Golf Tips

[Mark_Mywords]

Need some tips for my driving. My Iron shots fly fairly straight, but when I use my Driver I'm slicing the ball badly to the right.

 

It's getting that bad I'm thinking of shouting 'four!' before I take my shot!

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Mark.

[Paul_C]

Need some tips for my driving. My Iron shots fly fairly straight, but when I use my Driver I'm slicing the ball badly to the right.

 

It's getting that bad I'm thinking of shouting 'four!' before I take my shot!

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Mark.

 

I went through exactly the same. I ended up ditching my driver and now hit a 3wood off the tee. The shorter shaft on the 3 wood helps I think, for me anyway. Drives are poker straight now!

[Warsaw Jambo]

I eliminated a slice overnight by switching to a driver with a stiffer shaft, it gets the clubface to the ball earlier and not with a slightly open face.

 

Other drills you can try are keeping your right arm close to your body on your down swing so you hit out at the ball or place your right foot back a bit which again forces you to hit out at the ball rather than coming across the ball.

[Jambo83]

Try and complete your follow-through so that your chest is facing your target when the ball is away. This should get you turning properly and help make sure your square at impact.

 

Also check your stance, put a club down along the line of your toes and then stand behind your line and check it is not off target.

 

Alternatively, get down to your local driving range that has a pro and ask for a lesson or two.

[Jambo83]

I eliminated a slice overnight by switching to a driver with a stiffer shaft, it gets the clubface to the ball earlier and not with a slightly open face.

 

Yeah agreed mate, the shaft makes a big difference depending on the speed of your swing.

[Mark_Mywords]

I went through exactly the same. I ended up ditching my driver and now hit a 3wood off the tee. The shorter shaft on the 3 wood helps I think, for me anyway. Drives are poker straight now!

 

Funny enough, someone else told me the same thing. He also said that the less loft on the driver will punish you even more if you slice.

 

I really want to persevere with the Driver for now though. If nothing improves soon, I will certainly try the 3 wood out more off the tee.

 

Thanks.

[Mark_Mywords]

I eliminated a slice overnight by switching to a driver with a stiffer shaft, it gets the clubface to the ball earlier and not with a slightly open face.

 

Other drills you can try are keeping your right arm close to your body on your down swing so you hit out at the ball or place your right foot back a bit which again forces you to hit out at the ball rather than coming across the ball.

 

I'm using a 9 deg Driver with a stiff shaft.

 

Good tip about my right arm being close to my body. I think I am moving the club head to the outside on my downswing, so this could help.

 

I'll try that out. Thanks.

[felix]

Main reason for slicing is the swing-path coming into the ball travelling from "out" to "in" or right to left (assuming you're r.handed) You could be simply chopping across the shot.

 

An easy way to remedy is to move the "v" made by your thumb & forefinger slightly, so it points more vertically. Have a look nexxt time you line up, if the v's are pointing up to your shoulder, you've got a "slicer's grip. Turn the right hand round slightly and split the fairway.

[McJambo]

I'm using a 9 deg Driver with a stiff shaft.

 

Good tip about my right arm being close to my body. I think I am moving the club head to the outside on my downswing, so this could help.

 

I'll try that out. Thanks.

 

 

The problem might be in the shaft like someone mentioned earlier, having a stiff shaft in your driver isn't going to cure a slice if you don't generate enough swingspeed in the downswing. All that will happen is you will hit a consistent shot down the right of most holes with a cut.

 

The tip about your right arm is a good one, also make sure your set up is correct for a driver, it's where most errors occur and if you get that part wrong the rest of the swing is always playing catchup.

 

Like someone else said if your really struggling get a lesson from a PGA Pro, I find it quite amusing the amount of club members and other golfers who have these kind of problems and play with 3iron or 3 wood of a tee for the rest of their lives rather than take a 30minute lesson of their Professional.

 

Don't do what most people do and splash out 300 quid on the next new driver on the market, get someone who is qualified to have a look and advise you! Will save you money and effort in the long run.

[The Old Tolbooth]

I had the exact same problem all last summer and couldn't sort it for love nor money, then a mate gave me a very useful tip after he had the same problem and it was simple. Keep your left arm straight at all times when driving, now my slice is all but cured and I only slice when I forget to keep the arm straightened.

[The Mighty Thor]

Try and complete your follow-through so that your chest is facing your target when the ball is away. This should get you turning properly and help make sure your square at impact.

