I don’t know if you’ve run into this phenomenon before. I’ve bought totally into you’re swing technique, and I’m now
making the best swing ever – except when there’s a ball there. I’ve tried all your swing tips, but after two months of
trying, I still can’t stop hitting the ball with my right hand. It even effects my chipping and pitching, although not as
badly. If I eventually give up on this, I’m still grateful that you’ve made me a much better putter.
You need to change the way you think. Only you can do this. When this happens I want people to go to the course by themselves later in the afternoon with no one around. Simply keep a few balls in your pocket. Swing no more than 50%. Hit your shot, hold the follow through and check your positions. If you do not hit a good shot pull out another ball and try again and again until you make a half decent swing. If you are only on the range then swing easy on the range. Hit the ball and hold it. Then check it. If it is wrong fix it.
I guarantee that when you go to hit the ball you are thinking of hitting the ball. Think about this logically. You are building a great swing. A great swing will hit great shots. FORGET THE BALL AND WHERE IT IS GOING. Instead think about the movement you are making then make the movement. Once you think this way you will start caring about every swing you make. Right now you care if you hit great shots. This in the wrong way to think. So go out again and tell yourself to focus on the positions. Swing easy so you are not activating your arms.
Paul,
I know this tip is very true, because I have done all these excessive moves. Bad habits are hard to stop, but I am going to do it if I live long enough! LOL! I sure appreciate all your instruction. Thanks Paul.
Glad you like the tips. I appreciate the feedback.
So many people move too much. It’s amazing that everyone has seen pros swing on TV in this simple fashion yet they insist on doing something completely different to the people who actually know how to do it right. This has got to be the only sport where this occurs.
Paul, these are my big problems plus the use of the arms from time to time. I practice a lot with my training (short) club but same as stephencuneen, once I’m in front of the ball all those movements are back…
This is the reply I gave to Stephen. If you are doing the same thing it will apply to you too:
You need to change the way you think. Only you can do this. When this happens I want people to go to the course by themselves later in the afternoon with no one around. Simply keep a few balls in your pocket. Swing no more than 50%. Hit your shot, hold the follow through and check your positions. If you do not hit a good shot pull out another ball and try again and again until you make a half decent swing. If you are only on the range then swing easy on the range. Hit the ball and hold it. Then check it. If it is wrong fix it.
I guarantee that when you go to hit the ball you are thinking of hitting the ball. Think about this logically. You are building a great swing. A great swing will hit great shots. FORGET THE BALL AND WHERE IT IS GOING. Instead think about the movement you are making then make the movement. Once you think this way you will start caring about every swing you make. Right now you care if you hit great shots. This in the wrong way to think. So go out again and tell yourself to focus on the positions. Swing easy so you are not activating your arms.
Hi Paul had same problem as guys above still do from time to time, drill that helped me alot was playing a couple of full rounds feeling light in arms swinging 50%or less. 18 holes at 50% is hard to do when you use to using your arms ,it took me a couple of rounds to get use to swinging 50%(i feel 50% probably ends up being75??)you get a mix of good bad and ugly shots at first, once i got use to the easy swing i was surprised how many great shots you hit, if i didnt have that need more distance mentallity i could really enjoy the game at 50%. It took me about a year to get rid of the armsy feeling .slow learner. Practice swing are easy to feel no arms ,when the ball gets in the way much tougher.Now when my swings off ,i go out play 9 holes at 50 % takes my arms out of it. Hit more good shot now than ever before,games much more enjoyable , love your philosophy of no arms ,it really works . What drills do you find best for people with this difficulty in shutting down the arms once ball gets in way,i find my bad shot now always feel arms too much fortunately more good than bad shots.
Yes, I included this in my reply to them. It works. People have to stop thinking a golf swing that does not work is going to miraculously hit perfect shots. The perfect shots that have been hit are purely luck. If it was not luck people would be able to hit these perfect shots all the time.
Thank you for telling everyone your experience.
Everyone feels their arms. I do too. When I try to give it that little extra I tell myself that was a mistake. I know I used them because the ball goes left. In this case I do a few easy swings off the ground and try to swing easier on my next shot. The easier I swing, the less arms I use.
