Long shots slice from left to right. On tee shots occasionally chopping under the ball or topped along the ground.

20 Most common shot problems

Lesson 3 of 20

Diagnosis: Long shots slice from left to right. With tee shots occasionally chopping under the ball or topped along the ground. Also a general loss of distance especially with the longer clubs.

   

Explanation:  If you ask most players why they top the ball they will answer “Because my head is coming up”. I will agree that lifting your head as well as the body can cause the ball to be topped, but this is not the majority cause. In fact I could hold the head of many poor players rock steady and they would still manage to chop under the ball or top their tee shots. This is because the problem is not with their head moving, but rather from the way they start their downswing.

         Instead of swinging the club freely with the arms and hands you cling to the club with your hands while unwinding your body to the left. Swinging oneself rather than the club from the top of the backswing forces the club to move outward before it can start downward. You top tee shots and chop under others because the approach angle to the ball is too steep – the result of the club moving across the target line on an out-to-in path. Slicing is common because with the hands locked and without the arms swinging, the club lags too far behind the legs and hips arriving at impact with the face still open to the right.

                       

Correction:   Hit practice shots with your feet together. Start with a six iron and the ball on a low tee. Make sure you start your downswing with your arms and hands without using your body. You’ll feel the free swinging of the arms and release of the hands that all good players developed early in the careers. At first you may feel that you’re casting the club, but stick with it and soon you’ll feel the release of your hands and the club squaring at impact. You will no longer be falling off balance by overusing your body. Once you can feel yourself swinging the club freely gradually widen your stance. The club will now approach the ball from the inside with a square club face resulting in straight and solid shots.

 To schedule an appointment with Steve call (615) 288-4539

Most long shots start left then curve to the right

20 Most common shot problems

Lesson 2 of 20

Diagnosis: Most long shots start left then curve to the right. Shorter irons start left with no curve.  

Explanation:  Because we stand to the side of the ball we swing the club forward on an in to in arc. It moves from inside of the target line during the downswing, and then arcs back to the inside during the follow through. Therefore it must be moving  to the right of the target on the downswing, and then left of the target on the follow through.

             Your shots starting to the left indicates that your clubhead is not reaching the ball until it has already begun its return to the inside on the follow through portion of its arc. Simply said, you are contacting the ball too late in your swing. This is caused by playing the ball too far forward, too far to the left in relation to your stance.  Your longer shots curving to the right is also a symptom of a forward ball position. With the ball forward we are forced to align our shoulders too far to the left of the target. This alignment causes us to grip the club with our hands turned too far to the left. This weak grip position leaves the clubface open (to the right) of its path at impact resulting in a tendency to slice the ball.

                       

Correction:   Play the ball farther back ( more to the right )  in you stance. This will automatically align your shoulders more to the right. As well your hands will now want to turn more right (clockwise) on the club. Encourage the shoulders aligning to the right as well as the hands turning to the right although it may feel unnatural at first.

            This new ball position and shoulder alignment will allow you to swing on an in-to-in path rather than an out-to-in path through impact. With your hands turned more to the right you will be able to square the clubface to its path at impact.

            If your shots start out to the right of the target you have over corrected, and the club is reaching the ball too early in the swing. Move the ball slightly more to the left until you find the position that starts the ball toward the target.

20 Most common shot problems

20 Most common shot problems

Lesson 1of 20

Diagnosis: Shots start on line then curve to the right, more so with the woods and longer irons.

Explanation:  Your shots starting on target tells us that your club path is on line at impact as it should be. The curving to the right however indicates your club face is “open” or turned to the right of its path at impact. The biggest cause of an open club face is an incorrect grip, and the possibility of holding the club too tightly.

 It is likely you are placing your hands on the grip so they are turned too far to the left. This is certainly the case if when addressing the ball you can see only one knuckle of the left hand.  An expert player who has played since childhood may have the strength and ability to square the clubface from a one knuckle position. Most weekend players however lack this ability, thus find themselves playing from trouble on the right.

In regards to grip pressure, holding the club too tightly inhibits the wrists. This results in the clubhead trailing the hands through the hitting area thus arriving at the ball still facing to the right. 

Correction:   Hold the club with both hands turned farther to the right so that the V’s formed by between your thumbs and forefingers point toward your right shoulder. You should now be able to see at least two or possibly three knuckles of your left hand. Also lighten your grip pressure and maintain that lightness throughout your swing. If after making these corrections your ball is still curving to the right indicates something other than your grip is causing the open clubface at impact.

Cures for player's shot problems starts next week.

Beginning Wednesday, October 17th I will be writing a weekly blog on player's most common faults and shot problems. This series will continue each Wednesday for the next 20 weeks.

Each weekly topic will be discussed using the following: 
1. A diagnosis of what went wrong with your shot.
2. What your club is doing at impact as well as what it should be doing.
3. Explain how to adjust your stroke to improve your impact conditions and cure your faulty shot.

These twenty lessons are based on chapters from my latest book, The Pocket Caddy - Quick Reference. Each week's topic is explained in an easy to understand manner written specifically for the weekend golfer.

My desire is to help as many golfers as possible with these weekly lessons. Mark you calendar and tell your golfing friends to log onto www.kirkpatrickgolf.com each Wednesday beginning October 17th.
Remember to click the blog tab to access the lessons.

New lower prices on Ping Golf Clubs

     Ping Golf just announced a significant decrease in the price of their 2012 Model G 20 clubs. Effective October 1, 2012 Ping will be offering their line of G 20 irons, drivers, fairways and hybrids at discounted prices.
      If you've always wanted a new set of custom fit Pings now is the time to take advantage of great savings. As always Steve will provide your custom fitting at no charge. For more information or to schedule your fitting contact Golf Rx at (615) 288-4539.
       In addition to Ping we also custom fit Callaway, Taylor Made and Adams Golf equipment. We also carry a full line of putters, wedges and bags.