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Date: 16 Sep 2006 15:55:35
From:
Subject: Teen golf
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I'm 14 years old. I've been playing golf for quite a while, but I
haven't really been making the most of all that time. I've really only
ended up playing seriously just this year, working on my game and
swing. My only teacher has been my dad, who shoots in the 60's most of
the time. I've joined the local high school golf team, where I play in
most matches because the other Freshman can't break 120. The Seniors
shoot mid-high 30's, the sophomores low 40's. We're mediocre and have a
pretty dismal record. I shoot, on average, about 95 on 18 holes. It's
pretty bad, I know, but I'm trying. When I have a day where I manage to
hit the ball solid every time, I shoot in the low 40's. I hit my 3 wood
off the tee because my Driver is too inaccurate, and it goes off about
250-260. My swing still seems to be pretty inconsistent, and I'm
working on a few different parts of swing mechanics.
The backswing I use now is to pull back straight, and come through
inside-out, trying to minimize my slice. I end up pushing the ball way
right though, and I assume this may be because I'm not releasing my
clubface (?). When I practiced releasing at the range though, I was
releasing too early due to overconcentration on it and shanking the
ball off on the ground. I definitely need some work, but I think that
once I start hitting it solid and straight, everything will come into
alignment ;)
In conclusion, any tips that I could use would be greatly appreciated!
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Date: 16 Sep 2006 19:50:34
From: Piturno
Subject: Re: Teen golf
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> The backswing I use now is to pull back straight, and come through
> inside-out, trying to minimize my slice. I end up pushing the ball way
> right though, and I assume this may be because I'm not releasing my
> clubface (?).
You need to understand the physics of ball flight first. If you are simply
pushing the ball, you ball starts out going to the right and basically stays
on the same path to the right. If it starts out to the left, straight or
right and then spins right, then that is a fade or slice. Assuming you are
only pushing the ball and not fading or slicing it, your release is just
fine. The push is a result of the club going inside to out through the
impact zone. Going inside out before the impact zone is ideal. The very
small area a few inches before and after the ball is the impact zone and
your club should be going straight down the line through the impact zone,
followed immediately by club going left.
My guess is that you have heard an inside-out swing is needed for good golf
swing and you are trying too hard to maintain that inside out swing through
and beyond the impact zone.
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Date: 18 Sep 2006 01:47:43
From: Dave Lee
Subject: Re: Teen golf
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<terabyter@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1158447335.358174.60060@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I'm 14 years old. I've been playing golf for quite a while, but I
> haven't really been making the most of all that time. I've really only
> ended up playing seriously just this year, working on my game and
> swing. My only teacher has been my dad, who shoots in the 60's most of
> the time. I've joined the local high school golf team, where I play in
> most matches because the other Freshman can't break 120. The Seniors
> shoot mid-high 30's, the sophomores low 40's. We're mediocre and have a
> pretty dismal record. I shoot, on average, about 95 on 18 holes. It's
> pretty bad, I know, but I'm trying. When I have a day where I manage to
> hit the ball solid every time, I shoot in the low 40's. I hit my 3 wood
> off the tee because my Driver is too inaccurate, and it goes off about
> 250-260. My swing still seems to be pretty inconsistent, and I'm
> working on a few different parts of swing mechanics.
>
> The backswing I use now is to pull back straight, and come through
> inside-out, trying to minimize my slice. I end up pushing the ball way
> right though, and I assume this may be because I'm not releasing my
> clubface (?). When I practiced releasing at the range though, I was
> releasing too early due to overconcentration on it and shanking the
> ball off on the ground. I definitely need some work, but I think that
> once I start hitting it solid and straight, everything will come into
> alignment ;)
>
> In conclusion, any tips that I could use would be greatly appreciated!
>
It is very difficult to actually fix your own swing with some kind of
professional (or at least informed/nonprofessional) assistance. Maybe that
is your father or high school golf coach - or maybe not. But I'd start there
if a genuine teaching pro is not available to you.
If not then I'd suggest reading all you can find. There is all kind of
conflicting advice/theory out there. And (in my experience) there is all
kinds of conflicting reality (what works for player A might well be instant
death for player B). So read but take it all with a grain of salt.
Then buy a camcorder and look at your swing if that is practical. If not buy
a full length mirror. Trust me - it is very unlikely that you are actually
doing what you think that you are doing. It is a long and difficult road -
but fun.
Regarding your question about big pushes, your swing path is inside-out (a
good thing if it isn't extreme) but your clubface is open. This could be a
grip issue or (as you pointed out) a release problem. Your experience with
"your solution" (shanking) is very troublesome. It sounds as if (in an
attempt to get the clubhead through the ball) you are getting the clubhead
well outside the ball - and most likely are no longer swinging inside out.
This is generally not a good thing.
The solution is not to release earlier - focus on achieving "forearm
rotation" through impact (the right forearm should cross the left after
impact for a right hander).
Good luck.
dave
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