I took a lesson from my pro at my club. She switched me to mid-body hands and worked on my turn. I slide alot back and through. I checked it in a mirror and my head was moving a foot back and through. She also said I need more axis tilt. My question is do you guys have any drills or thoughts to help me out? I have many of Brian's videos but the execution part eludes me. Walt
Lesson help
- Thread starter Walt
- Start date
- Status
Erik_K
New
The head moving and the hip slide (if that's what you are talking about) could be associated with a poor pivot.
For me, I really need to focus on my feet and hips. That is to say on the backswing, once I feel the weight gather on the right instep (or arch) - no more shifting; just lift the arms a little and turn the shoulders. Get behind the ball. Look at video of Mike Finney.
On the downswing, the idea is the same. The weight gathers over the left instep and should not go past that point. If you continue shifting, you'll need to release early to hit the ball. Thus, once your head returns to basically where it was at address, it's, mostly, rotation. The head stays back, the left shoulder is working up and behind you. The right is driving down plane.
For wedges and short irons, I don't feel like there's a lot of head movement. Even for the driver, it seems that that Tour players only need their heads to move back 2-3" - again, they are coiling behind the ball.
In the Soft Draw video, Brian elaborates on the backswing extensively. The takeaway is a little to the inside, the hands work inside (no pop out). The arms lift up, elbows are soft and wide.
An old favorite of mine for a good backswing (with respect to weight shift) is to place a ball under the right foot, say and inch or two behind the 'pinky' toe. So the 'outer' portion of the right foot is in contact with the ball. As you shift to the right you'll feel the foot compress against the ball. If necessary, allow the right leg to stiffen some so you can pivot about the right hip.
This will likely feel very strange. But if you look in the mirror you'll be making a much more athletic turn behind the ball.
Erik
For me, I really need to focus on my feet and hips. That is to say on the backswing, once I feel the weight gather on the right instep (or arch) - no more shifting; just lift the arms a little and turn the shoulders. Get behind the ball. Look at video of Mike Finney.
On the downswing, the idea is the same. The weight gathers over the left instep and should not go past that point. If you continue shifting, you'll need to release early to hit the ball. Thus, once your head returns to basically where it was at address, it's, mostly, rotation. The head stays back, the left shoulder is working up and behind you. The right is driving down plane.
For wedges and short irons, I don't feel like there's a lot of head movement. Even for the driver, it seems that that Tour players only need their heads to move back 2-3" - again, they are coiling behind the ball.
In the Soft Draw video, Brian elaborates on the backswing extensively. The takeaway is a little to the inside, the hands work inside (no pop out). The arms lift up, elbows are soft and wide.
An old favorite of mine for a good backswing (with respect to weight shift) is to place a ball under the right foot, say and inch or two behind the 'pinky' toe. So the 'outer' portion of the right foot is in contact with the ball. As you shift to the right you'll feel the foot compress against the ball. If necessary, allow the right leg to stiffen some so you can pivot about the right hip.
This will likely feel very strange. But if you look in the mirror you'll be making a much more athletic turn behind the ball.
Erik
gravity003
New
Either Brian or Mike at newyorkgolf.com recommends for the average golfer you make a very flat shoulder turn on the backswing. Stand up right put shaft across shoulders and turn. Now take golf stance and turn shoulders flat. A thought that helps me do this is back shoulder lower than front. Remember weight goes to inside of back heel. Caution club shaft goes above back shoulder and tendency is to get very flat with the shaft. You do not turn shoulders on the same path on downswing. If you do you will push or hook the ball off the planet.
I find when I slide I am swinging with the up body and not leading with the lower. If your head is moving forward during the start of downswing you will slide. My swing thought is head back and weight to inside of front heel. Worked last two times I played but seems my swing thoughts work great for a couple of times then bye bye.
I find when I slide I am swinging with the up body and not leading with the lower. If your head is moving forward during the start of downswing you will slide. My swing thought is head back and weight to inside of front heel. Worked last two times I played but seems my swing thoughts work great for a couple of times then bye bye.
sliding
You are correct about my hips and head sliding. I have worked on the Manzella pivot for awhile now and can do it great as long as my arms are not involved. Once my arms are attached to the club I start to slide. We worked on the turn and she positioned me. It has helped especially with the back swing but I still have a hard time firming up my left side and sliding in the downswing. I have some drills but it feels forced. I guess what I really need is what do you guys do to keep your head from sliding past the ball pre-impact in the downswing? Thanks, Walt
You are correct about my hips and head sliding. I have worked on the Manzella pivot for awhile now and can do it great as long as my arms are not involved. Once my arms are attached to the club I start to slide. We worked on the turn and she positioned me. It has helped especially with the back swing but I still have a hard time firming up my left side and sliding in the downswing. I have some drills but it feels forced. I guess what I really need is what do you guys do to keep your head from sliding past the ball pre-impact in the downswing? Thanks, Walt
- Status