Drove and hit the ball well today. I tend to bring the club too far inside on the takeaway. Can you give me a link on the backswing and how one should view or thing about the very beginning of the swing?
Hi, I tried today to turn my arms before my hips on the backswing rather than just turn the hips and I get so much more distance. This was a previous tip. Re today’s tip I push my right hip left instead of doing the legs. Is that OK? Thank you. Mimi
On the backswing? If this is correct this is because your arms are going up a lot higher and you are turning more which is allowing you to hit hard in the downswing with the arms. Sure, this may give you more distance initially but you will be inconsistent because you are not basing your swing on torque you are just whacking at it. You’ll see what I mean in the future. If you want to keep doing it for a while do so then tighten up the backswing once you get some more distance. You do this by resisting the lower body. If you were mistaken in your comment then re-post it.
You can use the right hip if you want just so long as the left leg is locking, the left hip is turning and the weight is coming off the back instep. This is why there are choices for the trigger. Not everyone likes the same thing.
Hi Paul. Thanks for the clarification on the lateral motion of the hips. I’ve read many times and been told to “bump” the left hip to initiate the downswing. Attempting this action always caused the slide you describe and weak pushes to the right. Removing that additional thought and the resultant confusion, definitely simplifies things.
Hi Paul, It looks so easy – and it is to me also – without the ball in front !! On a flat terrain !! Uphill / downhill – I try to follow your techniques – never knowing where the ball ends up though.
In your Tips you teach “Turn” in stead of shift. I fully understand – and it is as easy as you describe when standing almost upright as in the video.
But bent over in my stance – turning without shifting is an athletic exercise almost impossible. I’m 60 – and started golfing only 2 years ago – maybe that is the reason. I do however totally agree with your techniques and applause and follow your teaching method – 110 %.
Could I perhaps move the top of my backswing position (Start of my downswing position) just a little bit forward (closer to my neck) to produce a more outside/in downswing – to zero-out the flaw caused by the initial partial shift of hip-position (caused by the old bones.) ?
Many thanks, HP
This is not a tough move. I never have a problem getting people to do this. If you can do it standing up then keep doing it standing up until you are good at touching the legs. Once you are good at it slowly start to tilt down and keep doing the same move.
Yes, you are a beginner. This would have something to do with it as well. Just keep practicing it as I suggested and you will get it. Age means nothing in this game. I have an 82 year old student who can hit it 260+.
Not sure what you mean about moving your starting down position. Sometimes I let people get away with things for a while if it gives them a little confidence and gets them hitting it better. Then we go back to the fundamentals.
Keep in mind you can always get us to look at your swing. We do provide this service which I so many more people should be using.
I struggle with turning and touching knees. Is this because I haven’t grooved it. First few holes after the range time are good then it disappears and I can’t retrieve it for the remainder of holes. Does a golfer have to do thousands of reps before it comes naturally? If so you does that and still maintains a normal life?
That will get you the feel. Then forget the ball and focus on the position. I would be doing this in nightly practice swings too until it was perfect. Just look for the feedback of them touching and make it important. After you do this for a while you will do it forever. It’s all about repetition.
In the backswing you are coiling your shoulders and allowing the weight to shift to the instep. Once coiled you are uncoiling (turning) knowing full well your weight will be shifting.
Paul,
I am having a horrible time after practicing in my garage. Seem to be completely out of sync the next day at the range. Is this a common problem?
I now have the book, cd’s and these daily tips. Seems like two forward one back so much of the time.
66 playing for 42 years and want to get rid of bad tricks for some new ones. Thanks for helping. I really appreciate your answers back!
Aloha,
Rod
Developing a great golf swing takes understanding, time and effort. If you are hitting balls in your garage you are hitting balls. This is why I tell people to do practice swings (no ball) working on the swing positions. No ball means there is nothing to hit. With nothing to hit you can focus on doing the correct positions. You do this by understanding the position and looking for the feedback associated with the position. You touch your legs first until you are good at it. You then touch your head making sure it is perfect. Then you work on coiling and finally you work on hinging. I am leaving out the spine angle because this will take care of itself if you work on the other positions.
