I was upset by the way I regressed from Saturday to Sunday in the consistencies of my drives.
Just when I thought I was getting the hang of straightening out my drive, I had a round from the rough.
As usual, I warmed up by stretching then hitting about 20 balls with an 8-iron to loosen out the kinks.
I then hit about 25 drives all pretty inconsistent. Some good, but mostly bad.
I did not hit 2 of the same shots in a row - that inconsistent.
A couple looked alike, but for the most part, all snowflakes.
I then hit a few wedges - PW and 60-degree - then back to the Driver.
I started to hit a few better balls when I went into a particular routine of: checking my feet, taking my grip, stepping back with the back foot, straightening out my hands with the club shaft and making it as if one was an extension of the other and formed a line and tilting my spine to the right about 20 degrees. I then took the club back on that same plane and tried to have the same plane on my downswing thru impact while staying back on the ball throughout. I proved to be good about 30% of the time. I was not comfortable with the swing plane - it felt a little too upright and stiff. However, I thought 'hey this is new and gave some good results, so maybe I will get used to it.' I finished the session and took down those notes.
I was not happy with my day at the range knowing that I did not solve the problem.
When I got home, I started doing some research.
I found out one of my problems: casting.
Casting is caused by shifting your hands forward in the transition from your back swing to your down swing causing you to go 'over-the-top' and 'outside-to-in' - creating the dreaded slice.
The term makes complete sense because the motion looks like you are casting a line with a fishing pole.
I found this incredible video pertaining to Casting:
I also found this drill from John Watson which was fantastic about promoting an 'inside-to-out' swing plane with your golf bag:
After watching these two videos, I ran to my trunk and grabbed my clubs.
I have a spot in the courtyard where I can set up my golf bag and take a full swing.
I first tried it with my 8-iron and tried to focus on not casting and using an inside-to-out swing path.
I loved the feel of that swing and it definitely was not the swing I was using for my irons or my Driver. My iron swing has come close to that swing, but definitely not my Driver swing.
What I was able to do was come back on the plane and stretch my hips with my back at the target.
Then I could look back and see my shadow, but more importantly my body position.
I would then fire through on the same plane (aware of NOT casting) with my downswing avoiding the bag with that nice inside-to-out swing.
I really felt what is meant by using your body to create that club head speed.
When I was torqued up at the top of my swing, the more I fired my hips, the more my shoulders, arms and club wanted to come along for the ride. The faster I rotated my hips and swung those shoulders through, the louder that club sounded cutting through the air.
I must have taken 75-100 cuts - just getting down the feeling of that swing.
I then took a little break to stretch it out and take out the driver.
Doing the same drill, I just kept going back and forth, back and forth - firing that club head through on that good swing path and not casting.
The driver made an even greater sound as it cut through the air.
Now, I think now...I know what it feels like to swing the club correctly with the correct body mechanics.
It feels amazing and powerful.
I will do this drill before every bucket of balls I hit for the rest of my life.
The courtyard must be nice. I attempt such drills in my (diminutive) home space and likely concussed my cat last week . . .
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