MPS67

I was B-FIt for Bridgestone e6 golf balls - Dustin Johnson -16 - Jordan Spieth -15 - Louis Oosthuizen -14

Hi Phil, I'm simply someone who loves the game of golf. I pass along sound advice to those who request assistance. My hope is that the golfers seeking advice can improve and as a result, better enjoy the game of golf. My bullet D suggestion for Kirby12 was based on my opinion that he could attain a more repeatable backswing if he allowed momentum to naturally carry his arms and club to the top. I acquire my golf knowledge from extensive study and analysis from over the years. If you want to know more about me, please refer to my Sand Trap profile. Yes, if the club, arms, or any object which contains mass is in motion, it has a state of momentum. (P=MV for linear momentum & L=r x p = r x mv for angular momentum). Therefore, a club head that is in motion posses momentum in the backswing. Before you attempt to humiliate me further with your condescending tone, would you mind reviewing Shawn Clement's "Takeaway and Starting Swing" youtube video from my post #3? Fast forward to 1:21s where Shawn discusses using the pivot of his body to toss the arms [and club] into the backswing. He continues by explaining how momentum naturally lifts the arms. If you choose to use muscle action in your takeaway because of your particular golf swing method, that's perfectly fine. But keep these two things in mind. 1) Remember that there are various methods to swinging the golf club, even though it's not your approach 2) Even if you do not feel the momentum of the club in your takeaway, it does exist. And for your information, Shawn Clement is highly regarded in the golf community. Jeff Mann (another golf expert) seems to believe so with his very positive review paper of Shawn Clement's teachings. You can read it HERE. And finally Phill - I'm going to report your post to the administrator as your patronizing tone does not seem to follow an implied code of ethical behavior required for a forum where ideas are shared, discussed, and respectfully argued. You should have sent me your message privately. Thank you for making me feel so unwelcome Regards, MPS67

Hi Kirby, I see many good things about your swing! Especially the way you stay within the plane lines back and through. You already know about your head moving too much, so I'm going to suggest some minor adjustments. A) I'd straighten the curve in your lower back. This will improve your ability to rotate your upper body and achieve a more powerful swing. B) Your takeaway is very good, but just a little under plane in my opinion. Try to get your club head positioned to the orange circle in image #2. C) I wanted to point out a small amount of early hip extension (maybe 1-2 inches). It's not much, but preventing this small movement of your hips toward the ball could get you right on plane in image #4. D) Your takeaway positions are very good. If you can repeat this move backwards time after time, maybe you should skip my next suggestion. IMHO, it looks as though you are too actively lifting the club. I propose that you actively turn the club back with your arms, shoulders, and chest to the point of the orange circle in image #2. Then allow the club's momentum to fold your right elbow in as the club swings to the top. Take a look at the two videos below for more insight.

Hi Domc36, I agree with both Rustyredcab & Haddockd that you have an OTT swing. Please carefully read this article written by Mike Pedersen as it will shed some light on what an OTT swing is, what are some of the causes, and remedies. But basically, your back swing is the first fault. Once you get to the top of the backswing, you also make the mistake of moving down with your upper body. It's important for you to understand that both your takeaway and backswing are under plane. In image #1 , your club head is too low and should be positioned where I placed a green circle. You want to take the club back in between the two white lines. You're also rolling your arms too much. I drew a yellow line on the face of your club, which is very open here. When you get the club to the position behind your hands (green circle) your club face should be parallel with your spine. I also noticed that your right leg is fully extended. Look at i mage #2 of Goerge Howel III. Here, his club is in a better takeaway position, and its face is close to parallel with his spine. Also not how he keeps his right knee flexed. Please review the 1st video below. Mark Crossfield will explain how it's best to swing within the plane lines. Then, look at the 2nd video where Shawn Clement will help you with a better approach to your takeaway and backswing. Rustyredcab mentioned that you pull up in your downswing. Image #3 shows this. You'll want to start the downswing with your lower body, all while (from the B ehind T he L ine perspective - BTL) maintaining your spine tilt or posture. See videos 3 & 4. By keeping your BTL posture, you'll give yourself space in the impact area for which your hands can swing through. Though you lost some of the your original spine tilt from the BTL perspective, you gained some back in image #4 . 1st video below 2nd video below 3rd video 4th video

On occasion, I'll mishit my ball into someone's private yard sitting adjacent to the fairway. I never shoot from there, but out of courtesy, I always retrieve it thinking that a grass concealed ball would do a number on their lawnmower. But the father is just training his child to be the next Tiger Woods. Didn't Eldridge claim he started learning golf at the age of six months while watching his dad practice? But seriously, some people are a bit selfish. The sound of that father's driver impact must have been deafening to his child. My only gripe is when someone gives unsolicited advise on where to aim my putt. It raises doubts if it's different from what I thinking.

