I mentioned before that while I swing fairly well indoors but cannot reproduce it on the field. I can swing relaxed and produce a powerless type swing indoors but once a ball is in front of me especially late in the round it is all stiff arms swing. You just want to make sure you hit the ball and this feeling of late impact with powerless arm is very disconcerting especially when tired. I need a proper trigger to initiate a powerless arms downswing.
It has occurred to me during last nights practice the difference between hitting with the arm and the powerless arm is in the relationship between the left armpit and the left arm at the beginning of the downswing. If there is any movement between the two then its an arms swing. Powerless arm swing is only possible if two stay together until well into impact. I am excited. This could be what I was looking for.
Remember. This is all new stuff. There is no way you are going to good at it right out of the gate. Just swing real easy and work on the new stuff. Forget the ball. If you are trying to change your swing then change your swing. Once you do the ball will be hit better than ever. Keep at it.
Paul… I’m suffering! I’ve been great on the range, and downright awful on the course! On the range I am relaxed, I have loose arms and hit great shots. But, once I get on the course, all of a sudden a particular club has to go a particular distance, and, before I know it, I am all tight and hitting terrible shots. Is there any remedy for range/course itis?
So when you go to the course you care about where your ball is going, you care about distance and hitting great shots. If you are thinking like this of course it will be a distaster. You have done your old swing way more than the new one. So you if you have the wrong thought you will go right back to the old swing.
Change the thoughts. If you are trying to change your swing then think about the changes. FORGET THE BALL. It means nothing at this point. The focus is actually trying to do something different on the course. I have done tips on this here:
Powerless arms seems to work when I turn my hips slowly, but as soon I am starting to speed up my hips it seems more difficult to have powerless arms. You have said that it is a ‘requirement’ to start slowly and gradually increase the speed, is that the only way to master this , as far as you know 🙂 ?
Yes, because right now you equate power with hitting. I equate power with leg drive. If I want to hit it 300+ I drive ONLY my legs harder. So keep doing it slowly until you are good at it. Then turn it up once notch. Get used to that. Then turn it up 1 more notch and you should be at top speed.
I’ve found a way of creating those loose arms very quickly.I start swinging the club with it between the forefinger and thumb (as I’ve seen you do) then as it is swinging I transfer this swinging motion to my hands (can’t do this unless the hands / wrists and arms are completely loose). Without stopping, I start swinging it into a full swing, shoulder to shoulder. Then I start using the lower body to start and power this swinging motion. All the while I’m concentrating on the original swinging feel that I started off with. This allows me to feel the loose arms and whipping action immediately no matter how much I was using the ams before. Do you see any flaws in this method?
If this is loosening the arms then keep doing it. Just make sure you are not getting out of positions. I just think if you are going back and forth you will need to check the swing because any time I see people doing this back and forth motion it gets sloppy. Just be careful.
There isn’t just one tip on positions. If you search SWING TIPS > FULL SWING you will see the various sections of the swing. I teach grip, setup, follow through and backswing. Stick to these areas and everything will be great.
There are days when I can stand over the ball and feel no tension. I can feel my legs are turned off, and that looseness translates to my whole body. My swing has a tempo, and my shots are so nice. Most days I can not find that feeling. When I address the ball and there is stiffness and tension, the tempo is nowhere to be found. I love the days the lack of tension is just gone and the powerless arms are there. Thanks for the consistent reminders and not trying to micro manage the golf swing.
So on the days you feel tension hit your shots 2/3 or three quarters power. You cannot do a full swing and hit a ball this far using your arms. So go down to this level. Tee it up as you hit these shots. Then gradually speed up only the lower body to make it fly farther.
When I use powerless arms, it it at the top that I lose it. My cocked loose wrist whips back an extra whip and then forward again loosely when I turn my body and the club feels loose in my hand. I feel like I should hold the cocked angle so I don’t lose control and I feel my grip is too loose. At any point,should we tighten the grip and keep the wrist cock in a firm position? To prevent chicken wings, should there be conscious effort to straighten the left arm in the take away or let it go straight on its own with the body turn for a take away? Should I ever consciously cock my wrists. I don’t and I seem to get into trouble because they are too loose.
