Timely for me, Paul. I too often find myself being too quick, and it all starts with the take-a-way. If that is too quick then start the downswing also too quick. As a result I am letting human nature take over, and I am back to hitting with my hands and arms. But when I caught myself, which normally only takes me 8 or 9 holes, I begin to slow it down. Tuesday I shot a 50 on the front nine and 40 on the back nine. There was Jeckle and Hyde. Your reminders are always helpful. We are planning on visiting with you and Pete in July. It will be our first stop on a 4 week road trip.
Taking it back fast is definitely the tell-tale sign you are looking for power in your arms. Just switch your focus to your shoulders taking the club back. Remember, you are coiling the shoulders and uncoiling the lower. Your arms are connected to your body so they will move. This should get you to slow down.
Definitely let me know when you are arriving. Be great to see you.
Good tip Paul. I started getting to fast last week and could not time everything on the downswing. Began momentarily stopping at the top (so my brain could kick in) and then started with the hips–major improvement in the quality and distance of the shots. Thanks.
Glad you caught this. If you keep on it could have be a disaster. An easy thing to do is a 2 count in the backswing. 1 count in the downswing. So you say 1… 2… as you hit the top. Then 3 … is when you come down and through. Give it a try.
Paul. Slightly unrelated to this tip,I’m thinking of buying the Swing Speed Radar over here in the UK.
I would like to also use it in my back garden. Question is, do I have to hit a practice ball or can I just do practice swings with it.
Thanks.
I have done swings with no ball. I just can’t remember the numbers. Maybe I was swinging in the air and it was reading my club. It is doppler radar measuring the speed of the club so it should work. I will try it again when I am next out at the course.
One other thing I struggle with. When I slow down at the top, I sometimes tighten my shoulders and grip pressure (not on purpose, habit) which makes everything connected to my lower body, making it hard to separate the two on the way down, going over the top. Any tips on this issue?
The tightening shoulders would be you trying to hit. You should be thinking coil the shoulders. Then as hit the top you would be switching your thought to the legs and hips so you wouldn’t even be aware of the shoudlers anyway. I really think you need to not see the swing as you hitting a ball. Your body is a spring. It coils … it uncoils. Connected to the spring is an arm unit (powerless) with a loose hinge at the end.
Also, this tip is perfect for you. You are not rushing the transition. Take your time back there. More time the more you can stop yourself tightening up.
Paul, I understand what you mean. On the backswing, if I pause and then use my legs and hips, I do hit a good shot. At times I do regress and use my arms, and am hitting the ground first or topping it or even going over the top. Practice swings are part of the swing and at times I am impatient and just try to hit the ball. Even if I could break 90 which I have not done this year will not bother me being a recreational golfer. I still have fun trying to be a good golfer.
Hey Paul:
I have been an Ignition Golf member for over two years. I have watched almost every video and then some.
What I find helps me the most is watching your swing and tempo over and over and over again. I try to imagine it on the range and course in my mind.
I was wondering: Have you ever thought of doing a video of you just swinging, no talking? Not that I don’t like your teaching but if I had a video of just swinging I could put it down as a favorite on my list and watch it on the range or course when I want and it sets my swing and tempo back to what I’m trying to achieve. Like a reboot. I seem to work that way. Just a thought. How you’d set it up I’d leave to you but I’m sure others might find it helpful.
Paul :
Hit (oops wrong term) 275 balls off the range mats today, trying desperately to swing with a relaxed set and downswing (arms and hands relaxed). Mixed results, especially with the driver. Arms are going to be a problem, but I will try the following:
1) slowing down the swing to the top 2)relaxing totally at the top 3) turning the hips and legs around and 4) allowing the club to
follow w/o any assist at all. Easy to say; difficult to execute.
Problem is, I feel that the clubhead will never catch up with the turn to the finish, and I “hand it” at the bottom just enough to ruin the fluidity of the swing. It is insidious, but my hands lie to me. Obviously, the follow through does not wind up with the shaft touching my neck. Note: when I occasionally do it right I am impressed with the results—-straight and loooong. I know this will take time, but if you can offer some guidance, I’d appreciate it immensely. I am psyched to learn this swing and hit the 70s with regularity. SS
This is way too many balls. Hitting this many balls is you hitting ball after ball with no practice swings. You need to reduce the balls and do way more practice swings working on the swing positions. You can find them here:
You do them at the range, at home and when you play. Do them in the order I teach them and try to make them perfect. It is about the movement not the ball. So you get the movement and positions then work on turning the arms off. Sure, relaxing can make you hit great shots but you know to know the positions so you can repeat it.
