I experimented yesterday with the driver. Tried to make a no-ball swing with maxed out swing speed. I got to a point where I got a really good swoosh over the tee.
This may sound really crazy, but the problem is:
Once I put a ball on that tee it becomes a different story. I try to ClearKey myself away from that impact thing, but I just can't get away from the thought. For some reason when I see the ball there it is as if hitting it with that no-ball swingspeed would hurt my hands - or whatever. The Computer does not want to go at it that hard & this does not allow that swingspeed. Or: The Computer is so concerned about hitting the ball it does not take the risk of that high swingspeed.
I just can's swing at the ball at the swing speed I am capable of generating.
Anyone with a similar story and solutions? Hit blindfolded?
Definitely. If the ball is in front of me, it means there will be consequences from the swing. Beyond the practice, dowels, impact bag, geometry and physics is the human factor. The art of the swing. The act of faith in my swing. I no longer underestimate the power of commitment. You really must do, not try. I have had too many "steering" days of weak shots.
BTW, I have a wierd thing that goes on. If you take the target away from me, my swing goes to crap. I am occasioned to visit the local clubmaker for shaft or club adjustments. Whatever we are doing has to be accomplished in about 20 swings. I can't hit a ball off of a mat into a net. The more I do it, the worse my ball striking gets. Go figure.
Thanks. I had a very similar expericene at a clubfitters - hitting balls into a net 10 ft in front of me. Hard to make good swings. Guess the computer sais: RICOCHET.
Excuse me if this sounds weird, but I'll keep going:
I have probably never hit the ball at more than 105 or so, but I can get the swingspeed well past 105 if there is no ball.
So I wonder:
Is anoyone here able to describe the difference in hands feel of impact when you hit it @ 115 and up as opposed to 100.
If there is a difference: Has anyone worked on educating the hands to teach them not to be "afraid" of what a harder impact feels like, or did you just develop confidence step by step.
I have the same "malfunction". I can make seemingly perfect practice swings then get over the ball and suffer from what I will call "impact blackout". I have heard the term downswing blackout, but I think it is the concious and/or subconcious distraction of impact that is the source of the maledy.
My guess is that this is a fairly common thing that only gets worked out with practice and confidence in ones swing (or maybe we start swinging blindfolded?.....lol)
In my case it is not really experiece an impact blackout - even though it might be - , but rather a unconcious lowering of the swing speed when there is an actual ball to be hit.
I use that geared-down swing speed for normal practice swings.
But I'd like to try that "maxed out while still in balance" swing speed when going at a ball. At least on the driving range....
How do you guy's impact alignments look on camera WITHOUT a ball?
I once did an experiment with people hitting different size balls. With very BIG size balls... most of the people can do almost anything they want. As the balls got smaller, they had more problems, but some could do better with a ball they knew was not real, like a nerf ball of regulation size.
People seem to know when it really counts!!!
I knew a guy that had the reverse clubhead problem... with no ball, only around 87 m.p.h., with a ball, 115. He could hit hit about 300 back in 1994 or '95 with the equipment of that time.
Maybe if you use the aiming point procedure that moves with the different clubs (i.e. few inches in front of the ball for a wedge to a few inches aft of the ball for the driver) then just look at the aiming point with both your practice swing and your actual. That way nothing changes between your practice swing and your actual swing. And the only time you would be looking at the ball is about your 5-6 irons.
I knew a guy that had the reverse clubhead problem... with no ball, only around 87 m.p.h., with a ball, 115. He could hit hit about 300 back in 1994 or '95 with the equipment of that time.
Bingo, that's me.
No ball, 95-98 MAYBE. Put a ball down and i'm in the 105-110 range.
Also, for some reason almost 99% of people that my clubfitter fits, swings SLOWER into a net when they can't see the ball "going." When i was at my fitter, i was like 100 in the net.
Went out to the range with the Vector and boom, 105-110.
__________________
I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
It's easy to stay in good Rhythm (sequence) when there's nothing to actually hit. You have to get comfortable enough to be able to make the same swing when the ball is there...w/o ANY (even small) amount of "rushing the hit"...
...just a pure stroke "through" the ball...not "at" it.
Down and through low point....
Easier said than done tho right?
I think you have to have a certain freedom and comfort level in your swing.
What does Homer say? "Positive and heavy" or something like that?
I have recorded 123 mph as my best w/o a ball...but who knows where the hell that "ball" woulda went...I get around 115 when really hitting a golf ball- last time I checked.
I'd hazard a guess that w/o a ball one can swing away without worriying abut clubface orientation. Perhaps when the ball is presnt your subconsciuos knows that those all out swings were not delivering the clubface squarely and throttles you back.
Oh to learn like a child again and not be so concerned about where the ball goes. Is this why children tend to end up with such strong grips?
Linear Mode
