Why have a lost distance with all of my clubs?

Question

I am 31 years old, and I know at this age I am starting to lose some flexibility and fast twitch muscle fiber, but the drop has been dramatic in the past 18 months. When I was younger (early to mid 20s) my swing speed with the driver was 120-124mph, and I carried a 6 iron 205. Fast forward to my 30th birthday and the swing had started to slow down slightly (driver 118ish) 6 iron carry around 195-200.

Now in the past year the distance has really started to go. I haven't been on a monitor in a while but about 9 months ago I was down to 110 to 114mph, which at the time made my 6 iron carry about 190. I know my swing speed isn't THAT much slower, it probably has to do more with my launch angle, which has become VERY high. My 6 iron flight is more like a 9 iron now....and barely goes 175. I've gone from being a once a month 2 handicap that hit driver 325 to a 14 handicap that suddenly can't hit anything pin high because I have no idea what my club numbers are. I played in a scramble today and thought I had striped a 4 iron from about 215 that didn't even get on the green (went about 195). I stood there dumbfounded because I really thought I had just stuck us in close for eagle....and ended up looking like "that guy" on the course that always thinks he can hit it a mile.

I have played golf on and off since I was 4 years old and really understand fundamentals...and I have always been good at "tinkering" with my swing to fix little problems here and there. I am stumped on this one. I have been to the range quite a bit playing with different tempos, takeaway angles, and some timing drills...nothing. Everything is still high and right.

I don't think I am coming over the top...if anything I am coming from the inside and not clearning my hips, causing me to get "stuck"...but as I said before...I'm lost.

Does anyone have any suggestions on something that could be causing this?

Answer 1

Well let me start out by saying that i know you may not want to take advice from a 19 year old girl, but after many years playing golf at a state and national level, i am able to somewhat diagnose a swing...so here it goes.



I have struggled in the past with the launch angle of my irons being VERY high and not getting as much distance, so yeah i know it can be frustrating and at times embarrassing. One thing my swing coach had me working on for hours is my club face at P2(as far back as you can take the club without using wrists or hands...basically all shoulders) making sure that my club is down my toe line, then the club head at the top of the swing. If your club head is too closed and facing more toward the ground, you are de-lofting your club therefore not taking advantage of the distance which may explain your loss of distance on irons. Also, if your club angle at the top of your swing is too steep (up and down) it will have the same affect. You will hit the ball chunky and high, which of course i do not know if chunky is one of the issues.



As far and going to the right, there are two basic things that can do that. On your down swing one of the most important pieces is to use arms first and swing your club out to the right, making sure you completely close the face of the club. If your swing is going across your body to the left (all backwards if you are actually a lefty...just switch the directions given) the impact will put a spin on the ball making it go to the right. One easy way to check your path is by looking at your divots, if they are going to the left, your path is across the body, if they are going to the right, then that is not the issue. If so, then what is probably causing it is not closing the face of your club at impact. if you are swinging your club to the right and not closing your club face, obviously your ball will go to the right. If this is the issue one drill i have done is taken a 2x4 pice of wood and sat it down like it is my ball with a tee behind it (holding it in place) slowly with any club take it back to the top like usual then swing down and make sue your face of the club is flush with the board. And no, the board will not harm your clubs in any ways...trust me, i have taken some cunks out of them with differant drills and it doesnt do anything.



As far as the trajectory of the ball deciding between which issue you have (if you are not able to with the divots), if ou are swinging across your body to the left, your ball will start left and then slice to the right. If you are not closing the club face, it will start right and turn just a little bit to the right.



I really hope this helps you out. I know how frustrating all of this can be.



~Jess

Answer 2

It sounds like you may need to make a visit to check the lofts and lie angles to see if they need to be adjusted or maybe even reshafting your irons if you've been using them a while. Swing flaws will creep up ever so often. I had been playing well for the longest time this year and then last week I shanked the ball a couple of times and thought that it was time to visit the range. I hit the ball well at the range, but was off today when I played. Very few greens in regulation and inconsistent putting. You can consult a pro who can record your swing to see what's different in your swing. It also could be that you're just simply not making solid contact. Good luck figuring this out.

Answer 3

Did you change clubs recently? If your irons are going very high, it sounds like your shafts may not be stiff enough and you're getting too much backspin. I had the same issue when I got a new set of clubs, but I found that by SLOWING DOWN my swing and getting good solid contact every time, I hit the ball much further.



Don't swing so hard. The players on the PGA will tell you they swing 70-80%, get good contact, and let the clubs do the rest. Sounds like something you can try at the driving range.

Answer 4

The easiest way to learn golf like a pro is by following "The Simple Golf Swing" program. It's primarily a 31 page eBook that teaches golfers how to make solid contact with the ball, how to avoid hitting fat, how to avoid slicing, how get more power, accuracy, and consistency in your swing. Consistency being the number 1 golf skill.



You not only get the eBook though, you also receive a ton of extra material including video, lessons on putting, driving, chipping, sand play etc. Here is their official site: http://www.golfswingguru.net

Answer 5

Have you changed your clubs over the years? (ie. different shafts/different clubs with higher degree lofts, etc.) If not go to a place that you can try different clubs and try softer shafts and higher degree loft clubs. I'm 17 and can hit my driver about 320, but I can only hit my 5 iron about 200, so a 6 iron 205 is pretty impressive, I see why you would be complaining.

Answer 6

I'll give you the short version on this answer. I am 68 years old and have carried index's from 3 to 14 (current). The same thing has happened to me almost every year. You lay off for the winter and lose it. Work your butt off and get it back. Don't worry about it! PS An early season lesson followed up in about a month never hurts.

Answer 7

try working out, weight lifting, pushups, situps. Studies have shown it to increase distance by 10-15 yards. I did it and it actually worked. 6 iron before = 170 6 iron after = 180

This also has no negative effects on accuracy