I was in a local shop using the launch monitor and had my swing problems diagnosed. This year I have had incredible troubles with hitting a snap hook with my driver. It looks like a rocket for the first 40 yards then turns as though controlled by remote control.
I was told by the instructor that I am not transferring my weight from my back foot properly. I used to play baseball for 16 years before picking up golf (I am a 2nd year golfer), and this swing type has become ingrained.
Are there any tips or exercises that you could provide that might help with this problem?
Also, I was able to get some stats on my swing while using the monitor. With a 10.5 degree Taylormade Superquad I had the following stats Launch Angle: Varied from 22 to 23 degrees consistently Swing Speed: Low end of 110, and topped out at 117 Ball velocity: 170 to 180 mph, depending on how squarely it was hit
First, I might suggest getting a second opinion. Snap hooks can be caused by different things, but weight transfer doesn't seem consistant with this problem. The main 2 characteristics of a snap hook are a closed clubface & an out-to-in swing plane. These two swing characteristics are the most common for this shot result.
If it's proper weight shift you want, regardless of you shot result, one way might be to eliminate the sudden jerky motion many golfers encounter when they start their downswing. That jerky motion creates an uneven swing rythm and in turn creates many different swing flaws. Inconsistant weight transfer is one of them.
To understand the proper rhythm in a swing, picture the process of throwing a bowling ball down an alley. Bowlers can't bring back the ball without establishing a pendulum-like motion. The ball goes back, comes to a gradual stop, and then their weight transfers naturally in order to control the ball forward. That's the similar motion you want with a golf swing. And that is why instructors emphasize "tension-free". To perform the best pendulum-like swing in golf, your body must not have a tension build-up in the back swing. Tension aids in the jerky swing motion. One thing to be aware of when trying to establish this pendulum motion, however. Avoid the tendency to get you body weight to the outside of your back foot when getting to the top of your backswing. This also creates an inability to transfer weight properly.
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Also, I was able to get some stats on my swing while using the monitor. With a 10.5 degree Taylormade Superquad I had the following stats Launch Angle: Varied from 22 to 23 degrees consistently Swing Speed: Low end of 110, and topped out at 117 Ball velocity: 170 to 180 mph, depending on how squarely it was hit
I do not see how it is possible not to be shifting your weight with these swing speeds unless your knuckles drag the ground and you have to shave your body every day Those are as fast or faster than any pro, so I have doubts they are correct.
Anyway here is a good drill to key your brain on weight shift. Place a ball on the outside of your right foot. This will prevent you from shifting the weight to the outside and key your brain to push off on the down swing.
My honest thought is you are swinging to hard and need to slow down with some rythym and caidance to your swing. You cannot shoot a B-Ball without weight shift, same goes for golf.
I think you must be transfering some weight back to your 'front foot', i also think you are asking for proper tansition. That is when (with better golfers generally) just as the club reaches the top your weight starts moving towards the target. I'm not really the best to answer this as alot of the time although my timing is good my transition turns into a lunge towards the ball which can put your head in front of the ball and result in low left shots and also losing balance. My advice would be to do a search for transition or have a look into getting the book "How to Swing Like A Pro" by Dr Ralph Mann. This book covers the transition really well with some good drills also.
Hope this helps,,
I do not see how it is possible not to be shifting your weight with these swing speeds unless your knuckles drag the ground and you have to shave your body every day Those are as fast or faster than any pro, so I have doubts they are correct.
Anyway here is a good drill to key your brain on weight shift. Place a ball on the outside of your right foot. This will prevent you from shifting the weight to the outside and key your brain to push off on the down swing.
My honest thought is you are swinging to hard and need to slow down with some rythym and caidance to your swing. You cannot shoot a B-Ball without weight shift, same goes for golf.
I played baseball for 16 years so I've developed the necessary muscles for generating pretty high swing speeds. A baseball bat is a pretty heavy object and is a lot tougher to swing than a nice aerodynamic driver. That said, I have terrible form and generate most of my power by rotating my torso.