Your grip should be tightening to 8 out of 10 at you hit the top. When increasing this pressure your wrists still remain loose. If you cannot set this club go way slower to the top so you can be 10% it is set. Once set, you then go the other way. The bones in your wrists should be stopping the club from going back to far. It can only hinge so much.
Linda, this happened to me. It depends on the connection you have. Also, how old is your computer? I upgraded mine to a 1TB hard drive with alot of speed about 3.4 GHz and 8 gigs of memory. It’s the difference between a Ford Fusion and a Corvette.
Another fantastic video. do you recommend the golfswingshirt training aid, this would seem to ingrain the feeling of (or lack of) powerless arms, is it something you feel would tie in to this training method, many thanks
Ciaran
No. Do not use this shirt if you are doing a full swing. This is too restrictive with your arms for a full swing. Not one long driver does a swing with their arms against their sides. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger 2001-2003 never did either. Although this may feel connected you will most certainly lose power doing this type of swing. I tried it so I know from experience.
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21 Responses to “Powerless Arms – Stages”
March 26, 2014
PaulKwonThanks Paul, this is a good summary.
I mentioned before that while I swing fairly well indoors but cannot reproduce it on the field. I can swing relaxed and produce a powerless type swing indoors but once a ball is in front of me especially late in the round it is all stiff arms swing. You just want to make sure you hit the ball and this feeling of late impact with powerless arm is very disconcerting especially when tired. I need a proper trigger to initiate a powerless arms downswing.
It has occurred to me during last nights practice the difference between hitting with the arm and the powerless arm is in the relationship between the left armpit and the left arm at the beginning of the downswing. If there is any movement between the two then its an arms swing. Powerless arm swing is only possible if two stay together until well into impact. I am excited. This could be what I was looking for.
March 27, 2014
Paul WilsonPaul,
Great. Give it a try.
Remember. This is all new stuff. There is no way you are going to good at it right out of the gate. Just swing real easy and work on the new stuff. Forget the ball. If you are trying to change your swing then change your swing. Once you do the ball will be hit better than ever. Keep at it.
March 26, 2014
RichardPaul… I’m suffering! I’ve been great on the range, and downright awful on the course! On the range I am relaxed, I have loose arms and hit great shots. But, once I get on the course, all of a sudden a particular club has to go a particular distance, and, before I know it, I am all tight and hitting terrible shots. Is there any remedy for range/course itis?
March 27, 2014
Paul WilsonRichard,
So when you go to the course you care about where your ball is going, you care about distance and hitting great shots. If you are thinking like this of course it will be a distaster. You have done your old swing way more than the new one. So you if you have the wrong thought you will go right back to the old swing.
Change the thoughts. If you are trying to change your swing then think about the changes. FORGET THE BALL. It means nothing at this point. The focus is actually trying to do something different on the course. I have done tips on this here:
How To Take Your Swing From The Range To The Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/swing-range/
What To Think About When You Play: https://ignitiongolf.com/what-to-think-when-playing/
So focus on the positions. Swing way easier. Forget the ball. If you are trying to change your swing … change your swing.
March 26, 2014
JohnSteenHi Paul,
Powerless arms seems to work when I turn my hips slowly, but as soon I am starting to speed up my hips it seems more difficult to have powerless arms. You have said that it is a ‘requirement’ to start slowly and gradually increase the speed, is that the only way to master this , as far as you know 🙂 ?
John
March 27, 2014
Paul WilsonJohn,
Yes, because right now you equate power with hitting. I equate power with leg drive. If I want to hit it 300+ I drive ONLY my legs harder. So keep doing it slowly until you are good at it. Then turn it up once notch. Get used to that. Then turn it up 1 more notch and you should be at top speed.
March 26, 2014
Rick g.I’ve found a way of creating those loose arms very quickly.I start swinging the club with it between the forefinger and thumb (as I’ve seen you do) then as it is swinging I transfer this swinging motion to my hands (can’t do this unless the hands / wrists and arms are completely loose). Without stopping, I start swinging it into a full swing, shoulder to shoulder. Then I start using the lower body to start and power this swinging motion. All the while I’m concentrating on the original swinging feel that I started off with. This allows me to feel the loose arms and whipping action immediately no matter how much I was using the ams before. Do you see any flaws in this method?