If you are already doing the practice swings on your garage then going to the range and are out of synch there could be various reasons for this:
1. You are having a bad day (go home).
2. You are hitting the ball too hard so you are getting too tight.
3. You are thinking of hitting the ball instead of thinking of doing your swing positions.
4. You are not doing practice swings at the range. Instead, you are beating balls.
When you go to the range you should still be working on your swing positions. You are not to be out there trying to hit every shot great. In fact, i don’t want you to hit it great. Why? Because you should be working on something. If you are working on something you are working on that something. This means you are not even doing the whole swing. You have the thought of that thing in mind and you do it with a ball in front of you. No matter where the ball goes if you do the position you accomplished your goal. The golf swing is a puzzle. You work on one piece at a time until you see the whole picture.
So work on the practice swings at home. Go to the range and hit a few balls (focusing on one or two things) then you back up and do 3 times as many practice swings as ball that you hit. If you do it this way you will be doing it right at least 3:1. If you get this ratio you will make the changes and develop a great swing. If you just beat balls you will never get it. So change your practice. Forget the ball and focus on developing a great swing. Take it one step a a time and you will get it.
Hi, thank you for your answer re right hip to left, it works well.
I meant that if my swing my arms back and then turn my hips back rather than only turn my hips back and let the club swing around then of course move my right hip fast left without doing anything to the arms I get more distance precisely because of the torque. I used to only turn my hips till I saw your tip re swinging the arms back first. It works so well. Mimi
Your hands should be as far away from your body as they were at address. This is deceiving though because if your hips turn through impact it would appear that they get closer to your right hip when really they are approximately where they started.
Hi Paul
Thanks for the great tips. The overriding swing thought I have is to relax stay loose . Every swing thought you teach will
only kick in if you relax. The natural thing when doing something new is to tense up, and that I have found to be a killer.
I am by no means Ernie or Freddie but I am a lot nearer to them since following your instruction. Swing feels great when you just let it happen without trying to crush the ball. Down to 14 now and I am definitely an improving 65 year young.
Thanks, Dave
This is true. You need o relax. You just have to keep telling yourself to not hit. Feel the arms as the come down and through. Let them go wherever they want not trying to hit it or help it in any way. This is what I am thinking. I am telling my self not to hit on every shot. It takes concentration and understanding. You are getting there so keep going.
Excellent reminder OF this key body movement ,definitely throwing out OF THE window THE “Bump your hip “avised by Great players such as COLIN MONTGOMERIE .
When turning on THE left leg ,CAN you keep THE left knee slightly flexed instead OF locking it completely ,this avoiding putting unneccesary strain on it ,and hurting ,such as exp
When you fire the lower body the left leg is not locked until the right arm is parallel to the ground. I want it locked at this point and to the follow through. You are not Tiger so you will never come anywhere near how fast he can do it.
Montgomerie is bent because is reverse pivoting in the backswing. From that position he has to slide to hit it otherwise he would hit every ball 50 yards left. I have said in the past you cannot have one flaw. You need another flaw to make up for the first. Reverse pivot + slide in his case.
Paul, another tip on using your hips is very important in the martial arts. As a young man in my 20;s I practiced the techniques and as in many sports, I got the most power out of snaping my hips and that was easy. You make the snapping of your hips just as easy and I am still working on it.
What makes golf so much harder is there is a ball sitting there. Once you put the ball there you have human nature telling you to hit the ball. Other sports has the ball in motion so you naturally do the right motion. In martial arts you certainly use the hips. Having done it at some point in your life is a huge benefit because you have felt the move. A lot of people have never even felt it so they have a hard time grasping the concept. Now, focus on using this move in your swing. If you do, you will be doing what I am doing.
I have a very BIG problem about touching the knees/legs technique.. I am a 300 pound golfer and touching my knees/legs is next to impossible.. With this flaw I tend to open my back leg too much that it is nearly at my front leg at finish.. Your technique has brought my game from +36 to a +14 in 4 months but I believe the consistency is the problem specially in my driver. How do I correct or is there an alternative way of hitting using your powerless arms technique with my legs not touching? Like opening my front leg and facing it to target? Thanks Paul and would appreciate your reply!
I want them to touch so you can memorize the position and do it exactly the same every time. When they are touching there is feedback of them touching. I have had the odd person who cannot touch. In this case I still want you doing exactly the same shift and rotation but it is up to you to keep checking that you are doing it right because you won’t have the feedback. Make sure you narrow your stance a little. Maybe this will help. Also, throw some balls overhand out in front of you. This is the same move I am trying to get you to do in your real swing. Hope this helps.
I have a tendency to flare out my right foot when I complete my swing(my toes are pointing to the target). I have been told I am spinning out. Can you please explain why is this happening and what do they mean by spinning out?
