A confession, a commitment and a mission

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macduffer

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Dear all -

I have visited this site, on and off, for several years. In that time, my handicap has largely stagnated around 10.

I know why this is.

I, Macduffer, confess to trying too many methods/seeing too many teachers seeking enlightenment/a quick fix. It does not work.

I have tried 'morad' (a version thereof anyway), stack and tilt and one or 2 other things I'd rather not mention. I have wasted hundreds of pounds of money and hundreds of hours of effort, hitting in the process some shots I'd have disowned as an 18 handicapper.

I'm not a better golfer as a result, although I know know much more about the swing.

I spent an hour hitting balls today and was virtually in tears at the end of it. I'm a decent athlete, I work hard, and I hit crap shot after crap shot.

So I am now on a final mission to improve my golf. I am going to find a method, possibly a teacher, and stick with it. That is my commitment.

I'd love a swing like Payne Stewart, but I will settle for one which gives consistent ball first contact, consistent curvature, and reasonable power.

As for the starting point, I suspect NHA.

If this endeavour is ultimately unsuccessful I think a new hobby is likely. Perhaps I'll get back into cricket.

I'll evaluate how I'm doing in 3 months time, here on the board.

Any advice welcomed.
 
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macduffer

New
Having abandoned morad, and now 'just swinging it', I hit too many fat, and 70% go left. I probably hit the driver better than a 7 iron. Trajectory tends to be high and weak, though tbh it can be almost anything.

Can hit 30-80 yd pitch shot rather well, holding my wrists and just turning through it.
 
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holeout

New
macduffer said:
Having abandoned morad, and now 'just swinging it', I hit too many fat, and 70% go left. I probably hit the driver better than a 7 iron. Trajectory tends to be high and weak, though tbh it can be almost anything.

Can hit 30-80 yd pitch shot rather well, holding my wrists and just turning through it.
Click to expand...

Any curve on the left ones? Or do they just fly dead straight left? Do you have an easier time hitting it left to right or right to left?

Sorry for all the questions, but with no video it's tough.
 
natep

natep

New
If you like Payne's swing, study all the video you can get of him. Compare every element of his swing to yours. Since you say you have a decent understanding of the golf swing now, analyze his motion and try to incorporate the best elements of his swing into your own swing.

I'm not an instructor, but in my opinion everyone should try to make the most athletic, powerful swing they can, then dial it back a bit until you have it under control. If you like Payne's swing, aim high and try to learn it. Don't just settle for some mediocre pattern based on decent contact, decent curvature and reasonable power.

Just my $0.02

Good Luck!

EDIT: I love Payne's swing and am trying to swing like that myself, so I'm biased.
 
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macduffer

New
left-left, typically. Struggle to hit a fade with anything but a driver.

Will try and get some video at some point (though am a bit wary after what happened last time)
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

New
Decide based on principles, judge based on results.

Fix ur path macduff. NHA type components...

(path more out to in)

What components affect the clubhead path in what way?

"X adds some in to out..."

"X adds some out to in..."

Post your swing md! If anyone gets mean they can "take a hike." (per-se, at least)
 
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macduffer

New
Once I've put in a bit of time I'll post a swing.

Maybe the history what's happened with my swing might help. I always used to take the club well inside, get into the classic OTT position, start OTT then hump the goat/drop my right shoulder to get back to the ball.

I now take it back ok, get to the top ok, albeit with a bowed left wrist and slightly shut face, which for some reason increases in the transition, then still fight the tilting shoulders on the way down.
 
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Jared Willerson

Super Moderator
Sound like maybe a touch of a flip hooker, in that case, start with Never Slice Again.

As for recommended reading. the Sergio Garcia and the Tumble thread probably has some of the best information along with Brians VSP video on YouTube.

NHA is great, but I think too many people think because they hit pulls and pullhooks left they need NHA. I really think NSA with less twistaway is a great pattern for more advanced frustrated players wanting to start at ground zero.
 
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spktho

New
glcoach said:
Sound like maybe a touch of a flip hooker, in that case, start with Never Slice Again.

As for recommended reading. the Sergio Garcia and the Tumble thread probably has some of the best information along with Brians VSP video on YouTube.

NHA is great, but I think too many people think because they hit pulls and pullhooks left they need NHA. I really think NSA with less twistaway is a great pattern for more advanced frustrated players wanting to start at ground zero.
Click to expand...

I for one keep going back to the NSA pattern. I do need to change some things when I get the lefts with it--really have to work at getting "the tailbone in front of the neck bone" at impact--, but hit the ball much more solid with that pattern.
 
RIduffer

RIduffer

New
Macduffer, I wish you the best. I am stuck in the same 10-hcp golf purgatory, trying all sorts of quick-fixes. It's admirable that you are honest about your struggles. I hope you find a way to enjoy the game again.
 
natep

natep

New
glcoach said:
Sound like maybe a touch of a flip hooker, in that case, start with Never Slice Again.

As for recommended reading. the Sergio Garcia and the Tumble thread probably has some of the best information along with Brians VSP video on YouTube.

NHA is great, but I think too many people think because they hit pulls and pullhooks left they need NHA. I really think NSA with less twistaway is a great pattern for more advanced frustrated players wanting to start at ground zero.
Click to expand...

This refers to me. I dont really hit slices but when I make a bad swing it's a pull draw/fade/hook. Normal shots are straight with a possible slight tail. I was frustrated with the pull hooks and bought the NHA video. My swing is already on that side of spectrum, so to speak.

I think I should invest in the NSA. It seems like there's so much good info that gets referenced from that video, and it would give me a better understanding of the other side of the "spectrum".
 
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wulsy

New
I wish you all the best macduffer. You have reached the point where things can get better. Your analysis of what got to this point is probably spot on. Give up on all this method BS and get back to basics, maybe try to hit good quality short shorts with a solid movement, NOT with some kind of "all body no arms/wrists" adjusted swing. Ideally under the supervision of a good golf teacher.

It is so so difficult to find a good golf teacher. They are few and far between and really hard to identify. Most good teachers are very full of themselves, and some can come across as uncompomising. They often possess a quality of being confusingly likeable yet unlikebale at the same time. They think they know it all and give you the impression that you know f-all in the initial stages. Contradict a lot of what you say, and a lot of what you've heard and read because if its not in tune with their deep understanding of the reality of the golf swing. In the initial stages of the first lesson you may feel like telling them to forget it. But these are the kind of personalities that you need if you want to get out of the rut. Take one lesson from a few different guys and then make your decison about who to stick with. BTW, he will NOT be a method teacher, but will know about the good and bad of a lot of the methods.
 
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Lindsey Newman

New
Whatever you do, make sure you focus in controlling low point. I know it's not popular to talk forward lean (handle/shaft not spine) anymore, but nothing is more important. You can have great path and face control, but if your hitting it fat/left it will never matter.
 
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