Conference 7.286::golf

    	Steve,
    		I think we have all had this problem at one time or
    	another, so don't feel too bad...
    		A tip I received from a club pro over here was this:
    
    	 Take your normal stance and settle in just as you would prior
    	 to starting your backswing. At this point, take your club and
    	 lay it on the ground in front of your feet, aiming it toward
    	 your target and just touching the tips of your toes. Now, step
    	 away and stand behind the club and see if it is aiming right
    	 at your intended target. You may find that it aims left. You
    	 can make your adjustments accordingly with the club and set
    	 your feet in line with it. Try it out... if you still go
    	 left, your swing needs adjustments.
    
    
    	 Hope this helps you.
    
     

    
    Once you have found out how you currently line up, and after you
    figure out where you should be, the next trick is to do it
    consistently.  The answer:  establish a set routine that you always
    use.  Mine is similar to Jack's.  I stand behind the ball and eye
    my target.  I find a spot, a blade of grass, or a divot about six
    to twelve inches on my line.  I take my grip and walk up to the
    ball, keeping my eye on the spot, and set the clubhead behind the
    ball.  I loosely place my left foot (I'm right handed), then set
    my right foot, followed by setting my left foot again. A check of
    the grip, a couple of waggles, a look down the fairway, a turn of 
    my head, a pause, and a slow takeaway.  
    
    This doesn't vary for any shot, except putting, from the driver
    to the wedge.  If something should break my concentration during
    this routine, I stop and start again.  There's just no way to be
    successful if the swing is different each time, and the swing starts
    with lining it up.  If you're a bowler, you should be able to relate
    to this.
    
    Keep it between the gutters!

    
    I am a bowler, and a better one than I am a golfer at the moment!
    I went for a bash down the range last night, and tried out the
    suggestion in .1  It showed plainly that I was aiming left. I took
    a coupla buckets of balls, and I think I've sorted it. I just feel
    now that I'm not aiming where I should be, but the ball goes to
    the right place, and when I place the club across my toes it is
    pointing to the right place - so it stays! I'll get used to it.
    Now for the routine ....
    
    Regards to lining up on a spot 12" on the line. What do you do if
    there is nothing particularly distinguishable on the line ? Surely
    you can't line up on a blade of grass ? 
    
    Now I have the shots going where they are wanted, I have one small(?)
    problem to remedy (apart from perfecting the "Gentle Touch" in the
    short game!). The Driver. It is the only club in the bag that
    consistently causes me problems. Let me descride the problem. I
    set myself up for the Driver in exactly the same way as for all
    the other clubs, grip, stance, alignment. The ball is positioned
    just inside the left heel (right-handed). Head still, left arm
    straight,slow take-away, no forcing through the swing - rough shot
    60 - 70% of the time. What the ball does is - go straight (phew!)
    but scoots along the floor. I seem to kill the loft that I should
    get. I have found that when I relax more, loosen the grip, very
    slow swing (take-away and through the ball) the ball flies straight
    and gets lifted. Obviously, though, it doesn't go very far. Any
    ideas as to what I may be doing differently with the Driver than
    with all the other clubs in the bag ?
    
    	Or have I just got a mental block when it comes to the "Big-Guns"?
    
    		ADVthanksANCE
    
    			Steve.

    
    If there is no distinguishable object, then go ahead, use a blade
    of grass.  It will take more concentration, but that's even better.
    
    As for getting the driver up.  Are you closing the club face a little?
    This would seem the case if a loose grip got more loft on it.  At
    address, be sure the sole of the driver is flat on the ground, that
    will orient the club face properly.  Also, I assume the ball is
    teed.  Raise the ball up slightly.  Part of the routine I didn't
    explain, was the tee shot.  I place the ball on the tee and into
    the ground.  Before backing up to align the shot, I place the driver
    next to the ball to check height.  For me, the middle of the ball
    is even with the top of the driver face when placed flat on the
    ground.  One thing about the swing.  Do Not try to "hit up" on the
    ball to gain loft.  This will cause topped shots.   Swing normally, 
    and let the loft of the club do the work.
    
    Good luck!

    RE: .3
    
    	The other thing that can cause the so called worm burner, is
    looking up.  Make sure that you keep your head down through the
    swing.

    
    Magic! I shall nip down the range and test the ideas that you have
    mentioned. The only problem is the highering and lowering of the
    tee as the range I go to has those useless rubber cups you have
    to use. I suppose that one will have to be practiced on the course.
    
    		Here's hoping!
    
    			Steve (looking_at_the_short_game)
    

    	Steve, I don't know about the range you're going to, but most
    Driving Ranges have an area off to the side that you can also use
    to practice on.  Try bringing your own tees and teeing up every
    shot, the way you want to.  Try experimenting until you get the
    position that is most comfortable, and gives you the best results.
    You can talk to 10 different pros about tee height, and get 7 or
    8 different answers.  It all depends on you swing characteristics.
    This will also help you develope a routine to go thru during each
    drive/swing.  Once you've done this, you'll be on your way to
    developing a more consistant swing.
    
                                                       Beak