After working on the swing at the range for a few weeks I tried to take it to a course today. Ugh! Too many shots sliced off into the brush to result in drops and a staggeringly high score. Looks like more work is needed at the range.

Check your grip. Beginning golfers have no chance with an improper grip. You could be too strong, which can do two things: 1. Close down your clubface, which is why the longer clubs don't get any loft and go left, and 2. turning your hands too quickly at impact which promotes a wild hook.
Check this out for a good start.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmK07gRcVo0

where is the ball in relation to your feet in your stance?

Slightly closer to the lead foot than the rear foot. But pretty close to center.

Yeah, that was completely new to me. LOL

I don't know how your grip could be too strong. V's of your hands pointing at your right shoulder, it's almost unnatural to go more strong than that. I have a problem just making myself get my grip that strong.

My left hand naturally goes to the club in a strong position, and I think it does for most people. If you just hang your hands in front of you, your left hand should naturaly hang in that position (how many knuckles can you see? More than two, I'll bet.). I have to concentrate on NOT getting too strong. Maybe it's just me, but when I start hitting the ball the way he describes, it's because my left hand is getting way too strong on the grip.

Usually when I hook the ball it's because I'm getting tired and I tend to swing too hard and grip the club too tight. I have to remember to basically grip the club with the last two fingers and relax my swing, otherwise my wrists won't break coming through the ball....and then it starts getting really ugly.

I just had the best practice of my life. Went to the range to continue to work and develop my swing. Every club in the bag other than the driver went very well. My shot of the day was a 5 wood that went about 175 yards and straight down the target line. I never felt like I had much control on the ball but today was very good. If only I could get more consistent and get over that mental hurdle with the driver I could be pretty functional on the course.

First off the clubs you are struggling with are the most difficult to hit, especially long irons and fairway woods. You may want to consider picking up a used hybrid. Everyone (with the exception of me) finds them much easier to hit.

I concur with the lessons idea big time. I've been struggling with my driver for decades but I've finally gotten it together the past 2 years and one pro was the reason. The game is NO fun at all when you spend your entire day hitting crooked tee shots. You are done before leaving the tee box and can only hope for bogey.

Any Advice?
 

Slowly my swing is getting better, my short and mid irons are looking great. However the long irons, fairway woods and driver are looking shaky at best. Any words of wisdom to get more length on my longer clubs?

Hard to say with this vague description. I'd say make sure you come all the way through to your back with the club. Are they going left or right or just short?

Typically short. Until I bring out the big dog and then they hook wildly left.

Practice a lot, if you keep your swing the same (which it should be) ball placement may be an issue. At first practice with the shorter irons (you're more comfortable w/ them) and then progess into the longer ones one at a time from PW-9-8-7-6-5-4-3 and try moving the ball closer (say a ball length) towards your left foot if your RH. I find I hit my longer irons 3-4-5 just left off center, 6-7-8 just at center and 9-wedges (3) just right of center.

Lastly. . . lessons, trust me are worth it!!! And if so, make sure that he -or- she has their PGA or LPGA card. Interview them as you would do w/ anyone that your paying money to.

Finally . . . Have fun out there!!

I live 5 minutes away from a driving range so I have started stopping by after work to hit a small bucket of balls. Today I was smoking the ball with the 56 degree all purpose wedge, 9i and 8i. But its just so darn inconsistent with clubs like the 3i and 5 wood. The driver just feels so off. Like the top of the swing is out of sync and the swing just falls apart. But hey, its a good way to get out of the house and be active.

you're not leaning that left shoulder forward are you? That would account for the snap hook on the driver.

Now that you mention it, I think that in trying to keep my backswing on plane the left shoulder does dip.

It sounds like you have the same problem I do...you (we) suck at golf.

Indeed. But it is a good excuse to walk around in a well kept park. http://www.sports-boards.net/forums/...es/biggrin.png