Hi Paul, what you describe is what I’ve been struggling with. When I practice, it seems that I hit the ball fairly well, but when I play I struggle. For instance, one of my playing partners mentioned that I do a forward press to initiate by backswing. I sometimes feel like I shift my weight forward during the downswing, which causes a very low ball flight. Today when playing, I concentrated on limiting the forward press, and that helped quite a bit. I also tried to prevent a slide forward and to uncoil instead. That also seems to help. No amount of practice seems to prevent using my hands and arms wat to often, but there are times I’m able to turn them off. I’ll try this tip to see if that will help. When I play, I try to limit my thoughts to the shoulder turn, wrist hinge and then straightening the left knee and touching the knees, but I don’t really know what to think to initiate the downswing once I reach the top. Do you use a specific thought to start the downswing?
To start the downswing I am only thinking about the trigger and trying to not hit or help the shot in any way with my arms. This is what you need to be thinking about forever. Find the trigger that works for you and keep doing it.
I really think you need to be doing way more practice swings at home mastering my swing positions. Remember, each position has feedback to tell if you are doing it right so look for the feedback and forget the ball. If this means swinging easy then do so until you can do it. Right now you are trying to run before you can crawl.
Very sensible reminder ,Paul.
In addition to THE rotation of THE lower body ,with THE upper body following suit ,there’s also a ‘thrust “forward with THE legs which is very visible in BEN HOGAN’s swing,and which tends to hide THE powerful rotation .You yourself don’t show THE same amount of thrust ,
Now ,what about THE ” rolling “of THE feet during THE backswing and THE throughswing ,very much in favor in THE greats of THE ‘ 40’s ( HENRY PICARD ,GENE SARAZEN ,ALEX MORRISON , BOBBY JONES ,AND OTHERS ).
Is it to proscribe ?
Rolling THE feet as described in THE Older Golf Instruction Manuals ,is moving ,for THE left foot ,going into THE backswing ,from THE outside instep ( left side of THE left foot )to THE inside instep (Right side of THE left foot ). In THE downswing ,it means ,for THE right foot ,moving from THE right instep to THE left instep of THE right footSame for THE left foot ). I haven’t re- checked ,but I think JACK NICKLAUS ,in GOLF MY WAY ,also touches on THE subject .
As regards THE “thrust forward ” it does not occur going back ,but on THE throughswing :it is very much pronounced on THE photos and VIDEOS of BEN HOGAN ,simultaneously to THE rotation on THE front left leg .it seems to give additional Power to THE one deriving from THE rotation .
HI Paul
I also struggle with the arms. Seems that if I do not use my arms at all, they get left behind my hip and I hit a push or push-slice or even a shank. yesterday I broke the driver at the point where the shaft joins the club head after I hit the ball. I think that It broke because the club shaft hit the teed up ball; the ball just move a short distance to the left. I am a right hand golfer,
If the arms are getting left behind you are firing the lower body too hard losing connection. Just do the moves slowly but do them. Everyone keeps wanting to o this stuff at top speed. You have to get it first. Once you do, speed it up.
Your head is moving forward in the downswing. Causing to you roll onto your toes which puts you closer to the ball than where you were at address. This is you hitting with your arms.
Paul ,You more or less answered my comment on THE “thrust forward “in THE “How much legs Video ” you referred us to in THE above answer .
Some teachers recommend to “Speed up ” THE arms to increase clubhead Speed.is it possible to do so while keeping “Powerless arms ” (Personally I don’t see how ,because to do so you have to contract THE muscles of your shoulders and arms !)
Why would you speed up your arms. They are connected to your body. Turn your body faster and your arms will move faster. You get the speed through the loose wrists. If you try to swing harder you tighten the wrists.
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12 Responses to “End Your Confusion”
August 23, 2013
davidericksojHi Paul, what you describe is what I’ve been struggling with. When I practice, it seems that I hit the ball fairly well, but when I play I struggle. For instance, one of my playing partners mentioned that I do a forward press to initiate by backswing. I sometimes feel like I shift my weight forward during the downswing, which causes a very low ball flight. Today when playing, I concentrated on limiting the forward press, and that helped quite a bit. I also tried to prevent a slide forward and to uncoil instead. That also seems to help. No amount of practice seems to prevent using my hands and arms wat to often, but there are times I’m able to turn them off. I’ll try this tip to see if that will help. When I play, I try to limit my thoughts to the shoulder turn, wrist hinge and then straightening the left knee and touching the knees, but I don’t really know what to think to initiate the downswing once I reach the top. Do you use a specific thought to start the downswing?