Just saw a video of a kid swinging. His transition took so long because he had too wait for the body to turn. His hips were close to 90 degrees open at impact. Amazing!
I have been watching a number of videos that describe and demo using the movement of the left knee to initiate the downswing, and to avoid early extension, a tendency of mine. I tried this at the range and discovered that it works quite well, and that I have to wait more than usual with the weight on my right side before the left knee is able to move and trigger the downswing. Because I don’t believe this is one of your three triggers, I thought you might comment.
I would keep doing it if you are seeing the result. You are finding something that triggers your swing. I have 6. If you find something else then definitely do it. It all about finding something in the lower body that you use to power your swing as opposed to hitting with arms.
For early extension just do easy swings. Focus on the bend of the right knee from the top. Keep it bent as you come down and around to touch the left leg. Once you get the feeling speed it up. Simple.
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18 Responses to “Do Not Rush The Transition”
May 26, 2016
PETERMCMULLENTimely for me, Paul. I too often find myself being too quick, and it all starts with the take-a-way. If that is too quick then start the downswing also too quick. As a result I am letting human nature take over, and I am back to hitting with my hands and arms. But when I caught myself, which normally only takes me 8 or 9 holes, I begin to slow it down. Tuesday I shot a 50 on the front nine and 40 on the back nine. There was Jeckle and Hyde. Your reminders are always helpful. We are planning on visiting with you and Pete in July. It will be our first stop on a 4 week road trip.
May 27, 2016
Paul WilsonPeter,
Taking it back fast is definitely the tell-tale sign you are looking for power in your arms. Just switch your focus to your shoulders taking the club back. Remember, you are coiling the shoulders and uncoiling the lower. Your arms are connected to your body so they will move. This should get you to slow down.
Definitely let me know when you are arriving. Be great to see you.
May 27, 2016
JohnHardingerGood tip Paul. I started getting to fast last week and could not time everything on the downswing. Began momentarily stopping at the top (so my brain could kick in) and then started with the hips–major improvement in the quality and distance of the shots. Thanks.
May 27, 2016
Paul WilsonJohn,
Glad you caught this. If you keep on it could have be a disaster. An easy thing to do is a 2 count in the backswing. 1 count in the downswing. So you say 1… 2… as you hit the top. Then 3 … is when you come down and through. Give it a try.
May 27, 2016
daviddonaldsonPaul. Slightly unrelated to this tip,I’m thinking of buying the Swing Speed Radar over here in the UK.
I would like to also use it in my back garden. Question is, do I have to hit a practice ball or can I just do practice swings with it.
Thanks.
May 27, 2016
Paul WilsonDavid,
I have done swings with no ball. I just can’t remember the numbers. Maybe I was swinging in the air and it was reading my club. It is doppler radar measuring the speed of the club so it should work. I will try it again when I am next out at the course.
Here is where you would buy it in Europe: http://www.sportssensors.eu/en/
You could email them as well.
May 27, 2016
JeffLubinOne other thing I struggle with. When I slow down at the top, I sometimes tighten my shoulders and grip pressure (not on purpose, habit) which makes everything connected to my lower body, making it hard to separate the two on the way down, going over the top. Any tips on this issue?
May 27, 2016
Paul WilsonJeff,
The tightening shoulders would be you trying to hit. You should be thinking coil the shoulders. Then as hit the top you would be switching your thought to the legs and hips so you wouldn’t even be aware of the shoudlers anyway. I really think you need to not see the swing as you hitting a ball. Your body is a spring. It coils … it uncoils. Connected to the spring is an arm unit (powerless) with a loose hinge at the end.
You can certainly stop at the top as a drill:
DRILL: Stop at the Top: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-stop-top/
You can also count in your backswing:
DRILL: Count In Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-count-in-backswing/
Also, this tip is perfect for you. You are not rushing the transition. Take your time back there. More time the more you can stop yourself tightening up.
May 28, 2016
KennthBovaPaul, I understand what you mean. On the backswing, if I pause and then use my legs and hips, I do hit a good shot. At times I do regress and use my arms, and am hitting the ground first or topping it or even going over the top. Practice swings are part of the swing and at times I am impatient and just try to hit the ball. Even if I could break 90 which I have not done this year will not bother me being a recreational golfer. I still have fun trying to be a good golfer.
