Paul,
This is the tip that helped me finally put it all together. I was doing a good job of turning the arms off, but because they were disconnected and powerless my body was rotating and it felt like I was leaving the arms way behind the body in the downswing. The result was a nasty block slice. After I made the change in this tip I instantly started hitting it straight and with incredible distance (290 yards with driver). Not sure how I missed this tip the first time through, but I’m glad I found it.
I am still occassionally hitting high fades and low cuts on my mishits with driver and 3 wood, but the result is not terrible. This doesn’t happen with my irons. Any thoughts? I suspect you’ll say that I’m not getting the weight off of my right foot soon enough with these longer clubs.
Adam, I’m glad you found this one. Yes, you can drive the lower body too hard and become disconnected.
Low fades and cuts you are trying to hit it too hard. This locks your wrists and leaves the face open. So roll the wrists over a few times, loosen up and focus on the body to hit the shot. Stay within yourself. If you play with fire you have to expect to get burned.
When I stay connected I find it difficult to maintain the powerless arms & wrists…tendency is to tense up slightly…any suggestions on staying connected with the arm pits against side of chest & keeping arms & wrists powerless?
Harvey, If you are finding it difficult to keep the arms powerless when trying to stay connected you are trying to connect too tightly. It is a slight pressure. If you jam this into your side you may lock up. Check your pressure and don’t force it.
Hi Paul,
Great tip, I have seen it about 4-5 times before and I have to agree with one of the two comments above and dis-agree with the other (not saying he was wrong, just different for me). First off when I finally stayed connected it also came together for me. Secondly for me, when I stayed connected it was much easier to turn off the arms. It is funny how many times I have seen this video, yet managed to continue swinging with the arms. After viewing it last night, I went to practice this A.M. And had the best session ever! I think of it as opening and closing a door with my upper body while using the lower body for power.
Thanks for the review, it made all the diifernce in the world for me!
Mike
Barry, I like the swing which is slightly above the shoulder line at the top not flat. Why? Because the best players of all time used this type of swing.
You mention in the above video that if you have a higher plane (two plane)swing that the arm slides up a little.
In the downswing does that mean the left arm slides backdown on the inside but still stays connected? Also is that dependant on whether you have a one plane (lower) or two plane swing?
If you fire the lower body the arm will be compressed against the pec muscle. The clubshaft will flatten due to mass trying to swing at 90 degrees to the axis (body).
It is not dependent on plane. It is dependent on starting the body rotation first. If you start the body rotation the mass will follow. This will cause the flattening no matter what swing you are using.
Hi paul, I’m trying to get my swing above the shoulder line like you mentionned, but every time I do (its fell wrong)and i get a wrong swing, those that mean I’m more comfortable on a flatter swing or I’m a just doing it wrong. I’m not a tall person will that effect the swing plane?
This is a major change and will take time. It took me 2 weeks. All I did to get it was nightly practice swings watching for the whole clubshaft above my head from the front view while looking in a mirror. I also felt the right arm untuck from the side of my body. If you do this too for 2 weeks or so straight you should become comfortable with it.
If you still can’t get it just just be a little flat. You can still do a great swing being a little flat. I just don’t see any long drivers doing this swing plus my experience doing this swing had me losing power, hitting pushes and duck hooks. I prefer the lead arm to be slightly above the shoulder line. I would keep at it if I were you but you will have to make this decision.
As many others have stated this is a great lesson. My question is not with the shoulders and arms being connected in the back swing (this i could follow and execute fairly well and consistently), but with the downswing. Are the arms lagging the shoulders, or are they connected?
thanks,
bear
Hi Paul great tip. I was wondering if you could help me at the set up of the club with a driver where is the best position to have the club face at the adress as I hit the ball sometimes in different spots on the face and not in the centre
This is not necessarily due to you setting the club up wrong at address. This is you with an inconsistent golf swing. In the downswing if you let your arms stretch out fully you would make the same arc (widest). If you put he ball in the middle of the club and swung with this arc you would hit the exact same spot.
