Hi Paul,
Glad I can post again, thanks! There was a short window when I signed up and went to my profile that allowed me to change the username. Then I couldn’t change it or blank it. Now that I can post, I have to tell you about my round of golf today. To start with, my handicap is 38. So you can imagine the scores I usually shoot. So for 3 weeks plus I have used no golfball and just practiced your positions. Today’s round was my first time with a golfball and I shot a 99. Keep in mind this was with a blow-up hole on number 10 with a score of 10. I was doing as you said I would and tried to swing harder and with my arms. Then I slowed everything down and every chance I got, I did your favorite drill and shot 48 on the back nine.I know I have a long way to go, but your method made such a difference! I just hope others out there discover you and your method……It so really works!! I know I have along way to go, but I’m on my way. Thanks so much
Mike
That’s great news Mike. In all products I say it is going to take at least 5 weeks so after 3 you are already doing great. Keep on doing the practice swings and making them as perfect as you can. It’s all about developing a great swing right now. A great swing will hit great shots.
Hi Paul,
I have really improved my scores since watching your videos. Particularly, pitching and chipping. In adopting your technique on my irons, I seem to be hitting many shots short and off the toe. I assume the problem is in the downswing. Is there any video I should watch again to correct this problem. Thank you and keep up the great work.
Barry, I’m glad you are improving. Thanks for the feedback.
Toeing
If you are toeing it you could be doing a few things:
1. Your weight is rolling to your heels through impact.
2. You are standing up through impact.
3. You are standing too far from the ball.
4. Your clubs do not fit you.
If you are hitting the odd shot off the toe you are most likely a better player and you are anxious to see the result. In doing so you are coming out of the shot a little which pulls the club inward so you hit the toe.
You should do a few practice swings and feel where the weight is on your feet as you hit the ball. If it is in fact on your toes feel more balanced.
You should make sure your clubs are fitted for your body structure.
Check your set up.
Make sure you hit the ball then you look to see the result by swiveling your eyes on an angle. Never watch your ball fly through level eyes.
Paul ,Many teachers tell you to touch first with your left hip that rod you have planted vertically two or three inches next and close to that left hip ,then turn .Obviously you have to transfer your weight on that left leg to turn on it .
I get from this video that the two movements should be done simultaneously ,not in sequence ,hips first ,rotation next.What I do is the following :I “think “about pushing my left hip forwards (or better my belly botton forwards ) and at the same time “kick “energetically my butt ( left cheek) backwards .This straightens immediately my left leg and gets me to “snap ” the club in the throughswing .
Am I right or wrong in my analysis ?
I am not like other teachers. I don’t want you to touch the rod first. Iron Byron does not slide. It turns. There is lateral (which would happen on its own) as you get to the touch the legs position. If you get to this position you had to have shifted your weight. So if I know someone is going to shift their weight why would I tell them to shift. I do not know they are going to turn.
Plus, what is someone shifts too much? push push fade.
Yes, you only have 1/4 of a second to the ball. If you are thinking shift you may just shift causing push and push fades. So it is a turn an a shift with the shift happening without even thinking about it as you get the to the touch the legs position.
Great tip to check if that chicken wing is, or is not happening. I have come a long way over the last 18 months, in my golf game, and understanding the golf swing, thanks to you, Paul. When I was young, the youth carried me without me understanding very much about what I was doing. Now that I am older, I can’t rely on that anymore. I have been forced to learn the proper swing and it’s been terrific having you for that. Thanks for all the help Paul – I really appreciate it. – Bri
Funny how we just hit the ball back then. I got to scratch in 4 years not knowing anything about the swing (I did have an amazing short game though). Wish I’d have known then what I know now.
Hi Paul,
I don’t know if this is something which you see with actual students but my experience is that most of us have trouble going from shifting to turning. In my case, years of game with a poor technique equates to shifting because it was the only way I could compensate an extremely flat swing to generate some speed. After working with my pro to get a less flat swing, I know turning is more efficient because I can generate the speed with what feels a very slow (and not “powerful”) move. But, human nature makes it difficult to embrace it. So, you are right but it takes a lot of confidence and some work to make the change. Incidently, turning seems in my case to be less taxing on my lower back (I am 51 by now).
It seems lateral movement left helps straighten the leg or post and helps move the club to the inside as opposed to turning and ending over the top.
It is obvious in the video that your hip has moved several inches by impact which is a very short period of time. The turn will happen from the momentum of the slide and loose arms dropping. So, I’m not sold on turn vs slide.