 

Also check your stance, put a club down along the line of your toes and then stand behind your line and check it is not off target.

 

Alternatively, get down to your local driving range that has a pro and ask for a lesson or two.

 

Most sense on the thread.

 

You are obvioulsy cutting accross the ball with an out to in swing path on the downswing. The reasons are probably a combination of factors from stance, ball position, tee height, take away and swing speed etc.....it's much more than grip.

 

Do not buy another driver. Spend the money on a block of 4 lessons from a club pro. Cheaper than a new driver and the results will be better long term in terms of your overall game.

[Mark_Mywords]

Looks like a few lessons with a pro at the golf range.

 

Brilliant advice guys, much appreciated. Thank you all.

 

[jack D and coke]

Shorten your swing for starters, when i was doing that i was over swinging the club. Slow it down a little also until your confidence comes back.

[Walter Kidd]

A 9 degree driver is most likely causing you the most problems. Turn your left hand so it feels uncomfortable on your grip and accentuate turning your hands on impact with ball. Works for me.

 

Any tips on improving short game appreciated as it is driving me mental.

[BigCGilmour]

I've got a Cleveland Hi Bore XLS for sale if your interested. Good driver, its got the stiff "red" ***ikara shaft and is slighlty offset to prevent/reduce slice. Its an unwanted gift and is still packaged!

 

http://www.hibore.com/

[The Mighty Thor]

A 9 degree driver is most likely causing you the most problems. Turn your left hand so it feels uncomfortable on your grip and accentuate turning your hands on impact with ball. Works for me.

 

Any tips on improving short game appreciated as it is driving me mental.

 

how short do you mean by short game? round the greens or a bit further out?

 

I went through it last year round the greens and ended up going back to links style shots of low running chips with an 8-iron using a putting type stroke to get up to the hole. A good wedge is a must i reckon. Cleveland CG12's are the business for getting bite on the greens from short distances.

[Jambo83]

A 9 degree driver is also a bit harder to hit. I have 10.5 degree and it's perfect.

[Walter Bishop]

My suggestion would be dont waste your money on a pro who will want you to start from scratch,try to rebuild your swing and have you playing like a 20+ handicapper in the hope you keep going back for more lessons and lining his pocket.

 

A couple of tips too cure your slice,

 

1 - The driver is the longest club in the bag and due to this many people try to take shortcuts on the downswing causing you to "cut" across the ball which leads to a slice, My advice slow you swing down and be more deliberate also try a 3/4 swing the first few times.

 

2 - Your grip, your thumb and forefinger on each hand should both form a V shape pointing to your chin, many people dont have their right hand turned round enough, this cause the club face to open and creates a fade/slice, it can be uncomfortable at first but force your right hand round, ths will help.

[felix]

You are obvioulsy cutting accross the ball with an out to in swing path on the downswing. The reasons are probably a combination of factors from stance, ball position, tee height, take away and swing speed etc.....it's much more than grip.

 

There could be a number of factors (altho' tee height & swing speed will not affect slice ).The reason I mentioned grip is becasuse it's the most common cause of slicing and the OP was after golf "tips". In my experience, that's the one that works.

 

Of course seeing a pro is advisable, but not always necessary. You'd be amazed at some of the most simple tips that have instant success.

and frankly, thinking about take-away, stance, swing speed etc will only tie you in knots..

One thing at a time is also a good tip.

[Eric Shin]

Need some tips for my driving. My Iron shots fly fairly straight, but when I use my Driver I'm slicing the ball badly to the right.

 

It's getting that bad I'm thinking of shouting 'four!' before I take my shot!

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Mark.

 

 

get yourself one of these , i've one for sale.....your's for ?80

 

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/golf-launchpad/index.html

[Walter Kidd]

how short do you mean by short game? round the greens or a bit further out?

 

I went through it last year round the greens and ended up going back to links style shots of low running chips with an 8-iron using a putting type stroke to get up to the hole. A good wedge is a must i reckon. Cleveland CG12's are the business for getting bite on the greens from short distances.

 

I've developed the yips from around the green and it is driving me mad. Used to be the best part of my game, but changed clubs earlier this year and now have wide soled 9-SW. Thinking of getting my blades back out - that is how bad it has become.

 

Thing is I am great on the practice ground but as soon as I get on the course I look like I am a 24 handicapper, not the 17 that I am.

 

It's horrible.

