Jump to content
IGNORED

"The A Swing: The Alternative Approach to Great Golf" by David Leadbetter

iacas

By iacas,
in Reading Room

 Share
Note: This thread is 1983 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Administrator

Discuss "The A Swing: The Alternative Approach to Great Golf" by David Leadbetter here.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

  • Replies 93
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

Mr. Desmond
Mr. Desmond

Ledbetter ... much maligned and respected. From the video on Golf Digest. Didn't Butch just get Rickie out of doing this at the start of the backswing? http://video.golfdigest.com/

Vinsk
Vinsk

I've read the book. I wish I was more savvy with all the tech talk. Remember the Brady Bunch episode when Carol tries to learn how to swing a bat? That's how I feel reading the process of this swing.

Sam Y
Sam Y

Thomas,  I could not agree more. I developed a similar swing to the A, by mistake when trying to get rid of my hook. Only way was to pick the club straight up rather than inside. My index went from 11

mmoan2 Great Member

mmoan2

Thanks! When I find some time to look at it, I'll try to say something interesting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1

Mr. Desmond Super Member

Mr. Desmond

Ledbetter ... much maligned and respected. From the video on Golf Digest.

Didn't Butch just get Rickie out of doing this at the start of the backswing?

http://video.golfdigest.com/watch/david-leadbetter-the-a-swing-backswing

And then the downswing seems to be baseball swing to right field.

http://video.golfdigest.com/watch/david-leadbetter-the-a-swing-downswing

I know little about the details of even my own swing, so my comments are observations from experience.

I am working on a shorter backswing than i presently have, so I see something positive on most golfers feeling a shorter backswing. I don't know what to think -- I actually tried that backswing earlier in the year from looking at youtube (before the A swing) and my instructor said "What the hell are you doing?" I guess that says everything I need to know about the A Swing.

  • Upvote 1

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Author
  • Administrator

I bought the book and will share some thoughts when/if I get a chance to read it.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Hoganwoods Well Established Member

Hoganwoods

The title is strange.. " Alternative Approach".  What does this mean lol.  I'm curious to read people's thoughts on this.

In my bag

Driver:      SLDR 10.5*

Hybrids:   Taylormade RBZ Stage 2

Irons:       NikeVR PRO 4-PW

Wedges:   Nike VR Pro 50* 54* 58*

Putter:      2014 Newport 2

Ball:          E6

Link to comment
Share on other sites

mmoan2 Great Member

mmoan2

The title is strange.. "Alternative Approach".  What does this mean lol.  I'm curious to read people's thoughts on this.

I know that the alternative approach refers to the backswing. It's a simpler backswing, supposedly, that puts the club in an odd position. Check out his website to see what I mean.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1

GolfLug Incredible Member

GolfLug

The title is strange.. "Alternative Approach".  What does this mean lol.  I'm curious to read people's thoughts on this.


Alternative Approach to Great Golf? - Terrible golf.. duh.

Seriously though, I saw the A swing model in the latest Golf digest. All I can say is.. interesting. Cupping wrist like that in the BS is poison for my move.

Vishal S.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1

isukgolf Great Member

isukgolf

Sounds like a marketing ploy to sell products ... starting to view David in the same light as I do Hank ...

Ken Proud member of the iSuk Golf Association ... Sponsored by roofing companies across the US, Canada, and the UK

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1

Mr. Desmond Super Member

Mr. Desmond

Sounds like a marketing ploy to sell products ... starting to view David in the same light as I do Hank ...


Starting?

David was selling before Hank was a brand name... I place both in File 13.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1

Ernest Jones Incredible Member

Ernest Jones

Starting?

David was selling before Hank was a brand name... I place both in File 13.

Agreed. The first golf advice I ever got was to steer clear of David Leadpoison's schtick. I remember reading back to back articles from him that completely contradicted each other in the same magazine...

:loco:

Plus, every time I see him I think it's Eric Idle doing a parody of him.

:-$

Yours in earnest, Jason.
Call me Ernest, or EJ or Ernie.

PSA - "If you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!"

My Whackin' Sticks: :cleveland: 330cc 2003 Launcher 10.5*  :tmade: RBZ HL 3w  :nickent: 3DX DC 3H, 3DX RC 4H  :callaway: X-22 5-AW  :nike:SV tour 56* SW :mizuno: MP-T11 60* LW :bridgestone: customized TD-03 putter :tmade:Penta TP3   :aimpoint:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1

Hoganwoods Well Established Member

Hoganwoods

LOL @ the video in p ost 14. A-Swing approved training aids?  A boomerang?  The guy has like 4 training aids for this simple new swing.

In my bag

Driver:      SLDR 10.5*

Hybrids:   Taylormade RBZ Stage 2

Irons:       NikeVR PRO 4-PW

Wedges:   Nike VR Pro 50* 54* 58*

Putter:      2014 Newport 2

Ball:          E6

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Author
  • Administrator

Seriously though, I saw the A swing model in the latest Golf digest. All I can say is.. interesting. Cupping wrist like that in the BS is poison for my move.

