Path/Plane Assistance

[12 piece bucket]

Howdy Everyone,

The last month has served as my introduction to learning "The Golfing Machine". Although I know my basics (such as the three imperatives/essentials, hinge actions, flying wedges, etc.), I am having difficulty analysing my own pattern/stroke/swing and identifying mechanical faults. I was hoping you guys could provide assistance.

Before I describe the issues I am experiencing, I feel that I should provide a summary of my situation. I am 25 years old, 6'4", have above average athletic ability (based on other sports, not necessarily golf), and currently play off a 3.7 handicap (although, I haven't played much golf in the last three years). My goal is to progress as far as my abilities will allow.

The current issues I have with my pattern/stroke/swing revolve around consistency. I am satisfied with the distance that I strike the golf ball (although, who is going to say no to more distance?), so I would really like to focus on increasing accuracy and decreasing the severity of my misses.

My current pattern/stroke/swing can be seen on my YouTube channel posted below. I will try to upload additional videos with various angles (including down-the-line) in the near future.

www.youtube.com/cummib

My misses are primarily pulls with the divots pointing left (i.e. out-to-in path) and I appear to have an over-the-top move at the start of the downswing. I make an effort to exaggerate the in-to-out path on the downswing, but the results can be inconsistent and it feels more like a compensation than a solution. I have a feeling that my pivot may be the root cause, but I'm sure you TGM gurus will know better than me.

Any help will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

Great looking stuff in that golf swing! A couple of things . . . if your ball is starting LEFT it's because of the FACE. You may not be over the top . . . you could just have the face rotating too fast or just not open enough. Do you hit pull hooks or pull slices?

To your question on plane . . . your arc is going to be more acute (sharper) depending on the plane angle you select if you imagine your hand covering a line on the ground. Ideally you'd like to stay on the same arc the whole time back and through. The steeper the plane angle the more close the "arc" or "line" will be closer to "straight" back.

Your head stays centered nice got super lag . . . Sounds like you need to get your concepts right on why the ball flies as it does. The ball for the most part is going to START OUT WHERE THE FACE IS LOOKING AND CURVE AWAY FROM THE PATH. The face is generally worth about 85% of the start line NOT THE PATH.

Hard to say without a down the line but it looks like you could "use the ground" LONGER . . . try to move your pivot longer where you feel like you're going to hit pushes. Keep the pivot going and it will keep the face from rolling as fast. Good swing.

[O.B.Left]

Nice swing.

Id agree with Buckets suggestions and would add that if your divots are pointing left then you do need to fix your club head path too. Research "Startdown Waggles".

Since golf is played on an Inclined Plane the clubhead does move in to out as it approaches the ball! This will produce the straight divot! (which actually has a little arc to it) Trying to hold the clubheads path in a straight line is "Steering" and non planar. Keep swinging out till your divots go straight.

Get into 2-C-0 until you understand the correct impact geometry and the difference between it and all three forms of Steering. Much of the book will open up for you after you get the correct impact geometry sorted out.