Hi Paul-great tip . I have the same problem as your students in the previous tip-late hip rotation . Despite moving my hips faster the problem remains .I note even at half pace you are in sinc. Would I be better practicing at 50%.
Everyone is better practicing at half speed. This allows you to drain the energy from the arms. Then you speed it up only with more leg drive. Try it for a while and see what happens.
I did this the other day, after my first four holes saw everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Just eased up all parts of my swing. What happened? Much better contact, and as far as I can usually hit, even had my three metal hit farther by almost ten yards. Finished my practice round happier and less tired. Almost end of season here and I think I’ll play the rest of the season at 50%. Why not? It’s more fun . Thanks much!
Yes, the first few holes you were not good at it. Then you got used to it. Now try it for the next few rounds and it should settle in. Once you are used to it speed up the body rotation for more power.
I’m just making a comment – I’m not arguing. And I’ve been implementing this tip.
Harvey Pennick in his little book says that swinging easy conditions the player to always swing easy. So it’s good to get used to swinging “hard.” He may mean get used to a quick rotation. He doesn’t explain it very clearly. Neither did Ben Hogan in his book. I think that confuses people.
On the other hand, Nick Faldo repeatedly says you should never swing more than 80% at the very most – your distance will always be as good or better.
The key remains conditioning the swing – and your thinking – so that the arms “whip” the club and don’t “hit” with it like a baseball bat: to “strike solidly” instead of “hit hard.”
If anyone ever watches Adam Scott’s golf swing in person, he looks like he’s slowly loosening up. In fact it’s a full swing. His ball rockets out there quite far and accurately.
Great tip, great teaching; Paul Wilson makes us all better.
I want people to swing at 50% when transitioning the new swing from the range to the course. Why go out there and swing as hard as you can when you are not good it. This makes no sense. Swinging easier allow the not only the arms to loosen but for the person to at least attempt the changes on the course. In this transitional period if the person swings too hard trying to hit their best shots they will go right back to their old swing that does not work.
This is exactly my problem but I can’t seem to shake it.
I want this video embedded into my head!
BTW, being a beginner I don’t know what go up a club or down a club means. If I’m slowing down to 50% using a 7-iron should I go to a six iron?
Yes, if you were to hit a 7 normally you would go with a 6 instead.
You need to tell yourself on every shot to swing at 50%. At your level you are equating swinging hard with distance. Plus, swinging hard feels powerful. So I come along and say I want you to swing easy and it doesn’t equate. You need to convince yourself that you will be using physics to hit the ball not strength. This will give you even more power when done right.
Thank you for this excellent tip including your comments regarding the left hip or cheek at impact! I was wondering what you concentrate on (mechanic wise) before you yourself swing? I realize you think about unwinding your lower body to start the swing, but just turning the lower body wildly in total disregard for everything else you’ve developed I assume can not only be counter productive but disastrous as well. Anything to add about timing or proper sequential movement?
As I set up I am trying to relax. Then I switch to coiling my shoulders. For me I have recently been working on increasing my shoulder turn to 90+ degrees. This is very tough for me but when I do it I hit it huge. Once coil I fire from the instep to my touch the legs position. I also try to let the club swing undisturbed through impact. In other words, I just let it swing wherever it wants to swing. I feel the clubhead and let it go trying to not hit, help or wiggle it in any way. Can’t go wrong with the though of coiling and uncoiling.
Paul, what a great tip. This has always been my struggle. When I slow down and loosen the arms, I absolutely crush the ball because I hit it squarely. When I swing with my arms, I push everything to the right. Slowing down also allows me to rotate my wrists through impact. My game has improved so much thanks to your tips.
Glad you liked it. I love hearing it. Posting tips and not hearing from people make me wonder sometimes if people are doing it. As you and others have said. it works amazingly well to slow down. I hope everyone is reading this.
Hi Paul
Great tip. It helps to improve my shot. But I am not able to drive my legs harder. You seem to make it look so simple in your video but I am struggling use my legs to power my swing.