May 29, 2016
Paul WilsonKen,
Pausing just gives you so much more time to think about the legs. So many people are so fast as they go back.
Glad you see it.
Did you do a swing analysis with Pete? If you are still not breaking 90 there’s a problem. Might want to consider it so we can get you on track.
May 28, 2016
JohnSweeneyHey Paul:
I have been an Ignition Golf member for over two years. I have watched almost every video and then some.
What I find helps me the most is watching your swing and tempo over and over and over again. I try to imagine it on the range and course in my mind.
I was wondering: Have you ever thought of doing a video of you just swinging, no talking? Not that I don’t like your teaching but if I had a video of just swinging I could put it down as a favorite on my list and watch it on the range or course when I want and it sets my swing and tempo back to what I’m trying to achieve. Like a reboot. I seem to work that way. Just a thought. How you’d set it up I’d leave to you but I’m sure others might find it helpful.
Thanks a bunch.
John S
Viera, Fl.
May 29, 2016
Paul WilsonJohn,
Glad you like the tips and you are still with me.
I actually do have my swings. I thought I told everyone. Maybe not.
Go here: https://ignitiongolf.com/start-here/
Scroll down and you will swing a link to download my swings.
March 17, 2018
StevenSeelyPaul :
Hit (oops wrong term) 275 balls off the range mats today, trying desperately to swing with a relaxed set and downswing (arms and hands relaxed). Mixed results, especially with the driver. Arms are going to be a problem, but I will try the following:
1) slowing down the swing to the top 2)relaxing totally at the top 3) turning the hips and legs around and 4) allowing the club to
follow w/o any assist at all. Easy to say; difficult to execute.
Problem is, I feel that the clubhead will never catch up with the turn to the finish, and I “hand it” at the bottom just enough to ruin the fluidity of the swing. It is insidious, but my hands lie to me. Obviously, the follow through does not wind up with the shaft touching my neck. Note: when I occasionally do it right I am impressed with the results—-straight and loooong. I know this will take time, but if you can offer some guidance, I’d appreciate it immensely. I am psyched to learn this swing and hit the 70s with regularity. SS
March 18, 2018
Paul WilsonSteve,
This is way too many balls. Hitting this many balls is you hitting ball after ball with no practice swings. You need to reduce the balls and do way more practice swings working on the swing positions. You can find them here:
https://ignitiongolf.com/start-here/
You do them at the range, at home and when you play. Do them in the order I teach them and try to make them perfect. It is about the movement not the ball. So you get the movement and positions then work on turning the arms off. Sure, relaxing can make you hit great shots but you know to know the positions so you can repeat it.
How To Practice At The Range: https://ignitiongolf.com/hit-golf-balls-range/
What To Expect Practicing: https://ignitiongolf.com/expect-practicing/
What To Look For When You Practice: https://ignitiongolf.com/practice-what-to-look-for/
How Long To Make Swing Changes?: https://ignitiongolf.com/make-swing-changes/
June 23, 2018
StianOttersenJust saw a video of a kid swinging. His transition took so long because he had too wait for the body to turn. His hips were close to 90 degrees open at impact. Amazing!
June 25, 2018
Paul WilsonStian,
Exactly. I have said this for years. Kids use their body to hit the ball. If you learned as an adult you do not. There is proof.
June 8, 2019
mikeschickI have been watching a number of videos that describe and demo using the movement of the left knee to initiate the downswing, and to avoid early extension, a tendency of mine. I tried this at the range and discovered that it works quite well, and that I have to wait more than usual with the weight on my right side before the left knee is able to move and trigger the downswing. Because I don’t believe this is one of your three triggers, I thought you might comment.
June 11, 2019
Paul WilsonMike,
Early extension is super easy to fix. 10 minutes. Done.
There are 6 triggers now. Locking the left leg is one of them.
All Downswing Triggers: https://ignitiongolf.com/all-downswing-triggers/
Try The Triggers: https://ignitiongolf.com/try-the-triggers/
I would keep doing it if you are seeing the result. You are finding something that triggers your swing. I have 6. If you find something else then definitely do it. It all about finding something in the lower body that you use to power your swing as opposed to hitting with arms.
For early extension just do easy swings. Focus on the bend of the right knee from the top. Keep it bent as you come down and around to touch the left leg. Once you get the feeling speed it up. Simple.