Standing up in the downswing

[cwdlaw223]

What's wrong with standing up in the downswing (a/k/a losing your tush line)?

Why do most people do it?

I find it easier on my body/back to stand up in the downswing and fall back a little onto my heels to get left and be more rotational. I'm generally an arms/hands dominant golfer.

 

[Kevin Shields]

Its only a problem if it is the direct cause of poor ballflight. I think alot of people do it to help them fit the club or back the shaft up to the inside often because of an insufficient backswing.

 

[Jared Willerson]

Look at Ross Fisher. He is the poster boy for this...he seems to hit it well.

 

[siegler]

Why do most people do it?

Video from another thread where BM talks about why people do it.

 

[Erik_K]

What's wrong with standing up in the downswing (a/k/a losing your tush line)?

Why do most people do it?

I find it easier on my body/back to stand up in the downswing and fall back a little onto my heels to get left and be more rotational. I'm generally an arms/hands dominant golfer.

In my opinion, more good golfers 'stay in their posture' or hug the tush line well into the downswing vs those who do not. I can hit the ball fairly well, and I belong in the group who stands up. However, I am not getting the desired flight and I hit the ball very, very high which loses distance (just my opinion).

I think people stand up mainly because they are steep coming down and/or have a sweep release + circle delivery path. Having a sweep release is OK. If you are hitting the inside of the ball, I think it's fine to lag the club head a lot or have more of sweep action.

In my case, I am releasing a bit early and my path is decidedly out to in - detrimental to the draw flight I desire.

My main goal this summer is really learn how to strike the ball from the inside consistently. It's been killing me for nearly a decade.

Erik

 

[cwdlaw223]

In my opinion, more good golfers 'stay in their posture' or hug the tush line well into the downswing vs those who do not. I can hit the ball fairly well, and I belong in the group who stands up. However, I am not getting the desired flight and I hit the ball very, very high which loses distance (just my opinion).

I think people stand up mainly because they are steep coming down and/or have a sweep release + circle delivery path. Having a sweep release is OK. If you are hitting the inside of the ball, I think it's fine to lag the club head a lot or have more of sweep action.

In my case, I am releasing a bit early and my path is decidedly out to in - detrimental to the draw flight I desire.

My main goal this summer is really learn how to strike the ball from the inside consistently. It's been killing me for nearly a decade.

Erik

I find that I can swing "harder" if I stand up. I also have a herniated disc and turning doesn't work for me. The more upright my posture the easier it is on my back.

Doesn't everyone have a circle delivery path?

 

[dschultz6072]

So you don't get any more space if you don't hump the goat? It would seem to me like it would block the hell out of your arms and force you to stand the shaft up just to get some sort of strike on the ball.

 

[natep]

So you don't get any more space if you don't hump the goat? It would seem to me like it would block the hell out of your arms and force you to stand the shaft up just to get some sort of strike on the ball.

Golfbulldog just posted a new video about this.

He also has several other interesting videos regarding "goat humping" on his youtube page.

 

[dschultz6072]

The majority of amateurs lose their posture and get their hips closer to the ball through impact. 99% of TOUR players do not. A compelling difference between lia's swing and John Daly's (his model) is exactly this. I just don't see how anyone can get any sort of consistent shot going being all cramped up like that. No amount of tumble this or carry that is going to matter if the lie of the club has to be super upright and you're still trying to stop the block or the flip.

Just my own opinion on the matter.

 

[faux_maestro]

Golfbulldog just posted a new video about this.

He also has several other interesting videos regarding "goat humping" on his youtube page.

"At which point does the lust for the goat begin...?" LOL. Just had to explain this to my girlfriend. She just gave me a blank stare.

 

[natep]

Can't see how that or any other of his videos regarding the subject will help a 'goat humper' . Instructors are very quiet on this subject to be fair. Is it a secret to success or are they all clueless.

I never said they would help....they are just interesting observations and visuals of how the right hip and elbow works in different swings.

I agree that instructors are very quiet on this topic and never seem to want to share their opinions on it.

Personally, I dont know how relevant goat humping and standing the handle up is. Maybe its meaningless. I just find it interesting.

 

[natep]

No problem. Hopefully one day we'll get to the bottom of this.

 

[Matt 4-L]

I struggled with this for some time but figured out how to cure it on my own...It has all to do with side bend and axis tilt, if anyone is interested in a laymans answer to this I can try to explain when I get some more time.

 

[faux_maestro]

I struggled with this for some time but figured out how to cure it on my own...It has all to do with side bend and axis tilt, if anyone is interested in a laymans answer to this I can try to explain when I get some more time.

VERY interested!

 

[pokerlife]

I think a big thing that causes this is when a golfer raises or stands up a little bit in the backswing

 

[natep]

I was motivated by this thread to try and rid myself of my slight goat hump this afternoon. I was able to do it, and was able to get my hips open with plenty of room for my right elbow in front of the right hip (this also got me down to the elbow plane, Im usually a little above it). I did it by trying to shift my left hip/weight 45 degrees left of the target line on the downswing, instead of my usual feeling of shifting laterally, parallel to the targetline. Also making sure that all my weight got on the left heel at impact. I hit the ball great, but I was still standing the handle up a couple of inches from its setup angle.

 

[Matt 4-L]

I will write something up tomorrow when I have some time.

 

[dschultz6072]

I feel like I might have some success with toeing my lead foot out and giving my knee a little kick out towards the target during my transition. A little Snead squat, if you will. This move helps me drive my lead hip behind me and around. In fact, if I do it right it's hard to finish straight up and down like when I get done humping the goat. I have to retain a little side bend or it hurts.

 

[golfbulldog]

The majority of amateurs lose their posture and get their hips closer to the ball through impact. 99% of TOUR players do not. A compelling difference between lia's swing and John Daly's (his model) is exactly this. I just don't see how anyone can get any sort of consistent shot going being all cramped up like that. No amount of tumble this or carry that is going to matter if the lie of the club has to be super upright and you're still trying to stop the block or the flip.

Just my own opinion on the matter.

I agree - cramped and tucked up just does not look "golf-like" to me... why take an address position that requires you to contort yourself...

I have the still images from Lia's swings at impact and address and he has a large goat directly in front of him and takes an enormous pelvic thrust (will post if Lia allows) ...most pros have a medium sized goat towards their lead(left) foot...Hogan, Snead and Trevino have a small goat outside their left knee (they nudge the goat downwards) ...well you get the idea... Interestingly Tommy Bolt looks very Hogan like...perhaps no surprise...

There has to be something in the fact that Hogan, Snead and Trevino look one way and Ross Fisher looks slightly different... Ross Fisher is a good pro with an interesting life story...I do not want anyone to feel like I anti-Ross...he is still writing his story and may end up in the same league as the Hogan etc...

There is more to golf than just what the club does...because if you ignore what the body does..the club has little chance to get there...you got to tackle the problem from both sides...body and club... video (IN THE RIGHT HANDS) still has a place in tuition...it is just better if there is accurate clubhead data to reinforce changes... new trackman seems to combine video and D-plane analysis very well...

 

[golfbulldog]

Went to Carnoustie yesterday for British Open (women's)... Michelle Wie wearing white belt so easy to see her pelvis action...her right hip (and heel) rises very quickly after transition different to Hogan...Michelle hit some awful shots (sliced and pull-hooked from the tee) and some great shots (lovely stinger type 3 wood on one tee-shot) ... tonnes of talent, long levers...she is too good to miss left and right...Her father was muttering quite alot in the gallery! BUt those white belts are visual aids are a great visual aid in real time and on video ... more people should wear them!