I also have searched for the holy grail. center swings the clubhead the arms go along for the ride. the faster center turns the faster the clubhead goes.I made a gardenhose shafted golf club to feel this the best . the face comes back to square even on this driver and you can hit the ball straight off a tee. we as kids used to ride are bikes with are arms across our chest,centrifugal force kept the wheels straight and we would say to our horrified mom “look ma no hands”. the golf swing is the same Look ma no ARMS OR HANDS” sincereley,dean e. woods
Exactly. But trying to get people to turn their arms off is tough because is gives the person a feeling of no power in the arms. What they have to realize is this same effort level needs to be in the legs. Once they get this and see that it works they will never stop doing it.
I wonder if you have read George Knudson’s book entitled “The Natural Golf Swing “. Knudson was a Canadian pro back in the sixties who was considered one of the best ball strikers of all time. Even Nicklaus was an avid admirer of his swing. Knudson also won several PGA Tournaments in his prime. Anyway I see many similarities between your teaching and Knudson’s such as letting the arms go along for the ride which you describe as powerless. I often referred to his book and greatly admired his theories but he never fleshed out his ideas to the point where I could implement them in a pragmatic thoughtful system such as yours. Knudson didn’t like to talk about positions in a golf swing therefore I was never able to acheive feedback like you have prescribed. Thank you for building on George’s legacy. He died at a relatively young age of cancer. I am sure that if he were still alive today he would be your biggest booster.
I followed that technique and still have the book and videos. Not sure I agree with taking it back with the weight shift. King of gets people swaying. Good info though and a great swing. I never met him which was unfortunate.
Would you say that a good way to keep the arms powerless is to have them feel connected to the torso? Almost as if they are connected to my turning chest on both the back swing and through-swing. I am very eager to start employing your body swing method, but, I’m having a hard time conceptualizing how the arms get “turned off”.
You have to be careful because the back arm can be too tucked. Also, forcing this pressure can get you tight. The way to get it is to first tell yourself to not hit at the ball. You know your arms are connected to your body so if you turn your body your arms aren’t going to stay up there forever. They will follow. You get the power through loose wrists not hitting. So the right thoughts and understanding are where you start.
For me, I literally got it in 3 practice swings. I just told myself to not hit or help the shot with my arms. It felt weird. It felt like I was swinging slower yet my ball went dead straight and just as far. So swinging this way got me the same result so why would I keep hitting hard?
So try the things and thoughts above and get used to it.
I appreciate that you took the time to provide a thoughtful response to my query.
As I just finished watching all 10 chapters of the Body Swing course and am nearly done reading the eBook, I need to guard against trying to make too many changes too quickly. I will keep practicing positions 1 & 2 until I can get there more easily, then I will work on the coil and then hinging. After that, as you prescribe, I will watch the videos you’ve referenced in your reply to get a fuller understanding of powerless arms and then start working on learning that aspect of the Body Swing.
People can and do get excited and try to work on too many things. Glad you see that you need to be working on it in order. I have taught this way for 25 years and it works amazingly well. Stay focused. Do lots of practice swings instead of hitting a ton of balls. If you do, you will build a great swing in no time.
I’m working very hard on Powerless arms. it seems when I hold my right knee
position while keeping flexed into the left slightly I can make a better body turn (coil)
and finish the follow through without a lot of effort? Yesterday I started to try this on the back 9 and I hit a couple of powerful shots when I concentrated on this knee position. I came home and worked on this and I’m getting consistent swing speeds. I seem to be able to turn better both back and through my swing. Should I be doing this?
I understand the turning off of the arms, but I’m having a problem resisting the strong temptation to roll my hands/wrists over just before impact. The club feels to me as if it is coming from the inside and my brain is telling me to close the face to that path. Should I also turn off my hands and trust that the face will be in the proper position at impact without any manipulation from me?
