From good to great

[curtisj76]

If we can get some good responses I would think this should help a lot of us out. I would bet that most of us can hit fairly decent 3/4 shots on a consistent basis. My question........what's the best way to transition those good 3/4 swings into great full swings? Know what I mean? Seems like mechanics go down the pot on full swings since we all want to kill it. So once again, how should we focus on going from 3/4 to full? Shoulders, hips, hands, etc.?

PS Hope we get some good discussion and can help us

 

[curtisj76]

update

Was just thinking this is more important than I originally thought since a lot of TGM instructors teach chip, pitch, punch. This is basically getting from punch to full shot.

 

[bbftx]

Great Question, Curtis

This is a great question.
I've recently decided that "the 3/4 backswing" is the best way to play. I actually have a better release and hit it farther than if I take a full backswing.

They showed Stricker over the weekend on Swingvision, and commented on his "short backswing". He was doing pretty well not taking the club all the way back.

 

[komanin]

excellent q

i have the same difficulty. thats why my bread and butter shot from 130 in is a 8 iron TGM style pitch whereas pitching wedge is fairly inconsistent and unreliable for me same goes with the rest of my irons but man thanks to Brian's video i hit those pitches even with a 3 iron BTW the driver youtube gave me my first 250+ drive so thanks everybody especially the man himself. thanks Brian for all the free info

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Sounds like to me if you have a lot of trouble going from a 3/4 backswing to a full backswing the following things (in no particular order) are breaking down:

1) Plane Angle
2) Lack of Flexibility which can cause swaying or reverse pivoting
3) Overacceleration
4) On Plane Right shoulder

 

[curtisj76]

Sounds like to me if you have a lot of trouble going from a 3/4 backswing to a full backswing the following things (in no particular order) are breaking down:

1) Plane Angle
2) Lack of Flexibility which can cause swaying or reverse pivoting
3) Overacceleration
4) On Plane Right shoulder

I think overacceleration is probably the #1 for me. So how do you teach someone NOT to overaccelerate?

PS I think Jacobs mentioned that this is the #1 problem in golf as well.......maybe you can join in Michael????

 

[EdStraker]

Sounds like to me if you have a lot of trouble going from a 3/4 backswing to a full backswing the following things (in no particular order) are breaking down:

1) Plane Angle
2) Lack of Flexibility which can cause swaying or reverse pivoting
3) Overacceleration
4) On Plane Right shoulder

Jim

My ball striking with the 3/4 backswing is solid. With the full swing, I tend to push the drive. Between plane angle and on plane right shoulder, which one is more likely to be the culprit?

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Jim

My ball striking with the 3/4 backswing is solid. With the full swing, I tend to push the drive. Between plane angle and on plane right shoulder, which one is more likely to be the culprit?

Plane Angle, when you go to 3/4 to full swing you most likely end up BELOW the turned shoulder plane. What i describe as too much in and not enough up. From the 3/4 position you need to feel like you take your #3pp right up towards the sky, it's going to feel VERY STEEP to you because you have most likely been underplane at the top. But look in a mirror, you'll look pretty darn good.

OR

You may not be doing what i say above at all, maybe your backswing is perfect but what happens is you have swayed off the ball and/or leaning too far to the right. This is allowing you to swing too far right and push the shot.

------------------------

The 2 explanations are the most common i see. More than likely 1 of them is u.

 

[curtisj76]

I think I suffer from too much in and not enough up as well. I've been working on going up the wall and have had good success. Only problem is that I now hit the back of the ball sometimes. Is that common? How should I correct this?


Also, I think I've corrected my overacceleration in one day. Amazing results. Less effort and great contact. All I'm doing is swinging not as hard. I can't describe the great feeling I have right now. I think the swing I have now is going to really lower my game. Less effort with the same or better results??????? Who would have thunk that?

 

[The Return of NAT]

Over-Acceleration is due to excesssive hand speed...the usual culprit...pulling the left arm down and forward independent of the pivot...

