Totally lost my swing. Please help.

Question
Alright, I'm still accurate with my sand and lob wedge, but every other club in the bag has went downhill. Last year, I shot a 70 once. My average is about an 80-85 now, and sometimes worse. I'm fighting a hook. It's really bad with my driver, and longer irons. With my shorter irons, I'm hitting it thin, or pulling it completely. At address, where should my weight be? I'm a lefty by the way. I've never had a lesson. I've heard when your coming down on your down swing, focus on hitting the golf ball with the shaft, it properly releases your hands. I've played the ball back in my stance, forward in my stance, etc. I've read tips on golf websites..and nothing seems to help. Can you give me some pointers, because I feel lost. Thanks.

Answer
Seth,

It's a little hard to diagnose your particular problem without seeing you hit some balls, but here goes.  You mentioned moving the ball around in your stance, and this might be the key to helping you out of your funk.  You mentioned that you're hitting the ball thin and/or pulling it completely with some clubs.  This can easily happen if the ball is too far forward in your stance. If this is the case, the club is already on the way back up and starting to close by the time it gets to the ball. Thin and left is exactly what you'll get.  I'd go to the range and start with one of those wedges you still hit straight.  Then hit a few balls with the other clubs, working your way through the bag from wedge to maybe a 7 iron.  With each club, the ball should be moved just slightly forward in your stance from the point you started with the wedge that you're still comfortable with.  Maybe that will allow you to ease yourself back into hitting your irons more consistently.

Good luck.

John