The stats could be wrong, but my numbers were considerably higher than the rest of the guys using the same monitor
I played baseball for 16 years so I've developed the necessary muscles for generating pretty high swing speeds. A baseball bat is a pretty heavy object and is a lot tougher to swing than a nice aerodynamic driver. That said, I have terrible form and generate most of my power by rotating my torso.
The stats could be wrong, but my numbers were considerably higher than the rest of the guys using the same monitor
My guess is you were a pullhitter who swung for power correct? With that type of swing, you are probably initiating your downswing incorrectly. One of the common terms in the downswing is "leading with the left". That means that it should feel like the left shoulder and forearm are "pulling" the clubhead through the impact zone. When this is done properly, the club will stay on plane and you won't "come over the top.
One drill to help with this is to set something, like a tee, about 1-1.5" past the ball, just outside the line of flight. Then, when coming through the impact zone, you want the clubhead to go towards that tee. This will promote an inside-outside swing.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you have the proper size grip, which you should have a clubfitter look at and decide. Smaller grips make it easier for the forearms/wrists/hands to become too "active" and over-rotate, causing a closed clubface at impact.
But, I would consider you luckier than most ex-baseball players. They tend to hit high week fades, because they keep all the weight on their rightside and spin around the right foot.
Mr. Putz the monitor indeed might be right, but I played a lot of baseball myself, only 6-years, but the golf swing is not all that different. Basically a baseball swing with a narrower stance, modified grip with the axis tilted. Otherwise the mechanics are the same in wrist cock, release and weight transfer.
What I doubt is the advice of the guy taking the measurement because if you are getting that kind of swing speed, there has to be weight shift at some point.
My gut feeling is your tempo is very fast and you might benefit slowing down a bit so you can fell the rhythm, weight shift, and cadence.
Aside form the previous golf ball drill, you can work on the rhythm and balance by two other drills.
One hit balls with your feet together until you can smack them long and straight without loosing your balance. This will slow you down and allow you to feel the timing.
The other may sound strange but works great. Take a normal stance and setup. Then pull your right foot behind you with foot resting on your right toe. Then swing away until you can hit nice long draws without loosing balance. Guaranteed to finish on your left side or you will fall on your face. Sounds strange, but is very effective for weight shift, swing plane, release, timing, and balance not to mention getting rid of a slice. Believe it or not you can take it to the course and play with it. In my early days it was my go to shot when the swing fell apart. You will find you can hit the ball just as far and even further with it, especially if you hit a fade or slice.
Without reading everyone else's solutions, I'll tell you what I did to fix the problem in myself. I used to do the same thing. It was even present in my irons at times.
#1. Weaken your grip. I bet my wallet it's too strong.
#2. Make practice swings picking your left foot up on the way back and then picking your right foot up off the ground on the way past impact. Practice swings, mind you. When you're on your left side, make sure your practice swing has a high, full finish.
#3. Stop trying to muscle the ball with your arms. You can swing fast without swinging hard.
I'd go further into it but nobody likes long posts...
I disagree it is not totally like a baseball swing. I played baseball then softball for many years and was a power hitter. One of the ways to increase power is baseball/softball besides the legs and hips is to snap your wrists using a lot of top hand (right hand for a right hand hitter). In golf the right has to delay longer . If I try to hit a home run with a driver using my old baseball swing I will show one heck of a hook.
Re: the swing similarities. Baseball swings are initiated by rabid rotation of the hips and the last thing you want to do is tor turn your wrists over
I do have some people to thank this afternoon though. I played a round this morning and there was a night/day difference in my drives. I opened up the club face.....a lot, and tried and inside out swing. I was actually gripping the club between 2:00 and 3:00 o'clock, if you consider the grip guide the 12:00 marker. That alone didn't solve my woes so I used hackblack's tip and visualized a tee 1.5 inch and tried the inside out swing with great success.
Long story short, I only screwed up 3 drives and the rest were pure screamers right down the middle, on of them just over 300 yards. One over-exaggerated inside out swing caused me to nail the side of somebody's house, but it was a really long drive
I'm going to work on the rest of the exercises and tips provided in this thread in the next few days and try it all out again on the course. Thanks again to all of the helpful tips