Forum > Technique, Tips & Tuition

Jamie C

 Few months ago, my drives was superb, very straight and long, reaching a average of 270-280 yards then out of nowhere i started to hook it slightly left but i was reasonably happy because all i had to do was align myself for it to go straight to where i wanted it.

 For the past 3 weeks, i have started fading/slicing my drives, i have tried to find out the causes but have no idea what to do to stop myself from slicing. Whenever i tried to recitfy the problem, i end up slicing it even more or hook it really badly. The thing is, i'm not as aggressive as i used to be few months ago, i thought perhaps the composure would help me become more consistent but it seems to have made it worse! I'm not sure what i should say but if you ask me, i'll gladly tell you the answers

 I know some of you will suggest seeing a pro but my pro is on holiday for the next 3 weeks and i got a open championship to compete in at the end of August so i'm not particulary keen on seeing a different pro otherwise they'll change my grip or swing to their preference.

 Any helps would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Wayne Santorini

Jamie have a look at the link below;

http://www.golfshake.com/news/view/1695/Common_Ball_Flight_Problems.html

Loud Mouth b.a.

Practice getting your takeaway spot on. If that does not work then see a pro.

As you push out into your takeaway start to tilt your hips immediately and ensure that you are pushing out wide enough. There needs to be a full weight transfer onto the right foot as one pushes out wide. Certainly for power hitting.

I correctly set my takeaway angle by, on address, first pressing the hands forward to find a club head  face angle which I want to match my inside line.

Jamie C

Thanks for that, interesting read. Realising now, i'm not actually hooking the ball but pulling it. I'm trying not to be too aggressive because i want to play it safe and straight whilst getting reasonable distance (240 yards or so)

I think at this point, i've been changing my driving swing so many time to find out what's wrong that i end up confusing myself. I'm not exactly sure what my driving swing is supposed to be, is there any videos i can watch that may help give me a idea of what it look like? Yeah, my takeaway is what i'm having trouble with.

Thanks for the tips, will be putting that into practice at the range!

Loud Mouth b.a.

Jamie,

Been there - too many changes and the mind / body connection breaks down.

Practice what you should be doing on your lounge carpet every night for ten minutes with just a grip in your hands. Get a good system ingrained before looking at another ball.

There are literally thousands of internet videos and books and equipment which you can buy which provide basic swing information. Maybe someone will feed you this info. but I'm not breast feeding today. I only do it for six days a week, and this is my sort of day off.

I just chat with my buddy JP, and hang loose on Sundays.

You will get there once you discover what is correct and repeatedly practice it.

Jamie C

No worries, your feedback on this is greatly appreciated, thanks. Enjoy your day off, have a beer and as you put it.."hang loose" :D

Only just noticed that you have long drive in your name and saw your other post that you're going to world longest drive championship. I'm intrigued, how far can you hit?!

John Pettitt

Loud Mouth b.a.

Jamie,

I'm 59 years old, and relatively only a little chap, so I cannot hit anywhere near as far as the young guns. But fortunately I am able to avoid them as I compete in the 55 - 60 years of age division in the World Championships.

I need to go into the World Championships 'under the radar' and do not wish to say how far I am presently hitting. In any event my timing is still only 95% right after 8 months of exclusively long iron training.  That is no work having been undertaken with long woods.

This year, I am now in either my third or fourth week of working with my tournament drivers. I have a further 9 weeks of preparation. Long hitting can only ever be based on solid  technique. Such is much easier to polish with a long iron rather than with  a wood. Once one graduates to the driver one then concentrates on 'feel' rather than technique. Trying to becoming at one with the shaft so that it releases its energy absolutely perfectly. I have absolutely no idea how some of the big hitters can compete with several different shafts in their bags. I am not that good.

The good news is that I am major injury free this year, and my back was fixed over 18 months ago. It is possibly now (touch wood) the strongest part of my body. The regular routine muscle pulls I can handle.

I don't have a web site, but here is my page on the internet where I have published some historical distances:

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=san
derslongdrive

It is very difficult to hit long in championships and sometimes the longest hitter loses to the guy who handles pressure the best. It's very much like that in regular golf too. On that score  too I am also still a student, notwithstanding my years.

Thanks for asking.

And John, thanks for your praise although I am not quite that good!

Jamie C

That's understandable, i would be the same keeping my scores under the radar. Am i safe in saying that it's at least 330 yards?! Wow is all i can say, just been checking out your page and you have some impressive achievements. For a relatively small chap, i think it goes to show that it's not all about size but techniques as well.

" Trying to becoming at one with the shaft so that it releases its energy absolutely perfectly. " I like what you said there, it's very true.

 Good luck with the championship, when is it?

Loud Mouth b.a.

Jamie,

It's all on the internet. I really don't want to double publish when I will be away from home.

At home I have got a few drivers worth well in excess of £50. So, I need to be careful.

Jamie, nothing in life is safe. That's why there are so many abortions - including in golf performance.