Hi Doug, Thanks for the kind words and I'm happy that I was able to help. It's great to read of your good news! Starting down with the lower body can make all the difference. Cheers, Mark

I actually like your tempo. It's fast, powerful, and looks smooth & relaxed all at the same time. I'm sorry, but I didn't explain myself very well in my last post. I was suggesting to temporarily slow your pace down some while working on some of new swing adjustments.

Yes & no. I noticed that during your back swing, both your head and butt slides towards the ball. Maybe about 2-3 inches. But once at the top, I see very little early hip extension (where the butt slides toward the ball as you stand up) or head movement by the time of impact. Your back heel lifts, your hips raise, and your back leg straightens during this downswing section. But I think this is a result of you unleashing so much power in your downswing. So, I think you're okay. Just for reference, below is an image and video of Vicky Hurst (LPGA) doing the same thing. But it wouldn't hurt if you experiment with slowing your tempo a little in order to minimize the heel lift.

Hi Patrick, You have a very nice and fast swing! Image #1 shows that your hands are hanging from your shoulders in perfect position and that you are the correct distance from the ball. Image #2 shows that even though your extension is great (as seen in image 8,) you are taking away the club below the plane line. The club face in image #2 looks open. However by the top, you've recovered to a good position - so you've got a little inside to loop action going on. You've turned back very nicely and have your left shoulder in a perfect position over your right foot's instep as seen in image #9. Your down swing looks good, as you stay between the plane lines. I don't see an over the top move as others have mentioned. And I say that because your club head does not go travel to the right of the target line. Impact looks good, and I see the dirt from a divot formed after the ball. I'd suggest working on the following in order to improve consistency: I'd try to take away the club within the plane lines. Below is a "down the line" video of Lucas Glover. By the time his hands are where yours are in image three, he has stopped turning his shoulders back. His right elbow bends as he allows momentum to carry the club up to the top. It seems you do the same, but a later point in the back swing. The 2nd video is a really good video from Shawn Clement. He discusses taking the club back by tossing it back and taking advantage of momentum. In the 3rd video Dean Hartman shows a Hula Hoop drill that you can try in order to better feel a good back swing plane to use.

Eric, I'm sorry if I've wandered off topic. I do see the technique of actively engaging the arms in releasing accumulators #1 & 4 using the stack and tilt swing seen in the video below. However with the more traditional swing (like Yani Tseng's,) I believe the arms passively release their accumulated potential energy. Here's a video that shows a one armed golfer. His swing is powered by his centered pivot and his accumulator #4 is released passively. Here, Hogan is releasing accumulator #4 passively from his active pivot.

8.5 Drive, It's difficult to see because of the dark shirt you're wearing. But I noticed a few things that may be contributing to your occasional duck hooks. 1) Your left arm is bent and never looks fully extended. This might cause some inconsistency. 2) It looks like you're swinging too far back. I don't know if this by design and you want to swing like John Daly, but this might be robbing you of consistency as well. 3) I think you're swaying your hips back a little too much during the takeaway. (see image #2) 4) Image #4 shows some flipping action - early release of the club shaft. Here the face is likely to be closed resulting in a pull or hook. I'd suggest that you 1st shorten your back swing and stop your takeaway sway. Then I'd work on fully extending your left arm.

