OK this is a complicated one.  I am going to get back into playing a lot again this summer so I want to get my power back.  I won my club championship 2 years ago, but have been significantly shorter with all my clubs for about 4 years now.  My swing started to get too long and I've fixed that for the most part, but along with that it got too up right causing me to flip my hands through the ball, as opposed to rolling them through impact and keeping my hands ahead of the clubface.  Thus I don't compress the ball like I used to and have lost about 10 yards on my irons and quite a bit off the driver.  I hit a high ball, but I can play quite well with it, I just want my distance back.   Any tips to get my swing more shallow and to compress that ball???
200094
If you are going to "get back into playing a lot again this summer" I'll assume you haven't been playing as much recently, right? I'm thinking that just playing more will bring back some yardage.\n\nYou also mentioned that you won the "club championship 2 years ago" but you "have been significantly shorter with all my clubs for about 4 years now." Maybe being shorter is a good thing. Did you win any championships over four years ago when you were longer?\n\nWhen playing golf we do some peculiar things. The main thing better players do is learn is how to score. Scoring comes from putting the ball in good positions to attack pins. However, players that hit it full bore on most shots have to contend with issues of poor accuracy. Even Tiger Woods has learned to back off a little.\n\nI believe that once you start playing (read: practicing) more, then your crisp ball striking will come back. With it will come some (or all) of your lost yardage. \n\nNow, concerning shallowing out your swing...\n\nBen Hogan states on page 79 of "Five Fundamentals..." the following: "HOWEVER, YOU ARE HEADING FOR DISASTER IF YOU THRUST YOUR ARMS UP ABOVE THE PLANE SO THAT THEY WOULD SHATTER THE PLANE OF GLASS. Poor golfers [I'm not saying you're a poor golfer...poor golfers don't win club championships] make this error at any and all stages of the backswing, but it occurs most commonly when they are nearing the top of the backswing. Then, when their hands are about shoulder high, they suddenly lift their arms almost vertically towards the sky--crash goes the glass... and their shot. They conclude the backswing on an entirely different and far more upright plane, ...."\n\nWhen you start trying to get a little of that lost yardage back, you probably try to get a little more backswing. In doing so I would wagger a small bet that you are lifting your hands towards the end of your backswing instead of continuing AROUND in your backswing. Doing so will cause several bad things to happen. The first thing to go will be accuracy. If you played a slight draw before, then the draw will now be more pronounced. To straighten out the shot, you start blocking the shot by hanging on or you weaken your grip. An overly weak grip then causes you to flip at it to square it up. By this time the whole swing has fallen apart. You lost your fundamentals.\n\nAssuming your fundamentals were sound in the past, your fix is probably very simple and very slight. Don't go making any sort of major overhauls. Concentrate on the last part of your backswing. Do not let your hands shoot up towards the sky at the very end. You will need to feel your flaw before you can fix it. Swing very slowly and concentrate on the end of your backswing (the part leading up to the transition from back to forward). This is where you've gone wrong. \n\nOnce you get your swing back on plane, then your ballstriking will return. When you are on plane you don't have to make any compensations. You just drive through the ball without fear of it turning left (for a right-handed  golfer). \n\nOne other note... Driver and ball technology has improved in the last few years. You might consider looking into the latest drivers and balls. Your friends can buy an extra ten yards even with their swings. Why not get a little yourself? But first work out the flaw you developed by not playing lately. \n\nGo practice.
156372
OK A driver you use at the tee to hit the ball as far as you can. The irons 3-9 are used depending on how far you are from the green. If you are about oh say 230 yard from the green you would use a 3 iron.The # will go up the closer you are to the green.If you are about 20 yards from the green you would use a wedge & once you're on the green you use the putter. Ya sort of get the picture?
17166
I think the first thing you want to check is if you are lined up correctly. Make sure that you are aiming at the target. Practice using your shorter, loftier irons, like your wedge and practice short shots. As you get better increase the distance of your target and eventually move to the longer clubs. Your swing on the shorter clubs can be the same, just remember that with a longer club mistakes are "magnified".
336738
1.  What ever method you use make sure when it's your turn to putt, you are ready to go.\n2.  Look at the green from 150 yards away.  Look for the high and low point.  Also pay attention to what happens to the ball when it hits the green.  Watch everyone in the groups.  \n3.  I"m keeping things basic, you can get into grain and other high tech stuff later\n4.  What would happen if you had a hose and started flooding the green.  \n5.  Pay attention to everyone putt\n6.  Find out the  low and high point of the golf course\n\nMaybe the above will help, maybe you can read the greens but the putting  stroke is letting you down.  This is free golf lesson month with local PGA pros.  Go to www.playgolfamerica.com to sign up.
