I wouldn’t do this with the fairway woods or irons. If you do you will most likely end up topping it. You can just keep your head a little behind the ball with those clubs if you want as opposed to swinging up at it.
Hi Paul,
I really enjoy your tips, they have made a great change in my swing-for the better. Your instructions are very clear and to the point. I know you have the interest of the Golfers in mind. Its amazing that you answer the phone and actually want to help. I still think you are the BEST Teacher.
Thanks Earl. Glad you like the tips. I just want to make people better so I will continue to do what I do and continue to get the word out. It’s tough but one day everyone will know about it.
Hi Paul Trying all the 3 ways to start the downswing with lower body,nothing feels comfortable yet, the one thing that does feel comfortable is starting downswing with pushing off with my right foot to bring it around to touch knee but only if i add atouch of upper body tilt to right as you mention in the above tip . what i am asking is it okay to add a little upper body at the same time as the springing of right foot. For me when i add a touch of body tilt at the start of downswing the touch the knee position feels more natural. Is it detemental to my swing long term, to keep doing this.
I am doing this with all my clubs,do not seem to be topping manny,
Pick up a ball in your right hand and throw it overhand out in front of you. If you do you will feel what you use to make this motion. Once you feel it use this to start your downswing. I like the springing from the right foot. This is what I use.
I am fine with you tilting a little to stay behind it. Without me working with you in person I will take anything that gets you to do it right. Just be careful not to stay behind it too much. The tell-tale signs you are too far behind it is hitting it fat or starting the ball too far right. If you see these shots get off the back foot sooner to stop the fat shots and reduce the tilt to keep the ball down the line instead of pushing it right.
Excellent tip ,even for those like me who don’t come over the top However it seems to me that in doing so ,the flight of the ball is a bit too high and I may be losing distance ,my ball is not “boring thru the air “The loft of my driver is 10 d
If you hang back a little too much on the back foot when swinging up you will be adding loft to the driver. This is a drill to stay behind it which changes the path. You need to eventually get off of this back foot.
In a more recent video ,you say that to start the backswing it is enough to rotate forward and push with the right foot and you disadvise the ” bump forward “of the left hip most instructors recommend.
I myself “pull “with my left knee.If you don’t do this move forward of the body you will remain on the right foot .I just can’t simply push with my right foot ,I have to feel I am “pulled forward ”
As for your golf lessons ,they are first class:I see you say the going is tough for you:keep doing what you do ;you’ll stand out as one of the best teachers in a short time !
Most of the fan gofers who follow REVOLUTION GOLF are asking about you .Your lessons are much more consistent and being of longer duration and more precise give much more indications as to what to work on
You need to find the trigger than works for you. It is sounding like you are more left sided. If so you need to be turning the left hip to the left or feeling the left knee going straight back. If you do you will start turning. As you turn roll up onto the tip of the back toe. If you are on the tip of the back toe you had to have shifted your weight.
If I know you are going to shift your weight (by getting onto the tip of this back toe) why would I tell you to bump your hips. If you want to keep hitting that shot that blows 40 yard out to the right then keep bumping. I haven’ hit this shot in 20 years.
So focus on the left and start practicing it. If you have ever throw a ball you can do this. Just narrow your stance and throw a ball overhand. When you do you will see your body will turn and your weight will come off of this back leg perfectly. Keep doing it then apply this to practice swings. Once you get it in practice swing add the ball.
Some things take time. So keep working on this until you master it.
I have no trouble with irons, that is, no slicing. As soon as I pick up a driver or wood or hybrid, I slice. I probably swing too hard. I checked my club in a mirror and in general it is down the line, but my pro said I am hitting outside in. My ball flight is quite high also. Could my problem be that I do not start my downswing by snapping my knee and that results in the slice or the over the top move. I am concerned about trying to hit up on the ball in that I already hit the ball so high with my driver.
Mike
I feel like I have written this same reply a thousand times. The driver and hybrids are the clubs you are trying to hit the longest. Because of this you are trying to hit hard with your arms. The harder you hit, the tighter your wrists the more open the face. So yes, you are trying to hit these clubs too hard.
I have done a ton of tips now on releasing the club and doing the roll over drill. You need to get the ball hooking first. Then you straighten it out with your body rotation. You MUST fix it following these steps. The first step is to fix the spin. The next step is to fix the over the top.
Hi Paul;
I read another tip that says that most tees are built on a plateau with small slopes & that to get this upward swing path, before you hit your shot you should swing along the upward slope towards the tee. This would also show you if you might hit it fat by hitting the ground if you don’t do it properly. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.
The path is cause due to diving with your legs. When you do so, your whole upper body hangs back behind the ball. The more your body is tilted back the more the club swing up at it. No way is this tip every going to do anything for your swing. Work on the right fundamentals and look like a great player when you swing (they have he right fundamentals). If you get them you will hit it perfectly. Stop watching other tips.
