Oftentimes when golfers are hitting everything well except for the longer clubs it can be attributed to one of the following:
1) They don't start with - or maintain - enough weight on the front side. In general with the longer clubs we should add a little more front weight load at address - more like 60/40 instead of the 55/45 prescribed for the other clubs. This forward weight should gradually increase to the top of the backswing (70/30) and build further on the downswing - approximately 80/20 halfway down, 90/10 impact, and 95/5 finish.
2) Their hips are not continuing their lateral slide through impact. This is common with the longer clubs as the wider stance means that the hips have a greater distance to travel. If the hips stop moving laterally towards the target on the downswing then their rotation takes over, changing the low point and rerouting the club. This can produce a variety of undesirable results including fat and thin contact, topped shots and popups, straight pulls, and “banana” slices.
3) They are not allowing the length of the club to dictate the backswing path and are getting too steep as a result. The shaft length of the longer clubs encourages more of an around the body backswing as established by the shaft plane at address. It may "feel" flat as you take it back along the shaft plane for the first few feet, but as long as you maintain the "weight forward, shoulder down, and hands in" components while allowing the club to work around you, it should put you in the proper position at the top so you can attack the ball from the inside.
If possible, record your swing both face-on and down-the-line and consider the above possible causes in your review of the video to see if you have an "aha" moment. If so, you can try to apply what you've learned so far towards resolving it, or circle back to me here with your findings and I'll ty to point you in the right direction with the appropriate lessons/drills.
Beyond that, we can always arrange for an online lesson or a V1 Swing Video Analysis so I can put my eyes on your swing, to pinpoint the culprit, and offer a more specific solution.
I tend to repeat myself regularly on this, but that's only because it works so well for so many, so here you go:
One great thing about this swing is that you can still achieve solid ball striking even at the most basic levels. This is why I oftentimes will refer students back to Chapter 2 of the Golf Swing Simplified course when they experience a hiccup or perceived setback. That chapter reinforces the body motions and the weight-forward component, and it culminates with what I call "The Best Golf Swing Practice Drill of All Time". Work yourself sequentially and gradually through the chapter, and then park yourself on that drill in Lesson 2.8. Learn it. Practice it. Master it. You can even use the somewhat abbreviated swing it provides on the course and play quite well with it! Once you've got that down you will be well prepared to move forward in the curriculum and well on your way towards taking ownership of YOUR swing!
Tom, you were right. I wasn’t getting enough weight on my front side and it was causing me to shift back. I was also swinging too steep with all of my clubs. And my lateral shift was off. I watched the complete chapter 2 over again and have been continuously practicing that at home and on the range since we exchanged these messages. I also used a magnetic alignment rod and found that I was holding every single club with a closed face even though they looked square to me.
I am 71 and I am carrying an 11.2 index. Today I shot a 3 over for 75 for my best round ever. I owe it all to you and what I’ve learned in my lessons from you. You will have me as a continuing subscriber forever.Thanks,Keith
@gr8shot - Congratulations on your best round ever - That is FANTASTIC!! I'm thrilled that you were able to pinpoint your issues and resolve them. And yes - that magnetic rod can be a real eye-opener with regard to what we may have thought was a square face!
Going forward, always keep Chapter 2 and the 2.8 Drill in your back pocket. It's great for reinforcing the basic motions when everything is going well, and it's your safety net if something ever feels "off".
Thanks for circling back with this fabulous update!!
@gr8shot,
Oftentimes when golfers are hitting everything well except for the longer clubs it can be attributed to one of the following:
1) They don't start with - or maintain - enough weight on the front side. In general with the longer clubs we should add a little more front weight load at address - more like 60/40 instead of the 55/45 prescribed for the other clubs. This forward weight should gradually increase to the top of the backswing (70/30) and build further on the downswing - approximately 80/20 halfway down, 90/10 impact, and 95/5 finish.
2) Their hips are not continuing their lateral slide through impact. This is common with the longer clubs as the wider stance means that the hips have a greater distance to travel. If the hips stop moving laterally towards the target on the downswing then their rotation takes over, changing the low point and rerouting the club. This can produce a variety of undesirable results including fat and thin contact, topped shots and popups, straight pulls, and “banana” slices.
3) They are not allowing the length of the club to dictate the backswing path and are getting too steep as a result. The shaft length of the longer clubs encourages more of an around the body backswing as established by the shaft plane at address. It may "feel" flat as you take it back along the shaft plane for the first few feet, but as long as you maintain the "weight forward, shoulder down, and hands in" components while allowing the club to work around you, it should put you in the proper position at the top so you can attack the ball from the inside.
If possible, record your swing both face-on and down-the-line and consider the above possible causes in your review of the video to see if you have an "aha" moment. If so, you can try to apply what you've learned so far towards resolving it, or circle back to me here with your findings and I'll ty to point you in the right direction with the appropriate lessons/drills.
Beyond that, we can always arrange for an online lesson or a V1 Swing Video Analysis so I can put my eyes on your swing, to pinpoint the culprit, and offer a more specific solution.
Thanks,
Tom