backswing flaws

Question
QUESTION: I am 50 years old.
I have been golfing for about 10 yrs.
Currently a 24 handicap.
I have always been a short hitter.
I have a backswing flaw that I can FEEL that keeps me from progressing in my game. When I feel this flaw, I may as well pack it up and go home.
I am not able to hinge my wrists without shanking or steering the club. I have had lessons but they just say I have a nice swing but I should swing harder, and take more lessons.
What SHOULD I feel in my backswing that will trigger a feel that I can look for in every swing?
I have given up taking lessons because I believe they have no interest in my improvement but rather my continual lessons.

ANSWER: Hello Greg

My first question is: does this backswing flaw ALWAYS happen?  This is a crucial question.  If not, WHEN does it happen?  WHAT's going on?  HOW long has this been going on?  Although I work with the mental game, I first get as much data as I can - it can be really helpful.

Next question: why do you feel it keeps you from progressing?  There are a number of pros that have swings that many consider horrid, but those pros do great.  Are you comparing what you do with other's (or your) expectations instead of results?  Everyone's body is different, which means everyone's physics is different, which means everyone's results are different.   Being told to just swing harder can be kind of like being told to yell louder if you don't speak someone else's language - that's not going to do much good.

Now, I'm not a golf pro, I'm a specialist with pressure and the mental game.  What I know is that if someone has a belief (aka feeling) that a part of their swing keeps them from progressing, then as long as they believe that, their game will not progress.

Thank you for an interesting question.  Think about what I've said and you are welcome to add to your question and we can examine this further.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The flaw usually happens during the course of the round or at the range. I have had to stop going to the range between or before rounds. If I do practice, it will start again. This is keeping me from progressing because my shots get out of control and my score is higher.
My expectations are just a solid shot.
I am 6'1" 200 lbs and not a flexable as i would like to be.
What is the correct feeling I should have at the top of my backswing?
Greg  

Answer
Hello again, Greg

Since you say that the flaw happens while you are in progress, than what you are saying is that you can hit a solid shot some of the time.  If you start out OK but then your swing deteriorates, it's either a problem with the physical game, the mental game or a combination of the two.  And you can't fix the mental game if the physical game is broken.

If you came into my office for a consultation, based on what you told me, the first thing I'd suggest is a good physical workup. I'd probably suggest a physical exam, maybe a chiropractic exam (with a good chiropractor), maybe an evaluation with a good physical therapist.

What's the correct feeling you should have at the top of your backswing?  I'd say the correct feeling is the one that you get right before you hit a solid shot.  This is a situation where Occam's Razor really does apply.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

David

David Kenward - The Mental Coach
Sacramento, California
http://www.thementalcoach.com
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