Hi Paul;
Stop watching other tips? With all due respect, that seems to insinuate that you know all & your way is the only way. I found it somewhat disappointing coming from a teacher of your caliber.
I am not saying I know it all. I am trying to stop you from becoming confused working on 10 different theories at the same time. I have done this before and it does not work. If you are working on one method work on one method. If you don’t like it then work on another.
Paul Wilson DOES know it all. I have had instruction and lessons from quite a few people, and no one comes close to this guy. Everything he says is accurate and correct. His way IS the only way if you really want to get better. Stop watching other tips if you really want to get better.
Thank you for the kind words. I had many years of no one being able to answer my questions so I had to figure it out. Hopefully, I can keep passing this info on to others and helping them understand it.
I’ve commented on this tip three years ago and you responded accordingly .
My swing has improved considerably since ,consistency has improved ,distance has stopped dropping ,despite age coming on (I’ve passed the 82 mark )and I still enjoy playing ,thank you ,Paul.I remember a tip you gave a long time ago ,when you were on the REVOLUTION GOLF site and which you didn’t show since that time.I put it back in use and found again it’s benefits .I remembered it because you told me than better than thinking of lifting the arms higher ,I should turn more the shoulders.Well ,it’s your advice to lift the chin (Hold the head straight up ) and look at the seam of the shirt on top of the left shoulder when turning in the backswing .
It does work magnificently ,gives you easily ten to twenty more yards with the driver and Fairway woods alike .It’s of no use with the irons ,even detrimental to your precision in this case .
Another tip is to keep the right hand supple (not loose !)
Glad you liked that tip and still do it. This really is a great way to get serious power but as you do it you have to keep the lower body stable. If you just turned the shoulders along with the hips it won’t work the same way. Sure, it may give someone more power because it allows them to take the club back farther and gets the arms more activated but for power and consistency you need the torque which require lower body stability.
Glad you see it and incorporated it into your swing.
Right hand supple is a huge key too. If your wrists lock in any way the club will swing slower.
No, you have 1 swing for all clubs. Everyone wants to hit driver too hard thus activating the arms. This is just a simple way to stop the over the top swing.
To me, when trying to keep my head behind the ball and stretching the arms out it feels like I am swinging more up at the ball, even with irons. Is this feeling “wrong”? Seems to work for someone like me that usually comes in too steep and with pulls and hooks. Thought there was another tip on swinging more up at the ball to get the tilt, with irons too but could not find it? 🙂
Thanks coach
That is the correct feeling if you were just doing practice swings in the air. When your body tilt back it causes the club to swing up. Now, as you lower to the ground it would create a descending blow on the ball resulting in a divot being taken. With driver the swing is flatter so it sweeps it off the tee.
This was really interesting to me as someone that has always fought over the top, especially on driver. In the past, when I’ve played my best golf it was always with a feeling of swinging up. Something I just discovered myself but wasn’t sure it was a good thing to do. As I continue to learn the swing and work on the positions, is this a good feeling to use even on irons? I’d like to think that as I get powerless arms this will go away by itself but if this helps I’d like to use it on the course. Thanks, your tips are the best!
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
29 Responses to “Drill – Swing Up with Driver”
April 4, 2013
HowardMillerExcellent tip Paul! This one should help me tremendously!! Thanks
October 11, 2016
VincentSchiavoHoward, I love your clocks.
April 4, 2013
chrisrasmussenHi Paul. This seems like it would help my shot elevation with my driver as well. Do your recommend this drill for fairway woods and irons as well?
All the best,
Chris Rasmussen
April 5, 2013
Paul WilsonChris,
I wouldn’t do this with the fairway woods or irons. If you do you will most likely end up topping it. You can just keep your head a little behind the ball with those clubs if you want as opposed to swinging up at it.
April 5, 2013
Earl GGissingHi Paul,
I really enjoy your tips, they have made a great change in my swing-for the better. Your instructions are very clear and to the point. I know you have the interest of the Golfers in mind. Its amazing that you answer the phone and actually want to help. I still think you are the BEST Teacher.
Earl Gissing
April 5, 2013
Paul WilsonEarl,
Thanks Earl. Glad you like the tips. I just want to make people better so I will continue to do what I do and continue to get the word out. It’s tough but one day everyone will know about it.
April 9, 2013
barrybowerHi Paul Trying all the 3 ways to start the downswing with lower body,nothing feels comfortable yet, the one thing that does feel comfortable is starting downswing with pushing off with my right foot to bring it around to touch knee but only if i add atouch of upper body tilt to right as you mention in the above tip . what i am asking is it okay to add a little upper body at the same time as the springing of right foot. For me when i add a touch of body tilt at the start of downswing the touch the knee position feels more natural. Is it detemental to my swing long term, to keep doing this.
