So, I’ve been pulling my shots in golf forever, you know? Like, I’d hit the ball and it’d just zip straight left or right off the tee, totally messing up my game. It was driving me crazy, costing me strokes, and making me feel like a total newbie out there.
Getting started with the fix
First off, I decided to stop just winging it and actually watch what I was doing wrong. I went to the driving range with my buddy Jim, and he filmed me swinging with his phone. Watching that video, man, it was ugly—I was swinging way too inside, almost like I was dragging the club across my body instead of letting it flow straight through. So, I figured, okay, time to tackle this step by step and not overcomplicate things.
- Step 1: Fixing my stance—I stood up straighter and lined my feet, hips, and shoulders up with where I wanted the ball to go. It felt weird at first, like I was forcing myself into position, but after a few practice swings, it started to feel more natural.
- Step 2: Adjusting my grip—I used to hold the club way too tight, which made my arms stiff and caused that inside swing. I loosened up, almost like I was holding a baby bird—gentle but firm. This helped me keep the club on a straighter path back and through.
- Step 3: Focusing on the swing path—I started slow, swinging back so the club went straight back like I was pulling a rope toward me, not curving inward. Then, on the downswing, I imagined pushing the club out toward the target instead of letting it cut across. I did this over and over, even with half-swings, to get the muscle memory going.
Putting it all into practice
Next, I headed to the course for some real testing. On the first few holes, I’d step up to the ball and think “stance first, grip loose, path straight.” It was hit or miss—some shots still pulled badly, and I’d curse under my breath. But I stuck with it, taking deep breaths and resetting every time. I even started counting out loud like a weirdo: “Back straight, push through, follow through.”
After about an hour, things clicked. I was hitting straighter, more controlled shots, and that pull was fading away. It felt amazing, like I finally got that “ah-ha” moment where I wasn’t fighting the swing anymore. I ended up shaving a few strokes off my game, and my buddies noticed the difference right away.
Looking back, it wasn’t magic—just taking it slow and building good habits step by step. Now, I’m way more confident on the course, and that frustration’s gone. Plus, sharing this helps me remember why I love doing this stuff: fixing the little things makes the game way more fun.