Greetings Coach I have been golfing for over 50 years and i know the ups and downs of this game.I played this afternoon.and what was good was at best fair and what was bad was real bad .This old dog is having fun learning new tricks but he needs a pat on the head and a good boy Johnny. I really am enjoying learning new tricks with your team ,it was a wise investment.Thanks I think i will go get a dog treat or more likely a beer.
So you are not there yet. You are unlearning 50 years of doing it wrong. You need to be swinging really easy at it until you give up on the hitting sensation. As you do this, don’t be trying to hit great shots. You are trying to turn the arms off. When you do the club will feel really heavy. This is a tell-tale sign you are not using them. If it feels light you are too tight. As you turn the arms off and hit these easy shots you will hit the odd god shot that will indicate what is to come if you get it. Too many people want greatness instantly. Sometimes this happens but for most people they have to get used to this new feeling and resist the temptation to hit.
Make sure that you are not only treating yourself but doing practice swings at home. This really is the fastest way to get it. And with a treat it makes it more fun.
HI Paul, i think it has taken me 8 months to fully get powerless arms. Its funny because once the light bulb goes on and you start swinging effortlessly, I laughed at how obvious it is now! I suppose that’s the power of the mind!
For me, after many hours practicing your positions, I realised my tendency to wrap my bottom hand grip over to compensate which was causing me to back off to avoid a hook. But I was still ‘hitting’ despite a good body turn.
So going back to your proper grip set-up, I found it felt too hard & awkward to reach the proper backswing position (with torque) without loosening & relaxing my arms and hey presto…powerless arms! Thank you so much!
If you are losing balance you are swinging want to fast. There is no point in hitting it if you are falling over. If you are you are doing a different swing each time. A different swing is going to give you a different result.
I really think you need to be checking all of these positions. You need to also be swinging way slower. From a taller setup you need to gently coil the shoulders as you go back. As you do you are loading into the back instep. Just stick to this for a while as you thought when working on the backswing. Into the follow through you need to take a 7 iron stance and throw some balls overhand (gently) and feel how the forward leg straightens and the back leg comes around and touches it creating some pressure between them. As you make this throwing motion you get through it and hold it then feel it and check it.
Too many people just swing wildly thinking they are accomplishing something. So each move now has to be done slowly and precisely. It is about the move not the ball. Once you get the throwing motion and the legs coming together you do it in practice swings. Get it in practice swing then tee up a ball. Do 3 perfect practice swings and hit 1 ball. As you do you hold it and check it.
These positions really do not take long to master if you are doing them right. Too fast relates to what you did in the past which did not work. This is a new way to swing that you are learning. Every moves counts so you forget your old swing.
Do tons of these practice swings at home. Again, there is no point hitting anything if you are falling over. So stop. Every night go into the back yard etc. and do some swings working on the positions. Watch yourself do them in a mirror if you can then you get additional feedback.
It is a learning process. Keep at it and you will get it.
Thank you Paul, as always great tip. I was improving but suddenly I started hitting tons of fat shots, specially with my short irons (drive further and straighter than ever). It looks like I’m getting close but somehow I’m missing something. If I try to move the lower body a little bit faster in order to avoid fat shots then the result is shots that start to the left (pushes).
Paul,
This is one of the best tips so far in order to know how powerless armd should feel, at least for me. But I also recognize that I have too have very free and loose shoulders in the upper body to. When I coil up it is easy too tighten the shoulders in such a way that they will hang too far back when you increase the hip turn. Is this right or do you have any comment on this ?
John
Glad you liked it. Not sure if I was thinking about you when I shot it.
Not sure what you mean “hang too far back.” You can’t be so locked up that nothing coils into place. The stretch you feel should be in the left lat area. Arms and wrists need to be loose. If you arms are connected to your shoulders you should not be tightening them up to the point that is affecting your arms and wrists.
Hi Paul…just the tip I needed today. I’ve been progressing nicely but this week found old habits, especially swinging too hard, crept back in when I tried to increase lag from an earlier video lesson I watched. Seems like my trying to hold that wrist angle put active hands too much back into the swing and this started reducing the “powerless arms” feeling, especially with the driver. What I picked up on in this video was when you said that powerless arms lead to the creation of lag. Back to the range today to find that feeling. Thanks for you timely tip.