There are times when you use your arms. This is when you are working on things. You get it. Then you turn the off once you have it. How else are you supposed to work on certain positions in your swing. Also, keep in mind powerless arms is you not hitting or helping the shot with your arms.
Hey Paul,
My problem is “lazy hips”. On the course yesterday, I started out well, but after a few holes I started to use my hips less and less. Any suggestions to correct this problem?
Oh boy, lazy hips is not good. That is your power course in the swing. You need to watch the tip below and apply it on every swing you do not just the last few holes:
Seems like the arms are used in the pitching swing when using the “hinge and turn”. Is hinging at various points in the backswing done with the arms are the lower body?
You hinge, then you turn. When you turn this is what brings the arms down. You are not trying to hit the ball with the arms. They follow the turn. The wrists are loose which allows the club to release.
Thank you, I like this personal story. I just wonder how you could be a golf instructor if you (as you say) “lost your swing and the ball went all over the place”.
Anyway, I have the body swing book and it’s really helping. When I just got it, I was trying to do everything at once and that led to all sorts of mistakes. So I am now concentrating on coiling, uncoiling and finishing as you show, but with only 3/4 backswing. This is already leading to better results than before. Once that goes more automatically, I’ll try the “thumbs in ears” with full backswing.
How? Because I knew a ton about the swing for working on it for 10 years. I just made people look like pros. Yes, at this time I was still tinkering with my own swing. After 1999, I never doubted it every again. So I know what it’s like to listen to everyone, try everything and take lessons from those who could not explain “why” I had to do what they were teaching. Who do you want lessons from … someone who got it right away or someone who experimented and tried everything for 10 years to get it back. I’ll take the guy who knows what I am going through so he can relate it to me and explain what does and does not work.
Seems like this is what you are doing now. Just follow one person (book). Keep it simple.
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26 Responses to “The Body Swing – Extra Tip 2 – How I Got Powerless Arms”
July 31, 2016
deanwoodsI also have searched for the holy grail. center swings the clubhead the arms go along for the ride. the faster center turns the faster the clubhead goes.I made a gardenhose shafted golf club to feel this the best . the face comes back to square even on this driver and you can hit the ball straight off a tee. we as kids used to ride are bikes with are arms across our chest,centrifugal force kept the wheels straight and we would say to our horrified mom “look ma no hands”. the golf swing is the same Look ma no ARMS OR HANDS” sincereley,dean e. woods
August 1, 2016
Paul WilsonDean,
Exactly. But trying to get people to turn their arms off is tough because is gives the person a feeling of no power in the arms. What they have to realize is this same effort level needs to be in the legs. Once they get this and see that it works they will never stop doing it.
February 28, 2018
JosephTiernanThe only info similar to this was from Jack saying the arms are on a free ride from top to bottom of swing. Joe
February 28, 2018
Paul WilsonJoe,
Exactly. He does and had mentioned powerless arms at times in his instruction. If he said it we might want to listen.
August 23, 2016
DaleCaveI wonder if you have read George Knudson’s book entitled “The Natural Golf Swing “. Knudson was a Canadian pro back in the sixties who was considered one of the best ball strikers of all time. Even Nicklaus was an avid admirer of his swing. Knudson also won several PGA Tournaments in his prime. Anyway I see many similarities between your teaching and Knudson’s such as letting the arms go along for the ride which you describe as powerless. I often referred to his book and greatly admired his theories but he never fleshed out his ideas to the point where I could implement them in a pragmatic thoughtful system such as yours. Knudson didn’t like to talk about positions in a golf swing therefore I was never able to acheive feedback like you have prescribed. Thank you for building on George’s legacy. He died at a relatively young age of cancer. I am sure that if he were still alive today he would be your biggest booster.
August 23, 2016
Paul WilsonDale,
I followed that technique and still have the book and videos. Not sure I agree with taking it back with the weight shift. King of gets people swaying. Good info though and a great swing. I never met him which was unfortunate.
