Thanks for the email about shanking. I have the other dreaded problem - I duff too many shots, most of which hit the ground 3-6 inches behind the ball. I lose distance, and sometime injure my shoulder. I've tried positive steps -- just as adjusting my balance towards the heel, but it's temporary. I figure it's primarily a balance issue, and have tried ways and means to correct this. sometimes it works, usually I revert. On bad days, I duff my drives as well, and then all hell breaks lose (the hooks come into play). I'm 5'10 165lbs. I use Titleist 690.cb irons with flighted rifle 5.5 shafts and player's midsize softies. my 7-iron goes 160-170 yards. My average drive goes 260-275yds. Recently, I've also had a pull problem where shots go 30 yards left from where I'm aiming. Then during the Sony open weekend, I watched Paul Azinger begin his grip with his right hand, then insert his left hand later. I tried that and to some degree, I've managed to get the ball to go within 15-yards less-left. however, sometimes it goes 15-yards right and that usually spells big trouble. When I started duffing (which then leads to hooks) and pulling shots, I've been incurring an average of 6-8 penalty shots per 9-holes. most painful. Can you help?
best regards,
dc
Hello DC,
Since I have never seen your swing, I can only suggest a few things. First of all, you have plenty of power, so you can afford to shorten your swing until you get rid of the duffing. Keep your head steady and your leading arm comfortably straight. If you allow that arm to bend, that may contribute to poor ball striking. Your observation of Paul Azinger’s grip is interesting, I do that also. Which grip do you use, interlock, overlap, or ten-finger grip? You may be able to cure your hook by experimenting with a different grip. I have seen too many people struggle with the interlock, which they insist is the best just because Tiger and Jack use it. I have tried all 3, and for me the best is the ten-finger, although I have used the overlap for most of my life. Have a contest on the practice range, one grip type against another, and see which one wins.
Joe
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Joe,
I have a terrible habit of trying to swing too hard, swinging from the top. Because of this I never get my weight to shift.
Ed Ellstrom
Hello Ed,
As a drill, start at the top of your backswing to get a feel for your best power position. Then move your lower body first to start your downswing. When you finish, all your weight should be on your front foot. Using a mat with a permanent rubber tee, see if you can strike the tee every time using this drill. Once you are able to do this drill comfortably every time, then find a backswing that lets you arrive at this same “drill” position at the top of your backswing, and let the same drill take over. Be a smooth swinger, not a home run hitter. The ball will go just as far, maybe farther.
Joe
I have a terrible habit of trying to swing too hard, swinging from the top. Because of this I never get my weight to shift.
Ed Ellstrom
Hello Ed,
As a drill, start at the top of your backswing to get a feel for your best power position. Then move your lower body first to start your downswing. When you finish, all your weight should be on your front foot. Using a mat with a permanent rubber tee, see if you can strike the tee every time using this drill. Once you are able to do this drill comfortably every time, then find a backswing that lets you arrive at this same “drill” position at the top of your backswing, and let the same drill take over. Be a smooth swinger, not a home run hitter. The ball will go just as far, maybe farther.
Joe
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Joe,
At the outset I would like to say that your letters and tips have helped me in improving my game a lot. Thank you so much. I now wish to ask you a few clarifications. 1. Can a player use an iron to putt or putter is mandatory. 2. What is the correct size of the flag on the flagstick and what flag should be used so that it is visible from a distance and does not merge with the background. 3. How does one play iron shots from rain wet fairways. I always muff the shot. Should one use one more or less club depending on the distance to the pin. Thanks. Vikram.
Hello Vikram,
Sure, you can use an iron to putt, there is no rule that says you have to use a putter. There are stories about pros getting angry and breaking their putters, and they had to finish their rounds putting with an iron. Flag colors are not normally selected according to the background. Many courses are using red, white, or blue flags to indicate whether the hole is placed at the front part of the green (red), or the middle of the green (white), or the back of the green (blue). This should help your club selections by adjusting one or two clubs accordingly. I have never seen specifications for exact flag sizes, but most flags I have seen are about 18-20 inches wide and about 12-14 inches high. On shots from wet fairways, remember the casual water rule. If your stance causes water to rise up around your shoes, you can get a free drop to drier ground no closer to the hole. Otherwise, play the shot like a fairway bunker shot, choke up on the club to compensate for your feet sinking into the ground and play the ball a little further back in your stance to help avoid hitting it fat, and use one more club than normal.
Joe
At the outset I would like to say that your letters and tips have helped me in improving my game a lot. Thank you so much. I now wish to ask you a few clarifications. 1. Can a player use an iron to putt or putter is mandatory. 2. What is the correct size of the flag on the flagstick and what flag should be used so that it is visible from a distance and does not merge with the background. 3. How does one play iron shots from rain wet fairways. I always muff the shot. Should one use one more or less club depending on the distance to the pin. Thanks. Vikram.
Hello Vikram,
Sure, you can use an iron to putt, there is no rule that says you have to use a putter. There are stories about pros getting angry and breaking their putters, and they had to finish their rounds putting with an iron. Flag colors are not normally selected according to the background. Many courses are using red, white, or blue flags to indicate whether the hole is placed at the front part of the green (red), or the middle of the green (white), or the back of the green (blue). This should help your club selections by adjusting one or two clubs accordingly. I have never seen specifications for exact flag sizes, but most flags I have seen are about 18-20 inches wide and about 12-14 inches high. On shots from wet fairways, remember the casual water rule. If your stance causes water to rise up around your shoes, you can get a free drop to drier ground no closer to the hole. Otherwise, play the shot like a fairway bunker shot, choke up on the club to compensate for your feet sinking into the ground and play the ball a little further back in your stance to help avoid hitting it fat, and use one more club than normal.
Joe