This is without a doubt the best tip on Ignition Golf. I have been around this game for 55 years and never had another pro tell me this. When I do 50 percent, I coil correctly and hit your finish positions perfectly 100 percent of the time. I make perfectly solid contact nearly always and the ball just rockets. I feel guilty it is so easy and effortless. Whenever I try to dial it up, I’m all over the place and can’t even tell if I’m doing the positions correctly.
“50 percent”is the only thought I need to take to the course. The rest just falls into place.
Yes, this is a good one. Everyone should be doing that to slow down. Then they should be speeding up the legs and hips for more power. NEVER hitting harder with the arms.
I hit the ball so small better with 50% but when I recorded my swing I noticed I am flat footed at impact. Even though I’m hitting the ball better hitting slowly I feel I am using my arms to hit the ball.
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22 Responses to “Swinging At 50 Percent”
October 11, 2016
IanCarolineHi Paul-great tip . I have the same problem as your students in the previous tip-late hip rotation . Despite moving my hips faster the problem remains .I note even at half pace you are in sinc. Would I be better practicing at 50%.
October 12, 2016
Paul WilsonIan,
Everyone is better practicing at half speed. This allows you to drain the energy from the arms. Then you speed it up only with more leg drive. Try it for a while and see what happens.
October 11, 2016
paulwitkowskiI did go out in the late afternoon and you are so right , I smiled the whole 18 holes. Thankyou
October 12, 2016
Paul WilsonPaul,
Exactly. Glad you tried it and see what I am saying. Get good at this then speed up your legs and hips for more power.
October 11, 2016
DukeDowneyA very timely tip, rally helped.
October 12, 2016
Paul WilsonDuke,
Glad you liked it. Thanks.
October 11, 2016
DanielAmishI did this the other day, after my first four holes saw everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Just eased up all parts of my swing. What happened? Much better contact, and as far as I can usually hit, even had my three metal hit farther by almost ten yards. Finished my practice round happier and less tired. Almost end of season here and I think I’ll play the rest of the season at 50%. Why not? It’s more fun . Thanks much!
October 12, 2016
Paul WilsonDan,
Yes, the first few holes you were not good at it. Then you got used to it. Now try it for the next few rounds and it should settle in. Once you are used to it speed up the body rotation for more power.
October 12, 2016
AnthonyGuidiceI’m just making a comment – I’m not arguing. And I’ve been implementing this tip.
Harvey Pennick in his little book says that swinging easy conditions the player to always swing easy. So it’s good to get used to swinging “hard.” He may mean get used to a quick rotation. He doesn’t explain it very clearly. Neither did Ben Hogan in his book. I think that confuses people.
On the other hand, Nick Faldo repeatedly says you should never swing more than 80% at the very most – your distance will always be as good or better.
The key remains conditioning the swing – and your thinking – so that the arms “whip” the club and don’t “hit” with it like a baseball bat: to “strike solidly” instead of “hit hard.”
If anyone ever watches Adam Scott’s golf swing in person, he looks like he’s slowly loosening up. In fact it’s a full swing. His ball rockets out there quite far and accurately.
Great tip, great teaching; Paul Wilson makes us all better.
October 12, 2016
Paul WilsonAnothony,
I want people to swing at 50% when transitioning the new swing from the range to the course. Why go out there and swing as hard as you can when you are not good it. This makes no sense. Swinging easier allow the not only the arms to loosen but for the person to at least attempt the changes on the course. In this transitional period if the person swings too hard trying to hit their best shots they will go right back to their old swing that does not work.
October 12, 2016
JohnBensonThis is exactly my problem but I can’t seem to shake it.
I want this video embedded into my head!
BTW, being a beginner I don’t know what go up a club or down a club means. If I’m slowing down to 50% using a 7-iron should I go to a six iron?
October 12, 2016
Paul WilsonJohn,
John,
Yes, if you were to hit a 7 normally you would go with a 6 instead.
You need to tell yourself on every shot to swing at 50%. At your level you are equating swinging hard with distance. Plus, swinging hard feels powerful. So I come along and say I want you to swing easy and it doesn’t equate. You need to convince yourself that you will be using physics to hit the ball not strength. This will give you even more power when done right.
