Second shot

[avg_golfer]

I seem to have a problem with my second shot more often than others. After a tee shot generally walk a distance and after a little huff and puff trying to hit the second shot generally my shot goes just about in any directions: either heavy slice of bad pull. Any suggestion/strategy to improve second shots?

[Ravenous Bugblatter Beast]

Did you say heavy slice or bad pull?

Sounds like you've got the classic hacker out-to-in swing path, most likely. If that's the case, and it's hard to say with any certainty on only a little bit of a clue, then you need to work eliminating the casting move that you're making at the start of the downswing.

Why's that? you ask.

When your clubhead travels in from the outside, it's going to most likely cause you to cut across the back of the ball, hence a slice as created by the sidespin you give the ball, or if your hands turn over a little, you'll close the clubface down, squaring it up along that line traveling from out to in, and pulling the ball dead to your left.

[ezra76]

Let me guess?? You found a site that has a plumb bob that hangs from the visor of your cap to align your swing.

[avg_golfer]

Originally Posted by Ravenous Bugblatter Beast

Did you say heavy slice or bad pull?

Sounds like you've got the classic hacker out-to-in swing path, most likely. If that's the case, and it's hard to say with any certainty on only a little bit of a clue, then you need to work eliminating the casting move that you're making at the start of the downswing.

Why's that? you ask.

When your clubhead travels in from the outside, it's going to most likely cause you to cut across the back of the ball, hence a slice as created by the sidespin you give the ball, or if your hands turn over a little, you'll close the clubface down, squaring it up along that line traveling from out to in, and pulling the ball dead to your left.

Okay that makes sense. Maybe I am just out of shape. After walking a couple hunderd yards or so, I seem to can not concentrate on my swing mechanics. On my tee shots I generally hit straight and turn right or left toward the end of flight.

[avg_golfer]

Originally Posted by ezra76

Let me guess?? You found a site that has a plumb bob that hangs from the visor of your cap to align your swing.

What is this? A grumpy old man?

[ezra76]

Originally Posted by avg_golfer

What is this? A grumpy old man?

Nope. "76" 29yrs. old. Working on my MBA in marketing. Just had the impression you were going to plug a product to help with this issue. I apologize if I'm wrong. You should introduce yourself in the new member thread. Tell us a little about yourself, where you are from, how long you've been playing, handicap ect. ....

[VtDivot]

Originally Posted by ezra76

Nope. "76" 29yrs. old. Working on my MBA in marketing. Just had the impression you were going to plug a product to help with this issue. I apologize if I'm wrong.

What gave you that impression??????

[Farquod]

Originally Posted by VtDivot

What gave you that impression??????

'cause he's working on his MBA in marketing....

Actualy, Ezra, I thought you were making mention of that great scene from Tin Cup when Costner is in his trailer with all the swing trainers hanging off of him, including the hat with the plum bob. Hilarious scene.

[avg_golfer]

Originally Posted by ezra76

Nope. "76" 29yrs. old. Working on my MBA in marketing. Just had the impression you were going to plug a product to help with this issue. I apologize if I'm wrong. You should introduce yourself in the new member thread. Tell us a little about yourself, where you are from, how long you've been playing, handicap ect. ....

Boy you are wrong, lad....

I join this group end of last year. You are the new member. Geez...
I'll let you guess how long I've been playing and my handicap. Shouldn't be too hard to guess, is it?

Good luck with your MBA program. Looks like you the one that will be trying to plug products in the future....

[ezra76]

My bad then. Just that 14 of 17 posts seemed to revolve around the "tee leveler". I don't work for anyone but myself, so you won't see me plugging any golf products. Good luck with your approach shots now that your tee shots are better.

[Witmaster]

Originally Posted by ezra76

Let me guess?? You found a site that has a plumb bob that hangs from the visor of your cap to align your swing.

For the record....

I got the joke and laughed my ass off.

The plumb-bob thingy is a good idea. I wonder if there's a patent on it yet..?!?

[Regor]

Originally Posted by avg_golfer

I seem to have a problem with my second shot more often than others.

I'm in the same boat as you.

My drive has a manageable slice, my putting is decent, but the whole game in-between is where my work lies.

This became even more noticeable as I am keeping a close tab on my scorecard (greens in regulation, number of putts, etc).

For me - with the drive being Ok; it's off the tee, and the new drivers have a lot of face to hit with, and are actually very forgiving. That second shot, being with an iron, off the turf, is a little less forgiving. You top it your screwed, you chunk it - same thing. It's a pretty fine line to get your mechanics good, strike the ball good, etc..

What I am working on - TONS of driving range practice, off the turf, and just finished 6 lessons with an instructor. I am still struggling, but working on it, and when I do hit a bad shot, I have a lot better idea what I am doing wrong (since the instructor analyzed my swing and worked on correcting it).

[Matthew_22]

Is it your iron shots that are causing you grief, or even if you use a wood for the second shot?

If you still can't get it using a wood but can drive fine, the problem is probably in your head. You did say that you have a bit of trouble focusing.

There's lots of different ways to focus, for me I usually just make a note of keeping my eyes locked on the ball the whole way through the swing. Or just try and slow your swing down, to remove the hesitation.

[avg_golfer]

Originally Posted by Matthew_22

Is it your iron shots that are causing you grief, or even if you use a wood for the second shot?

.

Yes, my iron for second shots.... that gives me problems. Seems that 3 wood for second shots are okay. Not with irons. At one point I suspect pulling a cart with my left hand is what causes the problem. But I pull with right hand and get the same problem occasionally.