Swinging Correctly

[LastPrankster]

The fact that your instructor will not elaborate and give reasons when you ask him questions (and instead gives you drills) gives me the impression that he may not be a good instructor, and that he may be lacking knowledge on how the golf swing works. As many of us know just because a person has the title instructor or teacher doesn't make that person a good instructor (or teacher). (Sometimes the GolfTec's are more interested in hiring people that will expand their client base and hook people onto $3,000 and $10,000 lesson packages over people who are good instructors).

That is often the case. Amen!

[Avid Golfer]

I've uploaded a video clip of Annika Sorenstam from close up that I think shows a good example of the arms and body moving in sync, and the hips and shoulders moving at the same speed (and at or close to the same time), but feel free to draw your own conclusions.

http://drop.io/sorenstamsync#

[MPS67]

I don't recommend focusing on both a hip bump and dropping the arms at the same time to start the downswing. The hip bump move usually promotes moving the center of gravity (and bottoming out of the club) toward the target, and if done too quickly can promote a steep decent into the ball. The arms dropping on the other hand tends to promote a shallowing out of shaft starting down. Doing them both at the same time could have the two counter forces opposing each other. Your current swing (and where you arrive near the end of the backswing) will determine what downswing fits best for you. Some people hit their best shots thinking about the lower body starting the downswing (ex: Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus), some people hit their best shots thinking about having the arms starting the downswing (ex: Trevor Immelman and Mark O'mera), and finally some people find they hit their best shots when they feel the shoulders starting the downswing (ex: Steve Elkington and Nick Price). I recommend trying each on the range and seeing which results in better (and more consistant shots) for you.

Thanks so much for helping me understand the difference between between initiating the downswing with the arm drop versus hip bump. After practicing the "Walk Through" drill, I now feel very comfortable with the hip bump initiation. I can now finally feel the weight of the club at the top and swinging through to the top. As long as I don't force the down swing with the arms, I feel I can maintain synchronization.

As far as GolfTec and whether or not they hold the ability to teach, I'm not sure. I've talked with them about what seems to be their intentional withholding of information. Their response is that they teach in successive sequence starting from address, and that they only want the student to work on the current swing detail. I'm sorry I wasn't clear earlier, but the drill Golftec gave me is to help me keep my knees flexed and knees separated during the back swing in order to maintain a stable base. Regards, Mark

[jamesbei]

I'm finding I am more of a body swinger. I hit thin quite a bit if I forget to get my shoulders involved in the swing. I also generate a lot more power when I use my shoulders. I can add 15 yards or so to any given iron by putting my body into it. The sensation I go for is that I start with my shoulders and let my arms trail along behind.

Do you Slice the Ball or leak it right? i go for them in sync as it should help the clubface return to square at impact. i use the different methods to controll shot shape i.e body first for a fade, arms first for a draw, but that may just be me

[cockergod]

I just wanted to thank everyone for being so helpful. All the tips were great especially the video.