If you are working on lag you will feel arms as you are working on it. The goal is to work on it until you are doing it then turn them off allowing it to happen on its own.
So keep working on lag but then allow it to gradually enter into your swing. I worked on this myself many years ago. I never think about it now because I always have lag.
What works for me is when I first get to the range I swing a 7 iron in your 9 to 3 position to just get loose. When I feel the old back loosening up, I start doing the touch the knees and club goes by itself. Then I touch the back of thehead, and when I can do the whole swing with no arms, I’m ready to get a ball in the way.
Paul ,I am of opinion that to get the powerless arms concept ingrained ,you have to work hard to tone up your core first :when the core is strong ,it’s the engine of the swing and you don’t need to power the arms .But strenghtening the core is quite a tedious job ,you have to be patient and to work relentlesly to get at it
Toning the core is great. I just want people to at least start trying to use it. Once they do they can get it even stronger. No body and you will have to hit with the arms. You have no other way to do it.
Paul ,Why is it so that so many golf teachers (Roger FREDERICKS ,Martin CHUCK ,Mike BENDER ,amongst many others ) promote the use of the “IMPACT BAG ” to teach the feeling of a proper impact ,while you yourself disadvise training this way .
I have an IMPACT bag but I never use it ,I concentrate my feelings on the whole swing,the club catching the ball in the way .
Others also teach you to train with toe hits and heel hits to get a feel of what it is to hit the sweet spot .I never dare to train with that method neither ,its playing with fire my opinion .
Because they are impact teachers. Impact is not the widest point of the arc so why would I ever teach it. Mass needs to swing to the widest point which is after impact. If we are using physics to hit the ball then we need to use physics to hit the ball. If you try to hit the impact bag you run the risk of holding the angle too long never letting mass swing to its widest point.
I like to practice and swing only untill both arms are extended. By doing so it forces me to slow down. Otherwise I will ho through too far.
Just look at Tommy Fleetwood, love the way he stretch his arms, and he even end his driver swing short and with extended arms
What I am wondering, is should I be thinking more in terms of getting to that arms extended position past the ball, versus thinking about impact? Trying swings with this thought seems to make the whole thing go smoother and more relaxed.
Mike
I was going to make another comment about how this causes one to focus on the release rather than impact, but I see that you have already said this. Hey, we are slow learners out here, but we keep trying. I am taking alot of practice swings (easy) with this thought of reaching the point of full release and not thinking about impact, and it feels really good. Maybe this is your best tip for me, but then I keep discovering other gems.
Thanks and keep on pounding these ideas into our heads!
Mike
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27 Responses to “DRILL – Touch The Bucket”
May 21, 2014
johnhoyleGreetings Coach I have been golfing for over 50 years and i know the ups and downs of this game.I played this afternoon.and what was good was at best fair and what was bad was real bad .This old dog is having fun learning new tricks but he needs a pat on the head and a good boy Johnny. I really am enjoying learning new tricks with your team ,it was a wise investment.Thanks I think i will go get a dog treat or more likely a beer.
May 21, 2014
Paul WilsonJohn,
So you are not there yet. You are unlearning 50 years of doing it wrong. You need to be swinging really easy at it until you give up on the hitting sensation. As you do this, don’t be trying to hit great shots. You are trying to turn the arms off. When you do the club will feel really heavy. This is a tell-tale sign you are not using them. If it feels light you are too tight. As you turn the arms off and hit these easy shots you will hit the odd god shot that will indicate what is to come if you get it. Too many people want greatness instantly. Sometimes this happens but for most people they have to get used to this new feeling and resist the temptation to hit.
Make sure that you are not only treating yourself but doing practice swings at home. This really is the fastest way to get it. And with a treat it makes it more fun.
May 21, 2014
TomHI Paul, i think it has taken me 8 months to fully get powerless arms. Its funny because once the light bulb goes on and you start swinging effortlessly, I laughed at how obvious it is now! I suppose that’s the power of the mind!