So if you feel your arms focus on hitting your next shot even easier than the last. You can also try to focus on the weight of the club and making it feel heavy. If it feels light you are too tight. Definitely watch your ball and if it is going left this is the tell tale sign. So you slow it down to the point it stops going left. Swings while holding the club in the air at approx. knee high are always great. This gets the legs activated as well.
A recent video of my swing shows a hugh hitch in the swing in that I’m lifting the club straight up like a lighting rod..I think I’m coiling, but I’m not…Any swing thoughts on the takeaway I can employ?
Paul ,There’s another way to overdo it ,it’s lifting THE hands mich too High :your hands reach THE top of your head and it looks effortless:I myself have Great dificulties going higher than THE shoulders ,but I compensate with a fairly good rotation .I understand that THE hands should reach in between shoulders and top of THE head .What exercice should I practise to get Th
I got my swing up by doing practice swings in a mirror. Just do your set up. Take the club to the top. While holding the club at the top you will see the whole shaft of the club. If you are too flat the clubshaft will be blocked out by your head. Driver is the flattest with the whole shaft just above your head while the shorter clubs end up even more about the head. Do practice swings like this everyday for 2 weeks straight and it should go up there without thinking about it.
Love love love this tip! Given that I have some numbness issues in my left foot, it is very easy for me to lift it, causing all the manners of prolems you described, including turning the foot when I come back through! Not a good thing. So while I’d like to lift some, just keeping it planted, once I got used to it, fixes most of my issues. I am amazed how just that little flaw can cause so kuch problem, but as you mentioned, the flaw compounds very quickly!
Is it also possible to hinge wrists too much or for the wrists to be too loose? With my short irons I have trouble at times with these shots finishing high, right, and short (right-handed). A little stronger grip seems to help, but the stronger grip for short irons causes heeled shots for driver and other longer clubs. Larry
You need to hinge to your maximum. This will vary from person to person. It would be like Sergio compare to Furyk. If you can hinge more why not? This could potentially give you more whip or faster release of the club. The issue I see if people going back and letting go. They get a false sense of hinging when really, they are just letting go. So secure grip then hinge. You need to find your maximum.
If you are hitting it high right the face is open. Simple fix. Do the roll over drill (I talk about and how this in today tip). This will get the face closing which would de-loft the club instead of adding loft then you add body rotation to straighten it out. This is literally a 5 min. fix. I have fixed numerous people hitting high high lofted clubs in the past. I guess I need to put this on the tips list.
If you are on the original site and you save to favorite you scroll down the page. The to do list is in the dashboard. You can access it in on the members page or from the red navigation bar. You might want to watch the welcome video as soon as you log in. This explains how to use the dashboard.
I was starting to struggle again and this tip arrived at the right time to save me! I was trying to turn too much and now I realize how that can hurt the swing. I especially liked how you said in this tip to move the head a little to stack the weight over the back foot and how a still head can lead to a sway. I shared this tip with my husband and he stopped struggling too. Thanks again.
Yes, that head move is huge for you. You do move sideaways. Get rid of that and it should be a whole new world. Do this every night in a mirror at home and watch how your head moves and weight loads. You need to get use to this feeling asap.
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23 Responses to “Less Movement Going Back Equals Better Shots”
October 1, 2013
PETERMCMULLENPaul,
Where can I find your tip or tips on tempo or speed of the full swing?
October 2, 2013
Paul WilsonPeter,
Here you go:
Tempo: https://ignitiongolf.com/golf-swing-tempo
How to Get Consistent Swing Tempo: https://ignitiongolf.com/consistent-swing-tempo/
October 1, 2013
stephencunneenI don’t know if you’ve run into this phenomenon before. I’ve bought totally into you’re swing technique, and I’m now
making the best swing ever – except when there’s a ball there. I’ve tried all your swing tips, but after two months of
trying, I still can’t stop hitting the ball with my right hand. It even effects my chipping and pitching, although not as
badly. If I eventually give up on this, I’m still grateful that you’ve made me a much better putter.
October 2, 2013
Paul WilsonStephen,
You need to change the way you think. Only you can do this. When this happens I want people to go to the course by themselves later in the afternoon with no one around. Simply keep a few balls in your pocket. Swing no more than 50%. Hit your shot, hold the follow through and check your positions. If you do not hit a good shot pull out another ball and try again and again until you make a half decent swing. If you are only on the range then swing easy on the range. Hit the ball and hold it. Then check it. If it is wrong fix it.
