Swing Analysis - Deb Mielke

Pictured is a good friend of mine and long time student Deb Mielke.  I've worked with Deb on her game for 10 years.  She's one of the most dedicated students I've ever had.  She was a 90 shooter when I first started helping her and now she's a regular qualifier for the USGA Mid Amateur and Senior Amateur Championships.

Here's a sequence of her swing from a recent lesson.  Below is a recap of each picture.

Picture 1 - Nice set-up.  All the body parts are aligned properly.  Her bend from the knees and waist allow her to have the correct shaft angle at address.
Picture 2 - At the halfway point in the backswing her clubhead is slightly behind her hands.  This slight flaw lends itself to an 'across the line' position at the top of the backswing.
Picture 3 - The club has moved above but has remained parallel to the original swing plane line.
Picture 4 - Deb has turned behind the ball nicely with good length to the swing however the club is across the target line.
Picture 5 - Deb has had a history of coming over the top with the club and the angle of her downswing has been too steep.  She has corrected the steepness in her downswing but her arms and club have moved slightly out and over at the start of the downswing  from where she took the club back in the backswing.
Picture 6 -  The angle of the golf shaft has almost returned to the original shaft plane at impact.  This is an indication that she's been consistent with the club swinging down the plane better in the downswing.  However she's hung back too far on her right foot. This position could cause her to bottom out behind the ball or catch it thin if her hands get active.  She's also in a position to get the ball moving a little too much to the left when she hangs back.
Picture 7 - Deb has extended nicely with the golf shaft past impact.  She's still a little too much on her back foot this late into the downswing and follow through.
Picture 8 - I like the club finishing across the back of her head.  I also like the finished position with her hips and legs.
This was a well struck shot with very little movement on the ball.  If Deb can continue to improve on this golf swing, 2010 is going to be a very good year for her.