Club Path vs Club Face

[Deuce]

So, I finally pulled the trigger on an HMT. After a few weeks of hitting on it, I've figured out that what felt like a "square" club path to me before was actually about 9-10 deg in-to-out. On good shots, the club was closed about 3-4 deg to path. It would launch slightly right and then turn back to the left. The problem is that my misses varied dramatically - either pushes to the right (club face more open than normal) or hooks (club face more closed than normal). The problem now is that when I swing with a square club path (<1 deg in-to-out or out-to-in), my club face is waaaaay closed, which leads to ridiculous hooks. No matter what, I can't seem to get the club face square to path if the club path is square. As I shift the club path to the left, I shift the club face too, despite the best of my efforts.

Anyone experience a similar issue? Any good drills you can recommend? Would I be better off grooving a 2-3 deg in-to-out swing instead of shooting for square?

Any inputs appreciated. I've either got to figure this out or find another hobby. Thanks!

[Point280]

How strong is your lead hand grip? Have you tried varying your grip in increments towards neutral? Also, keep in mind that club face dictates the majority of the ball direction vs club path. Face control should be the primary focus, then club path — depending on the type of shot shape you’re looking for.

i just watched a video today where the instructor advocated lining up three balls in a row, a few inches apart. Attempt to hit the first one left with a closed face, the second one straight with a square face and the third right with an open face (obviously reversed for a lefty). Don’t swing hard; swing as controlled and deliberately as you can to achieve the desired results. Repeat.

Not that you mentioned a problem with club face impact, but it’s incredibly important to hit the sweet spot with regularity. Another good instructor advocates intentionally hitting shanks (heel strikes) and toe strikes in the same manner. The idea is, if you can learn to strike the ball intentionally on various places on the club face, you’ll develop club face awareness and be much more consistent at striking the ball on the center of the club face. Again, slow and controlled swings initially, working up to speed.

[Stingreye]

Sometimes for me strengthening my grip actually fixes my closed club face.... in this video he argues that closing the club face could be a flip as your body react to an open club face.

https://youtu.be/2y-0Xe7wYJc

I have hmt and a gc2 also. Check out

http://www.shankygolf.co.uk/

he offers live online lessons through face time or Skype. He is trained in HMT data. I have had lessons from him and he’s incredibly affordable and my IRL handicap has gone from 20 in May to 13.9 as of now.

[Point280]

Good point! A cupped wrist at impact can result in a closed face, as well.

[Deuce]

Thanks for the suggestions. Time to experiment and see if I can find something that works. I've got the arms ok, just have to fix the hands.Should only take a few decades. I'm just surprised how far left I have to swing to be square. Maybe it has something to do with being left eye dominant.

[SHG]

So first things first, I wouldn't recommend trying to swing "square", I usually see people perform better if they really understand their curve and that allows them to curve the ball to the target. When you aim straight and try to hit it straight, unless you nail it perfect, the ball is working towards the target and I've never seen a really good player do that. Also it gives you more room for error to curve the ball and know how to do it.

But with your issue, you definitely don't want to be swinging 9 to 10 out ( I see it a lot from people who fall in love with trying to hit a draw). What this causes is you train your hands and arms to become really active in closing the face (if they get it right, you hit a draw, if they overdo it, you hook it, if you don't do it enough you block it) either way it's very tough to time. So before you work on your path, I'd recommend getting the face under control (feel like your bottom hand is coming through with a side ways palm up karate chop), and you will start to see it stabilize over time and then you can work on your path. In my experience in teaching, the path reacts to the face most times.