Having been one who has “swayed” into the ball for years, seems my preference is “lock the forward leg” as it eliminates the sway and enables a “firm lead side”. Make sense, Paul?
Perfect. It’s actually a slide which is definitely not good. If you know this is what you are doing this is now priority one for you to fix. Use the leg then switch if you need or want to.
Due to my back pain, I tend to slightly lift my front heel in back swing. I like your tip “FEEL THE HEEL” for fat shots. This starts my down swing and then front leg locks. Help reduce pain and hitting fat shots. Any comments? Thanks for great tips!
I would think you are doing a reverse pivot as you go back. You need to move your head into the backswing. This will get you loaded so you can unload/uncoil.
Give that a try and see if in fact you are moving your head. If so and your back hurts you would be hitting it flat footed off the back foot through impact and potentially sliding through impact which would cause you to lean back into the follow through.
So start looking into the cause. Like I said you should not be hurting playing this game. I have helped countless people who were ready to quit due to pain.
I agree. The triggers can work in harmony. I too push hard of right instep and straighten left leg to make sure I don’t SLIDE. Remember to push in a circular way; otherwise, you will slide. The image of the knee turning around a “compass” or “protractor” helps some golfers avoid sliding with that pushing motion.
Hello Paul, I’m narrowing it down to triggers 5 & 6, giving each trigger a 3 week test run if you will, I have notice a lot of instructor on the golf channel and internet talk about keeping your wrist flat and/or bowed and at contact ensuring your hands a turning toward the ground, keeping in mind I am paraphrasing, what are your thoughts, I know we’re trying to turn off the arms, thanks
You do what they say and you will shoot a million. What they don’t seem to realize is just the slightest bit of open and closed to the face and you will hit the ball way off line. The boxing of this wrist is do to the right fundamentals not because you are purposely trying to do this. Just remember that impact is not the widest point of the arc. The widest point doesn’t occur until after the ball is hit. If impact isn’t the widest point why would you care about it?
Paul,
I”m having trouble with locking my lead leg. I seem to hit a lot of THIN shots. Any tips on getting past this. You talked about tilting, but I’m still not always getting down to the ball. Man U R right when you do it correctly WOW just need to get consistent.
Paul, as usual an insightful, valuable explanation of all of the triggers. I am an intense person, and I notice that I become anxious to start the downswing which I generally do too early. I remember reading in Al Geiberger’s book on tempo (and obviously he had a beautiful swing and wonderful tempo) his discussion of downswing anxiety. He believed that when he achieved the correct position in the backswing (shoulders, arms, wrists club, lower body, tension between upper and lower body) that he felt so ready to start the downswing that there was no anxiety whatsoever. However, when he didn’t achieve the correct final backswing position (which he attributed largely to poor alignment), instinctively he knew something was wrong and then became anxious to start the downswing. In this latter case, he said that at best he hit a mediocre shot. Do any of your tips deal with this downswing anxiety? Thanks again for all the great tips and lessons.
I don’t have tips on downswing anxiety. This would be part of hitting with arms though. I also have tips on setting the backswing.
We all go through these issues. I like the setting of the club at the top too. Once I feel my spot I know it is going to be a good shot.
What you need to do is work on the grip to make sure there is no doubt the face is dead square at the top. You also work on fully hinging the club as it gets to the top. Once you have and know that you are doing these things you are then attaching them to your body which is coiling. So once you have the arm unit working your focus switches to coiling and the tight feeling of the coil. This is consistent and you can repeat it. So you start to forget the arms knowing that they will be in a good position if you coil properly. You focus on the coil. Once tight, you know you are at the top which gives you the all clear to uncoil with the lower. So seeing it a little differently might help.
Today at the range, I changed my downswing trigger with “digging my left heel” into the ground. I discovered that helped me a lot to lock the left leg and had the left hip straight over the left foot during the rotation without sliding.
My feeling was to have a solid rotation axis.
And amazingly, the lower body led the upper body. It was like a “click”. I felt my arms became suddenly powerless.
