why can i not hit a straight golf shot ?

Answer 1

Generally, because we're not supposed to!
The great teacher Harvey Penick used to do demonstrations and trick shots to make money when he was younger. He used to ask the assembled audience to call out a shot shape for him to hit, (low, high, left, right, draw, fade and combinations of these) and he used to then hit whatever had been called. He said the one shot he DIDN'T want to hear was "Straight". He always maintained that a perfectly straight shot was a fluke.

On a slightly more serious note, I echo the person that simply said "see a pro". Without actually being able to see the set up, swing and more importantly, ball flight, it's pretty impossible to diagnose a fault. Another great teacher, John Jacobs, said that he could tell any player what was wrong with their swing from looking at the ball flight. Without it it's much harder to see what sort of spin the clubface is putting on the ball. It really is imperative that the pro can see where the ball is going after 100,150,200, 250 yds. I'd distrust any pro that doesn't conduct their lessons on a proper range, opting instead to see thei pupils hit into nets 10 yds away. They'll see nothing of the ball flight like this.

A pro will give you a neutral to strong grip ( so that you can see two and a half to three knucles on the left hand at address), make sure your ball posistion is correct, check your alignment (making sure your body is aiming at a target on a parralel line to the ball/target line, think standing on train tracks, with the ball aimed down one rail and your body down the other. Don't aim the body at the taget, your ball will go left!), make sure your stance is nice and athletic (think receiving a serve in tennis or preparing to save a penalty). Always remember GASP for getting things right. Grip. Aim. Stance. Posture.

They'll get you to turn correctly and get the club coming at the ball on a nice inside/inside path. Swing smoth and free and hold your finish, keep practising and those elusive straight shots might just become a more frequent occurrence.

Happy golfing.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Too much back swing. I had the same problem and had some real pro tuition to put it right as I had to play in a big pro-am.

Address the ball, not to close but enough so that arms are straight out front but slack. Bend knees, eyes on ball, back swing until left arm is straight across chest (not bent) and follow through without rushing keeping head down throughout. Always practice with a six iron. Sounds stupid but I swear it works. Everything I hit went to the right - now I hit it straight down the line!

Answer 4

Golf swings are 90% mental and only 10% physical. Your mind thinks now that you can't hit a straight shot because that's what you've told yourself and you're psyching yourself out. It happens to the best of us. Don't worry. You should just get a golf coach and attend lessons once a week. They can really help you to overcome those mental barriers, plus they just give you good tips all-around. Contact your local Pro-shop and they can refer you. Good luck!

Answer 5

i play off 1and i cant hit a straight shot either, hitting a straight shot is the hardest shot in golf. aslong as u can hit the ball and havnt got a wild hook or fade play to ure shape. tahts what i do. i hit a gentle fade with most clubs naturally so thats the shape i play, so a fade to me is a straight shot as it goes where i aim it to go. if i can get down to one without hitting a staight shot i am pretty sure u can get down low if u just play to your shape.

the fact u dont hit a straight shot is because everything cannot be square at impact, maybe ure stance is open/closed, maybe ure club is open/closed or maybe your timing is all wrong. there are loads of reasons why u dont hit a straight shot. to many to bother with i think. just get out there and play with what u have got.

Answer 6

Straight shots are the hardest to hit due to the small amount of time the clubface is on the ball. Your swing path and cluface have to be aligned perfectly.

It is much easier to consistently hit a fade or draw. The amount of fade or draw will still vary slightly in the best players. If you can control all of your shots so that what you want to accomplish is achieved 70% of the time, you can play and be one of the top players on tour. Hit 70% of the fairways, 70% of the greens, 70% of the putts, 70% sand saves, 70% up and downs from off the green, and you will be a millionair.

Answer 7

I couldn't hit a straight golf shot sober!

Answer 8

I once hit a 3-Iron tee-shot at one of the shorter holes - Sliced it dreadfully. The ball went screaming out of the lynx, hit a cyclist and dropped him right there in the road. A few yards behind him was a school bus that veered horribly to avoid the cyclist, but went over a cliff killing everyone on it - 37 kids and the driver.
My partner's (we were playing a two-ball) reaction was "Oh My God! What are you going to do?"
"hmmm, well I think I should close the club-face a little"

Answer 9

There could be a lot of different reasons. You need to start with a good sound set up. Hands arms shoulders legs and aligned to the target. Then have a good shoulder turn and start your downswing on plane and a good follow thru. Have you considered taking a few lessons to get the basics.

Answer 10

tiger woods cant hit a straight golf shot all the time...... get lessons of your local pro he will tell you how to make best out of your natural swing