I am doing this with all my clubs,do not seem to be topping manny,
April 10, 2013
Paul WilsonBarry,
Pick up a ball in your right hand and throw it overhand out in front of you. If you do you will feel what you use to make this motion. Once you feel it use this to start your downswing. I like the springing from the right foot. This is what I use.
I am fine with you tilting a little to stay behind it. Without me working with you in person I will take anything that gets you to do it right. Just be careful not to stay behind it too much. The tell-tale signs you are too far behind it is hitting it fat or starting the ball too far right. If you see these shots get off the back foot sooner to stop the fat shots and reduce the tilt to keep the ball down the line instead of pushing it right.
April 17, 2013
RaymondCHASTELExcellent tip ,even for those like me who don’t come over the top However it seems to me that in doing so ,the flight of the ball is a bit too high and I may be losing distance ,my ball is not “boring thru the air “The loft of my driver is 10 d
April 17, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
If you hang back a little too much on the back foot when swinging up you will be adding loft to the driver. This is a drill to stay behind it which changes the path. You need to eventually get off of this back foot.
Here you go:
Easy Ways To Lower Trajectory: https://ignitiongolf.com/hit-lower-easy-ways
Lower Overall Trajectory: https://ignitiongolf.com/lower-trajectory
April 29, 2013
RaymondCHASTELIn a more recent video ,you say that to start the backswing it is enough to rotate forward and push with the right foot and you disadvise the ” bump forward “of the left hip most instructors recommend.
I myself “pull “with my left knee.If you don’t do this move forward of the body you will remain on the right foot .I just can’t simply push with my right foot ,I have to feel I am “pulled forward ”
As for your golf lessons ,they are first class:I see you say the going is tough for you:keep doing what you do ;you’ll stand out as one of the best teachers in a short time !
Most of the fan gofers who follow REVOLUTION GOLF are asking about you .Your lessons are much more consistent and being of longer duration and more precise give much more indications as to what to work on
April 30, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
You need to find the trigger than works for you. It is sounding like you are more left sided. If so you need to be turning the left hip to the left or feeling the left knee going straight back. If you do you will start turning. As you turn roll up onto the tip of the back toe. If you are on the tip of the back toe you had to have shifted your weight.
If I know you are going to shift your weight (by getting onto the tip of this back toe) why would I tell you to bump your hips. If you want to keep hitting that shot that blows 40 yard out to the right then keep bumping. I haven’ hit this shot in 20 years.
So focus on the left and start practicing it. If you have ever throw a ball you can do this. Just narrow your stance and throw a ball overhand. When you do you will see your body will turn and your weight will come off of this back leg perfectly. Keep doing it then apply this to practice swings. Once you get it in practice swing add the ball.
Some things take time. So keep working on this until you master it.
Do this too:
Lean On Club to Touch Legs: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-lean-on-club
I am glad the members at Revolution Golf are asking about me. I just need them to find me. This is the hard part. Glad you like the tips. Thanks.
January 10, 2014
MikeSwiontekI have no trouble with irons, that is, no slicing. As soon as I pick up a driver or wood or hybrid, I slice. I probably swing too hard. I checked my club in a mirror and in general it is down the line, but my pro said I am hitting outside in. My ball flight is quite high also. Could my problem be that I do not start my downswing by snapping my knee and that results in the slice or the over the top move. I am concerned about trying to hit up on the ball in that I already hit the ball so high with my driver.
Mike
January 12, 2014
Paul WilsonMike,
I feel like I have written this same reply a thousand times. The driver and hybrids are the clubs you are trying to hit the longest. Because of this you are trying to hit hard with your arms. The harder you hit, the tighter your wrists the more open the face. So yes, you are trying to hit these clubs too hard.
I have done a ton of tips now on releasing the club and doing the roll over drill. You need to get the ball hooking first. Then you straighten it out with your body rotation. You MUST fix it following these steps. The first step is to fix the spin. The next step is to fix the over the top.
Here you go:
Please Learn How to Hook It: https://ignitiongolf.com/please-learn-hook/
Drill – Smooth Wrist Release: https://ignitiongolf.com/smooth-wrist-release/
Break the Chain – Stop Slicing Immediately: https://ignitiongolf.com/break-chain-slice/
How to Release the Golf Club: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-wrist-release
Manually Square the Clubface: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-squaring-clubface
Manually Square the Clubface (Follow Up): https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-squaring-face-follow-up
Once you get the ball consistently hooking you then forget manually rolling it over. You then start to add lower body rotation to straighten it out.
July 14, 2014
MichaelRodrickHi Paul;
I read another tip that says that most tees are built on a plateau with small slopes & that to get this upward swing path, before you hit your shot you should swing along the upward slope towards the tee. This would also show you if you might hit it fat by hitting the ground if you don’t do it properly. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.
