Making a compact swing is the key!

**Maverick** · June 28, 2008

Well after a few weeks of adjusting things I have to do, the simplest of all things seems to be working for me right now. As my previous swing video showed I had this weird hitch move at the top where I ended up pointing my shaft way right of the target and I my downswing was just unbelieveably steep..like 90 deg.

Now, I have been working on getting to a 3/4 back swing and keeping cognizant of where my thumbs are pointing at the top. Mind you I'm not changing positions of my thumbs at the top but just being aware not to go beyond what felt comfortable. I also noticed as soon as my should/arm starts to touch my chin that's about as far as I want to go on the backswing.

After awhi;e I started to get this perfect tempo and same distance as before, with the hitch move at top (see above). I'm going to video myself with this "new" swing for you guys too see (and myself) if it looks better..because it sure feels better.

***iacas*** · June 28, 2008

Now, I have been working on getting to a 3/4 back swing and keeping cognizant of where my thumbs are pointing at the top.

I think that, on average, a golfer can shave 10-15% of his handicap if he would shorten his swing and improve their tempo.

Obviously most PGA Tour players aren't gonna shave 10-15%, or low handicappers, but they're balanced by the 25 handicappers that could shave 20%.

**Franco!** · June 29, 2008

Obviously, if you take a 3/4 swing, most of the time you won't stop at 3/4.
You'll go further and you'll make great contact.
The ball with probably go the same distance if not further than a past parallel iron swing.

**atrapasuenos** · June 29, 2008

I'm doing this and worked well for me, no more slices or hooks, just straight and long.

Regards!

**Richie3Jack** · June 29, 2008

The problem high handicappers tend to have is that when their swing is not "compact", they are just using too much wrist action. However, the problem with a lot of golfers trying to make their swing compact is that they tend to stop rotating their body after awhile. The key is to try and use the big muscles in your swing over the small muscles. I'd rather see somebody have their club past parallel but with 120 degrees of shoulder turn than to see somebody short of parallel with only 90 degrees of shoulder turn. In his prime, Sam Snead was well past parallel. And early after the accident when Hogan shortened his swing, he did take the club a bit past parallel. And Tiger's swing used to be longer than it's been in the past 2 years and he hits less fairways. In essence, if the body rotation is good (120+ degrees of shoulder turn), then how far a golfer takes the club back makes no real difference in their accuracy. It's when you get golfers who are taking the club past parallel when the have only 90 degrees of shoulder turn or less is when they get in trouble.

3JACK

**pjsnyc** · June 30, 2008

I've shortened my back-swing considerably in the past year and a half and it has only done one thing - more consistent ball contact. It really does make a huge difference when you're able to pure a 3/4 swing when compared to an off center full swing. Keep it simple (stupid) is what I say to myself when I'm tempted to really wail on a ball :) I guess this is just me, but I also found that a 3/4 swing replicates the kind of feel through the zone one should have with pitch shots (but more powerful obviously).

Aint nothin wrong with a 3/4 swing...Look at Villegas! Look at Tommy Armour III!

**sonicblue** · June 30, 2008

sonicblue's 3 rules of poor amateur swings:

1) Swinging with too much arms
2) Overswinging the backswing
3) Trying way too hard on the downswing

I can't tell you the number of people I see whose sole problems fit tightly within these rules.

**tm22721** · June 30, 2008

Up to now I had to use a 3/4 swing to prevent fat shots. It's the only way I could shoot low 80s.

Until this morning. I had a fantastic practice session where I finally discovered the reason - not enough weight shift in the downswing. Very subtle.

Problem finally understood. But it will take practice to groove it into feel.

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