If you start at address with both arms fully extended and the ball in the middle of the face then you hit the ball with your lead arm bent the arc would narrow. Bend a little the club moves a little. Bend a lot the club moves a lot. When the arm bends you will sometimes tilt more to get the club to hit the ball. Now you are inconsistent because your body is moving up and down. Couple these 2 things and you could literally never hit the sweet spot and if you did it would be luck.
So you need to keep following my tips. Turn you arms off and let the mass that is swinging fully extend your arms past impact.
Before you jump right in you really should be working on your swing positions and start developing a great looking golf swing. In other words you need to be learning the right fundamentals. If you learn then you in turn would look like a great player because they have the right fundamentals.
So start with grip and set up.
Then work on the follow through first. This is the most important position in your swing. If you get this you will hit the ball better than you ever have in your life. I prove this every day.
Paul. Was just wondering, when you fire the lower the left hand compresses against the left pec? Should it continoue to be compressed throughout the swing until the follow through?
The arm does have pressure under it until around 3/4 through. I am not trying to do feel this compression. It is just happening because my arms are connected to my body. If you are disconnecting then you would work on it for a while until you have it.
Powerless arms is not floppy arms. Powerless arms is you not hitting or helping the shot in any way with your arms. I think you need to watch these tips:
Hi Paul,
What do you think about using the headcover connection drill with your recent “wider arc” up in the air drill? (5/7/17)
I’ve been working on the up in the air wider arc drill but I’m starting to look like I’m starting a lawnmower! (disconnected) on the course this is translating to some low hooks. When I do stay connected and rotate the ball striking is awesome w just a little bit of shape (3-5 yards) like we’ve talked about.
It’s just a hiccup I think in trying to be/maintain a wider swing arc but still stay connected through rotation. Hence my question at the top of my comment.
Thanks as always and hope you guys are doing well!
When you try to wider the arc you cannot disconnect. This would be a huge problem. I really think you just had to widen in the past impact and through swing. This shouldn’t even be that much effort.
Hi Paul,
This tip helped me more than anything you have preached when i saw it a few months ago. i am now very straight and fairly consistent. There are a few things that cause me problems. i would like to know how i can get consistent at hitting off my left foot. i may be trying to use my arms but i don’t think so. i believe it is from starting my downswing too early and not getting over to my left side. The result is the club just barely hitting the turf before the ball. Sometimes i hit it thin, but then i know i haven’t maintained my spine angle – that one i got. The really interesting problem is that i can’t seem to hit the ball any further with my 3 – 6 irons, than i do with my 7 iron which is about 140 yards. i hit my driver about 200 and my hybrid about 170. i can’t speed up right now because when i do, i do everything wrong. What tips should i be looking at?
thanks,
ter
If you are hitting behind the ball (even a little bit) you are hitting it fat. This is too much weight on the back foot at impact. You need to get the weight shifting off of this foot. Do it too much though and you will hit it thin. Do practice swings. Feel the back heel coming up at impact. 3-4″ with irons 5-6″ with driver.
As much as you think you are not using your arms you are only hitting driver 200 yards. I guarantee you are using your arms. I say this because I can do nothing and hit it this far. So if I can do nothing and hit it this far I am way, way, way loser than you in my wrists. I gently turn my body and easily get it to 200+. If can do it this way it cannot be that I am stronger than you. I am doing it a different way than you. Plus, I have a seen literally tens of thousands of students in your shoes and they are all hitting (even though they swear they are not).
So you need to be working more on the lower body. I would be hooking it first then adding way faster lower body rotation. I show how to do this here:
If you just increase your lower body of course you will be inconsistent because you are only speeding up one part of your swing. You need to speed up the release first. Then you speed up the body to match it and get the ball straightened out.
This second step will also get you off of the back foot faster eliminating the fat shots. So if you really want more power you need to take a hit on consistency right now. Hook it first about 5-10 balls in a row. Once you can do this you drive the lower way hard than you currently are.
I tell everyone to do this and show them how to do it and they do not do it. You need to do this tens of thousands of times until you are good at it. Then you get the legs as the power source.
So if you follow what I am saying you are going to lose consistency for a while but the payoff is much longer shots. Once the norm becomes 30-40 yards longer you then switch the focus to perfect positioning. This will get the consistency back.
