NSA: Does it tackle 'Over the top'?

[ColinMB]

I see what you're saying.

I have this habit, especially if my back starts giving in, of throwing the club away. I thought if I had a 'hit the box' pose past impact, I can't be throwing the club in front of my hands. But I see how it would also in fact slow the crossing over of the arms. That's an astute observation.

About 1 hour into the video Brian directly targets swinging 'under the stick' with preventing us from coming up to quick after impact (as you mentioned). Yea, I just watched the video again....

Swinging under the stick does a few 'bonus' things as well I think. I've seen a 'pro path' being used by my instructor on me, but any ideas on making one?

I'm trying to think of a good way of emulating that exercise without having someone hold a pole.... just imagining the stick a foot on either end of the ball/path might be good enough?

Anyway, the changes have so instantaneous it's surprised me. I can't wait to get out there again.

Thanks for the advice. I'll be swinging under the stick.

 

[tank]

Here is a link to a post from a member who had the brilliant idea to configure two golf club boxes as a swing path aid.

http://www.brianmanzella.com/forum/showthread.php?p=116996&highlight=golf+club+boxes#post116996

I saw this and thought about possibly stacking 3 pieces of scrap 2x4" wood blocks (or 1 piece of 6x6) to use in place of the bottom box, and maybe attaching a dowel covered with foam rubber (to use in place of the upper box).

At any rate, you want to use something that won't damage your nice Mizuno's.

 

[shortgamer]

Hey colin-is your pro going to swallow his pride and visit here? BTW-congrats on your new game!

 

[ColinMB]

Thanks Shortgamer, but it's not all gravy yet. Don't get me wrong I am VERY impressed with what's happened in such a short time! However, as amazing as driving got, for right now I am spraying irons more than I used to. BUT I don't see that as a bad thing as I am adjusting to not coming over the top and not leaving the face open... so I haven't keyed in how much twist is too much twist.

I'm trying to figure out how much twist to use, it seems to be an amazing tool but very easy to over-cook it if you're not careful.

Honestly, my instructor is really, really good. I had one before now that made the game so much more difficult that my current instructor had me unlearn a heap of stuff first. I almost feel sorry for him. lol

When it came to me finding some final pieces I don't think some of Brian's concepts would have been something my instructor would have used. Long story short, I have come a long way and would never disrespect or disregard all the great stuff he's shown me to get me this far. He also has immense patience. (as an aside even as an accomplished pro, he has never, ever rejected outside influence/ideas in our lessons.)

I have been unable to stay away from the range since viewing the video. I just got back again... I realize how much you MUST start coming from the inside once you start grasping twist away/twisting to the target.

My easiest thought that seems to work is to target the very inside of the ball.

I do have two questions now that I've given more time to the NSA fundamentals:

- How long did it take you to realize how much to close the face before you were getting reliable directional control?

- Does anyone find twisting a lot on the way back sometimes causes you to relieve the discomfort by untwisting on the way down? I have been twisting less on the way back and it seems to allow me to twist more on the way down this way. Is this a mistake on my part?

Thanks again.

 

[braveheart]

I reviewed my NSA video and applied the twistaway more aggressively when using the driver and have hit the longest and straightest drives of my career. I find I don't have to concentrate on doing it as much with 6-SW. I may be over the top too as I can pull the ball hard with these irons if I overcook the twistaway. As ColinMB has said, it is an amazing little tool to use. Seems to work best when applied more deliberately with the hybrids, woods, long irons for me.

Getting used to holding it through the shot without tension is the one thing I have to remember.

I don't hit soft draws but I am straighter as a result of NSA. For that I am very grateful.

 

[braveheart]

Hey Colin, I'm happy to see that you are having such immediate positive results with Brian's teachings. As you have realized, you will spend a lot less and learn a lot more around here than anywhere else.

I believe that the "swing under the stick before and after impact" feel is intended to be very different from the "hit the box with the entire shaft" feel. For me the former promotes more early swivel (or continuing to close the face through impact), where the latter promotes less swivel through impact and a later crossing over of the hands.

I think that's why the "swing under the stick" helps you to stop slicing, and the "hit the box" helps you if your ball starts going too far left.

If what you are doing is working for you, keep doing it ... but if you find that the face is not squaring through impact enough or you are not releasing the club, you might give the "swing under the stick" feel a try.

"Hit the box" if you starting to hit too far left? The twistaway has transformed my driving, woods and long iron play. I am now hitting them longer and straighter though at times I hit a long dead pull, not as terrible as the slices I formerly hit but they occur. Please explain further how "hit the box" avoids the pull as much? Perhaps, I need to re -watch NSA again. NSA and this site have done more to help my game than any tip, book or instructor I have used.