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

[shankless]

It has been over a month. To those of you who tried the A Swing, please post an update of your experiences on course, video if possible. Just ordered the book and am curious if those who had success early on are staying with it.

[Mr. Desmond]

Listened to this one hour presentation from the PGA Show in January

Like anything Ledbetter, he oversells.

It is nothing really new -- well, some of it is new to me, but others involved in biomechanics are using some patterns of this swing -- they just don't market it like Leds.

Keeping your left arm tight to the chest is old news, keeping the head outside your hands at the start is old, keeping the arm-body connection is not new (just not well explained by many instructors) keeping the driver a bit steep at the top is new to me, but my instructor suggested it some time ago, and then one shallows the shaft coming down. But Leds seems to take the steep shaft and across the line to extremes.

Like anything else, certain patterns may work for you -- all of it may not.

[RussUK]

Ive stopped paying much attention to these new swing patterns. For me going back to basics has worked (sorted posture and rotation out and im back on track).

Like the saying goes theres more than one way to skin a cat (who discovered that? )

[newtogolf]

Leadbetter has a time slot on PGA Tour Radio during the week and he's always hawking his book on it.  He has "random" people call in who he'll just let ramble on and on about how great the book and swing are, while he feigns false modesty.   The channel is becoming a daily long infomercial when they aren't broadcasting a tournament.  PGA Tour Radio must not pay well so they offer Leadbetter, Haney, the Paulsons, Jim McLean and anyone else the opportunity to sell whatever they want on air during their show.

As for the A swing, it just seems like another gimmick that picks out some proven pieces of other swings and wraps them under a new name.

[Vinsk]

Yeah I've heard the A Swing talk on my radio a lot. Those people calling in are really just poor saps who think they've found "a secret" "aha moment"...etc. How could changing ones grip and trying to stand up your club and then reroute it coming down be any easier than any other "swing?" I'm a little skeptical when callers say they're a "+2" hcp and can't believe what the swing has done for them. First, they're probably referring to their local executive course they play the front tees at 5x a week for the past 15yrs, second, why on earth would a +2 hcp even buy the book and totally change their swing? I dunno....I have it a whirl...just another gimmick for me.

[shankless]

While I really appreciate the feedback, I was hoping to hear from the people who actually read the book and/or viewed the videos and put the A Swing into use on the course. Still hoping to get some feedback from them.

[Mr. Desmond]

While I really appreciate the feedback, I was hoping to hear from the people who actually read the book and/or viewed the videos and put the A Swing into use on the course. Still hoping to get some feedback from them.

Tried it for a day as an experiment,  and screwed me up.

That was enough. Golf is hard. No use screwing up your mind if you are already taking lessons.

[Vinsk]

While I really appreciate the feedback, I was hoping to hear from the people who actually read the book and/or viewed the videos and put the A Swing into use on the course. Still hoping to get some feedback from them.

Yeah...that's me. Read the book ....went to the range....just another "try and swing like Jim Furyk " cuz you're desperate and want a short cut to excellence.

[brofun]

Hi..new to this forum...been golfing for 3.5 years.  Took two lessons.  The rest youtube and practice.  I worked HARD to become a decent golfer...i'm around a 15 handicap.  Saw the 'a swing' on youtube about a week ago...decided to try it (almost chose not too)...hit a bucket, and 18 holes..hit a 78.  Was it a fluke?..could be..but, I noticed I hit my drives stronger (a little off on aim)...his my irons GREAT!...except they all went ten to fifteen yards further...NOT GOOD! (but I'm great in the short game, so that always helps me)...so...decided to try it again..hit a bucket yesterday..and played another 18 holes with three other guys (strangers)..hit an 81.  My iron work with this swing is much better..NO DUFFS!

Here is my theory..I believe that holding the arms in the begining of the back swing really coils my torso...(more than the onplane swing does)..then, when I bring the club up steeply..it has literally nowhere to go but behind when I begin my pivot..I pivot...the club handle moves with the pivot..the club head falls behind and into the slot!

NOT POSTIVE about this yet..but, playing today with a group.  will let you know what I think.  I'm 57 years old.. aging athelete...took up golf when I tore a shoulder tendon playing basketball four years ago.

Glad to be on here...I"m NOT a shill for ledbetter...I'm just a carpenter who loves playing with round things!

[brofun]

I went to the range..tried it...seems easier...more power in my swing..greater striking on irons..tho, I did hook alot..but, i've never been able to draw the ball...but, now I can!...usually hit 85...hit a 78 and an 81 the last three days.  Going out today to play with a group of guys...will see!

