A Guide On How To Fix An Unwanted Left Shot

Intro to Golf

In the vast world of sports, golf stands out as a game that demands precision, focus, and determination. For one individual, Aki, hailing all the way from Japan to the United States, the journey into the realm of golf began in 2020. With a passion for the sport and a keen desire to improve, Aki embarked on a mission to refine her skills and understand the intricacies of the game.

Arriving in the United States in 2017, the prospect of playing golf didn't immediately cross her mind. It wasn't until 2020 that she picked up her first golf club. As a newcomer, she faced the challenges of understanding the game, from the basic techniques to the nuances of the swing. With limited experience and having only played on a driving range, determining an average score remained unknown.

Discovering the Beauty of Golf

One of the perks of playing golf, she realized, was the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature. Each swing allowed them to appreciate the scenic surroundings and taught them the art of concentration. Amidst the lush greenery of the golf course, they found solace and a sense of belonging.

However, every pursuit has its challenges, and golf was no exception. The cost associated with playing the game posed a significant hurdle. Investing in golf clubs and frequenting the golf course demanded a financial commitment.

The Quest for Improvement

Eager to grasp the fundamentals, and gain experience, she sought the advice and help of Ted Oh, golf instructor from Epic Studios. She has never taken a class before and thought this would be a great way to learn basic golf skills and fundamentals.

To start, Aki will take a test shot and Ted will review the swing with her, using an accurate golf simulator. With the help of Ted, they will delve into the intricacies of the golf swing and see what she needs to practice on.

What Ted discovers about Aki's shot is that she tends to overdrive the balls. To further explain as to what overdriving is and provide helpful insight, Ted will analyze her technique and flaws. One particular aspect of her swing, the club's path, stood out as a point of focus.

Her setup and posture looked great, but Ted noticed her takeaway and backswing are significantly impacting the trajectory of the ball. She has a tendency to take the shot too far inside. One way to identify an inside swing is to check the clubface. If it appears to be closed, it will promote the path of the swing. When the club and shaft are pointed downwards at the top of the swing, also known as crossing the line, the chances of a hook spin on the ball are highly probable. Another issue identified, is how she is casting. Casting happens when you let your right hand get past the leading left hand when exiting the downswing. By ensuring a straight takeaway and letting the left hand lead the way, they could rectify the tendency to hook the ball.

Embracing the Challenge

Aki's background in softball had endowed them with athleticism and a natural sense of balance. The transition to golf was smoother due to their inherent sportsmanship. The challenge now lay in mastering the subtle nuances of golf, particularly harnessing the power of the lower body in the swing.

With Ted's help and guidance, they will now correct and straighten the swing. Ted notes to always keep the left hand and left arms dominant on the downswing. Now for a test swing:

The path was more down the line and the club face was more square. She will try a few more shots to get an understanding of the ideal swing.

Aki's last swing is her best swing! Her setup was much better than when she started; her club face is more square and matching her spine angle. For her first setup, she had the club face closed, which lead to a left shot. Now, she's coming more down the line, taking the swing out more, leading to a better shot.

Conclusion

To review, Aki started with a great posture at setup and a great neutral grip, but was setting the club face in a closed angle, promoting a left shot. With Ted's help, Aki has gained knowledge on how to swing correctly and correct herself when needed. Her swing has also undergone significant changes just from the things Aki went over with Ted. Her ball height increased thanks to the proper loft angle and is not travelling as far left as when she started.