golfer's "Laterals"

dbintegrity · #1 08-22-2019, 05:20 AM

Sigh just as the title implies... WTH ? I'm a decent golfer 8ish handicap... its like getting the flu.... comes out of no where, stays in your head and then goes away a few weeks later without returning until around this same time next season, but during that time you want to just quit...

I even own a second set of different clubs for a different look at address..

Any other ideas out there ?

DCCougar · #2 08-22-2019, 06:00 AM

Confidence, confidence, confidence.

AX17609 · #3 08-22-2019, 06:26 AM

The instructional forum at GolfWRX.com might be a better choice for advice.

reeve21 · #4 08-22-2019, 07:01 AM

How is your balance? Try hitting some shots with your feet together.

Golffishny · #5 08-22-2019, 07:53 AM

Reeve has a good drill, swing with your feet together.
I've had the problem you do since I was taught by a Pro to widen my stance. He had me load into my back foot on the backswing and into the front foot swinging through. That encourages swaying. I have short legs and long arms. The wide stance inhibits shoulder turn and as a result I lost 20 yards on all clubs. I went back to old school "turning in a barrel" to get away from that. My stance is most stable with my heels under my armpits. I get a full turn and swing freer. I got my distance back. You have to find what works for you.
Another drill I like is swinging without a ball. If you're loading into each foot, make sure you keep your weight inside your ankles. When you get the weight over or outside the ankles, balance can become a problem. Good luck.

Gitfiddlemann · #6 08-22-2019, 09:34 AM

Golfer's "laterals"?
Are you afraid to call it by its real name, the dreaded "S" word?

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeve21

How is your balance? Try hitting some shots with your feet together.

If so, then Bob's drill is highly recommended as a cure. +1
I was given the same advice by a pro at a golf school I attended. And it works.

Another good thing about this drill is it forces you to shift your weight more effectively and prevent hanging back.

It's one of those swing keys that has a lot of benefits.

dbintegrity · #7 08-22-2019, 01:43 PM

Thanks all for the tips..... I'll see about checking out those things at the range...
The "Confidence" thing is very true, but unfortunately also a double edged sword... I'm becoming increasingly confident that I'm going to "S" the ball into the woods...

TRose · #8 08-22-2019, 02:41 PM

One option is to involve a teaching professional.
I have suffered from the dreaded acutely rightward shot. It was hard on me and difficult for others to watch.
I took a lesson and the issue was immediately addressed. It was well worth the time and money.

fitness1 · #9 08-22-2019, 03:20 PM

Slow your swing down, reduce your grip, shorten your back swing......all these things will work IF you have no stress in your life outside golf.

I play my worst when things outside of golf are affecting my stress level.

Another thing that has a serious adverse effect for me is slow speed of play.....maybe the worst overall at getting me into the low 80's.

TRose · #10 08-22-2019, 03:54 PM

Could be ball position is too far back, hips sliding targetward as opposed to turning about the left femur( if right handed), wrist opening club face( laying off) at top of back swing, timing off of hand release on downswing and on and on.
It’s a difficult thing to do correctly unless you start as a wee child and do it correctly for years and years. A lesson will set you free.

There was once a really cute asst pro at a local golf club. She ran a special where you could get 5 lessons for the price of 4. I wrote her a check for 100 lessons. We married about a year and half latter. We have been married 17 years and I have 31 lessons left. I’m trying to pace myself.

12barBill · #11 08-22-2019, 05:19 PM

Its almost always from getting into a swing pattern of coming over the top and having the club face slightly shut (closed face). I think this is a pretty good explanation, demonstration, and drill to help stop those hosel rockets:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EubxU2vLM2s&app=desktop

dbintegrity · #12 08-22-2019, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the great advice All !

TRose..... Great story !!

This game is without a doubt one of the toughest games I've ever played !!
It really is in your head !!! if I believe I can pull off a shot, I usually do, but if I have even just a little doubt with a shot.... its done.... I believe that, that is where the answer lies....
I find if I'm not paying attention to my game, enjoying the conversation etc... I play well... as soon as I realize I've got a shot at a great score I begin to pay attention to what I'm doing and screw it all up...
I can't stop thinking about all the meaningful things I could accomplish in life, if I didn't pick up this stupid time consuming hobby

12barBill · #13 08-22-2019, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbintegrity

Thanks for the great advice All !

TRose..... Great story !!

This game is without a doubt one of the toughest games I've ever played !!
It really is in your head !!! if I believe I can pull off a shot, I usually do, but if I have even just a little doubt with a shot.... its done.... I believe that, that is where the answer lies....
I find if I'm not paying attention to my game, enjoying the conversation etc... I play well... as soon as I realize I've got a shot at a great score I begin to pay attention to what I'm doing and screw it all up...
I can't stop thinking about all the meaningful things I could accomplish in life, if I didn't pick up this stupid time consuming hobby

If you have discovered what golf truly is then you need to watch the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance. It will change your life.

dbintegrity · #14 08-22-2019, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Sims

If you have discovered what golf truly is then you need to watch the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance. It will change your life.

I love that movie !! Great movie !!

Its very true what Todd said about the stresses in your life... I run a small business, Have step daughters living with us along with an awesome Granddaughter... but the everyday stresses definitely take a lot of your focus...

Incidentally, am I the only one who noticed Patrick Cantlay cursing when Justin Thomas made his birdie and par putts on Sunday?
I wasn't getting a great vibe from him... seemed to me to be poor sportsmanship

hairpuller · #15 08-24-2019, 11:15 AM

90% of the time it’s coming over the top.
This usually works for me...picture the ball as a clock with 12 furthest from you and 6 nearest your feet. Try to hit the ball at 4 o’clock. This will also give you a slight draw.
Good luck!
Scott