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Date: 14 Feb 2007 13:35:51
From: Dirtclod
Subject: New to the Game
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I recently started to learn the game of golf. I've been playing for
about 6 to 7 months and I shoot between 102 and 112 depending on the
way my day is going. Like most beginners, I have a tendency to slice
the ball. Sometimes a few times a round and sometimes at every tee
box. Once it starts, it only gets worse. I'm sure this is from the
frustration.
My question is : If I address the ball with the clubface closed, the
ball will go straight about 90 % of the time. Is this a bad thing ?
Is it just a quick fix and acually making my problem worse? I have
tried different grips, swing trainers, the dual hinge clubs and
nothing seems to help except closing the face at address.
I guess if it works then it accommidates " my " swing but is it okay
to have to do that???
Just looking for some advice and a little insight on this game.
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 06:06:03
From: KnighT
Subject: Re: New to the Game
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On Feb 14, 4:35 pm, "Dirtclod" <beuba...@HOT.rr.com > wrote:
> I recently started to learn the game of golf. I've been playing for
> about 6 to 7 months and I shoot between 102 and 112 depending on the
> way my day is going. Like most beginners, I have a tendency to slice
> the ball. Sometimes a few times a round and sometimes at every tee
> box. Once it starts, it only gets worse. I'm sure this is from the
> frustration.
>
> My question is : If I address the ball with the clubface closed, the
> ball will go straight about 90 % of the time. Is this a bad thing ?
> Is it just a quick fix and acually making my problem worse? I have
> tried different grips, swing trainers, the dual hinge clubs and
> nothing seems to help except closing the face at address.
>
> I guess if it works then it accommidates " my " swing but is it okay
> to have to do that???
>
> Just looking for some advice and a little insight on this game.
Slicing is a direct result of poor clubface control (usually leaving
it wide open). You are a perfect candidate for the twist away, and
wedding ring up. That will cure your slice the right way.....that is
not a quick fix or band aid. It is the real deal. Those are the
ideas of Brian Manzella, check out his website: BrianManzella.com - he
has a great video that will help you alot: 'Never Slice Again.' It is
one of the best pieces of golf instruction I have ever seen. His
other videos (especially his 5 free youTube 'Brian Manzella Shows')
are outstanding.
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Date: 15 Feb 2007 15:12:55
From: bill-o
Subject: Re: New to the Game
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On 14-Feb-2007, "Dirtclod" <beubanks@HOT.rr.com > wrote:
> Just looking for some advice and a little insight on this game.
Lessons from a pro you can work with will be more effective in the long run.
If you are really serious about playing well get Bob Rotella's "Golf of your
Dreams" and follow his suggestions.
--
bill-o
A "gimme" can best be defined as an agreement between
two golfers neither of whom can putt very well.
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Date: 14 Feb 2007 20:48:24
From: David Geesaman
Subject: Re: New to the Game
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Dirtclod wrote:
> I recently started to learn the game of golf. I've been playing for
> about 6 to 7 months and I shoot between 102 and 112 depending on the
> way my day is going. Like most beginners, I have a tendency to slice
> the ball. Sometimes a few times a round and sometimes at every tee
> box. Once it starts, it only gets worse. I'm sure this is from the
> frustration.
>
> My question is : If I address the ball with the clubface closed, the
> ball will go straight about 90 % of the time. Is this a bad thing ?
> Is it just a quick fix and acually making my problem worse? I have
> tried different grips, swing trainers, the dual hinge clubs and
> nothing seems to help except closing the face at address.
>
> I guess if it works then it accommidates " my " swing but is it okay
> to have to do that???
> Just looking for some advice and a little insight on this game.
Here is my internet assessment, for what it's worth (usually not a lot).
Slicing comes from putting sidespin on the ball, or leaving the
clubhead hanging open at impact (pointed to the right).
If closing the clubhead straightens most shots, then it tells me that
your problem is mostly about leaving the clubhead hanging open. The
good thing is that this isn't the worst problem to have, and you're
certainly not alone.
Closing the clubface is a quick fix, but if it's not extreme I wouldn't
call it foolish. I don't think it's a bad idea, but it's something to
try to resolve now, before you become too set in your ways. The problem
is that at this point in your game, there are probably many other
'quirks' that probably add up to an overall result that has weak
fundamentals.
I suggest you get some lessons and the pro will strengthen your
fundamentals and hopefully you won't need any quick fixes.
Dave
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Date: 14 Feb 2007 17:33:15
From: Shintaro
Subject: Re: New to the Game
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On Feb 15, 5:35 am, "Dirtclod" <beuba...@HOT.rr.com > wrote:
> way my day is going. Like most beginners, I have a tendency to slice
> the ball.
> Just looking for some advice and a little insight on this game.
Get lessons, practice, play, practice play, get lessons. ;p Works
everytime.
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Date: 14 Feb 2007 17:34:48
From: Otto
Subject: Re: New to the Game
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"Dirtclod" <beubanks@HOT.rr.com > wrote in message
news:1171488950.978557.276190@v45g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
> My question is : If I address the ball with the clubface closed, the
> ball will go straight about 90 % of the time. Is this a bad thing ?