1. You do not have enough weight on this foot through impact.
2. Your foot is too straight at address so you twist it to accommodate the rotation in the swing.
3. You are swinging with arms over the top potentially spinning out to varying degrees.
You should check that the lead foot is turned out at least 25 degrees at set up. Then hit a few shots feeling the your weight through impact. If you do not feel more weight on the lead foot than the back foot at impact you need to shit a little more laterally in the downswing. See if that makes it any better. If not, you need to turn the arms off. Give these things a try and see what happens. If you still need help why not do a swing analysis with Pete so he can get you on track.
Paul….I corrected my pull AND greatly increased my lag by combining your folded left arm/club touching back of neck drill with proper lower body turn…..In a mirror one can see how club flattens/perpendicular to body axis…Proper tilt ..good direction..improved lag…Power!,…..Thanks!
Paul, can you address head movement on the downswing through follow through. I try to keep my head behind the ball and I think it causes the upper body holding back causing the reverse C. When should your head move forward?
My head is still off the instep until I am three quarters through. Then it moves overtop of the forward leg. Sounds like you are sliding keeping too much weight back there. The weight has to come off of this foot into the through swing. Watch how I do it:
You can also think about looking at the outside of the forward shoe as you reach the follow as a drill. You will only see this if you are overtop of the forward leg.
Also, be sure your forward foot is turned out. If your forward foot is straight you will have trouble getting off this back foot.
Brilliant tip! You’re The best! I tend to make the turn without getting to my left side. I think that is why I continuously miss left. Thanks for explaining!
If you are hitting it left you are leaning left in the downswing. If you just turned you could and would certainly lean left and pull it. Your whole body needs to tilt back as you hit the ball.
Paul, thanks for bringing this one back. I was a late-60s, early-70s learner and was told to shift my hips laterally, leaving me fighting a life of unsolid contact and wild duck hooks. I finally found the Body Swing and Ignition Golf. Your swing has produced great results for me. It took a while but I hope people stay with it. I am committed to doing 25 7-iron and 25 driver practice swings a day. It really is helping me. By doing it over and over I find that the touch the knees and touch the head positions just happen automatically. With your swing, even if I don’t make perfect contact the ball goes straight. Just loving it!
After the splendid golf played by BRIAN DE CHAMBEAU,I am curious as to what your assessment of the same shaft length irons is .
You mentioned a long time ago you would convert yourself to these clubs .
Did you do it ?
Two clubmakers make these clubs :STERLING and …. (I don’t remember who !)
Which are the best ones ?
What is the lowest number (Lesser loft ) to buy ?
Shaft :graphite or steel?
With kind regards
Raymond cHASTEL
I have the Sterlings and the Cobra One. For me the Sterlings wer better. I now use PXG as I think these are the best clubs out there. Single length are good. They take about 10 rounds to get used to. I took out the Sand Wedge as it’s too long for short shots.
The Cobra One looks better. I just don’t think I had the right shafts for my swing. I would like to get them re-shafted and try them again.
I had all the way to 4 iron and never had an issue with distance or trajectory with the Sterlings.
Shaft is dependent on you. Steel is for feel. Graphite is distance and less shock.
Turning on the left leg is not enough for me ,especially when I play a fairway wood flush off the deck (3 wood more difficult to play than 5 wood ).
I must also think moving aggressively forward the left hip (Bump the hip !)to make sure my swing arc bottoms out where the ball sits ,that is two inches behind the left heel .
I don’t need to do this when I hit the driver and when the ball is perched on the tee
Paul ;Does it make sense to have the clubhead resting several inches behind the ball at address with the driver ,instead of having it close to the tee and the ball ?
A well known golf teacher emphasizes this was the way famous MOE NORMAN did to “”better compress the ball” .I don’t see why this can happen compared to the normal set up!
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51 Responses to “There Is Lateral Motion In The Downswing”
January 24, 2013
ERIABBERAHi Paul
The less a golfer has to think about during the swing, the better. Thanks.
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonEriab,
That’s right. The ultimate goal would be 1 thought.
January 24, 2013
JuleHerbertDrove and hit the ball well today. I tend to bring the club too far inside on the takeaway. Can you give me a link on the backswing and how one should view or thing about the very beginning of the swing?
