The Stack and Tilt Golf Swing

[dak4n6]

I invented the S&T! I mean this only half in jest. I actually stumbled on the major aspects of S&T through my own bumblings over many years. Let me explain..

25 yrs ago I started this weird game with a pretty natural swing. I kept my right elbow stuck to my ribs during takeaway and hit a consistent fade that would sometimes turn into a bannana slice (from standing up/pulling off). Played this way pretty casually and contentedly for maybe 10 yrs (once a month kind of golfer).  Then, I started getting more serious, and made the BIG mistake of soliciting swing advice from the likes of Golf Digest.  All kinds of garbage was going into my head, one piece of which was that you should move your weight back onto you right leg during the backswing, and then shift back forward to hit. Ack.

I spent the next 5 yrs thinning, fatting, pushing, and pulling. I couldn't figure it out. Why was I getting worse when I was getting all this great professional advice??  Then, I clearly remember one day out at a local course. I had spent the first 6 holes or so hitting almost literally EVERY shot fat. I was getting really despondent, and had just chunked an 80 yd sand wedge. Then, in a fit of desperation, I figured if I am always hitting 1 or 2 inches behind the ball, I'm just goint to FORCE myself to set up 1 or 2 inches ahead of my normal position (I mean with the ball in its regular position in my stance, but with my CG and head shifted forward). I dropped another ball, and pured my wedge. I played the rest of that round close to par in a dream state. What an epiphany! It felt really strange with more weight on my front leg, but I couldn't argue with the results. I went home and cancelled my Golf Digest subscription.

For the next couple years I had to reinforce this concept, as I kept drifting back to my old swing, and it took me that long to really become convinced that this was the way for me. Then, one day I'm watching GC and I see a commerial for a revolutionary new swing approach and these guys are calling it 'Stack and Tilt', and I see some vids of this new swing, and I was like, 'Hey, I invented that!'. Actually, it was good validation for me that I wasn't some weird golf abberation.  Since then, I have incorporated a 'Still Head' into my weight forward technique, and I'm humming along nicely. I can crush drives and shape shots, and most of all I love the feel of a pured 3 iron blade.

Long live the S&T!

[Th3R00st3r]

Congrats! Should have slapped a sticker on it, put it in a box, and sold it. too late now.

[WUTiger]

My TPI swing and fitness analysis last summer included a diagnostic lesson from a PGA pro (pro A for this post). Pro A uses Stack & Tilt himself, and teaches it to a majority of his students.

I have the Golf Digest Six Steps to Stack & Tilt from 2010. On video my swing looks similar to Stack & Tilt, except I need work on Step 3 : Hands In , and Step 6 : Butt Forward. I like the efficiency of the "weight forward" setup.

I was pretty sure I wanted to commit to Stack & Tilt, until...

I met Pro B at a January Golf Expo. He gave me a complementary lesson in February, and was able to point out two subtle swing flaws that were hurting my consistency. He seems to be pretty savvy in comparing swing systems. He's aware of the basics of Stack & Tilt, but fears it would lead to "reverse pivot" problems for many golfers.

So, how much danger is there of "reverse pivot" creeping into a Stack & Tilt swing? If RP is a potential problem, what should an S&T player do to prevent it?

I'll likely go with S&T if I can resolve this RP issue.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by WUTiger

My TPI swing and fitness analysis last summer included a diagnostic lesson from a PGA pro (pro A for this post). Pro A uses Stack & Tilt himself, and teaches it to a majority of his students.

I have the Golf Digest Six Steps to Stack & Tilt from 2010. On video my swing looks similar to Stack & Tilt, except I need work on Step 3: Hands In, and Step 6: Butt Forward. I like the efficiency of the "weight forward" setup.

I was pretty sure I wanted to commit to Stack & Tilt, until...

I met Pro B at a January Golf Expo. He gave me a complementary lesson in February, and was able to point out two subtle swing flaws that were hurting my consistency. He seems to be pretty savvy in comparing swing systems. He's aware of the basics of Stack & Tilt, but fears it would lead to "reverse pivot" problems for many golfers.

So, how much danger is there of "reverse pivot" creeping into a Stack & Tilt swing? If RP is a potential problem, what should an S&T player do to prevent it?

I'll likely go with S&T if I can resolve this RP issue.