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28 Responses to “Stay Connected For A Solid Backswing Position”
October 11, 2012
AdamLenfordPaul,
This is the tip that helped me finally put it all together. I was doing a good job of turning the arms off, but because they were disconnected and powerless my body was rotating and it felt like I was leaving the arms way behind the body in the downswing. The result was a nasty block slice. After I made the change in this tip I instantly started hitting it straight and with incredible distance (290 yards with driver). Not sure how I missed this tip the first time through, but I’m glad I found it.
I am still occassionally hitting high fades and low cuts on my mishits with driver and 3 wood, but the result is not terrible. This doesn’t happen with my irons. Any thoughts? I suspect you’ll say that I’m not getting the weight off of my right foot soon enough with these longer clubs.
October 12, 2012
Paul WilsonAdam, I’m glad you found this one. Yes, you can drive the lower body too hard and become disconnected.
Low fades and cuts you are trying to hit it too hard. This locks your wrists and leaves the face open. So roll the wrists over a few times, loosen up and focus on the body to hit the shot. Stay within yourself. If you play with fire you have to expect to get burned.
October 27, 2012
HarveyFedermanWhen I stay connected I find it difficult to maintain the powerless arms & wrists…tendency is to tense up slightly…any suggestions on staying connected with the arm pits against side of chest & keeping arms & wrists powerless?
October 28, 2012
Paul WilsonHarvey, If you are finding it difficult to keep the arms powerless when trying to stay connected you are trying to connect too tightly. It is a slight pressure. If you jam this into your side you may lock up. Check your pressure and don’t force it.
October 27, 2012
mikeplummerHi Paul,
Great tip, I have seen it about 4-5 times before and I have to agree with one of the two comments above and dis-agree with the other (not saying he was wrong, just different for me). First off when I finally stayed connected it also came together for me. Secondly for me, when I stayed connected it was much easier to turn off the arms. It is funny how many times I have seen this video, yet managed to continue swinging with the arms. After viewing it last night, I went to practice this A.M. And had the best session ever! I think of it as opening and closing a door with my upper body while using the lower body for power.
Thanks for the review, it made all the diifernce in the world for me!
Mike
October 28, 2012
Paul WilsonMike, I wondered where you went.
This is a huge part of the swing. People often try to over do it and keep it too tight. Doing so will certainly affect their swing.
Keep at it. I like breakthroughs.
November 4, 2012
BarryFidelmanPaul, which swing is preferred the, higher or flatter one?
November 5, 2012
Paul WilsonBarry, I like the swing which is slightly above the shoulder line at the top not flat. Why? Because the best players of all time used this type of swing.
December 31, 2012
KevinWarnettHi Paul
You mention in the above video that if you have a higher plane (two plane)swing that the arm slides up a little.
In the downswing does that mean the left arm slides backdown on the inside but still stays connected? Also is that dependant on whether you have a one plane (lower) or two plane swing?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Kind regards
Kevin
December 31, 2012
Paul WilsonKevin,
If you fire the lower body the arm will be compressed against the pec muscle. The clubshaft will flatten due to mass trying to swing at 90 degrees to the axis (body).
Watch:
Flatten Plane 1: https://ignitiongolf.com/downswing-flatten-plane
Flatten Plane 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/downswing-flatten-plane-2
It is not dependent on plane. It is dependent on starting the body rotation first. If you start the body rotation the mass will follow. This will cause the flattening no matter what swing you are using.
January 1, 2013
KevinWarnettMany thanks for the quick reply.
August 11, 2013
DanyAl-NasrallahHi paul, I’m trying to get my swing above the shoulder line like you mentionned, but every time I do (its fell wrong)and i get a wrong swing, those that mean I’m more comfortable on a flatter swing or I’m a just doing it wrong. I’m not a tall person will that effect the swing plane?
August 11, 2013
Paul WilsonDany,
This is a major change and will take time. It took me 2 weeks. All I did to get it was nightly practice swings watching for the whole clubshaft above my head from the front view while looking in a mirror. I also felt the right arm untuck from the side of my body. If you do this too for 2 weeks or so straight you should become comfortable with it.
If you still can’t get it just just be a little flat. You can still do a great swing being a little flat. I just don’t see any long drivers doing this swing plus my experience doing this swing had me losing power, hitting pushes and duck hooks. I prefer the lead arm to be slightly above the shoulder line. I would keep at it if I were you but you will have to make this decision.