For me, after many hours practicing your positions, I realised my tendency to wrap my bottom hand grip over to compensate which was causing me to back off to avoid a hook. But I was still ‘hitting’ despite a good body turn.
So going back to your proper grip set-up, I found it felt too hard & awkward to reach the proper backswing position (with torque) without loosening & relaxing my arms and hey presto…powerless arms! Thank you so much!
May 21, 2014
Paul WilsonTom,
The grip and setup are HUGE as you have just found out. Most people want that strong feeling of hitting which is exactly what I want them to avoid.
It took me over 10 years to get it (no one told me to not hit with my arms) so I saved you 9 years 4 months. I wish I could say this.
Keep up the good work.
May 21, 2014
WarrenWilmarthPaul, I have a little problem of losing my balance. I notice when you swing it looks so easy. Any comments ?
May 21, 2014
Paul WilsonWarren,
If you are losing balance you are swinging want to fast. There is no point in hitting it if you are falling over. If you are you are doing a different swing each time. A different swing is going to give you a different result.
I really think you need to be checking all of these positions. You need to also be swinging way slower. From a taller setup you need to gently coil the shoulders as you go back. As you do you are loading into the back instep. Just stick to this for a while as you thought when working on the backswing. Into the follow through you need to take a 7 iron stance and throw some balls overhand (gently) and feel how the forward leg straightens and the back leg comes around and touches it creating some pressure between them. As you make this throwing motion you get through it and hold it then feel it and check it.
Too many people just swing wildly thinking they are accomplishing something. So each move now has to be done slowly and precisely. It is about the move not the ball. Once you get the throwing motion and the legs coming together you do it in practice swings. Get it in practice swing then tee up a ball. Do 3 perfect practice swings and hit 1 ball. As you do you hold it and check it.
These positions really do not take long to master if you are doing them right. Too fast relates to what you did in the past which did not work. This is a new way to swing that you are learning. Every moves counts so you forget your old swing.
Do tons of these practice swings at home. Again, there is no point hitting anything if you are falling over. So stop. Every night go into the back yard etc. and do some swings working on the positions. Watch yourself do them in a mirror if you can then you get additional feedback.
It is a learning process. Keep at it and you will get it.
May 22, 2014
johnhoyleThanks Paul it helps to get your feedback,
May 22, 2014
JoseCarcellerThank you Paul, as always great tip. I was improving but suddenly I started hitting tons of fat shots, specially with my short irons (drive further and straighter than ever). It looks like I’m getting close but somehow I’m missing something. If I try to move the lower body a little bit faster in order to avoid fat shots then the result is shots that start to the left (pushes).
May 22, 2014
Paul WilsonJose,
Glad you liked it.
Here is the tip on fat shots:
Fat: https://ignitiongolf.com/fat-shots-cure
There are more cures up above. Just go to the red nave bar. Search SWING TIPS > CURES
It is not an immediate shift left. It is gradual. If you lean left you will hit it left.
Watch:
Body Tilt – Left Right: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-pulling
May 23, 2014
JohnSteenPaul,
This is one of the best tips so far in order to know how powerless armd should feel, at least for me. But I also recognize that I have too have very free and loose shoulders in the upper body to. When I coil up it is easy too tighten the shoulders in such a way that they will hang too far back when you increase the hip turn. Is this right or do you have any comment on this ?
John
May 23, 2014
Paul WilsonJohn,
Glad you liked it. Not sure if I was thinking about you when I shot it.
Not sure what you mean “hang too far back.” You can’t be so locked up that nothing coils into place. The stretch you feel should be in the left lat area. Arms and wrists need to be loose. If you arms are connected to your shoulders you should not be tightening them up to the point that is affecting your arms and wrists.
August 10, 2018
wkalaidjianHi Paul…just the tip I needed today. I’ve been progressing nicely but this week found old habits, especially swinging too hard, crept back in when I tried to increase lag from an earlier video lesson I watched. Seems like my trying to hold that wrist angle put active hands too much back into the swing and this started reducing the “powerless arms” feeling, especially with the driver. What I picked up on in this video was when you said that powerless arms lead to the creation of lag. Back to the range today to find that feeling. Thanks for you timely tip.