A reverse pivot would be the weight moving back, away from the target on the downswing.  S&T is centered on the backswing and weight moves forward on the downswing.  IMO actually tough to have a reverse pivot, even the poorest players have some weight forward.  Good thread for you to check out http://thesandtrap.com/t/45926/right-and-wrong-weight-shift-in-s-t

[Zeph]

One of the main aspects of S&T is to prevent weight from being too far back. Anyone who thinks it will lead to a reverse pivot obviously don't know a lot about the system. It can of course happen, but not more so than with other teaching methods. I would claim that the chance of a reverse pivot is far less with S&T than the more "traditional" ways to teach the swing. If anything, there is a larger risk that you get body parts moving too far forward.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Zeph

One of the main aspects of S&T is to prevent weight from being too far back. Anyone who thinks it will lead to a reverse pivot obviously don't know a lot about the system. It can of course happen, but not more so than with other teaching methods. I would claim that the chance of a reverse pivot is far less with S&T than the more "traditional" ways to teach the swing.

If anything, there is a larger risk that you get body parts moving too far forward.

Yes. I'd seriously question "Pro B" who seems to believe that you actually move your weight forward (likely because he doesn't understand with the left tilt) on the backswing.

Weight stays centered, then moves forward.

[JLANM]

Wish me luck! going this afternoon to play my first 9 trying S&T.; Never have had a proper swing, so hoping this will help me hack less..will report back after my 1/2 round.

[JLANM]

Felt really good! I made much better contact, much more consistent. Still duffed a few, but I am still trying to self learn this.

[I-league]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

I started with the book, look at stackandtiltgolfswing.com, look at vids posted here, and go to youtube to find Bennett and Plummer -- but read the book several times. You pick up more detail each time as you read and do, read and do.

I started the book and I gotta it is renewing my interest in trying S&T again (more seriously this time).

I realize now that there is a lot of stuff I did wrong last time.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by I-league

I started the book and I gotta it is renewing my interest in trying S&T; again (more seriously this time).

I realize now that there is a lot of stuff I did wrong last time.

Keep at it. It took me two tries and a year or two in between before I believed in it. Take my advice and sign up for lessons with Evolvr to really help you get the most out of it. You won't regret it.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by I-league

I started the book and I gotta it is renewing my interest in trying S&T again (more seriously this time).

I realize now that there is a lot of stuff I did wrong last time.

I would recommend keeping it simple.  Read it and learn but don't try to change everything you do.  I guarantee you already have S&T "pieces" in your swing.  Figure out what your priority is and go from there.  "Priorities and Drills" and "Fixing Common Faults" are good chapters to help you with that.

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

Keep at it. It took me two tries and a year or two in between before I believed in it. Take my advice and sign up for lessons with Evolvr to really help you get the most out of it. You won't regret it.

Thanks!

[I-league]

I had an encouraging session at the range today.

I am half way through the S&T book. Today I focused mainly on "weight forward" and "shoulder down" and got good results. I hit a lot of good shots and was drawing the ball nicely. More importantly I was consistent and had very few mishits.

When I tried to make it a bit more complicated (adding "hands in", focusing on spine tilt and hip slides) I became a lot less consistent.

I'm gonna continue with the book and try to really understand it. On the range/course though I think I am gonna take it really slow and keep it simple as recomended above.

[RonTheSavage]

Over the weekend I had by far the best range session of my life and it's all because of Stack and Tilt. I'm not yet able to draw the ball with my irons, but I was hitting the ball straight and I'll take that to the course anytime. I was hitting baby draws with my driver but only after I closed the face. (I have an adjustable driver) Before I closed the face I was hitting straight shots with the occasional push. One thing I found interesting is that I noticed I got really crisp ball first contact playing all my irons in the middle of my stance. Everything from wedges down to 5 iron. Before I played my 5,6, and 7 irons 2 balls ahead of center and I would strike the ground first just a tad. I don't know if this was just a one day thing or if I should continue to play the ball like that for my irons but only time will tell. But Im sold on Stack and Tilt!

[anthony]

Oh, this is available on iTunes. Might have to make this my first book on my iPad.

[outlaw1984]

am i the only one that thinks this swing method is tough.....i have a hard time with keeping my weight on the left, the shoulder turn and when i keep arms on the body i cut across it.....am i just missing the whole idea and need to read the book again?

[Mordan]

Originally Posted by outlaw1984

am i the only one that thinks this swing method is tough.....i have a hard time with keeping my weight on the left, the shoulder turn and when i keep arms on the body i cut across it.....am i just missing the whole idea and need to read the book again?

Have you had a look at your swing on video?

You might feel like you're making the moves as per the book, but chances are you're not and a video is a good way to see what you're actually doing, rather than what you feel you're doing.

[outlaw1984]

can someone help me with grip pressure, how hard should i hold the club?

[moparman426]

I use an interlocking grip, and tend to be a bit on the firmer side.  I tried the "bird in the hand" thing, it wasn't enough.  The closest thing I can relate my grip pressure to, is picking up my travel mug full of coffee (with three fingers).  Enough to keep it from slipping, but not enough to lock the wrist.  I also swing hard though, so it's probably why I hold on a little tighter.