I, like many others, have a tendency to swing across my body, starting the ball left of my target. If I typically faded the ball that would be okay. But I do not. My typical ball flight is a draw, therefore most shots that start left will continue on and go further left.
Nick picked up on this quickly and we began working on a process to shallow my path into the impact zone. I have a tendency to be steep, resulting in deep divots and the occasional fat shot. The process involved creating a more laid off angle for the shaft. This puts the club head a little further behind me during the downswing, which also requires me to use my hands and arms a little more aggressively throughout the swing. This is good news. Being aggressive with my hands has always been easy. What has typically been troublesome for me is to speed up my lower body and turn faster. This alternative approach has had great results.
Below are a couple videos from that session using the tall pylon as a gauge for the takeaway.
In the "face-on-view" notice how the force driving toward the target shifts my weight to such a degree that I simply miss the pylon on the downswing. The three reps prior to hitting the ball are a great example of how to exaggerate the proper driving motion toward impact. The lower body (hips) presses forward while the head and shoulders hang back. There is a lot of focus on the right shoulder going down or under and allowing that to initiate the downswing.
Worth noting in the "down-the-line" view is that during the takeaway the club head passes outside the pylon. This is an area that I work with my students often. The shoulders and arms turn under, but the club head remains relatively away from the body, an element of a one plain swing.
My goal during this process and future practice sessions is to ensure the ball starts to the right of my target.