Hi Doug, Good job so far!!! Take a look at these images. Image set #1 - You could improve your address position a little, which in turn, can help your takeaway. Compared to Tiger, your hands are pressed a little too forward. This forces your right shoulder down too much. Image set #2 - I noticed a quirky move about 17 seconds into both of your recent videos. It looks like your initial move back is a small hand lift. Take a look at the video below of Shawn Clement explaining a good way of allowing momentum to carry the club up to the top. This goes along with what I see in image #5 . You're taking away the club too far inside and flat. I drew a line to represent where the club should instead lay. Your club face is also quite open here as well. It would be better for the face to lay parallel with your back line. One other problem I see in image #2 is that your heel line (red line) shows that you're not quite parallel with the stick that you laid down in front of you. Image #6 - As you take the club back, try to get the hands in closer to your head and a little higher up. See the 3rd video about how to stay on plane. Image set #3 - You've shown improvement, but I still see your upper body moving forward. The left image is you on the way up. Notice how your hat completely covers the window behind you. The right image is of you on the way down. The gap between the pink and blue lines represents how much you swayed your upper body towards the target. And also note how the window is now in view. Image #7 & #8 - I agree, a better hip slide would help. You must let go of your tendencies to start the down swing with your upper body. Remember, shoulders to turn back - lower body forward. Only the lower body. Try this... Once you get to the top, only rotate your knees forward, around, and level. But not forward towards the golf ball, just forward towards the target. You must completely turn off the upper body. And while trying this, make sure you maintain your spine tilt and tush line (see 2nd video below.) The golfer in image #8 is Arnold Palmer. The rectangle represents how much his left knee slid forward from the top of his back swing. By sliding the knees forward and around, the hip will move forward as well.

Yes the video on the left side is slanted. Not very professional. The line from the center of his shoulder to the back of his hands are not quite optimal though. (See Yellow) True. So would this increase the gap (address vs. impact) a little more?

I'd first make sure that you stretch the muscles on which you exercised, and do so soon after workout. Look at this video for a specific stretching exercise for tense traps. If you worked your traps with a butterfly type exercise motion, then try the stretch exercise in video #2. #1 #2 The instructor in the video below has some good drills for arm extension. I like the idea of swinging with an extra club. #3 It almost sounds like (because of the shoulder tension) you have a minor left arm "chicken wing" fault. Have you tried placing a golf ball, glove, or towel under your left armpit to see if it falls out early during the swing? Also, put some chalk on the club face to see where the ball comes into contact. IMHO, the keys for which you're looking are probably all about feel, and maybe looking at the shape of your divot. For example, do you see a toe biased divot?

Eric, I'm not sure I understand. Are you advocating that these women need to more actively swing down using the muscles in their shoulders and arms? In swinging down, wouldn't they want their arms to remain passive and to only feel the pull and leverage from the manipulation of their lower body? Wouldn't the arm muscles complimenting this swing-action slow the rate of speed? Maybe I've misinterpreted your original post. Thanks, Mark

Do you mean slide forward as in towards the ball? In the 1st video below, Shawn Clement advocates letting the upper body turn out of the way so that there's no crash with the arms swinging thru. I'm just wondering If your takeaway is too flat and inside, causing a downswing that is too cramped. If so, maybe you then feel the need to pull in the arms because your body is actually deflecting the arms outward? But maybe your assumption about ball position is correct. This 2nd video discusses a good address position relative to the ball, where a line from the center of your shoulders down to the back of your hands should be 90° from the flat ground. A smaller angle could lead to a flatter takeaway and more difficult downswing. The images below are of Rory McIlroy. For each image, I placed a light blue dot between his shoulder blades. If anything, he moves his scapula forward a very small amount towards the ball at the top of the back swing, but then returns it to original spot by impact. His hands also move slightly towards the ball - most likely because of centrifugal force from the club head's inertia. But do you also notice how his club head is closer to him at impact? Maybe you don't need to worry about shanking because the club shaft will be more vertical than that of address and as a result, closer to the body at impact.

Hi Ujwall, I see a couple of things that could be indicators of swing faults. 1) Your club face near the top of your back swing looks closed. It's difficult to say what grip manipulations (if any) are occurring from this position. A closed face at the top usually results in the same at impact. A closed face at impact results in either a pull or hook. Since your typical ball flight is a slight fade or slice, you might be blocking your shot by not fully releasing your hands thru impact. I'd first work on squaring up your club face at the various positions of the golf swing. See this article ---> LINK You may want to purchase a swing aid like this ---> LINK 2) It also seems like you over swing at the top. I'd shorten your back swing to the point where your club shaft does not travel beyond parallel with the target line.

