Encouraging Results with Stack&Tilt

[RIduffer]

I bought the Stack and Tilt book a few months ago and experimented with the pattern for a while. I had some great results at the range, but tried taking it to the course before I was really comfortable with the changes. I hit my irons better than ever using S&T;, but was really inconsistent with my woods.

Recently, I decided to give it another go. I went to the range everyday, working on one swing component at a time. The irons felt great right away-- I saw immediate improvements in contact, distance, and accuracy. The driver, however, was still a problem as I was hitting lots of blocks and hooks. When I caught one square it felt awesome, but I was very inconsistent.

Then I watched a video where Nick Clearwater talked about fixing blocks and hooks. He suggested holding tees under your armpits to stay connected throughout the swing. I know this is not new information (lots of people do the glove under armpit drill) but it is an absolute neccessity for my driver swing using the S&T; pattern.

I have now played 3 rounds with a S&T; swing, and I couldn't be happier with the initial results. I shot 84, 82, 85 from the back tees at 3 tough courses. Today I hit my driver on 12 holes and hit 10 fairways! I have shot scores in the low 80s before, but only on those rare occasions when my short game was on fire. In 2 of these recent rounds my putting was actually pretty awful, and I still had decent rounds for my handicap.

I know how quickly things can go bad in golf, so I'm trying to manage my expectations and not get too excited. However, I hit some shots over the past few days that were so far beyond what I thought I was capable of. For example, I hit a 3-wood 240 yards today which is absurd for me (I'm normally 190-210 with a flush 3-wood). I was consistently hitting my driver about 250-260, up from a 230-240 average. It makes me think I'm on the right track, and that is encouraging.

[Leftygolfer]

I also think you are on the right track. Nice play. I have had some of those shots too since I have started changing. Shots I didn't even think I could possibly hit. Congrats. That is exciting.

[RIduffer]

Thanks Leftygolfer. How long have you been doing S&T;? Are you using the book, DVD, or youtube videos?

[Leftygolfer]

I bought the book around the first part of the year and hit balls twice and I played once in the muck in the middle of January and I hit the ball great. I then had a big layoff due to snow and went to the range last weekend. The biggest difference for me is my misses are now a push instead of a pull hook. My last two range sessions weren't great. I hit alot more pulls and hooks than I'd like which is the shot I fought all last year. When I first tried it I didn't miss a shot right, but this last weekend, it wasn't the case. I think I am not pushing with my hips enough thus coming over the top. What can you expect though when you haven't hit a ball in a month.