381105
Think about punching the ball with you top hand. As if you were going to punch someone in the stomach. When your top hand rolls over it means that you are not staying inside the ball.  Think about hitting the inside of it. Use the pull and punch theory. Pull with your bottom hand, punch with your top.\n\nShorten your swing too, that is a sign that your swing is too long. \n\nWhy isn't your coach working with you more?\n\nGood luck!
576455
Timing and club head speed to get that to happen this may help \n\nThere are three checkpoints that deal with your wrist hinge. During your back swing, the top of your swing, and just past impact. Get these positions correct and you’ll hit better shots.\n\nhttp://www.pga.com/improve/tips/swing/improve_elliott062904.cfm
612994
Check you right elbow on your downswing. You could be bringing it closer to your body causing you to open the club face. I developed a simular slice a few years ago and a shoulder problem was causing me to bring my right elbow in, causing the slice. My shoulder muscles was not keeping the ball in the socket properly.\n\nA simple exercise of using a 1lb can of Veggies solved the shoulder problem. I would bend forward at the waist and extend my right arm down. Then raise the can until it was almost under my armpit.\n\nAfter solving the shoulder problem the club pro helped me stop the habit of drawing my elbow in. That low slice went away. I still slice the ball at times, but they now have some nice loft.
407532
if ur only using 1 hand, use 2 first of all its easier for most people. Also, just know that foot placement and where u put your body weight is very important. before you hit the ball, your weight should be in your back leg ... when you swing it shifts to the front, so you rotate your body into the swing , and thats how a lot of people mess up their backhands. i cant really help u out man, i have no idea what your swing looks like, get advice from a tennis club pro or something. :)
318616
I've used blades for about 15 years. People always say blades are harder to hit, and if you miss the sweet spot you'll go astray. It's not exactly true. Blades these days are more forgiving than the Wilson blade 20-30 years ago. I used Mizuno MS 203 for sometimes, and those were the full blown blades that are not forgive. Try Tittleist 690 MB, Mizuno MP 33 or even the newest Titleist I 695 MB. These are forged blades. Go the site below and view the spec, they have little tubes at the neck that can absorb vibrations on the mishit as well.\n\nI used to carry Titleist 981, which are not blades just in case my swing gone bad, but later I found that fixing a swing is the better way that compensatng with equipments. I've people using high-tech very expensive equipments with swing that is tormenting to look at just to prouduce a so so result. Fixing your swing to hit a good blade is much better way to hit a golf ball.\n\nBesides, once you're comfortable with them, you'll enjoy an approach that once in a while a birdie tap in is possible. Once you can move the ball from left to right or right to left, and see them bounce a bit and check to a full stop, it's really good feeling. Play blades if you can, besides they look really good, too.
593201
109, you are well on your way to breaking 100 in the next round or 3, if you haven't already. Point being you are a fair to good club swinger who is improving. \nMost of the above answers are good, but just getting it out in play will not teach you how to hit a long bunker shot which you are going to need as your game improves. If the smart play is to punch it out because of the situation like the lip, trees, lake etc. then do it, but you still need to hit a few long ones because this won't be the last time you are in one.\n   Greg V had most of the components right, but he got confused on ball placement. In order to hit the ball first you have to put it a little BACK in your stance (and I mean a little) so you strike the ball first not the sand. The idea being to slightly hit it into the sand which repells the ball out or get it out clean. In a green side bunker you play the ball a little forward so you strike the sand first which explodes under the ball and forces it out. I don't know about the feet digging in part, but I always waggle my feet in so as not to loose my footing, which as you know if you ever played in sneakers on wet grass, can really ruin a shot.\nYou don't necessarily have to go for the green either. If you think you can make it, or,  if you don't you won't leave a hard chip (like another bunker shot) then go for it, that's the fun of the game.. My guess if you were 200 out it was your 2nd shot on a par 4 or 5. To make par, hit it to a distance you are confident from, say 100yds. So say you hit your wedge 100yds.usually, in this bunker trap you would hit a 9 or 8 to make it go 100 yds because you loose distance from the sand which is not as solid as the fairway. Chip up and hopefully make the putt for par.