August 15, 2013
DanyAl-NasrallahThank you for the reply Paul, I will for sure work on it until I get more comfortable!
September 1, 2014
terrybadgerAs many others have stated this is a great lesson. My question is not with the shoulders and arms being connected in the back swing (this i could follow and execute fairly well and consistently), but with the downswing. Are the arms lagging the shoulders, or are they connected?
thanks,
bear
September 1, 2014
Paul WilsonTerry,
Yes, your left armpit would be tightly connected. The right arm is tucking so it will not be connected until later in the downswing.
Connection: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-head-cover-armpit/
You might want to watch this:
Too Flat: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-are-you-too-flat
Back Elbow: https://ignitiongolf.com/downswing-right-elbow
September 30, 2014
Martin BarryHi Paul great tip. I was wondering if you could help me at the set up of the club with a driver where is the best position to have the club face at the adress as I hit the ball sometimes in different spots on the face and not in the centre
October 1, 2014
Paul WilsonMartin,
This is not necessarily due to you setting the club up wrong at address. This is you with an inconsistent golf swing. In the downswing if you let your arms stretch out fully you would make the same arc (widest). If you put he ball in the middle of the club and swung with this arc you would hit the exact same spot.
If you start at address with both arms fully extended and the ball in the middle of the face then you hit the ball with your lead arm bent the arc would narrow. Bend a little the club moves a little. Bend a lot the club moves a lot. When the arm bends you will sometimes tilt more to get the club to hit the ball. Now you are inconsistent because your body is moving up and down. Couple these 2 things and you could literally never hit the sweet spot and if you did it would be luck.
So you need to keep following my tips. Turn you arms off and let the mass that is swinging fully extend your arms past impact.
Watch:
How to Release the Golf Club: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-wrist-release/
Then you couple this with coiling and uncoiling:
Coiling: https://ignitiongolf.com/learn-coil-backswing
Uncoil 1: https://ignitiongolf.com/uncoil
Uncoil 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/uncoil-follow-up
To get this:
The Ultimate Goal: https://ignitiongolf.com/the-ultimate-goal/
Before you jump right in you really should be working on your swing positions and start developing a great looking golf swing. In other words you need to be learning the right fundamentals. If you learn then you in turn would look like a great player because they have the right fundamentals.
So start with grip and set up.
Then work on the follow through first. This is the most important position in your swing. If you get this you will hit the ball better than you ever have in your life. I prove this every day.
Here you go:
Grip
Left Hand: https://ignitiongolf.com/left-hand-grip
Right Hand: https://ignitiongolf.com/right-hand-grip
Setup
Set Up Steps: https://ignitiongolf.com/setup-position
Follow Through
Legs Touching: https://ignitiongolf.com/touch-knees/
One Of The Secrets To The Golf Swing: https://ignitiongolf.com/secrets-to-golf-swing/
Spine Angle Follow Through: https://ignitiongolf.com/follow-through-eyes-tilted/
January 6, 2017
StianOttersenPaul. Was just wondering, when you fire the lower the left hand compresses against the left pec? Should it continoue to be compressed throughout the swing until the follow through?
January 6, 2017
StianOttersenLeft arm ofc:)
January 6, 2017
Paul WilsonStian,
The arm does have pressure under it until around 3/4 through. I am not trying to do feel this compression. It is just happening because my arms are connected to my body. If you are disconnecting then you would work on it for a while until you have it.