September 13, 2016
VincentSchiavoHi Paul,
Would you say that a good way to keep the arms powerless is to have them feel connected to the torso? Almost as if they are connected to my turning chest on both the back swing and through-swing. I am very eager to start employing your body swing method, but, I’m having a hard time conceptualizing how the arms get “turned off”.
Thanks for your help…
Regards,
Vince Schiavo
September 13, 2016
Paul WilsonVince,
You have to be careful because the back arm can be too tucked. Also, forcing this pressure can get you tight. The way to get it is to first tell yourself to not hit at the ball. You know your arms are connected to your body so if you turn your body your arms aren’t going to stay up there forever. They will follow. You get the power through loose wrists not hitting. So the right thoughts and understanding are where you start.
Watch:
What Is Powerless Arms?: https://ignitiongolf.com/what-is-powerless-arms/
Powerless Arms Test: https://ignitiongolf.com/powerless-arms-test/
Then it’s is doing a few drills and getting used to new feelings. Watch these:
DRILL: This Is The Best Drill You Should Be Doing Right Now: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-three-quarter-distance/
Powerless Arms – The Trust Factor: https://ignitiongolf.com/the-trust-factor/
How To Get Powerless Arms: https://ignitiongolf.com/how-to-get-powerless-arms/
Why You Can’t Stop Hitting With Arms: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-hitting-with-arms/
Taking Powerless Arms to the Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/powerless-arms-when-playing/
For me, I literally got it in 3 practice swings. I just told myself to not hit or help the shot with my arms. It felt weird. It felt like I was swinging slower yet my ball went dead straight and just as far. So swinging this way got me the same result so why would I keep hitting hard?
So try the things and thoughts above and get used to it.
Oh yeah, here is a tip on connection:
Connection: https://ignitiongolf.com/connection-backswing
September 14, 2016
VincentSchiavoPaul,
I appreciate that you took the time to provide a thoughtful response to my query.
As I just finished watching all 10 chapters of the Body Swing course and am nearly done reading the eBook, I need to guard against trying to make too many changes too quickly. I will keep practicing positions 1 & 2 until I can get there more easily, then I will work on the coil and then hinging. After that, as you prescribe, I will watch the videos you’ve referenced in your reply to get a fuller understanding of powerless arms and then start working on learning that aspect of the Body Swing.
Thanks again,
Vince
September 14, 2016
Paul WilsonVince,
People can and do get excited and try to work on too many things. Glad you see that you need to be working on it in order. I have taught this way for 25 years and it works amazingly well. Stay focused. Do lots of practice swings instead of hitting a ton of balls. If you do, you will build a great swing in no time.
October 15, 2017
robertvitelliGreat information as usual Paul! Thanks!
October 16, 2017
Paul WilsonRobert,
Glad you liked it. Thanks.
November 30, 2017
WaltreyerHi Paul,
I’m working very hard on Powerless arms. it seems when I hold my right knee
position while keeping flexed into the left slightly I can make a better body turn (coil)
and finish the follow through without a lot of effort? Yesterday I started to try this on the back 9 and I hit a couple of powerful shots when I concentrated on this knee position. I came home and worked on this and I’m getting consistent swing speeds. I seem to be able to turn better both back and through my swing. Should I be doing this?
Walt
November 30, 2017
Paul WilsonWalt,
The right knee flex is huge. This puts you in a better position to fire the lower body so yes, keep doing this.
Flexed Back Knee: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-back-knee/
How To Feel Stability In The Lower Body (back knee flex) https://ignitiongolf.com/lower-body-stability/
How To Stabilize The Lower Body In The Backswing (belt buckle at ball): https://ignitiongolf.com/stabilize-lower-body/
Power: Keep the Flex In The Back Knee: https://ignitiongolf.com/power-back-knee/
Pros Know Its A Tight Coil: https://ignitiongolf.com/pros-know-tight-coil/
Let’s Go Surfing: https://ignitiongolf.com/lets-go-surfing/
February 5, 2018
MichaelShieldsHi Paul,
I understand the turning off of the arms, but I’m having a problem resisting the strong temptation to roll my hands/wrists over just before impact. The club feels to me as if it is coming from the inside and my brain is telling me to close the face to that path. Should I also turn off my hands and trust that the face will be in the proper position at impact without any manipulation from me?
