Taking up Golf
Discussion
Good shout, shall have a proper look at that tonight.
The only other site I keep an eye on regularly is http://www.fore24.co.uk/ which has been mentioned on here before. They've got a cracking deal on today too.
The only other site I keep an eye on regularly is http://www.fore24.co.uk/ which has been mentioned on here before. They've got a cracking deal on today too.
taaffy said:
This Guy explains it quite well in this video..... watch from about 4:40 and you'll see him explain it in a different way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UCAglk8exI
After a few years away from the game I've been down the range a few times. Taking onboard tips from the link above my swing is finally coming together again. Whereas ten years ago when i was playing regularly I could hit the ball long and straight, I now feel that my swing is built on much better foundations than brute strength and timing. I'll keep it up at the range a few times a week and will hopefully have a swing I'm prepared to take round a course in a couple of weeks.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UCAglk8exI
Fas1975 said:
Gents, was hoping to get some critique of where my swing is currently. Video was taken this morning at the range, using an 8 iron.
Bearing in mind I've only just started playing, would look forward to constructive criticism. Many thanks.
Your head moves almost as far as the ball.Bearing in mind I've only just started playing, would look forward to constructive criticism. Many thanks.
Fas1975 said:
Gents, was hoping to get some critique of where my swing is currently. Video was taken this morning at the range, using an 8 iron.
Bearing in mind I've only just started playing, would look forward to constructive criticism. Many thanks.
As you say yourself, its a beginners swing!! Bearing in mind I've only just started playing, would look forward to constructive criticism. Many thanks.
I don't know your finances, but either sign up to some beginner groups lessons or the usual 1-2-1 sessions, or study some youtubes of proper posture, ball set-up and grip before worrying about anything else right now.
Initially legs too straight, back "humped", far too much movement going in all parts of the swing!
Being a mechanical golfer myself, I find David Leadbettrs instruction style suits me quite well, this may help the posture/set-up aspect;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBcrLVOwpZs
Not a bad swing for a beginner, good to see you are trying to give it a hit than coax it down the fairway.
I know its tricky the more well built you are (and I speak from experience!)
Try using your shoulder-turn to generate power, at the top of your swing your head should be where it was when you started, and you should be looking over your left shoulder.
Maybe stand a bit more upright.
Bend your knees a bit more.
I know its tricky the more well built you are (and I speak from experience!)
Try using your shoulder-turn to generate power, at the top of your swing your head should be where it was when you started, and you should be looking over your left shoulder.
Maybe stand a bit more upright.
Bend your knees a bit more.
Appreciate the feedback. At the moment, things are busy with work, so can only do a lesson every 2-3 weeks, but I'm getting to the range every weekend almost. Will definitely take on board. I know about the head movement, my instructor says the same, but now I've seen it, didn't realise it moved that much! Definitely something to work on.
My problem is, at least, I think it's a problem, I did bodybuilding for a few years and I've got a developed chest. When I am on my backswing, my left arm is straight and I'm pushing against my chest muscle, when I'm heading towards the top of the swing, I physically can't look over my shoulder, there's just too much mass there. Maybe that's the reason the heads moves, but at the moment, I really feel the central chest area properly tight during that back swing.
Have also been told about accelerating the shoulders through and twisting from the waist, but again, something I need to work on. Will hopefully post another vid in a month or so and see how I'm faring.
My problem is, at least, I think it's a problem, I did bodybuilding for a few years and I've got a developed chest. When I am on my backswing, my left arm is straight and I'm pushing against my chest muscle, when I'm heading towards the top of the swing, I physically can't look over my shoulder, there's just too much mass there. Maybe that's the reason the heads moves, but at the moment, I really feel the central chest area properly tight during that back swing.
Have also been told about accelerating the shoulders through and twisting from the waist, but again, something I need to work on. Will hopefully post another vid in a month or so and see how I'm faring.
Thought its time to give an update on my efforts!
Well the driver and woods have not been out on the fairway instead its the irons.
My focus has strictly on getting to the greens in regulation - as such putting improvement hasn't been high on my list. I'd say before my lessons I'd maybe hit really good shot in an entire round as in step back and enjoy it in its flight now its got a lot better. I'd estimate that I'm hitting 3/5 shots well now and on the driving range I hit pretty much all of them.
The last four games I've played I went round with a fries who plays off ten he took my score card away tore It up (ditto his) he said forget about the score its irrelevant what's key is you practice what you have been learning. I did find it totally took my mind off of chasing how good or bad my score is instead focus on the swing and the course.
Might get score card out next game or ask my opponent to take my score and revel at the end.
Well the driver and woods have not been out on the fairway instead its the irons.
My focus has strictly on getting to the greens in regulation - as such putting improvement hasn't been high on my list. I'd say before my lessons I'd maybe hit really good shot in an entire round as in step back and enjoy it in its flight now its got a lot better. I'd estimate that I'm hitting 3/5 shots well now and on the driving range I hit pretty much all of them.
The last four games I've played I went round with a fries who plays off ten he took my score card away tore It up (ditto his) he said forget about the score its irrelevant what's key is you practice what you have been learning. I did find it totally took my mind off of chasing how good or bad my score is instead focus on the swing and the course.
Might get score card out next game or ask my opponent to take my score and revel at the end.
Fas1975 said:
Appreciate the feedback. At the moment, things are busy with work, so can only do a lesson every 2-3 weeks, but I'm getting to the range every weekend almost. Will definitely take on board. I know about the head movement, my instructor says the same, but now I've seen it, didn't realise it moved that much! Definitely something to work on.