I agree with you that the center of gravity can stay centered. Matter of fact, isn't the swing most effective with the weight forward and one that rotates about a single axis (the axis being the one formed from the front foot's instep up through the inner thigh, sternum, and head)? If not timed correctly, shifting the weight back and forth can diminish the rotational inertia, and as a result will lead to a reduced club head speed. However (and IMHO) correctly transferring weight back (as I described before) does seem to work well because the golfer, with a push from the right foot's loaded instep, will be able to transfer stored potential energy (the torsion buildup) along with the additional mass (the weight that was moved back) through to the forward moving hips. Relative to a more centralized pivot, the momentum seems to me to be greater, thus increasing the hip speed - as well as the ease of, and the rate at which the upper torso can uncoil around the front pivot axis. An interesting video on a more centralized pivot action.

The golfer pivots and coils their shoulders and upper torso backwards. Because their hands, shoulders, upper torso, and the club all have mass, the center of gravity moves back and the weight now centers more over their right foot's instep. This curling action of mass increases torsional forces, stores potential energy, and loads up the right side. The golfer is then in a powerful position where they can push off of the right foot's instep to initiate the downswing and more easily thrust the hips and knees forward .

Hi Lefts, I find that it's easier for me to keep my head from swaying when I have a greater spine tilt and I maintain the tilt throughout the swing. Here are a few videos that could help, though the 2nd one is a little out there.

Hi Dan, You have a very nice swing! There's one thing that I suggest you work on to improve. And that is to maintain your posture (spine angle) when viewed from the "down the line" perspective. I've attached an image of your address position above one of your impact position for comparison. You're guilty of what is labeled a "hip extension" where your hips move towards the ball and you stand up thru the swing. You will lose consistency and power with this fault. For example, notice how both your head and the club's head are farther away at impact? You're probably missing the sweet spot and hitting by the toe of your club face at times. If you want to fix this, you'll need to turn your knees, hips, torso, and shoulders more effectively. There's another individual on this forum that has had the same issue recently. I'd suggest you take a look at some of the remedies members have posted. Here's a link to the post --> LINK Here's another video that may be of help:

It does look awkward and is a difficult position to achieve. The "power wind up" video should help. But it's important so that you can get your weight moved back during the back swing. Most of the pros perform this move as seen in the images below. Ricky Fowler Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy

I had a dismal experience with Golftec back few years ago. The teachers at my local branch analyzed my full swing through video feedback. Then they explained fixed positions sequentially from that at address (grip, stance, posture) all the way through to the finish, in small increments. They did not like to coach swing dynamics, just ideal positions and proper sequence. There was absolutely no talk of tempo, weight transfer dynamics, or anything like that - only positions . I remember being able to inconspicuously observe other golfers from behind plexiglass windows and seeing most of them continuously swing at full speed and high tension. I also recall hearing from the other members in the adjacent booths, the constant drum and loud thuds of their club heads hitting fat into the mats at full force. The instructors only covered small bits of instruction at a time, and steered clear of discussing anything subsequent to the position of which I was learning. The 30 minute lessons were very structured and organized to cookie cutter methods, and probably contained about 5 minutes of good substance in them. After the brief lessons, they advised me spend two weeks at their practice bays and ingrain the one or two position items that were covered. I diligently practiced, however if I did not reach the ideal position within a small tolerance of acceptable, they did not let me advance. I then had to repeat the same lesson over again. It took me about a year and about 20 of my 30 lessons getting to the top of the back swing. Looking back from how I now swing, I know that my back swing was purely mechanical and performed incorrectly as I didn't take advantage of the club's momentum or any other dynamics. During this time, they advised me to practice the bits leading up to the "top" as well as the subsequent portion of the swing they didn't yet cover. A great way to ingrain a faulty swing mechanic! All in all, Golftec has a specific teaching approach that isn't for everyone. I felt they were high pressure salesmen promising me results, slowly stringing me along, all while trying to convince me to sign up for another bloc of lessons. IMHO, they love to teach fixed positions . This would be all right, as long as they coupled the instruction with explanations of feels and motions instead of adhering to pure mechanical positions. The one thing that did enjoy was the use of their training bays. Most of the time, I was able to sign up for a private half hour practice session after work. It was inside, so there wasn't the threat of foul weather. And the booth included helpful video analysis tools that were easy enough for me to use.

From what I've heard, it's an indication that you followed thru well if you see in the "down the line" view, the club shaft intersect the front shoulder while parallel to the shoulder line. For your reference, I've set your image side by side to Anthony Kim's. Your follow thru looks pretty good - just a little too vertical. I believe you'll improve this position once you turn & shift your hips more effectively.