Thanks.
August 23, 2013
Paul WilsonDavid,
To start the downswing I am only thinking about the trigger and trying to not hit or help the shot in any way with my arms. This is what you need to be thinking about forever. Find the trigger that works for you and keep doing it.
Watch this tip:
How To Take Your Swing From The Range To The Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/swing-range/
I really think you need to be doing way more practice swings at home mastering my swing positions. Remember, each position has feedback to tell if you are doing it right so look for the feedback and forget the ball. If this means swinging easy then do so until you can do it. Right now you are trying to run before you can crawl.
August 23, 2013
RaymondCHASTELVery sensible reminder ,Paul.
In addition to THE rotation of THE lower body ,with THE upper body following suit ,there’s also a ‘thrust “forward with THE legs which is very visible in BEN HOGAN’s swing,and which tends to hide THE powerful rotation .You yourself don’t show THE same amount of thrust ,
Now ,what about THE ” rolling “of THE feet during THE backswing and THE throughswing ,very much in favor in THE greats of THE ‘ 40’s ( HENRY PICARD ,GENE SARAZEN ,ALEX MORRISON , BOBBY JONES ,AND OTHERS ).
Is it to proscribe ?
August 23, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Why would you be moving the base as you go back? I don’t know what you mean by rolling.
August 24, 2013
RaymondCHASTELRolling THE feet as described in THE Older Golf Instruction Manuals ,is moving ,for THE left foot ,going into THE backswing ,from THE outside instep ( left side of THE left foot )to THE inside instep (Right side of THE left foot ). In THE downswing ,it means ,for THE right foot ,moving from THE right instep to THE left instep of THE right footSame for THE left foot ). I haven’t re- checked ,but I think JACK NICKLAUS ,in GOLF MY WAY ,also touches on THE subject .
As regards THE “thrust forward ” it does not occur going back ,but on THE throughswing :it is very much pronounced on THE photos and VIDEOS of BEN HOGAN ,simultaneously to THE rotation on THE front left leg .it seems to give additional Power to THE one deriving from THE rotation .
August 26, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Seems like too much to think about. I did talk about the springnig from the right instep here:
Power: How I Got Power In My Swing: https://ignitiongolf.com/power-dig-foot-in/
August 23, 2013
WaltZaluskiHI Paul
I also struggle with the arms. Seems that if I do not use my arms at all, they get left behind my hip and I hit a push or push-slice or even a shank. yesterday I broke the driver at the point where the shaft joins the club head after I hit the ball. I think that It broke because the club shaft hit the teed up ball; the ball just move a short distance to the left. I am a right hand golfer,
August 23, 2013
Paul WilsonWalt,
If the arms are getting left behind you are firing the lower body too hard losing connection. Just do the moves slowly but do them. Everyone keeps wanting to o this stuff at top speed. You have to get it first. Once you do, speed it up.
Watch:
How Much To Use Your Legs: https://ignitiongolf.com/downswing-how-much-legs
And:
DRILL: Connection: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-head-cover-armpit
And:
How To Cure Pushes and Push Fades: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-pushes-push-fades/
Shank
Your head is moving forward in the downswing. Causing to you roll onto your toes which puts you closer to the ball than where you were at address. This is you hitting with your arms.
August 24, 2013
RaymondCHASTELPaul ,You more or less answered my comment on THE “thrust forward “in THE “How much legs Video ” you referred us to in THE above answer .
Some teachers recommend to “Speed up ” THE arms to increase clubhead Speed.is it possible to do so while keeping “Powerless arms ” (Personally I don’t see how ,because to do so you have to contract THE muscles of your shoulders and arms !)
August 26, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Why would you speed up your arms. They are connected to your body. Turn your body faster and your arms will move faster. You get the speed through the loose wrists. If you try to swing harder you tighten the wrists.
August 24, 2013
mikeplummerHi Paul, great tip! Many of my problems start with an incomplete coil, it leads to so many other issues. I will use this as much as possible.
Mike
August 26, 2013
Paul WilsonMike,
You really have to be working on this coiling. As you know this is huge.