Scratch golfer --- needs help?

Question

I've just shaken the rust out after a long winter and have had a chance to play about 8 times so far this year... while by ball striking is generally quite good I've noticed a fault that's starting to creep in to my backswing.

I've noticed, especially with long irons/woods and the Driver, that my left fingers (right handed golfer) sort of uncoil a bit at the top of my backswing...during the transition I can feel the club readjust and the torsion feeling is a bit strange. It's almost like my fingers are unrolling... I suppose if you were to see it on video it would look like my fingers are rolling open exposing my palm. Has anyone ever heard of this? The effect is the orientation of the club is now different on the downswing.

My swing speed is quite high (carry a driver 260yds)...rolls out to about 280-290, and I hit a 9 iron from 150yds.

I play Callaway X forged irons with Project X 6.0 shafts, and my driver is a TaylorMade R7 Quad with a YSR XStiff shaft.

Answer 1

Since you are a scratch golfer, I assume you know a professional in your area.  It sounds to me that your grip might be a little weak but it's hard to tell without seeing it.  I would consult the pro at your local golf course.

Answer 2

Concentrate on the smooth backswing. You may be using a faster backswing which will have a tendency to pull the fingers off the grip. You will maintain a full grip with slow and smooth takeaway.

Answer 3

Ya man this happens alot when you are out of practice.  First there is one thing that you can do to avoid this during the winter, and that is to just practice swinging a little around the house every day or two.  Your muscles have memmory, so when you grip the club, your hands wont forget if you do it enough.

As for your problem at hand, The coin thing mentioned actually works pretty well.  Another thing that I have found to work is to actually stop yourself at the top of your backswing, check your hand position, and then continue your swing through.  I know it sounds weird and hard to do, but it seriously works on feel and on your timing as well.  This way you dont rush the swing, which actually might be your real problem with your hands moving.  You might be trying to reposition yourself to get the timing back that you once had.  This would only be due to rust, and should wear off soon if thats the case.

If these dont work for you, then contact your local instructor and he/she will help you out.  2 pair of eyes is always better than one.

P.S.  Nice clubs, I like the project X rifles.  Apparently money wasnt an issue with the Xforged huh.  I have the same driver, just a UST V2 Prototype.  Great feel and control.

Answer 4

Im a 4 handicap at the age of 14 and i had the same problem. I would suggest gripping it harder and slowing down your back swing. It should prevent it from slipping. Your clubs might have to be re gripped also. Otherwise its still early in the season.

Answer 5

Check your grip before you address the ball - if it is proper it shouldn't open up at the top of the swing.  Maybe shorten up the left thumb to get both hands working more together.  Grip lightly before taking the club back and your grip should naturally tighten a little as you go back.  Or perhaps you have just lost some flexibility over the winter and you are taking it back further than your stiff muscles will allow causing the grip to open at the top - don't go back so far.

Answer 6

It sounds like you are slightly casting the club before you get to the top. Concentrate on rythym and tempo and the right feeling will come back. If you feel this in the up swing, you should just stop the swing and start again. Easier said than done yes, but if you stop the club from entering the impact zone, the problem never occurs and never costs you direction or strokes. Just step away, refocus, and swing true.

Answer 7

Whatever you do, do not take advice from ixnaytim, the kid is a so called 16 handicapper who knows absolutely nothing about the game.

Answer 8

Practice the 1/4 swing waggle. You see a lot of pro's do this. What you will look for is toe position of the club. Make sure it is pointing straight up and the club is on plane with your target line. Mirror this waggle on your take-away and you will keep the club on the proper plane, much easier. This will ease the pressure causing the grip fault at the top of your swing. Also, practice a lot of 1/2 and 3/4 shots. This helps reinforce the release. And there will be little chance of the grip fault to appear in the short swing practicing. My opinion, hope this helps.

Answer 9

Place a tee or coin between the part of your hand that you feel is losing contact with the grip and the grip itself.  The tee or coin will fall to the ground at the top of your swing if this is what is happening.  It's a common fault.