Here are a few tips that may explain it:
Confidence Breeds Distance: https://ignitiongolf.com/confidence-breeds-distance/
Understanding Power In The Swing: https://ignitiongolf.com/line-figure-skaters/
How To Hit It 250 or Longer: https://ignitiongolf.com/how-to-hit-it-250/
2 Power Sources In Your Swing: https://ignitiongolf.com/2-power-sources/
October 12, 2016
TomThank you for this excellent tip including your comments regarding the left hip or cheek at impact! I was wondering what you concentrate on (mechanic wise) before you yourself swing? I realize you think about unwinding your lower body to start the swing, but just turning the lower body wildly in total disregard for everything else you’ve developed I assume can not only be counter productive but disastrous as well. Anything to add about timing or proper sequential movement?
Just wondering. Inquiring minds want to know.
Tom White
October 12, 2016
Paul WilsonTom,
Glad you like it. Thanks.
As I set up I am trying to relax. Then I switch to coiling my shoulders. For me I have recently been working on increasing my shoulder turn to 90+ degrees. This is very tough for me but when I do it I hit it huge. Once coil I fire from the instep to my touch the legs position. I also try to let the club swing undisturbed through impact. In other words, I just let it swing wherever it wants to swing. I feel the clubhead and let it go trying to not hit, help or wiggle it in any way. Can’t go wrong with the though of coiling and uncoiling.
October 12, 2016
JamesWardenPaul, what a great tip. This has always been my struggle. When I slow down and loosen the arms, I absolutely crush the ball because I hit it squarely. When I swing with my arms, I push everything to the right. Slowing down also allows me to rotate my wrists through impact. My game has improved so much thanks to your tips.
James
Dayton, OH
October 13, 2016
Paul WilsonJames,
Glad you liked it. I love hearing it. Posting tips and not hearing from people make me wonder sometimes if people are doing it. As you and others have said. it works amazingly well to slow down. I hope everyone is reading this.
Keep up the good work.
October 17, 2016
VenuKoosuriHi Paul
Great tip. It helps to improve my shot. But I am not able to drive my legs harder. You seem to make it look so simple in your video but I am struggling use my legs to power my swing.
Any suggestions
Venu
October 18, 2016
Paul WilsonVenu,
You need to be working on this every night. Literally thousands of repetitions getting used to going harder and faster.
These are the drills you need to be doing:
DRILL: My Favorite Drill – Variation 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/favorite-drill-variation-2/
DRILL: Swing Off Ground Variation: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-variation-favorite-drill/
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/
July 24, 2019
MichaelBarrettPaul,
This is without a doubt the best tip on Ignition Golf. I have been around this game for 55 years and never had another pro tell me this. When I do 50 percent, I coil correctly and hit your finish positions perfectly 100 percent of the time. I make perfectly solid contact nearly always and the ball just rockets. I feel guilty it is so easy and effortless. Whenever I try to dial it up, I’m all over the place and can’t even tell if I’m doing the positions correctly.
“50 percent”is the only thought I need to take to the course. The rest just falls into place.
Thanks much!!!!!
Mike
August 7, 2019
Paul WilsonMike,
Yes, this is a good one. Everyone should be doing that to slow down. Then they should be speeding up the legs and hips for more power. NEVER hitting harder with the arms.
August 20, 2019
ChrisWhitbreadI hit the ball so small better with 50% but when I recorded my swing I noticed I am flat footed at impact. Even though I’m hitting the ball better hitting slowly I feel I am using my arms to hit the ball.
August 22, 2019
Paul WilsonChris,
Are you doing nightly practice swings at home doing these drills:
Up In The Air Drills – Speed: https://ignitiongolf.com/air-drills-speed/
Up In The Air Drills – Body Tilt: https://ignitiongolf.com/air-drills-body-tilt/
Up In The Air Drills – Separation: https://ignitiongolf.com/air-drills-separation/
Up In The Air Drills – Clubhead Release: https://ignitiongolf.com/air-drills-release/
You need to get good at using the body. This means you have to do it nightly for a while. Just do it in practice swings. So much easier this way.