First Bucket (long)

I read about this site in the latest SI and thought I'd take a look. It's given me some things to think about. I have a huge problem with flipping my hands so I hit lot of thin clanky shots. I've also had a problem with a very flat plane and picking the ball. I wasn't taking divots even with short irons because I wasn't hitting down. Interestingly I don't have those problems with my short game as much. I watched some videos about the loading and the basic motions. Keeping the left wrist flat through impact and ahead-what a concept! Could see how it would give more power immediately.

So yesterday I went to the range and started with the basic motion, then the back to the waist motion. I tried to do the hinging as well as I could. Not sure if it's entirely correct, but I noticed a different more solid feel to the contact. Did the full swing with the sand wedge and could really feel the difference. Much more solid. Taking divots. Hard to tell about distance as I was focused on the flat wrist through and hinge and I don't think I really kept my arms and body connected and coordinated. I did hit a few very good feeling shots, and it was the most consistent good contact I've ever had.

When I went up to a 6 iron, I noticed that the ball was going very low and very left. Would this be caused if I bowed my wrist out too much and closed the club face down? I hit a few drivers. Just tried to stay smooth with the left wrist flat and ahead. Course then I tried to crank a few and

Next time I'm going to focus on the shoulder high Brian Gay smoothie swing. Stay tuned

Hi Lbob, I think that most of us start like you did - definitely worth sticking to it...we all rush away from basic motion when we think we have understood it and mastered it...only then to go rushing back to basic motion when our driver suddenly starts screaming that we don't really understand...and back and forth...

But however you do it you'll become aware of your swing in a much more objective manner than is generally taught...you can fix yourself mid-round...and you can open up a new swing / hitting pattern and not be scared that you won't be able to find your way back to your preferred pattern...because if you know your components...you never get lost!

Good luck!