I too was like you (20 plus years) of slices, and no divot. Fixed both in about a month of hitting chips and pitches, working on impact bag, dowels, flashlights, and tennis racquets (search on this site for how to do drills).
Keys for me were getting a true neutral grip, setting flying wedges, and aiming point with hands.
I've also just been getting started - spent a few nights up till the wee hours reading the book and the archives, watching videos, etc.
The only not at home practice I've been trying to do the last few days is get in a bunker and hit small chips while trying to hit the ball first and then take a divot. At first it was extremely frustrating because I couldn't make clean contact for many many hours. It's amazing how impossible it felt at first.
I think I've tracked it down to a flaw in my pivot - my hips were rotating by my right hip coming forward causing my right arm to get closer to the ball and leading to a super fat shot. Things have vastly improved when I work on getting my left knee straight and making sure I preserve the angle in my left hip socket - it leads me to pivot by pulling my left hip back. After this - I've been able to finally hit down with some precision and I've been making much better contact. I think the bad pivot was caused by a subconscious desire to hit up on the ball.
I've seen Ben Doyle's bunker lesson without the ball but I think there might also be a lot of advantages to chipping with a ball: You can easily see the divot and if you hit it fat you'll know for sure. I've chipped many times on a carpet or grass and you can fool yourself into thinking you're chipping it well because it's so forgiving. I hope there are no downsides to this practice routine.
I just wanted to welcome these new guys, though I'm still pretty new as well. Keep up the work and soon things will start to click. First one ball, then two, then a dozen. Dowels, the videos here and Manzella's are great resources.
Like Ted said....maintain Lag Pressure on the back of the shaft.....enough pressure and the clubhead won't take over so early.....(and if you get good at it....you will be able to make swings without it ever "taking over"...i.e. the LWrist NEVER Bends...I can hold it throughout the entire swing).
Takes practice.
Last edited by birdie_man : 03-03-2006 at 03:38 PM.
One thing I love about being a member here (and why I will buy whatever Yoda ever sells) is the open attitude toward all who seek help.
I am a member at all the current TGM sites (don't bother with GEA) and this site never shuts down a recommendation even if it is to visit another site. Everyone here is ALWAYS encouraging and helpful. It is a sure sign the administrators here are straight shooters who are trying to help.
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Kevin
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Thomas Edison knew 1800 ways not to build a light bulb.
Welcome to a fascinating lifelong quest !
Advise to the housebound snowbirds. Dig below the snow and get several handfuls of grass clippings. Place these on a mat or carpet sample and practise with a downward motion of a wedge scrubbing each tiny blade off over and over ad nauseum. Remember repetition is the mother of learning and come golf season that ball will loom very large and easy to compress !
Another great drill, weather permitting, is to go out in your backyard or field with your wedge and whack some weeds.
Remember, they are your enemy-so be sure to hit down to the roots to extract them totally. Great excercise, better than beating a tire carcass, impact bag or your dog.
Happy weed whacking-
See you on the course
Hybrid Mode