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonJule,
Here you go:
One Piece Takeaway: https://ignitiongolf.com/master-one-piece-takeaway
And:
Coiling: https://ignitiongolf.com/learn-coil-backswing
January 24, 2013
MichelleRichardsonHi, I tried today to turn my arms before my hips on the backswing rather than just turn the hips and I get so much more distance. This was a previous tip. Re today’s tip I push my right hip left instead of doing the legs. Is that OK? Thank you. Mimi
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonMimi,
On the backswing? If this is correct this is because your arms are going up a lot higher and you are turning more which is allowing you to hit hard in the downswing with the arms. Sure, this may give you more distance initially but you will be inconsistent because you are not basing your swing on torque you are just whacking at it. You’ll see what I mean in the future. If you want to keep doing it for a while do so then tighten up the backswing once you get some more distance. You do this by resisting the lower body. If you were mistaken in your comment then re-post it.
Watch:
Coiling: https://ignitiongolf.com/learn-coil-backswing
And:
Hips: https://ignitiongolf.com/turning-hips
You can use the right hip if you want just so long as the left leg is locking, the left hip is turning and the weight is coming off the back instep. This is why there are choices for the trigger. Not everyone likes the same thing.
January 25, 2013
MichaelBlockHi Paul:
Thank you for the links. It got me thinking correctly.
January 24, 2013
RonCalabreseHi Paul. Thanks for the clarification on the lateral motion of the hips. I’ve read many times and been told to “bump” the left hip to initiate the downswing. Attempting this action always caused the slide you describe and weak pushes to the right. Removing that additional thought and the resultant confusion, definitely simplifies things.
Thanks, Ron
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonRon,
I am going to post a bump one tomorrow. Kind of the same tip but it should clarify it for the bumpers out there.
January 24, 2013
Hans-PederHansenHi Paul, It looks so easy – and it is to me also – without the ball in front !! On a flat terrain !! Uphill / downhill – I try to follow your techniques – never knowing where the ball ends up though.
In your Tips you teach “Turn” in stead of shift. I fully understand – and it is as easy as you describe when standing almost upright as in the video.
But bent over in my stance – turning without shifting is an athletic exercise almost impossible. I’m 60 – and started golfing only 2 years ago – maybe that is the reason. I do however totally agree with your techniques and applause and follow your teaching method – 110 %.
Could I perhaps move the top of my backswing position (Start of my downswing position) just a little bit forward (closer to my neck) to produce a more outside/in downswing – to zero-out the flaw caused by the initial partial shift of hip-position (caused by the old bones.) ?
Many thanks, HP
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonHP,
This is not a tough move. I never have a problem getting people to do this. If you can do it standing up then keep doing it standing up until you are good at touching the legs. Once you are good at it slowly start to tilt down and keep doing the same move.
Watch:
DRILL: Sit On The Edge Of A Bar Stool To Set Up – Part 1 of 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/setup-edge-of-bar-stool/
DRILL: How To Feel Torque In Your Backswing – Part 2 of 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-feel-torque-backswing/
Yes, you are a beginner. This would have something to do with it as well. Just keep practicing it as I suggested and you will get it. Age means nothing in this game. I have an 82 year old student who can hit it 260+.
Not sure what you mean about moving your starting down position. Sometimes I let people get away with things for a while if it gives them a little confidence and gets them hitting it better. Then we go back to the fundamentals.
Keep in mind you can always get us to look at your swing. We do provide this service which I so many more people should be using.
You can find out more here: http://paulwilsongolf.com/las-vegas-golf-lessons/video-golf-lessons.htm
January 25, 2019
ChrisByrdI struggle with turning and touching knees. Is this because I haven’t grooved it. First few holes after the range time are good then it disappears and I can’t retrieve it for the remainder of holes. Does a golfer have to do thousands of reps before it comes naturally? If so you does that and still maintains a normal life?
January 25, 2019
Paul WilsonChris,
You are either not thinking about doing it, the stance is too wide, not shifting your weight, sliding or not locking the lead leg. Just do this:
It’s Like A Throwing Motion: https://ignitiongolf.com/like-throwing-motion/
And:
Lean On Club to Touch Legs: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-lean-on-club/
That will get you the feel. Then forget the ball and focus on the position. I would be doing this in nightly practice swings too until it was perfect. Just look for the feedback of them touching and make it important. After you do this for a while you will do it forever. It’s all about repetition.
January 24, 2013
BryanRhoadesHey Paul….how flat do you feel when swinging the driver vs your lower lofted and mid irons?
