Mike Weir's pre shot backstoke ritual?

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rcw

rcw

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I have a tape of Weir on the golf channel with his instructor. The reason he does the drill is so he does not take the club back with a shut clubface, or take it too much around his body. He said he had this move from playing hockey. The waggle or routine gets his left arm rotating more which gets the club toe up at first paralell, and also more square at the top, matching his forearm and wrist as opposed to facing the sky more. He used to have a stronger grip which also caused the closed face. He has now been working to get more of a neutral grip like the one Brian teaches. He said he has modeled his swing off of Hogan's, because Hogan had the same problems as he did. His position a the top from down the line is very similar to Hogan. His trail forearm is straight up and down just like Hogan.
I had a strong grip for a while and now I have changed to a neutral one. His routine has helped me to not revert back to my strong grip and shut face. I now hit my irons staighter than ever.
 
rcw

rcw

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Any routine is about getting your mind ready. But there are specific reasons for why he does what he does. He explained it himself. When he stopped doing it for a while he did not play as well. I think it helps him not revert back to his old habits.
 
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hue

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Any pre shot routine should be designed to get your mind working on an automatic level when playing the shot at hand not a conscious manual one. His routine seems the kind of thing that you would do in a conscious manual way when working on ingraining an on plane backstroke. If you look at DiMarco's ritual it looks like a conscious checking procedure that is at odds with getting to automatic. The thing I find strange is that they are doing these things when playing not just on the practice ground. I would be very interested to see what the experts think of this in particular Brian and keygolf.
 
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EdZ

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The more your routine is a 'recipe' for setting up and swinging the same way each time, the better. Most routines have a 'grip' portion, a stance, an aim, a balance.... and they simply add a takeaway 'check'. Nothing wrong with that, and a very good idea IMO, as long as what you do is 'actually' what you need to do to get 'your' recipe right, and 'your' rhythm right. Most people would see some great improvement in being precise about their 'recipe'. The trick is to make these 'checks' automatic during practice. It is said over and over again, but pre shot routine is key... it makes golf more of a 'reaction' to the target. More like shooting a basketball. The best players have the least on their minds during a shot and just 'follow the recipe' every time.
 
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Bogienights

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So what would one want to see if one looked back at the clubhead at first parallel? Would you want the hosel-to-toe line to be in line with your spine angle? Or perpendicular to the ground? Or the toe pointed behind you over your right shoulder? I'm a beginner and am curious about this. Thanks.
 
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