July 15, 2014
Paul WilsonMichael,
The path is cause due to diving with your legs. When you do so, your whole upper body hangs back behind the ball. The more your body is tilted back the more the club swing up at it. No way is this tip every going to do anything for your swing. Work on the right fundamentals and look like a great player when you swing (they have he right fundamentals). If you get them you will hit it perfectly. Stop watching other tips.
July 15, 2014
MichaelRodrickHi Paul;
Stop watching other tips? With all due respect, that seems to insinuate that you know all & your way is the only way. I found it somewhat disappointing coming from a teacher of your caliber.
July 15, 2014
Paul WilsonMichael,
I am not saying I know it all. I am trying to stop you from becoming confused working on 10 different theories at the same time. I have done this before and it does not work. If you are working on one method work on one method. If you don’t like it then work on another.
October 9, 2016
drj0420Paul Wilson DOES know it all. I have had instruction and lessons from quite a few people, and no one comes close to this guy. Everything he says is accurate and correct. His way IS the only way if you really want to get better. Stop watching other tips if you really want to get better.
October 10, 2016
Paul WilsonMichael,
Thank you for the kind words. I had many years of no one being able to answer my questions so I had to figure it out. Hopefully, I can keep passing this info on to others and helping them understand it.
October 9, 2016
RaymondCHASTELI’ve commented on this tip three years ago and you responded accordingly .
My swing has improved considerably since ,consistency has improved ,distance has stopped dropping ,despite age coming on (I’ve passed the 82 mark )and I still enjoy playing ,thank you ,Paul.I remember a tip you gave a long time ago ,when you were on the REVOLUTION GOLF site and which you didn’t show since that time.I put it back in use and found again it’s benefits .I remembered it because you told me than better than thinking of lifting the arms higher ,I should turn more the shoulders.Well ,it’s your advice to lift the chin (Hold the head straight up ) and look at the seam of the shirt on top of the left shoulder when turning in the backswing .
It does work magnificently ,gives you easily ten to twenty more yards with the driver and Fairway woods alike .It’s of no use with the irons ,even detrimental to your precision in this case .
Another tip is to keep the right hand supple (not loose !)
October 9, 2016
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Glad you liked that tip and still do it. This really is a great way to get serious power but as you do it you have to keep the lower body stable. If you just turned the shoulders along with the hips it won’t work the same way. Sure, it may give someone more power because it allows them to take the club back farther and gets the arms more activated but for power and consistency you need the torque which require lower body stability.
Glad you see it and incorporated it into your swing.
Right hand supple is a huge key too. If your wrists lock in any way the club will swing slower.
April 23, 2017
edwardkellySo do you have 2 different swings…one for the driver and another for irons? If so itvthere something more that ball position?
April 23, 2017
Paul WilsonEd,
No, you have 1 swing for all clubs. Everyone wants to hit driver too hard thus activating the arms. This is just a simple way to stop the over the top swing.
One Swing For All Clubs: https://ignitiongolf.com/one-swing-all-clubs/
May 12, 2017
StianOttersenTo me, when trying to keep my head behind the ball and stretching the arms out it feels like I am swinging more up at the ball, even with irons. Is this feeling “wrong”? Seems to work for someone like me that usually comes in too steep and with pulls and hooks. Thought there was another tip on swinging more up at the ball to get the tilt, with irons too but could not find it? 🙂
Thanks coach
May 12, 2017
Paul WilsonStian,
That is the correct feeling if you were just doing practice swings in the air. When your body tilt back it causes the club to swing up. Now, as you lower to the ground it would create a descending blow on the ball resulting in a divot being taken. With driver the swing is flatter so it sweeps it off the tee.
Illustrating Why A Divot Is Taken: https://ignitiongolf.com/illustrating-divot/
DRILL: Swing Up with Driver: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-swing-up-driver/
I recall mentioning it with irons too but not sure what tip that is.
October 13, 2017
SteveWeberPaul,
This was really interesting to me as someone that has always fought over the top, especially on driver. In the past, when I’ve played my best golf it was always with a feeling of swinging up. Something I just discovered myself but wasn’t sure it was a good thing to do. As I continue to learn the swing and work on the positions, is this a good feeling to use even on irons? I’d like to think that as I get powerless arms this will go away by itself but if this helps I’d like to use it on the course. Thanks, your tips are the best!
October 15, 2017
Paul WilsonSteve,
Yes, this is good to do with irons but you cannot swing up so much you hang back and top it or hit it fat.
There is an easier way to get this you know. All you have to do is watch a dimple on the very back of the ball.
Watch Back of The Golf Ball: https://ignitiongolf.com/watch-backside-golf-ball/
This is how I got it.
October 16, 2017
SteveWeberThanks Paul, you are right that is easier! Tried it today and worked great. Also tried it putting and found my putts were more on line and consistent…