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonBryan,
My golf swing feels the same no matter what club I am hitting.
January 24, 2013
MichaelBlockHi Paul
On the back swing I heard “Shift and Turn”.
Would that then mean on the forward swing “Shift and Turn”?
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonMichael,
No you didn’t hear either of those things.
In the backswing you are coiling your shoulders and allowing the weight to shift to the instep. Once coiled you are uncoiling (turning) knowing full well your weight will be shifting.
Watch:
Coiling: https://ignitiongolf.com/learn-coil-backswing
Uncoil 1: https://ignitiongolf.com/uncoil
Uncoil 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/uncoil-follow-up
January 24, 2013
RodThompsonPaul,
I am having a horrible time after practicing in my garage. Seem to be completely out of sync the next day at the range. Is this a common problem?
I now have the book, cd’s and these daily tips. Seems like two forward one back so much of the time.
66 playing for 42 years and want to get rid of bad tricks for some new ones. Thanks for helping. I really appreciate your answers back!
Aloha,
Rod
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonRod,
Developing a great golf swing takes understanding, time and effort. If you are hitting balls in your garage you are hitting balls. This is why I tell people to do practice swings (no ball) working on the swing positions. No ball means there is nothing to hit. With nothing to hit you can focus on doing the correct positions. You do this by understanding the position and looking for the feedback associated with the position. You touch your legs first until you are good at it. You then touch your head making sure it is perfect. Then you work on coiling and finally you work on hinging. I am leaving out the spine angle because this will take care of itself if you work on the other positions.
If you are already doing the practice swings on your garage then going to the range and are out of synch there could be various reasons for this:
1. You are having a bad day (go home).
2. You are hitting the ball too hard so you are getting too tight.
3. You are thinking of hitting the ball instead of thinking of doing your swing positions.
4. You are not doing practice swings at the range. Instead, you are beating balls.
When you go to the range you should still be working on your swing positions. You are not to be out there trying to hit every shot great. In fact, i don’t want you to hit it great. Why? Because you should be working on something. If you are working on something you are working on that something. This means you are not even doing the whole swing. You have the thought of that thing in mind and you do it with a ball in front of you. No matter where the ball goes if you do the position you accomplished your goal. The golf swing is a puzzle. You work on one piece at a time until you see the whole picture.
So work on the practice swings at home. Go to the range and hit a few balls (focusing on one or two things) then you back up and do 3 times as many practice swings as ball that you hit. If you do it this way you will be doing it right at least 3:1. If you get this ratio you will make the changes and develop a great swing. If you just beat balls you will never get it. So change your practice. Forget the ball and focus on developing a great swing. Take it one step a a time and you will get it.
January 24, 2013
MichelleRichardsonHi, thank you for your answer re right hip to left, it works well.
I meant that if my swing my arms back and then turn my hips back rather than only turn my hips back and let the club swing around then of course move my right hip fast left without doing anything to the arms I get more distance precisely because of the torque. I used to only turn my hips till I saw your tip re swinging the arms back first. It works so well. Mimi
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonMimi,
I understand now. This is correct. You should be starting the arms and shoulders first. Keep doing it.
February 1, 2014
SamPolverinoPaul
Where should the hands be at impact? Should you be reaching for the ball or should they be closer to your belt??
February 2, 2014
Paul WilsonSam,
Your hands should be as far away from your body as they were at address. This is deceiving though because if your hips turn through impact it would appear that they get closer to your right hip when really they are approximately where they started.
February 2, 2014
SamPolverinoThanks. Hope you are well I had the privilege of attending your golf school a couple of years ago
February 4, 2014
Paul WilsonSam,
Things are just about to get rolling here in Vegas. A lot to do but things are good. Thanks.
I was a pleasure working with you at the school. You did really well.
February 1, 2014
DavidCoombesHi Paul
Thanks for the great tips. The overriding swing thought I have is to relax stay loose . Every swing thought you teach will
only kick in if you relax. The natural thing when doing something new is to tense up, and that I have found to be a killer.
I am by no means Ernie or Freddie but I am a lot nearer to them since following your instruction. Swing feels great when you just let it happen without trying to crush the ball. Down to 14 now and I am definitely an improving 65 year young.