Watch:
Hit, Hold and Check: https://ignitiongolf.com/hold-check-follow-through/
I guarantee that when you go to hit the ball you are thinking of hitting the ball. Think about this logically. You are building a great swing. A great swing will hit great shots. FORGET THE BALL AND WHERE IT IS GOING. Instead think about the movement you are making then make the movement. Once you think this way you will start caring about every swing you make. Right now you care if you hit great shots. This in the wrong way to think. So go out again and tell yourself to focus on the positions. Swing easy so you are not activating your arms.
Watch:
How To Take Your Swing From The Range To The Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/swing-range/
October 2, 2013
WayneSextonPaul,
I know this tip is very true, because I have done all these excessive moves. Bad habits are hard to stop, but I am going to do it if I live long enough! LOL! I sure appreciate all your instruction. Thanks Paul.
October 2, 2013
Paul WilsonWayne,
Glad you like the tips. I appreciate the feedback.
So many people move too much. It’s amazing that everyone has seen pros swing on TV in this simple fashion yet they insist on doing something completely different to the people who actually know how to do it right. This has got to be the only sport where this occurs.
I did a tip on this here:
Move Less: https://ignitiongolf.com/moving-less
October 2, 2013
JosPaul, these are my big problems plus the use of the arms from time to time. I practice a lot with my training (short) club but same as stephencuneen, once I’m in front of the ball all those movements are back…
October 2, 2013
Paul WilsonJose,
This is the reply I gave to Stephen. If you are doing the same thing it will apply to you too:
You need to change the way you think. Only you can do this. When this happens I want people to go to the course by themselves later in the afternoon with no one around. Simply keep a few balls in your pocket. Swing no more than 50%. Hit your shot, hold the follow through and check your positions. If you do not hit a good shot pull out another ball and try again and again until you make a half decent swing. If you are only on the range then swing easy on the range. Hit the ball and hold it. Then check it. If it is wrong fix it.
Watch:
Hit, Hold and Check: https://ignitiongolf.com/hold-check-follow-through/
I guarantee that when you go to hit the ball you are thinking of hitting the ball. Think about this logically. You are building a great swing. A great swing will hit great shots. FORGET THE BALL AND WHERE IT IS GOING. Instead think about the movement you are making then make the movement. Once you think this way you will start caring about every swing you make. Right now you care if you hit great shots. This in the wrong way to think. So go out again and tell yourself to focus on the positions. Swing easy so you are not activating your arms.
Watch:
How To Take Your Swing From The Range To The Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/swing-range/
October 2, 2013
barrybowerHi Paul had same problem as guys above still do from time to time, drill that helped me alot was playing a couple of full rounds feeling light in arms swinging 50%or less. 18 holes at 50% is hard to do when you use to using your arms ,it took me a couple of rounds to get use to swinging 50%(i feel 50% probably ends up being75??)you get a mix of good bad and ugly shots at first, once i got use to the easy swing i was surprised how many great shots you hit, if i didnt have that need more distance mentallity i could really enjoy the game at 50%. It took me about a year to get rid of the armsy feeling .slow learner. Practice swing are easy to feel no arms ,when the ball gets in the way much tougher.Now when my swings off ,i go out play 9 holes at 50 % takes my arms out of it. Hit more good shot now than ever before,games much more enjoyable , love your philosophy of no arms ,it really works . What drills do you find best for people with this difficulty in shutting down the arms once ball gets in way,i find my bad shot now always feel arms too much fortunately more good than bad shots.
October 2, 2013
Paul WilsonBarry,
Yes, I included this in my reply to them. It works. People have to stop thinking a golf swing that does not work is going to miraculously hit perfect shots. The perfect shots that have been hit are purely luck. If it was not luck people would be able to hit these perfect shots all the time.
Thank you for telling everyone your experience.
Everyone feels their arms. I do too. When I try to give it that little extra I tell myself that was a mistake. I know I used them because the ball goes left. In this case I do a few easy swings off the ground and try to swing easier on my next shot. The easier I swing, the less arms I use.
So if you feel your arms focus on hitting your next shot even easier than the last. You can also try to focus on the weight of the club and making it feel heavy. If it feels light you are too tight. Definitely watch your ball and if it is going left this is the tell tale sign. So you slow it down to the point it stops going left. Swings while holding the club in the air at approx. knee high are always great. This gets the legs activated as well.
