Jr. Hitting behind the ball

gongolfn · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 13

Jeff, My daughter (Jr.) is just now starting to show interest in playing golf. Overall her golf swing is really pretty good. The part of her swing that she is having the most problem with is hitting behind the ball. She hits an inch or two behind the ball about 50 percent of the time. Can you please give a few reasons for hitting behind the ball? Appreciate it Laughing

Thanks, Oran

DTG Jeff · DTG Customer Service Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 264

Oran,

There would be a couple of things immediately come to mind that I would check. First is if she is younger and relatively new to the game it could be the equipment. Any beginner (specially children) are going to find the golf club heavy and a little awkward in the beginning until they build up some of the golf muscles. I would make sure that the club is the proper length and that it has a light graphite shaft in it. You can think of this like swinging a sledge hammer like a golf club. For even the most experienced golfer the heavy weight of the hammer on the downswing will be next to impossible to keep from hitting the ground as you swing it. This is obviously an exageration to explain my point but hopefully it helps paint a picture for you.
If you feel the equipment is fine then I would first look to the setup making sure the ball position was in correct spot and that her weight is not on her heels at address. Having the weight on you heels at address often leads to a lunge towards the ball on the downswing which shifts the weight heavy on the front of your feet causing the golfer to hit behind the ball.
These are a couple of things for you to look at please let me know how she progresses and I will be happy to continue to help diagnose the problem if it continues. The more information you can give me the better, specially her ball flight (high, low, slice, hook etc.) can be very valuable even when trying to cure something as simple as hitting behind the ball.

Thanks,
Jeff

gongolfn · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 13

Jeff, Now that you've pointed it out, I can see that it may be the weight on the heals and lunging forward. I've been trying to get her to bend at the knees a little more. She gets set up correctly at address then somewhere along the way she straightens up in the knees. I think that is the point where she rocks back then lunges forward. That's a good place to start. Thanks for the great tip! Her clubs are a Jr. starter set. I bought them about a year ago but she didn't show much interest until now. Next season she'll have outgrown the starter set and be ready for new set. I forgot to mention that I'm new to the forum. Wanted to say it looks to be a great forum. The DTG equipment and selection is great also. Thanks, Oran.

DTG Jeff · DTG Customer Service Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 264

Oran,

Glad to hear you enjoying the Forum were growing slowly but surely everyday. Let me know how her swing progresses and if there is any other help you might need.

Jeff