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.
@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