Forum > Technique, Tips & Tuition

Patrick Moore

Hey guys just a quick question really, after some advice.

Just lately with my iron shots from the fairway/rough they seem to be either shanking badly and lowly to the right, not going over far, or I hit the top of the ball and it goes again not very far but straight-ish.

Feels like I am just hacking down the holes sometimes. Any ideas why or what to try and do?

Wayne Santorini

Patrick Moore

Was thinking of that myself, not been for a lesson yet. Guess it can only help.

Cheers

Wayne Santorini

Steve Cowle

Hi Patrick,

Lessons are definitly the way forward. I see you have only just started playing and you are still young. Don't get into bad habits early on or you will never play this wondeful game to your true potantial.

Good Luck!

SteveCowleGolf

Patrick Moore

Just thought i'd post - played at Pidley today (Lakeside Lodge in Cambs), shot 114 so wasnt great but all my iron shots bar 3 went high and far as I wanted them to, just the 3 duffs which in all honestly I was just too casual with them. Felt so much better today.

Consistency s the key though to bringing my scores down

Wayne Santorini

John Houghton

Patrick

 I had a nightmare with that problem a while ago,  if it ever happens to me now I just have to feel as if the toe hits the ball before the heel.

then once the confidence has come back I just forget about it and it doesnt happen.

 John

Wayne Santorini

I've knocked up a list of the typical problems golfers get and what causes them, just waiting for it to be put on the site by Darren, but it should help a majority of you to know where your going wrong.

Seeing a Professional coach is by far the best option for you to get problems solved.

Loud Mouth b.a.

Patrick,

As the iron experts have had their say I thought that I would try to help. (I hope that the new driver is not causing you the same problem too?)

I don't personally give specific advice on any unseen swing problem, but I will provide you with some general advice which may or may not help:

Assuming that there was a time when you swung well, and that you know how to swing properly, then most swing faults  can be corrected by a couple of exercises:

The first one involves ten slo. mo. practice swings (per session) without a ball when you clearly visualise how you want to swing  and attempt to feel your body moving in slo. mo. with the correct rhythm and timing. Check your grip, stance, alignment, takeaway etc., and take time between each slo. mo. swing to re-check everything and clearly visualise.

After several such sessions, over several days, when you finally practice ball striking on the range then (after clearly visualising your shot) swing with 80 - 90% of your normal effort - attempting to feel that same rhythm which you felt in slo. mo. Swing smoothly, keeping your head down for as long as you can, and concentrate on a full follow through with your belt buckle eventually facing target.

Try to adopt a confident show off frame of mind, with the ball being your friend. Not something which intimidates you.

Most times your problem will have resolved itself, and if you can in future swing with less effort then your scores will very likely come tumbling down. Watching golfers on the range I notice most high handicappers are trying too hard - trying to force the ball into the air, instead of letting the club do the work.  

But if you don't know how to properly swing then, as stated by other contributors,   foundation lessons are likely the best forward.  And, all of us could benefit from one lesson a month in order to keep us on our toes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/skills/4245006.stm