Connection: https://ignitiongolf.com/connection-backswing
January 7, 2017
StianOttersenOk Thanks. When working on powerless arms it Feels like i get disconnected so need to work on it a bit i guess:)
January 8, 2017
Paul WilsonStian,
Powerless arms is not floppy arms. Powerless arms is you not hitting or helping the shot in any way with your arms. I think you need to watch these tips:
What Is Powerless Arms?: https://ignitiongolf.com/what-is-powerless-arms/
Powerless Arms Test: https://ignitiongolf.com/powerless-arms-test/
Powerless Arms – The Trust Factor: https://ignitiongolf.com/the-trust-factor/
How To Get Powerless Arms: https://ignitiongolf.com/how-to-get-powerless-arms/
Why You Can’t Stop Hitting With Arms: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-hitting-with-arms/
Taking Powerless Arms to the Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/powerless-arms-when-playing/
January 8, 2017
StianOttersenThanks again, I think I get the idea now:)
May 25, 2017
CraigSmithHi Paul,
What do you think about using the headcover connection drill with your recent “wider arc” up in the air drill? (5/7/17)
I’ve been working on the up in the air wider arc drill but I’m starting to look like I’m starting a lawnmower! (disconnected) on the course this is translating to some low hooks. When I do stay connected and rotate the ball striking is awesome w just a little bit of shape (3-5 yards) like we’ve talked about.
It’s just a hiccup I think in trying to be/maintain a wider swing arc but still stay connected through rotation. Hence my question at the top of my comment.
Thanks as always and hope you guys are doing well!
CS
May 25, 2017
Paul WilsonCraig,
Which armpit?
I did a tip on this here:
Headcover Under Which Armpit?: https://ignitiongolf.com/headcover-which-armpit/
When you try to wider the arc you cannot disconnect. This would be a huge problem. I really think you just had to widen in the past impact and through swing. This shouldn’t even be that much effort.
We are good. Slowing down now due to the heat.
September 1, 2017
terrybadgerHi Paul,
This tip helped me more than anything you have preached when i saw it a few months ago. i am now very straight and fairly consistent. There are a few things that cause me problems. i would like to know how i can get consistent at hitting off my left foot. i may be trying to use my arms but i don’t think so. i believe it is from starting my downswing too early and not getting over to my left side. The result is the club just barely hitting the turf before the ball. Sometimes i hit it thin, but then i know i haven’t maintained my spine angle – that one i got. The really interesting problem is that i can’t seem to hit the ball any further with my 3 – 6 irons, than i do with my 7 iron which is about 140 yards. i hit my driver about 200 and my hybrid about 170. i can’t speed up right now because when i do, i do everything wrong. What tips should i be looking at?
thanks,
ter
September 1, 2017
Paul WilsonTerry,
If you are hitting behind the ball (even a little bit) you are hitting it fat. This is too much weight on the back foot at impact. You need to get the weight shifting off of this foot. Do it too much though and you will hit it thin. Do practice swings. Feel the back heel coming up at impact. 3-4″ with irons 5-6″ with driver.
As much as you think you are not using your arms you are only hitting driver 200 yards. I guarantee you are using your arms. I say this because I can do nothing and hit it this far. So if I can do nothing and hit it this far I am way, way, way loser than you in my wrists. I gently turn my body and easily get it to 200+. If can do it this way it cannot be that I am stronger than you. I am doing it a different way than you. Plus, I have a seen literally tens of thousands of students in your shoes and they are all hitting (even though they swear they are not).
So you need to be working more on the lower body. I would be hooking it first then adding way faster lower body rotation. I show how to do this here:
DRILL: Golf Swing Timing For More Distance: https://ignitiongolf.com/timing-more-distance/
If you just increase your lower body of course you will be inconsistent because you are only speeding up one part of your swing. You need to speed up the release first. Then you speed up the body to match it and get the ball straightened out.
This second step will also get you off of the back foot faster eliminating the fat shots. So if you really want more power you need to take a hit on consistency right now. Hook it first about 5-10 balls in a row. Once you can do this you drive the lower way hard than you currently are.
Watch:
2 Power Sources In Your Swing: https://ignitiongolf.com/2-power-sources/
Here is the feeling:
I guarantee you are not feeling this:
How Much Legs (jump): https://ignitiongolf.com/jump-feel-legs/
Also, you need to be doing this every night in the backyard with driver:
DRILL: Listen to Club Swinging: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-listen-to-club/
DRILL: How To Really Increase Power: https://ignitiongolf.com/how-to-really-increase-power/
I tell everyone to do this and show them how to do it and they do not do it. You need to do this tens of thousands of times until you are good at it. Then you get the legs as the power source.
So if you follow what I am saying you are going to lose consistency for a while but the payoff is much longer shots. Once the norm becomes 30-40 yards longer you then switch the focus to perfect positioning. This will get the consistency back.