My problem is, at least, I think it's a problem, I did bodybuilding for a few years and I've got a developed chest. When I am on my backswing, my left arm is straight and I'm pushing against my chest muscle, when I'm heading towards the top of the swing, I physically can't look over my shoulder, there's just too much mass there. Maybe that's the reason the heads moves, but at the moment, I really feel the central chest area properly tight during that back swing.
Have also been told about accelerating the shoulders through and twisting from the waist, but again, something I need to work on. Will hopefully post another vid in a month or so and see how I'm faring.
In that case, have a word with the pro teaching you and point out Sandy Lyles swing. He never got the hands all the way to the top of the backswing, barely above shoulder height in most cases, but still spanked a 1 iron as far as most of his fellow pro's drivers. Also Ronan Rafferty, similar hands position at the top of his backswing. Point being, from the "top" of their backswings, they pulled down hard and held the wrist angle even later to develop good clubhead speed. And Im pretty certainly sure with the right instruction and the strength u will have in the forearms, you can easily do that too. My problem is, at least, I think it's a problem, I did bodybuilding for a few years and I've got a developed chest. When I am on my backswing, my left arm is straight and I'm pushing against my chest muscle, when I'm heading towards the top of the swing, I physically can't look over my shoulder, there's just too much mass there. Maybe that's the reason the heads moves, but at the moment, I really feel the central chest area properly tight during that back swing.
Have also been told about accelerating the shoulders through and twisting from the waist, but again, something I need to work on. Will hopefully post another vid in a month or so and see how I'm faring.
Take a look at Sandy's full iron swing on the youtube vid below at about 2:40-2:50. Hands just about above shoulder height, but a fairly good back turn, I dont think you'd have much trouble getting to there as your "top" tbh and would hopefully mean the chest wouldn't get in the way too much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxBvtP8xi3k&fea...
One issue Sandy did have was dropping the hands a touch at the top, so could get flat on his downswing and was prone to big swinging hooks....which having worked as a scorer on the Euro PGA Tour as a teenager, Ive seen many of in real life!
Get the set-up. posture and grip right first though. Without those basics nothing will be on plane, correct swing path, etc etc
Skii said:
Talking of short backswings, Camilo Villegas is a great example - this is as far back as his driver gets
Its all about the lag baby
OUCH....he's lining up a whole series of lower back issues for later in life!Its all about the lag baby
Difficult to find decent coverage of Ronan on youtube, but 5:25 in here you can see how short his driving backswing was;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn3u0bnVRVE
Edited by djstevec on Tuesday 6th November 15:49
Played this weekend.
A notable improvement to the last game I can honestly see the improvement from lessons - maybe its not for everyone but it turned my game round from a hack fear air shots countless topping the ball - barely making the ladies tee on all but two of 18 holes.
I no longer dread shots or get frustrated I can now actually play a competitive game ( well all within reason) but I mean take this weekend I topped the ball once all game and it was a shocking position.
The driver and woods stayed at home I'm managing to get good distance and accuracy from the long irons ie on easily 5 of the holes I struck a 3/4 yet her or equal to one chaps driver and I'm happy with that.
Next steps for me is practice practice practice and course time. My aim is greens in regulation putting is last on my list if I can get to the dance floor in the theoretical number of shots per hole then to me that means I can play a good game (long way to go yet that's for sure) and then putting well sure I could be better but I'm not as bad as I thought maybe that because there is confidence?
Anyway as a reward I bought myself a second hand 2iron of the same set - I can strike the 3 well often so fancy upping my set with a 2 iron might not use it often but if I cannot play the driver with any consistency and its a club that worries me take the very long iron instead and be more or less same distance.
A notable improvement to the last game I can honestly see the improvement from lessons - maybe its not for everyone but it turned my game round from a hack fear air shots countless topping the ball - barely making the ladies tee on all but two of 18 holes.
I no longer dread shots or get frustrated I can now actually play a competitive game ( well all within reason) but I mean take this weekend I topped the ball once all game and it was a shocking position.
The driver and woods stayed at home I'm managing to get good distance and accuracy from the long irons ie on easily 5 of the holes I struck a 3/4 yet her or equal to one chaps driver and I'm happy with that.
Next steps for me is practice practice practice and course time. My aim is greens in regulation putting is last on my list if I can get to the dance floor in the theoretical number of shots per hole then to me that means I can play a good game (long way to go yet that's for sure) and then putting well sure I could be better but I'm not as bad as I thought maybe that because there is confidence?
Anyway as a reward I bought myself a second hand 2iron of the same set - I can strike the 3 well often so fancy upping my set with a 2 iron might not use it often but if I cannot play the driver with any consistency and its a club that worries me take the very long iron instead and be more or less same distance.
Had a really productive session on the range yesterday.
Managed to finally achieve the feeling of swinging the club down by turning my body, my arms are just along for the ride - the club seemed to whip through the ball faster than it ever has done when I tried to consciously hit at the ball with my arms - my shots felt cleaner and the distance was good - although hard to guage with some questionable quality range balls.
Funny how a good session on the range can restore a bit of confidence in your swing!
Managed to finally achieve the feeling of swinging the club down by turning my body, my arms are just along for the ride - the club seemed to whip through the ball faster than it ever has done when I tried to consciously hit at the ball with my arms - my shots felt cleaner and the distance was good - although hard to guage with some questionable quality range balls.
Funny how a good session on the range can restore a bit of confidence in your swing!
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