Golf rule - Running Start in the Backswing

[mesaboogie]

Basically I've been having issues starting the takeaway, sort of the yips but with the main golf swing, I just can't seem to start. However, when I do my practice swing, I lift the club up a foot, swing the club forward toward the target then begin the backswing, like a running start. I decided to try and hit balls like this at the range and was amazed with the result, was hitting it so pure. 

So on Friday I took it to the course and played beautiful, shot 39 (have been averaging 44 lately), despite losing a ball and missing two 2ft putts. I decided to check the internet to see if anyone does this and found the following YouTube link, http://zachallengolf.com/the-running-start/

Zach states it's illegal to start the swing with the club in front of the ball! 

So I've spent a couple of hours searching the rules and the internet to see where this is in writing and can't find anything. The only thing the golf rules state is that a stroke is made when there is an intent to hit the ball.

What's your thoughts? If this is illegal then which rule am I breaching? I'd rather have written proof with a link to the rule book rather than an opinion.

Thanks for you help.
Andrew (confused)

[iacas]

I think he’s talking about grounding the club in front of the ball. Only really legal with the putter.

[Hardspoon]

Huh.  He definitely makes it sound like Jack Nicklaus said it was illegal.  From the video (at 0:23):

Quote

In his book, he's like, "This is the best drill I've ever done, it's the drill I've done the most"...and he would have actually played golf like this, but it's not legal to start your swing in front of the ball.

But, I think he's wrong.  Neither Rule 14 nor the Decisions make any mention of this, and there's no reference in the Index to "backswing".  You aren't required to address the ball, either...the "Happy Gilmore" swing is perfectly legal.

[Hacker James]

I am certainly not a rules person, and in fact many of the rules would seem to defy logic, that being said.....What is described in the OP is really no different than a "waggle" only perhaps extended a bit. You are certainly not moving with a forward motion with intent to contact the ball. If anything you are only doing a back swing that starts a little forward. I see no problem with it and I have experimented with it and it definitely seems to help. A trigger if nothing else. The opposite has been described as well. Soleing the club a distance behind the ball. Freddie Couples used to set up as much as a foot behind the ball some time back. Moe Norman the same.  Today, several do some variation of this. Some "hover", some "brush". Trevino did a lateral "figure eight",  Jim Furyk does his "whatever it is".  Like the man said  "Show me the rule".

[Martyn W]

On 10/1/2017 at 7:01 PM, iacas said:

I think he’s talking about grounding the club in front of the ball. Only really legal with the putter.

What do you mean by 'really legal'. There is no prohibition against grounding the club/addressing the ball in front of the ball as long as nothing is pressed down. (13-2)

[iacas]

17 minutes ago, Martyn W said:

What do you mean by 'really legal'. There is no prohibition against grounding the club/addressing the ball in front of the ball as long as nothing is pressed down. (13-2)

That’s what I mean. The odds of improving your lie when grounding in front are much greater off the putting green, while you’re explicitly allowed to lightly rest the club behind the ball. Unless you’re Gary Playering it.

[mesaboogie]

Still find it bizarre how a professional teacher could be so wrong, unless the rules were different 20 years ago?

[iacas]

5 minutes ago, mesaboogie said:

Still find it bizarre how a professional teacher could be so wrong, unless the rules were different 20 years ago?

They weren't (not for this stuff), and the video is only five years old.

[mesaboogie]

So Jack Nicklaus didn't know the rules?

I have to say this method has transformed my game, after averaging 44 the last year I have shot 39,39,41 and 39 since implementing this. It allows me to get into a solid position at the top, something I have never managed from a static start.

[Hardspoon]

4 hours ago, mesaboogie said:

So Jack Nicklaus didn't know the rules?

More likely, the “instructor” in the video misquoted him. 

[HowieT]

I am very interested in this as well. I have used this as a drill and would like to play this way. I start with the club at 10 o’clock just in front of the ball (ball is 12 o’clock from my stance) from there I just swing back and into impact. It keeps my club path from the inside and hit the ball crisp.