Thanks, Dave
February 2, 2014
Paul WilsonDavid,
This is true. You need o relax. You just have to keep telling yourself to not hit. Feel the arms as the come down and through. Let them go wherever they want not trying to hit it or help it in any way. This is what I am thinking. I am telling my self not to hit on every shot. It takes concentration and understanding. You are getting there so keep going.
February 1, 2014
RaymondCHASTELExcellent reminder OF this key body movement ,definitely throwing out OF THE window THE “Bump your hip “avised by Great players such as COLIN MONTGOMERIE .
When turning on THE left leg ,CAN you keep THE left knee slightly flexed instead OF locking it completely ,this avoiding putting unneccesary strain on it ,and hurting ,such as exp
February 2, 2014
Paul WilsonRaymond,
When you fire the lower body the left leg is not locked until the right arm is parallel to the ground. I want it locked at this point and to the follow through. You are not Tiger so you will never come anywhere near how fast he can do it.
Montgomerie is bent because is reverse pivoting in the backswing. From that position he has to slide to hit it otherwise he would hit every ball 50 yards left. I have said in the past you cannot have one flaw. You need another flaw to make up for the first. Reverse pivot + slide in his case.
February 3, 2014
KennthBovaPaul, your lead leg is locked after the downswing. Would that interfer with your coming out of the swing with your body slightly tilted?
February 4, 2014
Paul WilsonKen,
No. The leg is locking because I am turning not because I am jumping.
Watch:
It
February 3, 2014
KennthBovaPaul, another tip on using your hips is very important in the martial arts. As a young man in my 20;s I practiced the techniques and as in many sports, I got the most power out of snaping my hips and that was easy. You make the snapping of your hips just as easy and I am still working on it.
February 4, 2014
Paul WilsonKen,
What makes golf so much harder is there is a ball sitting there. Once you put the ball there you have human nature telling you to hit the ball. Other sports has the ball in motion so you naturally do the right motion. In martial arts you certainly use the hips. Having done it at some point in your life is a huge benefit because you have felt the move. A lot of people have never even felt it so they have a hard time grasping the concept. Now, focus on using this move in your swing. If you do, you will be doing what I am doing.
February 7, 2014
RyanYllanaHey Paul!
I have a very BIG problem about touching the knees/legs technique.. I am a 300 pound golfer and touching my knees/legs is next to impossible.. With this flaw I tend to open my back leg too much that it is nearly at my front leg at finish.. Your technique has brought my game from +36 to a +14 in 4 months but I believe the consistency is the problem specially in my driver. How do I correct or is there an alternative way of hitting using your powerless arms technique with my legs not touching? Like opening my front leg and facing it to target? Thanks Paul and would appreciate your reply!
February 8, 2014
Paul WilsonRyan,
I want them to touch so you can memorize the position and do it exactly the same every time. When they are touching there is feedback of them touching. I have had the odd person who cannot touch. In this case I still want you doing exactly the same shift and rotation but it is up to you to keep checking that you are doing it right because you won’t have the feedback. Make sure you narrow your stance a little. Maybe this will help. Also, throw some balls overhand out in front of you. This is the same move I am trying to get you to do in your real swing. Hope this helps.
October 20, 2015
HermanKohHi Paul,
I have a tendency to flare out my right foot when I complete my swing(my toes are pointing to the target). I have been told I am spinning out. Can you please explain why is this happening and what do they mean by spinning out?
Thanks.
Herman
October 21, 2015
Paul WilsonHerman,
This can be from a few reasons:
1. You do not have enough weight on this foot through impact.
2. Your foot is too straight at address so you twist it to accommodate the rotation in the swing.
3. You are swinging with arms over the top potentially spinning out to varying degrees.
You should check that the lead foot is turned out at least 25 degrees at set up. Then hit a few shots feeling the your weight through impact. If you do not feel more weight on the lead foot than the back foot at impact you need to shit a little more laterally in the downswing. See if that makes it any better. If not, you need to turn the arms off. Give these things a try and see what happens. If you still need help why not do a swing analysis with Pete so he can get you on track.
January 1, 2019
JohnPorterPaul….I corrected my pull AND greatly increased my lag by combining your folded left arm/club touching back of neck drill with proper lower body turn…..In a mirror one can see how club flattens/perpendicular to body axis…Proper tilt ..good direction..improved lag…Power!,…..Thanks!
January 1, 2019
Paul WilsonJohn,
Very good. A lightbulb moment. These take your game to a whole new level. Just ingrain it so you do it long into the future.