[brofun]

I've posted a couple times today...I did not get the book, I just watched three you tube videos on the subject  (me and my golf is the best one on this)...here is my findings....first of all..i know that sometimes changing your swing can improve your game for a very very short while...then, bang..it's gone!  OH..about me..started golfing 3,5 years ago..I'm 57.  Torn shoulder muscle necessitated me changing my sports from basket ball and tennis to golf...BIG CHANGE..but a great one!   OK..back to the subject.    Went out a week ago..hit a bucket with this swing..liked the feel..better contact..and seeming better distance.  Hit 18 holes by myself...hit a 78!!...wow...longer irons and more accurate..and seemingly easier on my back!   OK...fluke?...don't know yet!~   Went out again yesterday..his a bucket...played with 3 strangers (always pressure when playing with others you don't know)..hit an 81!!..OK...GREAT!  Fluke?..I don't know!  BUT, NO DUFFS..and the only thing i'm having to go back to my old swing is my driver.  bacuse now, instead of a slice, i'm hitting a hook!...BUT..if I keep the arms straight (close to chest) in my backswing with my driver...but try to get on plane rather than stand the club up..I'm hitting with more power!...

Ok..that's my findings..obviuosly have a lot more work to do to figure is this is real or not!..going out today to play with a group of guys.  I almost always hit around 85 when I play with these guys...so..I'll post on here later when I know.

brofun!

[Vinsk]

"And into the slot". My nemesis phrase. Not to razz you, I simply don't believe in this Beemuda Triangle place. Nothing in my golf swing is natural, except a shank. I have a good pivot, but if I don't actively do whatever the hell I'm supposed to do I can produce the most violent, radical and unpredictable shots known to man. I really tried this A Swing. I even hit my trail foot coming down once. I often wonder if my strong case of being ambidextrous is why I don't have the "feel" that many are able to describe. See, I write, played tennis, throw a frisbee right handed. But I bat, throw, golf, bowl left handed. I started golf around 10 years old and the left side just "felt better." So I really never know if my downswing is a result of right dominant arm but playing left handed, or vice a versa, or equal strength and dexterity between my arms, wrists. Hell I dunno, but I certainly have never "felt" my club going into any "slot".

[brofun]

yeah..sounds like it could be confusing!!..when I say into the slot..for myself..it is referring to almost anything that is not over the top..which for almost three years was my nemisis...my first year, I would aim 45 degrees left to come close to hitting my target..little (and i MEAN LITTLE) i began to 'feel' it..but, it took a LONG time..and I'm STILL not there, to actually drop my club into that slot...my brain ALWAYS wants me to swing my shoulders first!..I always want to 'HIT THAT BALL'...but, it's coming...and i feel it coming more!  Well, the A swing SEEMS to help me in this way...it's subtle ...but, for some reason..if I can start my hips first...and keep my arms 'connected'...the club drops in!..and I hit a really good ball.  Today was a little disappointing..did not do as welll..but, did OK.  Hit quite a few hooks...but, my lower back was sore...so, i'm not totally bummed out.  My biggest regret is that I waited so long to pick up this sport!...ANYWAY...I'm going to work on the A swing...and probably will work on it with a little of my own translation....I think it will help...but I don't know for sure!  thanks for replying!  This is my first day on this or any golf forum..so, looking forward to some good conversations.

[brofun]

Ok..tried the A swing again...hit an 81.  Not too bad at all!...my irons ALL are going ten to fifteen yards further (think this is because it's so much easier to use my torso to swing rather than my arms with this..also...with keeping both arms straight thru the first part of the take away, it torques my body alot more..but not in an uncomfortable way!.. Notice that my driver and fairway woods are not so easy...if I connect, GREAT!...but, tend to top the ball alot with those clubs and this swing...little tweaking needed.

 

[mvmac]

Instructor on FB posted this video, basically to bash it. I don't think it's all that bad, especially compared to all the other horrible instruction videos that are out there. I agree the guy's pivot needed to get steeper and I like how Leadbetter points out that the right hand doesn't need to "turn over" after impact. Yeah he is promoting a "swing method" and the backswing is extreme with how steep he wants it (first part of the "V") but a lot of high handicappers load the shaft too shallow anyway. 

Helluva lot better than the toe up, lift the arms, turn the left shoulder over the right foot, restrict the hip turn BS.

 

[Mr. Desmond]

I can see parts of the A Swing helping people - some people need the whole bottle of aspirin, some need a couple of pills.

Edited November 18, 2015 by Mr. Desmond

[nevets88]

Found this recently, haven't watched it, so no executive summary.

Applied Biomechanics of the A Swing - PGA America

 

[Jack Watson]

Not very good