Any golf pros wanna help out a n00b?

Hey

so after spending a few weeks (I go about 3 or 4 times a month) at the driving range, I felt confident enough to try out the par 3 course today. I kept running into the same problem with my 3 iron...my swing is pretty good...on the driving range the shots were going perfectly straight no matter what club I used (ranged from 1 wood to various irons), rare slice/hook, but generally ok. So whenever I hit the ball with the face square the ball always goes off to the right...note it doesn't curl in the air at all...just goes straight, but to the right. So I close the face a little bit and it slices...I understand why that happens, but what the hell? Eventually I just aimed to the left of my target, but there's too much guess work involved with that...I'd much rather hit a straight shot.

I'll also point out that I'm self taught...which is why I've been at the driving range so often. I understand this is generally a problem (yea, it sucks to have to figure out what's wrong by yourself, but it's worked so far).

Sorry, long post, but anyone have any tips? I know it's hard to say without seeing my swing but maybe it's a common mistake?

I am already confused by what you are saying here. You said you hit the shots straight no matter what club you used except 3 iron? I hardly ever used 3 iron for par 3 hole (it gotta be one wicked long par 3).

Anyway there are many reasons why slice occurs. Like your stance, your grip, your impact, etc. Try half swing first and troubleshoot step by step but seriously get a pro lesson--good one helps a lot.

can't afford pro lesson =\\. I'll probably get one sometime in the future when I can, but for now I'm stuck with myself.


What I'm saying is this: On the driving range, my shots were going straight with the 3 iron, no matter whether I used a tee or not. As soon as I hit the course, shots started going off to the right as if I was aiming that way, when in reality, I was aiming AT my target. Also, the holes were quite short, so the 3 iron sufficed, distance wise. I also had with me a 9 iron and my shots were perfectly fine with that (mostly out of the rough , but even on the fairway)

If you're absolutely certain that the club face was square at impact, then the next thing to consider is your lie angle, check your lie angle prior to your shot and see if it's too flat, thus, causing it to go right. That's my take.

You say the ball goes straight right on contact? You might be shanking the ball. What that means is you're hitting the ball with the hosel, not the club face.

There's a link to my golf forum in my signature. Shanks are a common problem. I've even seen Tiger Woods do it in competition. Do a search there and you'll find a lot of tips on correcting it.

The direction of your ballflight is a function of swing path and face angle. If the ball is starting right of your target, your swing path is moving in-to-out with your club face square to the path. This is assuming your hitting in near the center of the clubface and the ball is getting in the air. The shot your hitting is called a push.

The easiest thing to tell you to do is check your alignment before every shot on the range before you go out. Put two clubs down parallel to your target line with the ball in between, and line up with your feet parallel to the clubs. It's possible you just think your hitting them straight on the range, but you don't really have an idea of where your aiming.

oh jeez...I totally forgot about golf rewind...I'm pretty sure I'm a member there too. Hah thanks, though, I'll take my problems there.

If your shots are going straight on the range, but sideways on the course, you're too nervous. On the range, everyone is more comfortable than on the tee-box. You tighten up, and presto! You slide your hips too much or your arms drift away from your body and the ball heads right.

A common issue that comes up is: the target. A lot of people bang away on the range without a target for their shot. But, on the course, you always have a target. At the range: start picking a target and aim for it - that helps you simulate the actual conditions on the course. And speaking of simulating conditions, treat each practice ball as a shot on the course. Tee shot. Approach shot. Too many people get an XL bucket and rake one ball after another and bang away. That's corporal punishment, not practice.

Get a small bucket. Place it behind your club bag. Take each ball form the bucket and place it on the ground, then prepare your shot. That's practice.

Compensate by turning 30 degrees to the left

What kind of clubs are you using?

Ben Hogan's book:

Great at explaining why and how a golf swing works.
Helped me when I was doing my own troubleshooting.

Originally Posted by Thomas

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Get a small bucket. Place it behind your club bag. Take each ball form the bucket and place it on the ground, then prepare your shot. That's practice.

I'll try that

Originally Posted by distinctive

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Compensate by turning 30 degrees to the left

What kind of clubs are you using?

My whole stance, or just the club face? I tried both...the former involves too much guess work (I'd rather hit a consistently straight shot, anyway) and the latter made me slice.

The clubs I'm using are really old hand me downs...probably close to 15 years old...by a company called Northwestern...I'm pretty sure they aren't very good, and like most clubs this old, they're very unforgiving. I figured that if I could learn with these, my form won't be tainted by clubs that allow you to make mistakes (does that make sense?). Plus they were free.

Originally Posted by designprofessor

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Ben Hogan's book:

Great at explaining why and how a golf swing works.
Helped me when I was doing my own troubleshooting.

Highly recommend that book. Gave it to a friend who was struggling with his game.

Originally Posted by migo

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The clubs I'm using are really old hand me downs...probably close to 15 years old...by a company called Northwestern...I'm pretty sure they aren't very good, and like most clubs this old, they're very unforgiving. I figured that if I could learn with these, my form won't be tainted by clubs that allow you to make mistakes (does that make sense?). Plus they were free.

Nothing wrong with free clubs, but sometimes poor-fitting clubs can do bad things to your swing. If you find a set that are a reasonable match for you (shaft flex/lie angle) then old-style blades can help your game. I spent a summer playing only odd-numbered blades and eventually got my score down to 80, although a large part of that is game management.

But, back to the blades - I used to wonder how much difference there is between cavity-backs and blades. So, I took three-irons of both styles to the range, and aimed at a green 200 yards away. With the modern club, I hit the green (on average) one in three times. With the blade - one in the whole bucket. And, my misses where a good bit worse.

So, if you come across a sweet deal on some old Pings or 845's you might pull the trigger on them. If they're right for you.

I'm sorry, I was kinda joking about the 30 degrees. Good clubs can make a good difference especially if the grooves on your irons have worn away. I'm not saying go buy some Callaway x-20s but maybe some cheap wilsons or tommy armours would do.

hmm...my clubs may be old, but they're in mint condition...i'm the first person to use them, and i've only been playing about 4 or 5 times a month for the last few months

I'll check out the book

Check your feet. I see people lining up wrong all the time. Get in your stance as if you're about to hit the ball, then put your golf club down at your toes of both feet. Step away and see if your feet were lined up parallel to the intended flight of the ball.

When you're at the range, it's easy to line up because of the mats. Out in the open, much harder, particularly with longer clubs. Another piece of advice, but the 3 iron away and get a 7 wood.