on the 9th, good tee shot, driver for about 230 right down the middles, an approach from about 165 with a 6 iron and pretty great 25 foot put for birdie. The I had another good tee shot for 230, fell apart for like 4 shots on the approach with great chip and put. So,, it's pretty much hit or miss right now. But the number of good shots are rising!
Danny
Thank you for sharing your “aha”moment! I searching for anything.