One helpful drill is the hit balls with a moderately open lower body...feet, knees, and hips, and a fairly square shoulders with hands mid-body...

This address alignment is very "Special" in assisting those who with an over-accleration problem

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

I think I suffer from too much in and not enough up as well. I've been working on going up the wall and have had good success. Only problem is that I now hit the back of the ball sometimes. Is that common? How should I correct this?


Also, I think I've corrected my overacceleration in one day. Amazing results. Less effort and great contact. All I'm doing is swinging not as hard. I can't describe the great feeling I have right now. I think the swing I have now is going to really lower my game. Less effort with the same or better results??????? Who would have thunk that?

Amazing isn't it? Less is more a lot of times in the golf swing

 

[Michael Jacobs]

I think overacceleration is probably the #1 for me. So how do you teach someone NOT to overaccelerate?

PS I think Jacobs mentioned that this is the #1 problem in golf as well.......maybe you can join in Michael????

A simple Tip in Everyday terms :


As your reach the top (end of the backstroke) put all attention into your right index finger's knuckle --- And then Drag it to the finish

 

[curtisj76]

Over-Acceleration is due to excesssive hand speed...the usual culprit...pulling the left arm down and forward independent of the pivot...

One helpful drill is the hit balls with a moderately open lower body...feet, knees, and hips, and a fairly square shoulders with hands mid-body...

This address alignment is very "Special" in assisting those who with an over-accleration problem

Ironic, I have a slightly open stance with my "new swing". Not sure if this has anything to do with it. I just prefer slightly open, trying to bring back my old fade.

 

[curtisj76]

A simple Tip in Everyday terms :


As your reach the top (end of the backstroke) put all attention into your right index finger's knuckle --- And then Drag it to the finish

Thanks for joining Mr Jacobs and for the tip.

PS love your dvd

 

[cmartingolf]

I think most people's 3/4 swing IS there "full" swing... Most folks simply have an overswing.

I see a lack of right arm extensor action with most folks once they get past this "3/4" position. I put that in parens as Moe Norman never took a "full swing" if you think about it with regard to his left arm position nearing say a Davis Love III position... Two different guys and body types. We'd have never heard of Moe Norman if he tried to swing the club like Davis Love III.

I'm sure your average coach potatoe that doesn't have years of built in "golfer flexibility" would play way better golf swinging to a full "3/4" position

 

[daniell]

I'm equally frustrated. I can make pretty good 3/4 swings but when I try to take a full swing, I tend to hit it fat.

As I'm mostly on my own, can anyone teach me how to identify whether I have the below problems. ie.

1) Plane Angle
2) Lack of Flexibility which can cause swaying or reverse pivoting
3) Overacceleration
4) On Plane Right shoulder

and are there any drills to help the transition?

thanks,

daniel

 

[curtisj76]

Anything to add Brian? A good way to transition from punch to full.

Thanks

 

[Brian Manzella]

Well....

I don't subscribe to the idea that a short backswing is better than than a long one.

And...

I don't TEACH most of my students to make LONG backswings either. Just good ones—for them.

Here is a very good example. Three of my students, two brothers and their sister. They have three very differnet swings, yet, I have taught them all for years. None of these swings are short, however. And, they are all very long hitters. And the two on the left—who play golf as their main sport—the one on the right is a football player—are very straight hitters as well.

The point to picture is this:

Their backswings are not short, they do not have silly little reverse pivots, and because of it, the stress the shaft very well, load their accumulators great, and are all superior ball-strikers.

Would I recommend a swing as long as these to all? Heck no, the brothers don't swing back as far as the sister.

Because you make the LONGEST backswing YOU can make and make well.

 

[Bigwill]

How do you determine what is "the longest backswing you can make well"?

 

[Brian Manzella]

That's what a teacher is for....

but, it sounds like a good youTube.