[The Mighty Thor]

I've developed the yips from around the green and it is driving me mad. Used to be the best part of my game, but changed clubs earlier this year and now have wide soled 9-SW. Thinking of getting my blades back out - that is how bad it has become.

 

Thing is I am great on the practice ground but as soon as I get on the course I look like I am a 24 handicapper, not the 17 that I am.

 

It's horrible.

 

Maybe see if you can borrow a specialist wedge from a mate, something with a low degree of bounce to help you nip the ball off the turf, some of the modern irons have a sole plate about an inch across and its easy to hit the deck then clunk the ball half way up firing it over the green at a rate of knots.

 

Like i say i've picked up clevelands and they are very good (if a wee bit pricey).

[camsanozziejambo2]

Need some tips for my driving. My Iron shots fly fairly straight, but when I use my Driver I'm slicing the ball badly to the right.

 

It's getting that bad I'm thinking of shouting 'four!' before I take my shot!

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Mark.

G,Day

from oz

I had a few, so here goes ,first quetion L/ or R handed ??

Next turn that right thumb over,and watch the difference

18 down to 11 handicap by trying that for a few rounds

HOO ROO

GOOD goffing where do yo play ??

great result for the hobos

HOO ROO

[Jambo83]

I've developed the yips from around the green and it is driving me mad. Used to be the best part of my game, but changed clubs earlier this year and now have wide soled 9-SW. Thinking of getting my blades back out - that is how bad it has become.

 

Thing is I am great on the practice ground but as soon as I get on the course I look like I am a 24 handicapper, not the 17 that I am.

 

It's horrible.

 

 

Stand further from the ball so that you feel you are almost stretching mate, most shanks come from being too close and the ball actually comes off the hozzle.

 

I've had them once or twice but with longer pitches and it works.

[Bigsmak]

Maybe we should have a wee Kickback driving range night where we meet with one or two clubs. Go to the range then to the pub! ... Sounds like a great wed night in the winter thing!

 

As the longest hitter on Kickback - I'd be happy to give you a few tips... Need to see your swing first... Have you videoed yourself?

 

Best tips.. for every club to improve consistency.

 

1 - Hold the club slightly further down the shaft - Less than an inch. Most people tend to hold it as close to the top of the club as they can.

 

2 - Take a slightly shorter swing (this actually causes your swing to slow and timing to improve)

 

3 - Drop your hands just a little bit. Makes you bend just a touch. It looks silly but encourages a right to left shot. Make sure your hands are out from your body and have a free swing. Stretching a little is actually a good thing.

 

4 - Try moving the ball in your stance - With the Driver you usually have it off your left toe. I actually put the ball back so it is behind the left heel. This changes the point at which you hit the ball.I recomend going to the range and really move the ball about (exaggerate it) and you will see the difference from all positions. (I find this also allows me to change between a draw or a fade off the tee)

 

5 - Visit the practice range to try different things. Don't just hit 100 balls.. Every shot go through a pre shot routine. As if it was actually on the course. Its all about muscle memory and consistency.

 

Good luck..

[Bigsmak]

I've developed the yips from around the green and it is driving me mad. Used to be the best part of my game, but changed clubs earlier this year and now have wide soled 9-SW. Thinking of getting my blades back out - that is how bad it has become.

 

Thing is I am great on the practice ground but as soon as I get on the course I look like I am a 24 handicapper, not the 17 that I am.

 

It's horrible.

 

I was the same with my short game... Try learning different shots. I use an 8 Iron form the side of the green a lot with a putting grip and putting swing. It works a treat for me.

 

But when you need to chip (over bunker etc) most yips come from decelerating through the ball. Every shot you hit on the course you need to accelerate through the ball. Driving, putting, chipping, it doesn't matter. Same as kicking a football.

 

For chips you need to take a smaller backswing forcing you to accelerate through the ball.

 

On the Practice range try taking as small a swing as possible and make sure you play through it. Then you can increase the length of the swing but keeping the same acceleration and you'll eventually get a feel for how the swing length affects the shot length.

 

Also play with the ball position in your stance, which foot you put all your weight on and find whats best for you. When practicing, over exaggerate this to the extreem with both the ball and weight. You'll work out yourself what changing it does and can figure out yourself where to put the ball and weight.

 

Also try gripping down the shaft a little it helps with almost every shot.

 

Let me know how it goes.

 

Watch this as well - There are a lot of videos here worth watching

 

http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/Golf/videotips/searchresults/short-game-pitching-and-chipping/Cure-Your-Chipping-Yips/?&R=EPI-21638

[Cyprus Jambo]

 

As the longest hitter on Kickback - I'd be happy to give you a few tips... Need to see your swing first... Have you videoed yourself?

