Pulling shots

ManwitaPlan

Hi, Im just starting golf (Played about three times before in the space of three years but looking to get properly into it).

Anyway Ive been to the driving range a couple of times and I notice Im pulling shots. The ball is going straight (i.e. no hook or slice) but its going to the left of the target all the time.

I tried moving the ball about in my stance but it didnt seem to have much effect.


Anybody any tips on how I could overcome this? Thanks.

kingshankly

It could be one of many things, first thing I'd check is your alignment if that's ok check you haven't the clubface closed or the ball might be too far forward, check here for better answers tomorrow when some of the more knowlegable lads will sort you out

slumped

ManwitaPlan wrote: »

Hi, Im just starting golf (Played about three times before in the space of three years but looking to get properly into it).

Anyway Ive been to the driving range a couple of times and I notice Im pulling shots. The ball is going straight (i.e. no hook or slice) but its going to the left of the target all the time.

I tried moving the ball about in my stance but it didnt seem to have much effect.


Anybody any tips on how I could overcome this? Thanks.

You might be turning your hands over at impact - towards the left side.

Slow your swing down and try to keep your hands from turning.

S

PhilipMarlowe

When you are at the range, try and line up the edge of the mat with a target or put down a club along the ground to give you a line to the target...
Then stand in square (perpendicular) to this target line with your feet, hips & shoulders and (without looking up at the target) try to hit your shot down the line and see where it goes. It may just be that your impression of being aligned correctly is wrong and you are actually standing "open" to the target. I've noticed this happened to me since I took my winter break. If you are hitting shots down the line after trying this then you need to get a feel for this correct setup position and be able to walk up to the ball and align yourself correctly without the help of the matt or club. Having a friend stand behind you looking along your shoulder line will help here.
You will often see tour professionals working on their alignment when they practice so it's something that need to be constantly checked.
At least in your case your ball flight is straight so I'd imagine its an easy fix. I'd recommend a lesson or two from a teaching pro and get them to concentrate on the basic setup...

stockdam

Go get a lesson.

If you are simply pulling your shots then you should be delighted as it's easy to fix. The simplest advice for now is to aim right of your target to compensate. My guess is that your shoulders are open and your swing is following your shoulder line. However that would also mean that your clubface would have to end up closed to the target line (and square to the swing line) in order to result in a pull.

Another simple cure would be to stand with your shoulders slightly closed and try to swing out to the right a bit along your shoulder line from the inside to outside. That might turn your pull into a nice draw.

However rather than messing your head up totally go and get a lesson as an external pair of eyes will quickly spot what your are doing.

Mister Sifter

Had a problem with pulling the ball around this time last year... probably a bit of rustiness at this time of year.

Anyway, one lesson sorted me out. My problem was that i was slouching. Basically i was told to lift up my backside and chin at address and that would allow more clearance on the way down.

WaldenByThoreua

slumped wrote: »

You might be turning your hands over at impact - towards the left side.

Slow your swing down and try to keep your hands from turning.

S

He said the balls going straight left so he could'nt be turning the hands over..ball would have drawspin in that case...more than likely shoulders are open and hes coming down over the top and holding it off the release for fear of a slice..but its pretty hard to tell without seeing it! Could be a number of things but a lesson or two with a PGA pro is the best bet!

JONATHANM

ManwitaPlan wrote: »

Hi, Im just starting golf (Played about three times before in the space of three years but looking to get properly into it).

Anyway Ive been to the driving range a couple of times and I notice Im pulling shots. The ball is going straight (i.e. no hook or slice) but its going to the left of the target all the time.

I tried moving the ball about in my stance but it didnt seem to have much effect.


Anybody any tips on how I could overcome this? Thanks.

Try the "one foot back" drill.

During proper set up your toes , if your lining up square,should be paralel to each other.The 1 foot back requires you to pull your right foot (if your right handed) back about 6 inches or so.When I say back , I mean relative to set up,not line of flight.Back,not to your right.This induces and inside out swing path.Pulling the ball can be caused by quite a few things.Bottom line is ,at impact your club face is closed.This also could be as a result of your grip.When gripping a club the"v" shape that your thumb and index finger both of your hands make should be pointing at your right shoulder.This is what is called a "nuetral" grip.When when your "v's" are pointing to the right of the area of your shoulder(usually your right hand) this is considered a "strong" grip(will close club faster toward impact).When "v's" are more toward pointing at your chest, this is considered a "weak" grip(tends to kepp face open toward impact).With out going more into depth about this( it would take a while and i cant type fast),at your level of play, your grip could very well be "strong" .This is typical for begginers.Try the right foot back alittle and check your grip.Without actually seeing you swing ,no1 can really know exactly what is going on .Could be set up,ball position,swing path,angle of attack,shoulder position,grip,gripp pressure,take away,swing plain in general,etc. ,etc.


Golf is not easy.Teaching golf is sometimes even harder.Best advise is start w/ basics.
1)proper grip(holding club in bottom of fingers,w/some palm as you wrap your hands around,"V's" toward right shoulder)*hard to really explain w/ out showing
2)proper setup (stance-alignment-mini knee flex-straight as possible spine,kind of like starting to sit on toilet,weight toward balls of feet)
3)weight transfer(from start-to inside right sole-finish outside left sole)
-swing around spine angle(for now...work to more of an up right swing path when you get the idea)


Hope this helps a little,

Jonathan