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13 Responses to “What’s Faster … Turning or Shifting Laterally”
May 16, 2012
MikePlummerHi Paul,
Glad I can post again, thanks! There was a short window when I signed up and went to my profile that allowed me to change the username. Then I couldn’t change it or blank it. Now that I can post, I have to tell you about my round of golf today. To start with, my handicap is 38. So you can imagine the scores I usually shoot. So for 3 weeks plus I have used no golfball and just practiced your positions. Today’s round was my first time with a golfball and I shot a 99. Keep in mind this was with a blow-up hole on number 10 with a score of 10. I was doing as you said I would and tried to swing harder and with my arms. Then I slowed everything down and every chance I got, I did your favorite drill and shot 48 on the back nine.I know I have a long way to go, but your method made such a difference! I just hope others out there discover you and your method……It so really works!! I know I have along way to go, but I’m on my way. Thanks so much
Mike
May 17, 2012
Paul WilsonThat’s great news Mike. In all products I say it is going to take at least 5 weeks so after 3 you are already doing great. Keep on doing the practice swings and making them as perfect as you can. It’s all about developing a great swing right now. A great swing will hit great shots.
October 2, 2012
BarryKotowskyHi Paul,
I have really improved my scores since watching your videos. Particularly, pitching and chipping. In adopting your technique on my irons, I seem to be hitting many shots short and off the toe. I assume the problem is in the downswing. Is there any video I should watch again to correct this problem. Thank you and keep up the great work.
October 3, 2012
Paul WilsonBarry, I’m glad you are improving. Thanks for the feedback.
Toeing
If you are toeing it you could be doing a few things:
1. Your weight is rolling to your heels through impact.
2. You are standing up through impact.
3. You are standing too far from the ball.
4. Your clubs do not fit you.
If you are hitting the odd shot off the toe you are most likely a better player and you are anxious to see the result. In doing so you are coming out of the shot a little which pulls the club inward so you hit the toe.
You should do a few practice swings and feel where the weight is on your feet as you hit the ball. If it is in fact on your toes feel more balanced.
You should make sure your clubs are fitted for your body structure.
Check your set up.
Make sure you hit the ball then you look to see the result by swiveling your eyes on an angle. Never watch your ball fly through level eyes.
Watch:
Spine Angle Follow Through: https://ignitiongolf.com/follow-through-eyes-tilted
October 3, 2012
BarryKotowskyThank You,
I may be too much on my toes, and looking too early with level eyes. I’m going to the range now to work on both of these issues.
October 4, 2012
Paul WilsonBarry, Yes on toes is not good. Just feel the weight on your laces and you will be fine.
Watch this tip for the eyes on an angle:
Spine Angle Follow Through: https://ignitiongolf.com/follow-through-eyes-tilted
May 20, 2017
RaymondCHASTELPaul ,Many teachers tell you to touch first with your left hip that rod you have planted vertically two or three inches next and close to that left hip ,then turn .Obviously you have to transfer your weight on that left leg to turn on it .
I get from this video that the two movements should be done simultaneously ,not in sequence ,hips first ,rotation next.What I do is the following :I “think “about pushing my left hip forwards (or better my belly botton forwards ) and at the same time “kick “energetically my butt ( left cheek) backwards .This straightens immediately my left leg and gets me to “snap ” the club in the throughswing .
Am I right or wrong in my analysis ?
May 22, 2017
Paul WilsonRaymond,
I am not like other teachers. I don’t want you to touch the rod first. Iron Byron does not slide. It turns. There is lateral (which would happen on its own) as you get to the touch the legs position. If you get to this position you had to have shifted your weight. So if I know someone is going to shift their weight why would I tell them to shift. I do not know they are going to turn.
Plus, what is someone shifts too much? push push fade.
Yes, you only have 1/4 of a second to the ball. If you are thinking shift you may just shift causing push and push fades. So it is a turn an a shift with the shift happening without even thinking about it as you get the to the touch the legs position.
May 21, 2017
BriGreat tip to check if that chicken wing is, or is not happening. I have come a long way over the last 18 months, in my golf game, and understanding the golf swing, thanks to you, Paul. When I was young, the youth carried me without me understanding very much about what I was doing. Now that I am older, I can’t rely on that anymore. I have been forced to learn the proper swing and it’s been terrific having you for that. Thanks for all the help Paul – I really appreciate it. – Bri
May 22, 2017
Paul WilsonBri,
Funny how we just hit the ball back then. I got to scratch in 4 years not knowing anything about the swing (I did have an amazing short game though). Wish I’d have known then what I know now.
May 22, 2017
PierreBourgeoisHi Paul,
I don’t know if this is something which you see with actual students but my experience is that most of us have trouble going from shifting to turning. In my case, years of game with a poor technique equates to shifting because it was the only way I could compensate an extremely flat swing to generate some speed. After working with my pro to get a less flat swing, I know turning is more efficient because I can generate the speed with what feels a very slow (and not “powerful”) move. But, human nature makes it difficult to embrace it. So, you are right but it takes a lot of confidence and some work to make the change. Incidently, turning seems in my case to be less taxing on my lower back (I am 51 by now).
July 15, 2019
JohnSujatIt seems lateral movement left helps straighten the leg or post and helps move the club to the inside as opposed to turning and ending over the top.
It is obvious in the video that your hip has moved several inches by impact which is a very short period of time. The turn will happen from the momentum of the slide and loose arms dropping. So, I’m not sold on turn vs slide.
July 20, 2019
Paul WilsonJohn,
Well, just try it and see what happens if you move laterally. Report back.