239801
Every ones a little different, you may want to try this. The first move should be to start the downswing by replanting your left heel-(Ben Hogan's-5 easy lessons). This will solidify your left side. The downswing 'motion starts with a slow and deliberate pull of the LEFT ARM...On an 'inside path' while simultaneously clearing the left side or rotation to the left (Assuming you are a right handed player) in a smooth fluid motion...accelerating in an increasingly moderated amount. By letting the left hand guide the swing you will automatically find you will clear the left side and hit a more powerful shot...make sure not to sway left...it will lead to an open club face and a fade or slice. May I recommend Ben Hogans 5 easy lessons as a fundamental base for your swing...A fabulous and very helpful guide! Best of luck!! J
145093
A lot of it would be the problem you are trying to solve.  In general, more loft on the driver makes it easier to control and to hit straight.  Price wise, a new shaft is cheaper than a new driver, so you may want to try that option first.
575503
I'm assuming that your back knee is dipping when you swing.  This can be caused by two or three different swing defects:\n1) overstriding (stepping too far with the lead foot)\n     Cures:  a. widen your stance just further than shoulder width (think jim edmonds) and don't stride as the pitch comes. \n      b. you are probably trying to hit the ball too far out front. let the ball come to you. You should be making contact at about your front. Concentrate letting the ball get deep and hitting line drives and hard ground balls to the opposite field.\n2)  dipping back side/upper cut\n    Cures: a. concentrating on keeping a tall back side and coming down on the ball.  Hit line drives and hard ground balls.\n3) sliding the hips instead of pivoting.\n   Cures: your hips should not move laterally toward the pitcher. The should pivot or turn toward the pitcher. That's where the power comes from. Concentrate on keeping a strong front side (front leg should be stiff) and showing your belt buckle to the pitcher at the end of your swing.\n\nFinally, the best thing to do is watch your favorite major league team and concentrate on mechanics of a major league swing.
101959
Well it all depends on how badly they're worn. Basically there are two major areas of concern.\n\n1) Grooves - If the grooves are worn away in the hitting area you'll start hitting flyers (knuckleballs) out of the fairway. I'm assuming since you've worn your clubs out that you're a decent golfer and can control your ball. You DO NOT want to start hitting flyers from the fairway.\n\n2) Concave face - This is when the face starts to get like a "bowl" effect. This effectively limits the sweetspot of your club, because you have to hit it in the "bottom" of the bowl for it to go straight. If you hit the sides of the bowl, you'll hit it slightly offline and you won't be able to figure out why....this can lead to you making unecessary swing changes and adjustments....and you do not want that either. \n\nMy advice would be to show your clubs to your local pro or a reputable golf specialty shop, they'll be able to tell you if they're too worn out. \n\nI know there are a few places that "re-groove" irons. With GolfWorks probably being the best known, check out the link here:\n\nhttp://www.golfworks.com/product.asp?pn=REGROOVE
136112
I used to be a very long hitter (with drivers) and not very good at iron shots. I spent a good amount of time in the driving range practicing on iron shots, that I can hit quality shorts from every iron (including 1 and 2 irons), but then I can't hit any of the woods anymore. There were five years long that I can't hit a solid driver shots until recently, my ex boss pointed out that I teed up too low (driver these day are 460 cc), and another friend pointed out that I position my tee too far back in the stand.\n\nI suddendly realise the important of ball positioning, and words like drivers are hit on the way up whilst irons are hit on the way down. I reposition my ball, tee up much higher, and now I have a very quality driver shots without sacrificing my iron shots.\n\nThe important is the swing is the same. If you could hit good iron shots (assuming your swing are OK), I suggest you try moving the ball forward in your stand as much as possible and try hit many short for a test in the range, and don't forget to tee up high for drivers.
408658
The club names Start with your Driver.Then any woods 3W,5W,7W. the irons have 7 clubs. 3iron thru 9iron and finally many wedges are out there but basically you have a Pitching wedge and a Sand wedge for close shots and Your putter. The names of the club parts stay the same. Grip,Shaft,Club head. Then the club head itself has names. The front is the face of the club the end is the toe and the end closest to you is the heel. Like a foot. The swing consists of so many parts but basically your "set up" is how you would set up to hit the ball. Then your "take away" is when you take the club back into your "back swing" where you come down is the "down swing" and you'll "address" the ball which is hitting it, then the "follow through" Then good posture, smooth swing back,accelerate through impact and good tempo(not too fast, not too slow)keep your balance. Hope that helps at all
607122
Sometimes this comes from having problems with topping the ball.  Your over powering with your right side.  When you do that you get those bone jarring divots.  You want equal power.  Swing once with just your left arm and than the right and you will see.  Make sure your elbow does not fly.  Pretend like you have a towel or something under your right side arm pit.  You don't want to let if fall out so you have to keep the arm close to your body.  I have a lot of great links to tips to help out on my blog roll.  Good Luck .