Thanks
February 5, 2018
Paul WilsonMichael,
You need to see it differently.
See The Good In A Pull and Pull Hook: https://ignitiongolf.com/see-good-pull-pull-hook/
Roll Over Drill:
DRILL: 3 Ways To Roll It Over: https://ignitiongolf.com/3-ways-to-roll/
Roll Around The Stick: https://ignitiongolf.com/roll-around-stick/
Clarifying the Roll Over Drill: https://ignitiongolf.com/clarifying-roll-drill/
Modified Roll Over Drill: https://ignitiongolf.com/modified-roll-over-drill/
Please Learn How to Hook It: https://ignitiongolf.com/please-learn-hook/
DRILL: Smooth Wrist Release: https://ignitiongolf.com/smooth-wrist-release/
Then:
After The Roll Over Drill: https://ignitiongolf.com/after-the-roll-over/
June 1, 2018
DouglasOxlerHow can I not use my arms for power or manipulation and still get the crossover release of the club?
June 3, 2018
Paul WilsonDouglas,
There are times when you use your arms. This is when you are working on things. You get it. Then you turn the off once you have it. How else are you supposed to work on certain positions in your swing. Also, keep in mind powerless arms is you not hitting or helping the shot with your arms.
When To Use Your Arms: https://ignitiongolf.com/when-to-use-arms/
August 23, 2018
MikeSealeThe “Holy Grail of Swing”.
I’ve forsaken all and am seeking that moment.
Mike Seale
August 24, 2018
Paul WilsonMike,
This is the holy grail. To get it you need to work on the positions first and learn how to use the body. Turning the arms off is the last step.
February 20, 2019
BillCrossHey Paul,
My problem is “lazy hips”. On the course yesterday, I started out well, but after a few holes I started to use my hips less and less. Any suggestions to correct this problem?
February 20, 2019
Paul WilsonOh boy, lazy hips is not good. That is your power course in the swing. You need to watch the tip below and apply it on every swing you do not just the last few holes:
Coming Down The Stretch: https://ignitiongolf.com/how-to-finish/
September 11, 2019
CharlesBorgerdingSeems like the arms are used in the pitching swing when using the “hinge and turn”. Is hinging at various points in the backswing done with the arms are the lower body?
September 17, 2019
Paul WilsonCharles,
You hinge, then you turn. When you turn this is what brings the arms down. You are not trying to hit the ball with the arms. They follow the turn. The wrists are loose which allows the club to release.
October 18, 2019
RoelandGotliebHi Paul,
Thank you, I like this personal story. I just wonder how you could be a golf instructor if you (as you say) “lost your swing and the ball went all over the place”.
Anyway, I have the body swing book and it’s really helping. When I just got it, I was trying to do everything at once and that led to all sorts of mistakes. So I am now concentrating on coiling, uncoiling and finishing as you show, but with only 3/4 backswing. This is already leading to better results than before. Once that goes more automatically, I’ll try the “thumbs in ears” with full backswing.
Thanks and kind regards,
Roeland
November 6, 2019
Paul WilsonRoeland,
How? Because I knew a ton about the swing for working on it for 10 years. I just made people look like pros. Yes, at this time I was still tinkering with my own swing. After 1999, I never doubted it every again. So I know what it’s like to listen to everyone, try everything and take lessons from those who could not explain “why” I had to do what they were teaching. Who do you want lessons from … someone who got it right away or someone who experimented and tried everything for 10 years to get it back. I’ll take the guy who knows what I am going through so he can relate it to me and explain what does and does not work.
Seems like this is what you are doing now. Just follow one person (book). Keep it simple.