January 25, 2019
StephenClutterPaul, can you address head movement on the downswing through follow through. I try to keep my head behind the ball and I think it causes the upper body holding back causing the reverse C. When should your head move forward?
January 25, 2019
Paul WilsonStephen,
Here is a tip I did on the head movement.
My head is still off the instep until I am three quarters through. Then it moves overtop of the forward leg. Sounds like you are sliding keeping too much weight back there. The weight has to come off of this foot into the through swing. Watch how I do it:
Secret of the Starting the Downswing (using triggers – off big toe curve): https://ignitiongolf.com/shift-roll/
This might help you see it too:
2 Axis in Your Swing: https://ignitiongolf.com/2-axis/
This might help too:
Back Toe: https://ignitiongolf.com/big-toe-balanced-finish/
You can also think about looking at the outside of the forward shoe as you reach the follow as a drill. You will only see this if you are overtop of the forward leg.
Also, be sure your forward foot is turned out. If your forward foot is straight you will have trouble getting off this back foot.
January 26, 2019
BradleyDanylukBrilliant tip! You’re The best! I tend to make the turn without getting to my left side. I think that is why I continuously miss left. Thanks for explaining!
January 27, 2019
Paul WilsonBradley,
If you are hitting it left you are leaning left in the downswing. If you just turned you could and would certainly lean left and pull it. Your whole body needs to tilt back as you hit the ball.
Watch Back of The Golf Ball: https://ignitiongolf.com/watch-backside-golf-ball/
Another Way To Stay Behind It: https://ignitiongolf.com/another-way-to-stay-behind-it/
Impact Head Behind Ball: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-head/
Definitive Tip To Cure Pulls and Pull Hooks: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-pulls-pull-hooks-definitive/
January 27, 2019
MichaelBarrettPaul, thanks for bringing this one back. I was a late-60s, early-70s learner and was told to shift my hips laterally, leaving me fighting a life of unsolid contact and wild duck hooks. I finally found the Body Swing and Ignition Golf. Your swing has produced great results for me. It took a while but I hope people stay with it. I am committed to doing 25 7-iron and 25 driver practice swings a day. It really is helping me. By doing it over and over I find that the touch the knees and touch the head positions just happen automatically. With your swing, even if I don’t make perfect contact the ball goes straight. Just loving it!
Thanks Paul!
Mike
January 28, 2019
Paul WilsonMichael,
Very good. Too bad I can’t fix everyone who is a slider. I am trying though.
Yes, it just takes repetitions. You have to do them daily.
January 29, 2019
RaymondCHASTELAfter the splendid golf played by BRIAN DE CHAMBEAU,I am curious as to what your assessment of the same shaft length irons is .
You mentioned a long time ago you would convert yourself to these clubs .
Did you do it ?
Two clubmakers make these clubs :STERLING and …. (I don’t remember who !)
Which are the best ones ?
What is the lowest number (Lesser loft ) to buy ?
Shaft :graphite or steel?
With kind regards
Raymond cHASTEL
January 29, 2019
Paul WilsonRaymond,
I have the Sterlings and the Cobra One. For me the Sterlings wer better. I now use PXG as I think these are the best clubs out there. Single length are good. They take about 10 rounds to get used to. I took out the Sand Wedge as it’s too long for short shots.
The Cobra One looks better. I just don’t think I had the right shafts for my swing. I would like to get them re-shafted and try them again.
I had all the way to 4 iron and never had an issue with distance or trajectory with the Sterlings.
Shaft is dependent on you. Steel is for feel. Graphite is distance and less shock.
February 26, 2019
mps1954piAnother way of saying that the shift occurs naturally with your touch the legs position is “Shift Happens”.
February 26, 2019
Paul WilsonNice. I like it.
February 26, 2019
RaymondCHASTELTurning on the left leg is not enough for me ,especially when I play a fairway wood flush off the deck (3 wood more difficult to play than 5 wood ).
I must also think moving aggressively forward the left hip (Bump the hip !)to make sure my swing arc bottoms out where the ball sits ,that is two inches behind the left heel .
I don’t need to do this when I hit the driver and when the ball is perched on the tee
February 28, 2019
RaymondCHASTELPaul ;Does it make sense to have the clubhead resting several inches behind the ball at address with the driver ,instead of having it close to the tee and the ball ?
A well known golf teacher emphasizes this was the way famous MOE NORMAN did to “”better compress the ball” .I don’t see why this can happen compared to the normal set up!