 

 

Ha Ha,

 

you should know by now - Drive for show, putt for dough

[Bigsmak]

Ha Ha,

 

you should know by now - Drive for show, putt for dough

 

As the best putter on Kickback... I'd be happy to give you tips C J

 

:Hearts Man spotrun:

[Walter Kidd]

I was the same with my short game... Try learning different shots. I use an 8 Iron form the side of the green a lot with a putting grip and putting swing. It works a treat for me.

 

But when you need to chip (over bunker etc) most yips come from decelerating through the ball. Every shot you hit on the course you need to accelerate through the ball. Driving, putting, chipping, it doesn't matter. Same as kicking a football.

 

For chips you need to take a smaller backswing forcing you to accelerate through the ball.

 

On the Practice range try taking as small a swing as possible and make sure you play through it. Then you can increase the length of the swing but keeping the same acceleration and you'll eventually get a feel for how the swing length affects the shot length.

 

Also play with the ball position in your stance, which foot you put all your weight on and find whats best for you. When practicing, over exaggerate this to the extreem with both the ball and weight. You'll work out yourself what changing it does and can figure out yourself where to put the ball and weight.

 

Also try gripping down the shaft a little it helps with almost every shot.

 

Let me know how it goes.

 

Watch this as well - There are a lot of videos here worth watching

 

http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/Golf/videotips/searchresults/short-game-pitching-and-chipping/Cure-Your-Chipping-Yips/?&R=EPI-21638

 

Cheers

[Bigsmak]

but changed clubs earlier this year and now have wide soled 9-SW. Thinking of getting my blades back out - that is how bad it has become.

 

 

One other thing.. Most 'low' handicapped golfers use more of a blade club for the shorter game. I have cavity back clubs (wide sole) but for the 3 wedges I carry they are all bladed.

 

Might be worthwhile getting the bladed pw and sw back out... You get more control with them for short chips but the Cavity wide's are easier to hit further.

 

I recommend something like these (but you get them a lot cheaper if you look around!)

 

http://www.thetoptensite.com/golf-equipment-top-10-wedges-index.html

[Cyprus Jambo]

As the best putter on Kickback... I'd be happy to give you tips C J

 

:Hearts Man spotrun:

 

 

No thanks - beating you 2 out of 3 KickBack outings was enough

[Walter Bishop]

As the best putter on Kickback... I'd be happy to give you tips C J

 

:Hearts Man spotrun:

 

I take it you are a scratch golfer?

[Bigsmak]

I take it you are a scratch golfer?

 

not yet... just full of myself.. Play of 5 down at Gullane... So not bad... Have gone round other courses under par, but only twice round No.1

[Walter Bishop]

not yet... just full of myself.. Play of 5 down at Gullane... So not bad... Have gone round other courses under par, but only twice round No.1

 

When (if there is one planned) is the next JKB outing?

[Bigsmak]

Good point... I got sick of organsing it as the last one only about 10 people turned up. Even though I had deposits for about 15 and more planning to come on the day.

 

Also I did mashed up my elbow in April which put me out of golf for a few months.

 

I'll start a thread and see if people are interested!

[Paul_C]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/skills/default.stm

 

Some video tips on here for anyone who's interested

[Bigsmak]

75 in the medal yesterday... 3 over after 2, 4 over at the end...

[bigwull22]

75 in the medal yesterday... 3 over after 2, 4 over at the end...

 

no too good then

[Bigsmak]

no too good then

 

Started at 7.45. earliest I've been on the course for a while.. didn't wake till the 3rd hole... ho hum...

 

I left 6 puts less than 1 inch short of the hole on line with the hole.. I could have shot a 70 or better...

 

Next time!

[The Mighty Thor]

Started at 7.45. earliest I've been on the course for a while.. didn't wake till the 3rd hole... ho hum...

 

I left 6 puts less than 1 inch short of the hole on line with the hole.. I could have shot a 70 or better...

 

Next time!

 

in light of this revelation are you volunteering to go off scratch for the JKB outing then?

[Peebo]

Need some tips for my driving. My Iron shots fly fairly straight, but when I use my Driver I'm slicing the ball badly to the right.

 

It's getting that bad I'm thinking of shouting 'four!' before I take my shot!

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Mark.

 

Aim to the left.