FORE! (If you yell this a lot, try a lesson!) Can you hit this thing right every time?

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Questions & Answers
Responses from PGA/LPGA Teachers on FINDaLESSON.com                                                                                  << BACK
From Neil, golfer:
Hi, I'm a 7 eager to lose those last strokes off my handicap. I've taught myself to play golf with decent results. It seems that isn't quite enough anymore. My main problem is, my misses are consistently hooks or toe balls. I'll find a cure for that by reading tips on-line or through instruction booklets. But, as soon as I fix that problem, another one arrives...i.e scull every now and then, a heel shot or push. I get frustrated and resort to my old swing, producing yet again a hook or toe ball. My swing feels a little off balance, not real tight, a lot a moving parts, which contributes to my inconsistency. Any advice on building a consistent golf swing and balance? My handicap thanks you!
PGA/LPGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES:
Florida
"Dear Neil: I recommend that you get the engine of your swing working up to par (condition your body how to rotate back and thru better). To do this put your golf club perpendicular to your spine, take your golf set up, look in the mirror go back and forth and see and feel that the club goes back and forth in one straight line (plane), gradually build up the speed from 10%to 25,50,75and then as fast as you can 100% if you don't stay in balance put your body in a balanced finish and repeat this exercise A LOT." 
- Sean Gorgone, Teaching Professional
Florida
"Neil, the answer to your dilemma is in your question; balance!  If you start your swing even slightly out of balance, the club is not going to be returned to the hitting area very consistently.  If you are unable to open the attachment I've included, find back issues of Golf Digest and look for the sequential photos of the pros. From the perspective of behind and on the target line you'll see that they bend from the hips to reach the ball, their knees are just slightly bent and they play the ball far enough from them to allow the arms to hang pretty much straight down from the shoulders. This position also lets them find the balls of their feet for optimum dynamic balance. You'll find that if you copy this profile and learn how to put yourself in it on every shot, you'll be much more consistent. Good luck Neil and keep swinging!" 
- John Brott, Teaching Professional
Hawaii
"Hi Neil, you said it, "too many moving parts". An easy way to correct this problem is to shorten your back swing. A good drill for this is the impact drill, more commonly known as hitting knockdown shots. It certainly sounds to me like you are working too hard out there which means swinging too hard.
When we swing too hard very often we alter our swing plane. This will produce those heel and toe shot that it seems have thwarted your ability to reduce that handicap. Do yourself a favor and groove a swing plane and let power sit in the back seat, for now." - A.J. Molitor, Teaching Professional
Michigan
"I guess the first question would be how often do you practice or play? A focused practice routine utilizing specific drills for the purpose of developing a repeatable and efficient swing. I would have to say your swing plane is a little askew for you to be hitting severe hooks and slices so that should be addressed too.  It sounds like you are doing several things right as well so keep up the good work."
- Shaun Bezilla, Teaching Professional
Minnesota
"I would have the lie angles on your irons checked. It sounds as though they are too upright."
- Jim Manthis, Teaching Professional
Nevada
"Those last strokes are what the pros always struggle with. You are not alone and will not be! Playing to a 7 is "decent results." To progress certainly beyond a minus 7, you must find a very capable teaching professional to render some assistance. It will be tangible hard work losing those seven or any part of those strokes. No magic. Just smart hard work at the basics! Until you 'master the basics', you will not lose the seven! You cannot progress without removing such errors. Have you really found a cure by these media? I doubt it as you are telling me they seem to reappear without notice! You may indeed find a cheap cure, but spend some time with a teacher and you will for sure. I know you are capable but I would not put my money on your chances alone! You can tinker randomly, but you will pay for that approach for the rest of your golf career! This is classic inconsistency! Inconsistency is a common experience. You are not alone! A sound golf swing is made with balance and no other way! Balance is the direct results of sound mechanics and a good set-up! It will not likely improve from where it is right now until your knowledge and skills get simplified and more solid as well. This is the real world! Best of luck to you." - Karl Fischer, Teaching Professional
North Carolina
"It sounds like you are a very handsy player. With the shots you are hitting you are letting your hands maneuver the golf club and letting your body get to far in front of the shot. I would work on trying to make a better turn with the shoulders to start the club back and work on starting your downswing with the legs. This will let the big muscles work in the swing and provide a more on plane golf swing. Let your body square the club up at impact, not your hands. At address I would set more weight in my right leg, (60/40) ratio. This will allow for a better turn into the back swing and as you come through keep your head behind the shot as this will allow your arms to swing around to the left more freely. As for your balance, it sounds like to much weight out on your toes. Try to set your weight more underneath your shoelaces. Try this drill. Make your swing back up to the top and then have a friend walk behind you and try to push you over. See what happens. Work on set up and balance and a lot of things will fall into place. Good Luck." - Ben Hynson, Teaching Professional
Pennsylvania
"Mr. Warren : Call 1-888-884-4653, ask for Walter, and tell Walter you want to order a Weight Shift Monitor and a Power Click and tell him Dave Snyder told you to call him. After working w/ those two devices for a short time, your swing will feel entirely different, and the toe hook shots will be gone. I guarantee it." - Dave Snyder, Teaching Professional
Texas
"I can't see you, so can't offer a blanket fix. However, one suggestion is to practice with a glove under your left arm, with 3/4 to full swings with an 8 or 9 iron for a while. This will tighten your swing by keeping the small muscles working with the big muscles. Sounds like when you try to change, you manipulate the club too much with your hands. If you are otherwise a toe job guy, you may have your shoulders aligned too far left at address. Check it out." - Kim J. Brown, Teaching Professional
Texas
"How every golf shot starts is according to the path that the club head swings on. The path is controlled by posture and alignment. How every shot then curves is according to the clubface at impact this is controlled by your hands. I want you to hit perfectly straight shots. Practice with irons on the range and try to hit the shot where the divot points exactly to the target-proof of path, and the front of the divot is perfectly straight across-proof of clubface. Then you know what to work on. It sounds like the only reason you are manipulating the hands is because of an inside out path. Try for a perfect path so you can let the hands do what they are supposed to do. Nothing but hold the club." 
- Dave Baron, Teaching Professional