sway versus building pressure on the right side

[taxgolf]

I have a question. I hope MVMAC might have some clips which I can check.

I learned that a sway is a bad thing. To me (in short words), a sway for a righty, is that the whole body/swingcenter is moving to the right on the backswing without coming back on the downswing. Rocking. Also a sway, the hips moving to the right.

I like to be centered, or feeling centered. The swing of Hendrik Stenson intrigues me.

Before he starts his backswing, it seems his whole body move ever so slightly to the right, he starts his swing and then everything fires to the left. As a hack and stacker, I always try to prevent a sway, but last Sunday I just let it go and experienced the sensation of loading to my right side hitting of the tee with the driver and 3W. Like a sprinter. Building pressure on my right foot all the way up to the top of the backswing, and then pushing off that same right foot. It felt so good, relaxed and I was ponding those balls. I pulled one tremendously, but that’s about it.

I've read the topic on Robert Rock, great clips and very helpful, I also like Mark Foster’s swing (I think also a MORAD guy). I am a bit scared that I will confuse or mix up loading to the right, still keeping (a bit) centered, with a sway. I was hoping for some tips, explanation (if there is something to explain) or clips.

[billchao]

I have a question. I hope MVMAC might have some clips which I can check.

I learned that a sway is a bad thing. To me (in short words), a sway for a righty, is that the whole body/swingcenter is moving to the right on the backswing without coming back on the downswing. Rocking. Also a sway, the hips moving to the right.

I like to be centered, or feeling centered.

Yes, that is what is considered a sway, but it's independent of the downswing movements. You can sway going back and shift back towards the target in the downswing, for example, and you still have swayed. Here's a thread on making a proper centered pivot:

The swing of Hendrik Stenson intrigues me.

Before he starts his backswing, it seems his whole body move ever so slightly to the right, he starts his swing and then everything fires to the left.

Henrik Stenson doesn't sway. He makes a slight lateral shift as a trigger to start his swing and makes a perfectly centered pivot.

As a hack and stacker, I always try to prevent a sway, but last Sunday I just let it go and experienced the sensation of loading to my right side hitting of the tee with the driver and 3W. Like a sprinter. Building pressure on my right foot all the way up to the top of the backswing, and then pushing off that same right foot. It felt so good, relaxed and I was ponding those balls. I pulled one tremendously, but that’s about it.

As we say around here, feel ain't real. But in your case, it just might be. I took a look at your swing thread and two things jumped out at me:

1. You start the backswing by shifting your whole body left (towards the target)
2. Your head goes down and even farther left as you begin your downswing

You're so afraid of swaying right that you're actually swaying left, causing you to have to jump hard and tip your head back to keep you from burying the clubhead into the ground. Since swaying right in the backswing is basically the opposite of what you're doing, it's not a surprise that it helps you.

Be careful with overdoing the S&T; stuff. The pressure 65% on the left foot at the top of the backswing stuff is wrong. You still load pressure on the right foot with a centered pivot.

[taxgolf]

Bill, thanks for your comments.

I think I have to agree with your comments.

Your description of Stenson’s swing seems more accurate to me. I am sorry if I suggested he was swaying. If I see him, I always get the image of a sprinter getting ready to go. Looks so powerfull.

Thanks for the other remarks. Overdoing is always wrong. And I agree with feel ain’t real.

Last Sunday, I did not want to ‘fight’ against my body. Why fight your body if it wants to react in a certain way? Just letting my body go and try to get (the feeling of) me pushing of my right foot. I know the equation of a baseball hitter seems not appropriate, a different sport. But Sunday night I saw moments of a Yankee baseball match. And it struck me that a hitter, after the ball is being thrown, everything goes forward from the right foot (for a righty).

So to (or for) me, it seems perfectly well within the S&T frame of mind of letting pressure building up in the right foot, with a steady head. The clips of Rock and Waite seems very helpful.

[taxgolf]

Just looked at my swing again. I hate it. Feel ain't real. I thought I my swing was a bit better. I like the shirt.