I have the book coming, but basically I believe it is:

  • A cupped left wrist with a steep, across-the-line shaft at 4.
  • The idea is that you shallow it from there, but… most players won't IMO.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

  • Moderator
nevets88 Incredible Member

nevets88

  • Moderator

Golf Digest has a little preview of the book:

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction/2015-06/david-leadbetter-a-swing-starter-kit

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1

podunker Member

podunker

Disclaimer: I am a tinkerer by nature when it comes to my golf swing. I am around a 7-8 hdcp, but would say my putting is very good and that carries me. I have tried many concepts over the years and learned something from them all. Yes, I call them concepts, SnT, Natural, Single Plane, etc. My biggest problem has always been consistency. For example, I shot a 73 last Sunday, and and 81 five days later. I hit a bunch of solid iron shots with the 73 and could not hit a solid shot with the 81. In my mind, nothing had changed with my swing between those few days. Contact changed, and when I couldn’t make good contact, I started changing my swing mid round to fix it! Guess how that worked out?

Here are my first impressions after skimming the book, watching the seminar, and taking a few swings in the yard without hitting any balls.  Trust me when I say this, I have never read anything from Leadbetter except the stuff he puts in the golf magazines a few years back. I don’t get any of those publication now, and haven’t a couple years. So I feel like I can be pretty fair when trying this concept out.

The first radical change for me was in the grip. Gripping the club more in the fingers is an unusual sensation for me. I always wear out my gloves first in the heel of the palm.  The new grip inherently seemed to make the club handle set lower and seemed to me to loosen up my forearm pressure. It also made it much more natural to keep the club head outside the hands on the backswing. Having the right hand in such a weak position was also a big change. When I watch the seminar, I also noticed when Dennis Watson was swinging the club early on while Leadbetter was talking, his wrist seemed to be very loose, and limber. I kind of like the feeling honestly.

I also liked in the seminar how David explained the shoulder or upper body turn. Sometimes an image is all it takes. The way he let his arms hang down in front of him and used them like pistons to show the turn. I always struggle with this feeling myself. It’s a lot like one particular other concept that has you turn your left shoulder down instead of around to turn.

I am very intrigued by the follow through they show in the seminar.  I have a BIG problem with rolling my hands, and even whole upper body sometimes on the follow through. So It is going to take some time to get used to just flipping my right hand up.

I am going to continue to read, and hope to hit some balls tomorrow……….so I will update.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Note: This thread is 1983 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up

  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.

  • Popular Now

  • Posts

    • snapfade
      The Golf Swing Being Repeatable....

      By snapfade ·

      One thing that has helped me tremendously is to spray the club face with foot powder when I am on the range. Seeing ball impact can be quite helpful if you are hitting shots all over the place. It's not the cure all, but a good little thing to do on the range. The other thing, and I will forget to do it, is the pre-shot routine. Find me a spot a foot or so from the ball in-line with my target, take my stance, take the swing.  Sometimes you take a BS practice swing with no thought. Make it deliberate.  As far as swing thoughts. I have 3 check-points. First is set-up, Second is my take away, Third is my downswing. I cant explain what I think I just know in my mind. Its a feeling that I have that feels right and experience has shown that if I follow those 3 thoughts more than likely the outcome will be what I was looking for. Now, thinking about the feeling and executing it properly is a whole different thing, that;s why I practice, I used to be over a 20 handicap, I am down to a 15.1 in about a year.  I feel like its good progress. the goal is a 10 by the end of the year. If I make it great, if not, hey at least Im not in Gaza. LOL
    • StuM
      The Golf Swing Being Repeatable....

      By StuM ·

      I usually shy away from giving advice on a golf swing since so many here are more qualified than I am.  You might try the following:  Create a "MySwing" page on this  site and you will get a lot of good advice Filter all of the advice and try to only focus on one or two things at a time.  Unfortunately it is very hard, if not impossible, to constantly change different things at the same time.  Figure out what is the most important thing to work on at this moment in your golf swing and focus on that until you have it engrained, then move on the the next change. Remember, we all have both good & bad shots.  The difference between the pros and us hackers is the ratio of good to bad shots. Understand that a bad swing can occasionally look like a great result and a good swing can occasionally have a bad result.  The key is to focus on one thing and work to get that as consistent as possible.  Ideally that will gradually increase the number of good shots vs bad shots.    Do not forget to have fun.
    • StuM
      Wordle Daily Puzzle

      By StuM ·

      So close, that is frustrating.
    • billchao
      Revisiting My First Golf Instructor

      By billchao ·

      You need to stick with one instructor as long as they’re not terrible. There’s no blueprint to improving a golf swing and different instructors may see different things as being more important and try to fix them. The end result is you get a hodge podge of things to work in that may not be cohesive or necessarily help you. If you stick to one instructor and communicate to them as such, they’ll also be able to work out a roadmap to your improvement which is more beneficial in the long run. If a guy assumes you’re just coming in for one lesson you might end up with a band aid.
    • SG11118
      Wordle Daily Puzzle

      By SG11118 ·

      Blew my 193 day streak today.   Wordle 1,053 X/6 🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨 🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨 🟨⬜⬜🟩🟩 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

  I accept
The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...