My swing (porc)

[porc]

I've been Playing Golf for: 3 years when I was younger (on and off, played tennis as well), started again this season after 11 years off not hitting a golf ball(2015)

My current handicap index is: 19.6

My typical ball flight is: straight (when its a good shot)

The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: push, hook and push slice

I have send mvmac a private message already.

His tips: grip was to weak and palmy (changed already), feets flared more.

I have made this swing thread as well now (forgot about this possiblity previously).

I also had my first lesson (since restarting) yesterday. The local pro suggested that my posture at address is too rounded, and my knees flexed too much. He wants me to decrease knee flex, straighten my back and feel my weight resting at the center of my foot instead of my heels.

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Videos:

Hitting 6 iron

[porc]

What would you guys say are my priority pieces regarding the 5 key system?

[saevel25]

Key #1 steady head.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/54540/a-centered-pivot-golf-swing

[mvmac]

I also had my first lesson (since restarting) yesterday. The local pro suggested that my posture at address is too rounded, and my knees flexed too much. He wants me to decrease knee flex, straighten my back and feel my weight resting at the center of my foot instead of my heels.

Agree that the weight is back on your heels and you could take some flex out of your knees (or one might take of the other) but be careful with getting the back too straight/rigid.

[porc]

Thanks guys.

@mvmac: Would you agree that making a centered turn/ steady head is the most pressing key/priority piece (of the 5 keys), after changing grip and stance issues you mentioned previously?

Just want to know what key to work on for the rest of the season (and not waste time with irrelevant stuff).

I might also buy the 5 key dvd later for drills :D.

[mvmac]

Thanks guys.

@mvmac: Would you agree that making a centered turn/ steady head is the most pressing key/priority piece (of the 5 keys), after changing grip and stance issues you mentioned previously?

Just want to know what key to work on for the rest of the season (and not waste time with irrelevant stuff).

Yeah have a buddy hold a club against the right side of your head and pay attention to how it feels and how you're doing it.

[porc]

Does steady head refer to lateral movement or also vertical movement? If you press into the ground and push off it in the follow through, how can the head be vertically steady? Dont rory and tiger make this jump motion, with their heads dipping (vertical movement)?

For the follow through: Does keeping the head steady mean that you create secondary axis tilt, when pressing the hips forward at the same time?

I hope these questions make sense.

[boogielicious]

Does steady head refer to lateral movement or also vertical movement? If you press into the ground and push off it in the follow through, how can the head be vertically steady? Dont rory and tiger make this jump motion, with their heads dipping (vertical movement)?

For the follow through: Does keeping the head steady mean that you create secondary axis tilt, when pressing the hips forward at the same time?

I hope these questions make sense.

@mvmac will have a more thorough answer, but steady head is both vertical and lateral and it really first applies to the back swing. Rory dips his head slightly on the downswing because he is generating power using ground forces (pushing off the ground) right before impact. His head comes back to the set up position at impact. This move does require great timing.

For we mere mortals, I may be better to start off working to keep our head steady through impact both vertically and laterally. Some movement forward toward impact is ok. But we want to avoid going back, up, down etc, during the back swing because it indicates that our center is also moving.

I had an issue early on with my head dipping at the top of the back swing. It was because I was over-extending to try to make my back swing longer than it could go. I changed that from lessons where I went for the feeling of stretching my right side and shoulder higher at the top and not trying to over-swing.  My head then got steady and I had less fat shots.

Hope this helps.

[billchao]

@porc , just to add onto what @boogielicious already said, Key #1 is called Steady Head, but it's really more about making the proper body movements in the backswing and downswing (to impact) to get the head to appear steady. It doesn't mean the head stays stationary; a little bit of movement is acceptable. Keeping the head steady in the downswing is what allows you to push the hips forward and create secondary axis tilt. Otherwise, your whole upper body would lurch forward as well. You don't need to keep your head steady after impact.

[mvmac]

@mvmac will have a more thorough answer, but steady head is both vertical and lateral and it really first applies to the back swing. Rory dips his head slightly on the downswing because he is generating power using ground forces (pushing off the ground) right before impact. His head comes back to the set up position at impact. This move does require great timing.

@porc, just to add onto what @boogielicious already said, Key #1 is called Steady Head, but it's really more about making the proper body movements in the backswing and downswing (to impact) to get the head to appear steady. It doesn't mean the head stays stationary; a little bit of movement is acceptable.

Keeping the head steady in the downswing is what allows you to push the hips forward and create secondary axis tilt. Otherwise, your whole upper body would lurch forward as well.

You don't need to keep your head steady after impact.

What these guys said. Steady head is the result of a proper golf pivot. It's ok for the head to move down a little early on the downswing/late backswing. Don't want to move it side to side very much.

[porc]

Ok. Thanks for the information guys.

[porc]

@mvmac

is there a book that you would recommend, that is in line with the 5 key system you created/ teach.

I will buy the 5 key dvd, but would like to have a concise book as well.

Thanks.

[mvmac]

@mvmac

is there a book that you would recommend, that is in line with the 5 key system you created/ teach.

I will buy the 5 key dvd, but would like to have a concise book as well.

Thanks.

Have you seen this book? While it's not necessarily a swing technique book there is a lot of great information on the golf swing in there.

While I recommend that every golfer should buy LSW, a book or DVD isn't going to tell you what your priority piece is, what you need to work on and how to do it. It can give you some valuable information and provide some drills but it might be tough knowing where to start because it's not about learning "a swing", it's about taking what you have and making it better.

Another great resource is Evolvr, where two of the best 5SK instructors help you with your game and it's very affordable.

http://evolvr.thegolfevolution.com/

[porc]

Thanks mvmac. I heard of LSW, but thought it was more about golf strategy than the golf swing itself.

Evolvr sounds excellent. So the videos are analysed by certified 5-simple keys guys?

[mvmac]

Evolvr sounds excellent. So the videos are analysed by certified 5-simple keys guys?

Yes.

[iacas]

Thanks mvmac. I heard of LSW, but thought it was more about golf strategy than the golf swing itself.

There's a bit in there about the swing. Put it this way: if only ONE of the three sections applies to you (1: Technique, 2: Practicing, 3: Strategy) then it's worth the $29 alone for that.

[porc]

The last 2 weeks I have been practising key number 1, trying to steady my head and make a centered turn. For the downswing I tried creating secondary axis tilt by shifting my hips forward and keeping my head steady until impact.

When I first started to steady my head I was hitting a lot of fat shots. For the first time I also took divots for every shot.

This week I had a great day, were I shot 5 over par over 9 holes. I had very solid contact.

Today I was practised on the range. I tried to keep my head steady creating a centered turn and during the downswing I exageratted pushing the hips forward while keeping the head still (creating secondary axis tilt). I only made 3/4 of a swing. Our local trainer came by and said: You have to swing through on the downswing, and not keep your head steady for so long. Thats why you are hitting all those sockets (like I was today).

Why would keeping my head steady cause sockets? Might it be because I keep my head steady even after impact, like the trainer tried to suggest?

[iacas]

Keeping your head down for a long time can do things like limit how much you turn in your follow-through, which can send the path out a little…

But I'd rather see new video of your swing than make even an educated guess at what was causing your shanks. If your balance at setup is still like the first video, which isn't that old, I'd still guess that's the first biggest issue.