October 5, 2013
DavidMillerA recent video of my swing shows a hugh hitch in the swing in that I’m lifting the club straight up like a lighting rod..I think I’m coiling, but I’m not…Any swing thoughts on the takeaway I can employ?
October 6, 2013
Paul WilsonDavid,
The only way you can pick it up is with your arms. You need to be turning your arms off and allowing your body rotation to take the club back.
Here is a tip on the takeaway:
One Piece Takeaway: https://ignitiongolf.com/master-one-piece-takeaway
Also, you need connection under the lead armpit. Watch this one:
Connection: https://ignitiongolf.com/connection-backswing
You could also do this drill:
DRILL: Half back and up: https://ignitiongolf.com/half-back-and-up
December 6, 2013
RaymondCHASTELGreat lesson ,Paul :never overdo it,that’s what you say .
One Great golfer who didn’t overdo it was DOUG SANDERS and his “Compact Swing “.H
December 14, 2013
RaymondCHASTELPaul ,There’s another way to overdo it ,it’s lifting THE hands mich too High :your hands reach THE top of your head and it looks effortless:I myself have Great dificulties going higher than THE shoulders ,but I compensate with a fairly good rotation .I understand that THE hands should reach in between shoulders and top of THE head .What exercice should I practise to get Th
December 15, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
I got my swing up by doing practice swings in a mirror. Just do your set up. Take the club to the top. While holding the club at the top you will see the whole shaft of the club. If you are too flat the clubshaft will be blocked out by your head. Driver is the flattest with the whole shaft just above your head while the shorter clubs end up even more about the head. Do practice swings like this everyday for 2 weeks straight and it should go up there without thinking about it.
July 20, 2018
KimBozikLove love love this tip! Given that I have some numbness issues in my left foot, it is very easy for me to lift it, causing all the manners of prolems you described, including turning the foot when I come back through! Not a good thing. So while I’d like to lift some, just keeping it planted, once I got used to it, fixes most of my issues. I am amazed how just that little flaw can cause so kuch problem, but as you mentioned, the flaw compounds very quickly!
Best always, Paul. Ignition Golf is da best! -Kim
July 22, 2018
Paul WilsonKim,
Very good. Glad you saw this one. Too much movement going back makes it tough if not impossible to get the torque. Keep it simple going back.
July 21, 2018
LarryRobertsIs it also possible to hinge wrists too much or for the wrists to be too loose? With my short irons I have trouble at times with these shots finishing high, right, and short (right-handed). A little stronger grip seems to help, but the stronger grip for short irons causes heeled shots for driver and other longer clubs. Larry
July 22, 2018
Paul WilsonLarry,
You need to hinge to your maximum. This will vary from person to person. It would be like Sergio compare to Furyk. If you can hinge more why not? This could potentially give you more whip or faster release of the club. The issue I see if people going back and letting go. They get a false sense of hinging when really, they are just letting go. So secure grip then hinge. You need to find your maximum.
If you are hitting it high right the face is open. Simple fix. Do the roll over drill (I talk about and how this in today tip). This will get the face closing which would de-loft the club instead of adding loft then you add body rotation to straighten it out. This is literally a 5 min. fix. I have fixed numerous people hitting high high lofted clubs in the past. I guess I need to put this on the tips list.
July 21, 2018
CraigBrooksWhere do I find my saved daily tips and the todo list?
July 22, 2018
Paul WilsonCraig,
If you are on the original site and you save to favorite you scroll down the page. The to do list is in the dashboard. You can access it in on the members page or from the red navigation bar. You might want to watch the welcome video as soon as you log in. This explains how to use the dashboard.
July 22, 2018
KimberlyHagenbachI was starting to struggle again and this tip arrived at the right time to save me! I was trying to turn too much and now I realize how that can hurt the swing. I especially liked how you said in this tip to move the head a little to stack the weight over the back foot and how a still head can lead to a sway. I shared this tip with my husband and he stopped struggling too. Thanks again.
July 23, 2018
Paul WilsonKimberly,
Yes, that head move is huge for you. You do move sideaways. Get rid of that and it should be a whole new world. Do this every night in a mirror at home and watch how your head moves and weight loads. You need to get use to this feeling asap.