[Yoda]

As much as I've tried I can't seem to get the hang of hitting down on the ball during the full swing (have pretty good success in chipping and punch shots).

My question is this... would aiming my hands to a location and not aiming the clubhead "at the ball" assist me in striking down on the ball during a full swing. The aiming point concept is something I find vague but I believe has (or could have) tremendous value. I'm very frustrated in the quality of contact with my full swing and lose a lot of distance and have a higher than "should be" ball flight because (I believe) of my inability to consistently hit down on the ball.

Michael

Welcome aboard, Michael, and thanks for this first post. Keep'em comin'!

Your problems -- lack of 'Down', Distance and desirable Ball Flight -- are due to Throwaway (6-D-0). And there is a high probability it follows the usual sequence: Hand Throw from the Top followed by Over-Acceleration in the Downstroke and Quitting through Impact (6-D-1/2/3). The cure, basically, is learning to swing the Club correctly.

My guess is that you have Off Plane Shoulder Rotation in the Start Down combined with the aforementioned early Hand Throw Release and Wrist Bend (a Horizontal Motion) through Impact. You need to substitute an On Plane Start Down of the Right Shoulder and Hands; a positive Lag Loading; and a strongly Downward Left Wrist Uncocking (a perpendicular motion) through Impact.

So, conceding the constraint of an unseen Stroke, do the following:

1. Leaving your Hands at the Top, begin your Start Down with a slight Hip 'bump' parallel to the Target Line. This move will correctly Load your Left Wrist (and the Lag) On Plane.

2. Drag this Loaded Left Wrist directly toward the Target Line in the Downstroke.

3. Then, sensing the Throw-Out Action of Centrifugal Force in Release, Throw the Club strongly Downward -- directly toward the ground -- with a vigorous Uncocking of the Left Wrist.

These moves are not a band-aid cure. Instead, they are fundamental to a sound Swing. With a little practice, your Swing will improve, and when your Swing improves, your Shots will improve.

That's the way it works.