Slicing the driver - standing too close?

[DStar]

I've developed a tendency to slice my driver at the moment and it's really bugging me. I was having some practice with my set-up last night and noticed I feel like I'm standing too close to the ball..

Could this be part of the problem? I guess by being too close I'm adjusting my swing path to get the club back to the ball..

I know practice is the way forward (and I'll be working on that) but just wondering if anyone had been doing a similar thing and found a little more distance helped.

 

Steve

 

[GolfSpy_APH]

50 minutes ago, DStar said:

I've developed a tendency to slice my driver at the moment and it's really bugging me. I was having some practice with my set-up last night and noticed I feel like I'm standing too close to the ball..

Could this be part of the problem? I guess by being too close I'm adjusting my swing path to get the club back to the ball..

I know practice is the way forward (and I'll be working on that) but just wondering if anyone had been doing a similar thing and found a little more distance helped.

 

Steve

 

Able to post a video?

Of course it could be a problem and may cause you to get steeper and more over the top with your swing, however I am no pro. That is just my brief thinking of how if I stood too close what would happen. I also think balance plays a part. For me if I am too close or far I find the weight in my feet go too heel and toe side and cause strike inconsistencies. 

[DStar]

I'll try and do a video later 

[DStar]

OK, here's a quick video of my driver swing..any tips gratefully received  

 

 

[MattF]

You're standing on the wrong side of the ball!!

Now that that's out of the way, have you played around with ball position and stance? From the video I can't tell if you have a bit of a closed stance, but if you don't, have you tried closing it a bit?

[DStar]

I'll get a couple of better videos this afternoon, from back & side on. After looking at this it's not the best one..

[EasyPutter]

Like Matt I am no Pro but this is what a PGA Pro had me try and what I try to practice with every time I tee up a ball.  It is to slow down the backswing (think deliberate) with the trailing foot (for you is left) back a few cm from the direct line to the intended target, and the swing path is more in to out that when done right will induce a bit of a draw.  Once the ball is away, hands end up high and more out than over the shoulder. WHEN I can do it right the ball flies much better than when I don't.

Nice how your swing is just low enough to clip the tee out of the ground sending it forward.

[RickyBobby_PR]

First off without a ball a swing doesn’t really matter because our brain reacts differently when there is a ball there. No instructor wants to see a swing that doesn’t hit a ball.

With that said your problem starts with an improper setup. Your shoulders, hips and knees aren’t square to each other. This will lead to and improper takeaway which you have by rolling the club open in the takeaway and getting your right arm on top of the left when it should be the opposite.

It’s all compensations in the swing from here. You fire the hips open which is incorrect and one of those thoughts in golf that needs to go away. This causes you to be steep. Based on what I see you are probably hitting the ball off the heel which is going to add movement that is fade to slice biased. You are also losing control of the club by losing your grip on your left hand

Some options. Go find a pro in person or online to take lessons from. Use amg videos for setup, grip, takeaway and backswing or Chris Ryan’s beginner series. Buy Monte Scheinblums grip and setup then either efficient swing or no turn cast. Join Milo lines academy which has a monthly subscription or a yearly one. It offers courses on building the swing and comes with monthly swing evaluations from Milo or one of his 3 coaches.

[MacTourney]

Pretty good overall summary by RB, but I would prioritize getting hands-on lessons first as there are several pre-swing issues that should be addressed like posture, weight distribution, walk in, grip, ball placement, etc.  For instance, and something many overlook, when your feet were together you moved the trail foot and weight backward and unless you know what you're doing that's usually a mistake because the hands-shaft-face went along for the ride and changed everything about its set up orientation.  

Pre-swing is so important it frees up most everything else so eventually you'll find and sense speed is something that comes from within the system, not something to put into the system. 

By the way, it looks like you sliced the tee too.  
 

Edited October 28, 2022 by MacTourney

[DStar]

Here's the rear & side views with a ball

I need to work on this over the winter as it has the capacity to ruin my round.

Irons are generally much better and controlled.

 

 

 

I'll be booking in with the pro to go over it but just thought I'd get some tips to work on to remove any really obvious issues.

Appreciate the input guys

[tony@CIC]

 

@MattF, write this 100 times on the blackboard: "He's standing on the RIGHT side of the ball" 

[Muckinfiddle]

Well, I am not a fan of the right arm bending like it does, but my 2 quid may go with tempo. Looks like you are starting your forward swing before getting set. I assume you are used to playing this swing but mechanics wise there is a lot to be desired. I would narrow the stance a bit as well.

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, DStar said:

Here's the rear & side views with a ball

I need to work on this over the winter as it has the capacity to ruin my round.

Irons are generally much better and controlled.

 

 

I'll be booking in with the pro to go over it but just thought I'd get some tips to work on to remove any really obvious issues.

Appreciate the input guys

The fundamentals of grip, posture, setup are all missing here. Your right hand is super weak, left hand super strong. As mentioned earlier your setup isn’t a square body and your posture will promote incorrect swing motion.

Until those are fixed looking at anything else in the swing or the results from it aren’t worth addressing because they are all symptoms and not causes.

If you are planning to see an instructor then do that and let him/her work on these things

[DStar]

I'll go back to basics to get the set up right. 

Now you say about my feet/body/shoulders I can see it's miles off but I've obviously got used to it as off feels normal - square does not. 

Practice ground here we come

[Shapotomous]

Setup & grip!!  And by setup i include alignment and posture.  Start with getting those right and see what the effect is on the rest of your swing.  Next thing after setup and grip is proper takeaway.  

If you get the setup and backswing mostly correct the downswing is easy!!  Just Kidding....it may be easy sometimes but its golf so the easy doesnt last! 

[RickyBobby_PR]

28 minutes ago, DStar said:

I'll go back to basics to get the set up right. 

Now you say about my feet/body/shoulders I can see it's miles off but I've obviously got used to it as off feels normal - square does not. 

Practice ground here we come

If anything in good feels normal it’s usually wrong. It will take time for what’s uncomfortable and correct to set in. 

[DStar]

1st session on the practice ground. 

Trying to concentrate on having stronger right hand, better shoulder alignment, slightly narrower stance. 

Feels weird but better results.