August 13, 2018
Paul Wilsonwkalaidjian,
If you are working on lag you will feel arms as you are working on it. The goal is to work on it until you are doing it then turn them off allowing it to happen on its own.
This is my favorite lag drill:
Lag And Release Drill: https://ignitiongolf.com/lag-release-drill/
So keep working on lag but then allow it to gradually enter into your swing. I worked on this myself many years ago. I never think about it now because I always have lag.
Good Habits Series – Lag: https://ignitiongolf.com/good-habits-lag/
August 11, 2018
DavidFoxWhat works for me is when I first get to the range I swing a 7 iron in your 9 to 3 position to just get loose. When I feel the old back loosening up, I start doing the touch the knees and club goes by itself. Then I touch the back of thehead, and when I can do the whole swing with no arms, I’m ready to get a ball in the way.
August 13, 2018
Paul WilsonDavid,
That is a good little warm up. I like it. Might have to do a tip on that one. Thanks.
August 13, 2018
RaymondCHASTELPaul ,I am of opinion that to get the powerless arms concept ingrained ,you have to work hard to tone up your core first :when the core is strong ,it’s the engine of the swing and you don’t need to power the arms .But strenghtening the core is quite a tedious job ,you have to be patient and to work relentlesly to get at it
August 14, 2018
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Toning the core is great. I just want people to at least start trying to use it. Once they do they can get it even stronger. No body and you will have to hit with the arms. You have no other way to do it.
August 15, 2018
RaymondCHASTELPaul ,Why is it so that so many golf teachers (Roger FREDERICKS ,Martin CHUCK ,Mike BENDER ,amongst many others ) promote the use of the “IMPACT BAG ” to teach the feeling of a proper impact ,while you yourself disadvise training this way .
I have an IMPACT bag but I never use it ,I concentrate my feelings on the whole swing,the club catching the ball in the way .
Others also teach you to train with toe hits and heel hits to get a feel of what it is to hit the sweet spot .I never dare to train with that method neither ,its playing with fire my opinion .
August 16, 2018
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Because they are impact teachers. Impact is not the widest point of the arc so why would I ever teach it. Mass needs to swing to the widest point which is after impact. If we are using physics to hit the ball then we need to use physics to hit the ball. If you try to hit the impact bag you run the risk of holding the angle too long never letting mass swing to its widest point.
October 9, 2018
StianOttersenI like to practice and swing only untill both arms are extended. By doing so it forces me to slow down. Otherwise I will ho through too far.
Just look at Tommy Fleetwood, love the way he stretch his arms, and he even end his driver swing short and with extended arms
October 9, 2018
Paul WilsonStian,
Great. I love hearing this. Trying to get people to stop at this point is like pulling teeth. Fleetwood is awesome. He will win a major next year.
May 14, 2019
mikeschickGreat idea. I am going to work on this one!
May 14, 2019
Paul WilsonMike,
Very good. This is the widest point of the arc.
May 17, 2019
mikeschickWhat I am wondering, is should I be thinking more in terms of getting to that arms extended position past the ball, versus thinking about impact? Trying swings with this thought seems to make the whole thing go smoother and more relaxed.
Mike
May 20, 2019
Paul WilsonMike,
Yes, never think impact. This is not the widest point of the arc.
Think beyond the ball.
How to Release the Golf Club: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-wrist-release/
May 19, 2019
mikeschickI was going to make another comment about how this causes one to focus on the release rather than impact, but I see that you have already said this. Hey, we are slow learners out here, but we keep trying. I am taking alot of practice swings (easy) with this thought of reaching the point of full release and not thinking about impact, and it feels really good. Maybe this is your best tip for me, but then I keep discovering other gems.
Thanks and keep on pounding these ideas into our heads!
Mike
May 20, 2019
Paul WilsonMike,
This is the one you need to watch:
Swing Through Like It Is Not There: https://ignitiongolf.com/swing-through-not-there/