I hit a "power fade" and i'm trying to straighten it out but can't seem to figure out what i do wrong?

Question

i have made some changes to my swing when i can i'll post my swing to yahoo answers but until then can someone help me figure out what i could be doing. i swing very hard and have a stiff flex shaft on my taylor made burner and i hit my irons straight but nothing else. i swing my burner at around 110 or higher mph. i do tend to push the ball. sometimes i aim well left and i'll still push it and slice it. i have a considerably smooth swing but i do jerk the club at the beginning of my back swing, and i swing for the most part have a natural fade and when i want i can hit a draw but i'm going to be playing for my golf team this year. i hit my drives for the most part about 270-300 yards. i just wanted to know why i push the ball even though i aim well left? and what i can do to straighten out my drive for more consistency? please help me i need it

Answer 1

Without seeing your swing it is tough to say what it is, however here are some drills that may help you:

1. Tee a ball 1/4 of an inch off the ground. Place a 2x4 next to the ball (3 inches away.) Take 2 clubs (3 and 4 iron), and aim them at the target on the ground for a reference. Have the 2x4 touch the tip closest to the club next to the ball and the other end 3 inches in from the grip.

Swing away with a 7 iron without hitting the wood.

Why: a common cause to the slice or power fade is the outside to in swing pattern. Should you swing inside to out on this drill, you will hit the 2x4. Your divot should face the target.

This should be  a good start to make sure your swing plane is correct.

Also, this should add another 5-10 yards to your drive due to closing out the club face. When you slice, the club face is open causing the loft to be open. By closing the face, your get more distance

Jordan

Answer 2

First, aiming left is the worst fix for a power fade. Your body wants to maintain a straight swing path and ball flight. When aiming left your body compensates by releasing late, causing a ball flight that looks like pull fade or a pull slice. This has a very distinct feel and will not be a far drive. A push means you have an inside to out swing path, instead of following through to your target you swing to the right. I have two drills. One you aim at a target on the range with your driver. Line up your feet to the target with another club and place a string just inside your swing path aimed at the target. Take your club back and through on this line at normal. At first don't follow the line use your natural swing. You should see the club path is inside to out. The other drill is the pitching wedge drill. Switch between a pitching wedge and a driver every shot try the same slower swing speed of the pitching wedge with the driver. This allows your body to feel the natural swing path and release. Don't worry about distance here. When you are hitting the ball straight consistently either slowly speed up the swing speed every shot  or alternate with every iron's swing speed until you reach your highest iron. Also swinging a fast driver isn't always necessary. A slow speed swing with a regular shaft is a better option than your current swing because it is more consistent. I swing under 100mph and still reach 300yard drives. Remember let the club do the work, you don't hit the ball, you swing and the ball gets in the way.

Answer 3

When you aim left you actually slice the ball more. Try closing everything (Shoulder, Feet, Waist) at address and maybe swing a little easier. I had a huge slice and i was overswinging.

Answer 4

One of the least discussed but most important elements of the full swing is balance. Not only is a balanced swing nice to look at, it's critical to good ball striking.

Good balance starts from the ground up. Your weight should be evenly distributed on the balls of your feet at address, your knees slightly flexed and upper body bent from the hips. That solid, athletic posture is the key to an "in-balance'' swing. At times I've had slightly too much weight on my heels, which put me out of balance and produced errant tee shots. The correction for me was to stand a little straighter. Better posture made it appear that I was standing a little closer to the ball.

Over-swinging is the opposite of balance. It can throw off your timing, compromise your posture, and make it almost certain that the ball won't end up where you planned. If your driving is erratic, chances are your balance is off, too. Try swinging at no more than 80 percent.

Answer 5

A Power fade is usually the result of slow hand release.....generally caused by swinging faster than you can release....You can slow your swing down just a bit and see if that works for you.

Answer 6

When you aim a lot left, your body naturally compensates by not letting your hands release.  My advise would be to book in a lesson with a golf pro and let them sort you out, as we cannot really give you the exact information that you need over the internet.

Good luck!