March 27, 2014
Paul WilsonRick,
If this is loosening the arms then keep doing it. Just make sure you are not getting out of positions. I just think if you are going back and forth you will need to check the swing because any time I see people doing this back and forth motion it gets sloppy. Just be careful.
March 27, 2014
Rick g.Thanks for that reminder. Yes I can feel how that would happen. I know you have a video on positions. What would be the name?
March 27, 2014
Paul WilsonRick,
There isn’t just one tip on positions. If you search SWING TIPS > FULL SWING you will see the various sections of the swing. I teach grip, setup, follow through and backswing. Stick to these areas and everything will be great.
Here are a few good ones:
Uncoil 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/uncoil-follow-up
Uncoil 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/uncoil-follow-up
One Of The Secrets To The Golf Swing: https://ignitiongolf.com/secrets-to-golf-swing/
Hit, Hold and Check: https://ignitiongolf.com/hold-check-follow-through/
Backswing:
Coiling: https://ignitiongolf.com/learn-coil-backswing
Move Head: https://ignitiongolf.com/move-head-back/
3 Ways to Set The Top of the Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-top-3-ways
March 26, 2014
PETERMCMULLENThere are days when I can stand over the ball and feel no tension. I can feel my legs are turned off, and that looseness translates to my whole body. My swing has a tempo, and my shots are so nice. Most days I can not find that feeling. When I address the ball and there is stiffness and tension, the tempo is nowhere to be found. I love the days the lack of tension is just gone and the powerless arms are there. Thanks for the consistent reminders and not trying to micro manage the golf swing.
March 27, 2014
Paul WilsonPeter,
So on the days you feel tension hit your shots 2/3 or three quarters power. You cannot do a full swing and hit a ball this far using your arms. So go down to this level. Tee it up as you hit these shots. Then gradually speed up only the lower body to make it fly farther.
Watch:
DRILL: This Is The Best Drill You Should Be Doing Right Now: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-three-quarter-distance/
March 26, 2014
JuneBiggeWhen I use powerless arms, it it at the top that I lose it. My cocked loose wrist whips back an extra whip and then forward again loosely when I turn my body and the club feels loose in my hand. I feel like I should hold the cocked angle so I don’t lose control and I feel my grip is too loose. At any point,should we tighten the grip and keep the wrist cock in a firm position? To prevent chicken wings, should there be conscious effort to straighten the left arm in the take away or let it go straight on its own with the body turn for a take away? Should I ever consciously cock my wrists. I don’t and I seem to get into trouble because they are too loose.
March 27, 2014
Paul WilsonJune,
Your grip should be tightening to 8 out of 10 at you hit the top. When increasing this pressure your wrists still remain loose. If you cannot set this club go way slower to the top so you can be 10% it is set. Once set, you then go the other way. The bones in your wrists should be stopping the club from going back to far. It can only hinge so much.
Watch:
Tee Drill: https://ignitiongolf.com/secure-top-backswing
Secure Grip Loose Wrists: https://ignitiongolf.com/secure-grip-loose-wrists/
Pause At Top: https://ignitiongolf.com/pause-top-backswing
March 26, 2014
KennthBovaLinda, this happened to me. It depends on the connection you have. Also, how old is your computer? I upgraded mine to a 1TB hard drive with alot of speed about 3.4 GHz and 8 gigs of memory. It’s the difference between a Ford Fusion and a Corvette.
March 26, 2014
TomThanks Paul! Another great video
March 27, 2014
Paul WilsonTom,
Glad you liked it. Thanks for the feedback.
March 4, 2015
CiaranKeadyAnother fantastic video. do you recommend the golfswingshirt training aid, this would seem to ingrain the feeling of (or lack of) powerless arms, is it something you feel would tie in to this training method, many thanks
Ciaran
March 5, 2015
Paul WilsonCiaran,
No. Do not use this shirt if you are doing a full swing. This is too restrictive with your arms for a full swing. Not one long driver does a swing with their arms against their sides. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger 2001-2003 never did either. Although this may feel connected you will most certainly lose power doing this type of swing. I tried it so I know from experience.
June 17, 2017
StianOttersenHi Paul. Is it ok to use this as a swing thought: feel the clubhead heavy and letting it go wherever it wants to go?
June 19, 2017
Paul WilsonStian this is what I think so yes it is okay. I see the club as mass not a club. So letting it go is you not disturbing the mass.