Straight is always good.
> Is it just a quick fix and acually making my problem worse?
Quick fix. Not making things worse.
> I guess if it works then it accommidates " my " swing but is it okay
> to have to do that???
If it works, use it. If you want to learn how to hit straight without the
fix, then get rid of the outside in at impact.
> Just looking for some advice and a little insight on this game.
Keep your right elbow tucked down and in(assuming you swing right handed).
You can also "feel" like you are pulling with your left side out away from
you and trying to hit the rear, inside quadrant of the ball.
Another slice quick fix is to close your alignment(stance, hips, shoulders).
This will cancel out your outside in motion with your alignment and bring
the club straight through the ball. The worst thing you can do to compensate
for a slice is to open up your alignment--this will make it worse.
Otto
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Date: 14 Feb 2007 17:27:53
From: George Hibbard
Subject: Re: New to the Game
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"Dirtclod" <beubanks@HOT.rr.com > wrote in message
news:1171488950.978557.276190@v45g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
>I recently started to learn the game of golf. I've been playing for
> about 6 to 7 months and I shoot between 102 and 112 depending on the
> way my day is going. Like most beginners, I have a tendency to slice
> the ball. Sometimes a few times a round and sometimes at every tee
> box. Once it starts, it only gets worse. I'm sure this is from the
> frustration.
>
> My question is : If I address the ball with the clubface closed, the
> ball will go straight about 90 % of the time. Is this a bad thing ?
> Is it just a quick fix and acually making my problem worse? I have
> tried different grips, swing trainers, the dual hinge clubs and
> nothing seems to help except closing the face at address.
>
> I guess if it works then it accommidates " my " swing but is it okay
> to have to do that???
>
> Just looking for some advice and a little insight on this game.
>
What is important is not how it looks at setup but what happens at impact,
and what DOES happen there if you do not manipulate the club during the
swing is for your anatomy to return your forearms to "their natural
position."--to the orientation relative to the path on which they move. So
in most people the left hand actually hangs down, and returns to impact,
with the wristwatch, the back of the wrist and the back of the hand FACING
TO THE LEFT.
Many golfers are taught to hold the club with the back of their left hand
facing the target; due to anatomy this will CAUSE IMPACT to occur with an
open face, - i.e., the natural roll of their arms in the downswing does not
return to the arbitrary setup position: it returns with the back of the left
hand facing considerably to the right of the target line. So if you take up
a club with the clubface and wrist plane aligned, the clubface arrives at
impact "wide open." NOT due to a SWING error, but to a misadjustment at
setup! You do exactly the right thing.--as follows: this is why Couples,
Daly, Azinger, and millions of good golfers DO NOT put the back of the left
hand facing the target--but facing to the right of the target when the face
DOES aim straight.
A test for the validity of this is to swing a baseball bat "mindlessly" and
stop the swing when the bat is right out in front of your face, "at impact
position". Don't turn anything: look at the back of your left hand: likely
it is facing pretty much toward the SKY. So if you then lowered your
back/spine/torso as though the bat was was a golf club, you'll see that your
left hand is now pointing to the right of the target when you "get back to
impact position."
So your accommodation is absolutely correct.
Now, a caution: it is also possible that your swing path cuts across the
line instead of moves toward the target. This is a different issue; but it
is easy to see if this is the case. Swing your club in high grass and see
if its path through the grass is toward the target or to the left. If it is
toward the target, your accommodation is absolutely correct. If your path
is to the left of the target, it is likely that when you correct THAT with
carefully moving your hands in the right direction in the downswing you
won't need as severe a "closed clubface" at setup.
Make sense?
George Hibbard
www.perfectimpact.com
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Date: 14 Feb 2007 14:19:30
From: WW
Subject: Re: New to the Game
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Everybody has advice, how much good is questionable. I'll say it 1st &
am sure you'll hear it again. Bite the bullet & get lessons early. I
thought I could work thru my issues... buy better clubs.... read every
golf boof out there. Took 3 lessons w/ a women instructor @ my local
course (so far). She beat me up pretty good. Wrong grip,
posture,follow thru. Unless you have a pro to point out your faults
you won't know. Personally, I think some fundamentals MUST be done
right or you'll never get it. What works for me.......
1) a more upright/straight stance is a must - no hauncing over, that
was forcing a hook
2) a 1 piece take away, keep that Left arm straight....sloooow
3) no reaching w/ the club. I see alot of players doing it. Keep the
shaft low/ in close, about a fist from crotch
4) full follow thru & hold it ea. time.
5) Rythm, comes w/ practice. On your back swing, most/all your weight
is on rear leg. On downswing, you need to shift your weight to the
front leg. My teacher says a firm (straight) front side is what you
need to see when your done. When your finished you should be able to
lift rear foot off ground w/ no weight on it
It's a challange. I like to watch the LPGA players. The women really
do have very good fundamentals. Watch some slow mo swings on some of
them.
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