Hey all,

I am a bit of a hacker, still working on getting my handicap.

Using my stiff flex Cobra driver, with a full backswing I was getting 230m, rarely straight.
After a bit (lot) of frustration I decided to experiment and have reduced my back swing. Now i only go so my swing starts with the club vertical, and I have hit every ball since straight and 270m!!!

Wtf is going on? Should I just continue to increase the backswing bit by bit as my skill/control improves?

Oh and VERY HAPPY to have a 270m drive
.I am 6’6” hence the stiff shaft

ta David

Height and stiff shafts do not co-relate. However, “shortened” back swings and gains in both control and distance do.

Stick with the, so called, shorter back swing.

I’m not sure what others will have to say about this but I think that most will agree that you’re spot on. In my opinion the best method of improving any skill is taking small steps at a time, exactly like you plan on doing.
I throttled my backswing down last year to gain some control and it has worked perfectly. Over the past 6 months I have gradually lengthened my backswing from just past vertical to more parallel to the ground, all while making sure I keep what I was after in the first place, accuracy from the tee. It’s dome wonders for my GIR stats!

I would suggest that when you feel comfortable with you’re accuracy, gradually begin to take a slightly longer backswing. You may find that you gain a little distance by lengthening the backswing, but with the added bonus of long straight drives.

All the best!

If the club is vertical, then your arms are probably around horizontal. Where are your shoulders and hips turned to?
If your shoulder turn isn’t complete and your coil/separation is off, you may end up with timing and sequencing problems.

thanks for the input gents.

Burner – I bought the driver a few months ago, and during my 2 hours in the store and trying numerous clubs, the chap working there suggested the stiff shaft based on my normal swing speed.

Matt42s – mmmm I ain’t no expert that is for sure!!! I THINK I am rotating as per normal just to a lesser extent, so hope that I am not messing up my timing etc.

Hope to have a lesson again next week, so will have the pro check it out and help or slap me!!!

thanks again to all

David

I’m at my best when my swing is short. My arms barely even reach horizontal but i don’t have trouble with distance.

270m and straight every time is quite an effort. Well done. I’m looking forward to seeing the 330m straight drives when you make that 3/4 backswing into a full one in a few months.

Truesalt,
You have answered you own question, Keep your swing the same, if your hitting the ball further, swinging shorter stick with it. All that matters is turn your hips back the right amount and turning your shoulders back the right amount of turn. shorter swing is better, you have better control.
So long as there is the right amount of seperation between your hips and shoulders which sounds you have by the distance you have gained that’s all that counts, lengthen your backwing with your arms won’t gain any more distance. Short swing is working stick with it