That would be a left leg trigger. I have never heard about that one but if it gets you to do it then keep doing it. I am always open to what works because different people feel different things. I would keep doing it as I sounds like everything is clicking when you do it.
After trying out a few of the triggers over a couple years, I have never really fell in love with one. I still was sliding, not turning in a circle, and felt real uncomfortable when trying the lock the lead leg trigger.
Recently I had a thought pop in my head of trying “turn the back hip to the target” as a trigger. In practice swings it feels like it’s forcing me to make a circular turn. I think this is similar to your trigger thought in your “simple coiling and uncoiling thought” video.
No I do not have a problem with it. This is tied in with the hip trigger. You can use either hip or both. It’s up to you. If one works then keep doing it and get good at it.
Once you get the trigger triggering your swing it becomes a whole new world.
Yes, for most it is. The problem is getting people to really think about loading to the instep. They seem to get distracted when this is one of the most vital positions in the golf swing.
Was out at the range today working on my trigger and had a question. I’ve gotten decently consistent hitting good shots with my 7 iron but when I switched to my 5 iron and driver, my consistency dropped big time. Any idea what might be causing that?
1. Less loft
2. Longer club
3. You trying to hit it harder. Harder you hit, tighter the wrists the more you manipulate the face.
4. You looking up to see if you hit it longer.
5. You doing a different swing. Different swing = different result.
You only have 1 swing. You need to do this swing precisely for all clubs. Sounds like you need more work on the positions. So check your grip, and setup. Then work on my follow through positions first. Mastering them alone should get you hitting it better than you ever have in your life.
Next, watch your ball. Is is a spin problem, direction or contact or any combination of them. Once you know that you can fix your own swing.
When I practiced your triggers the other day, I realized that back knee ahead of ball and back foot triggers are tightly coupled.
What I meant is that when I used back foot trigger to initiate the downswing, I need to use back knee ahead of ball to make a circular motion. Otherwise I potentially will slide my body. Also it is the indicator for me to make sure that my hip turns properly before the club hits the ball.
Yes, you want to find a trigger that makes you turn circular when hitting the golf ball and definitely do not slide. I would also try the locking of the lead leg, this can be a great one to make sure there is no sideways motion.
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.
34 Responses to “Try The Triggers”
July 15, 2018
DanKueblerHaving been one who has “swayed” into the ball for years, seems my preference is “lock the forward leg” as it eliminates the sway and enables a “firm lead side”. Make sense, Paul?
July 15, 2018
MichaelBarrettDan, I’m a long-time hip slider too. Anxious to see Paul’s answer. I also think the lead leg lock is our answer.
July 16, 2018
Paul WilsonMichael,
Yes, you can and should definitely work on the locking of the lead leg to get rid of the slide.
Also, watch these:
Slide: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-slide/
You Better Check This Especially If You Slide: https://ignitiongolf.com/slide-turn-foot-out/
Easy Way To Cure A Slide: https://ignitiongolf.com/easy-way-cure-slide/
July 16, 2018
Paul WilsonDan,
Perfect. It’s actually a slide which is definitely not good. If you know this is what you are doing this is now priority one for you to fix. Use the leg then switch if you need or want to.
July 16, 2018
Paul WilsonDan,
Not sure I you know about these too:
Slide: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-slide/
You Better Check This Especially If You Slide: https://ignitiongolf.com/slide-turn-foot-out/
Easy Way To Cure A Slide: https://ignitiongolf.com/easy-way-cure-slide/
July 15, 2018
SteveAirdHave not done this. Will definitely do this today at the range. I know this will assist my consistency.
Thanks Paul!
July 16, 2018
Paul WilsonSteve,
This is vital. Glad you are going to try it.
July 15, 2018
JosephVargasGreat review, just what I needed, don’t be afraid to repeat things. We forget.
Thanks.
July 15, 2018
STEVENKlineDue to my back pain, I tend to slightly lift my front heel in back swing. I like your tip “FEEL THE HEEL” for fat shots. This starts my down swing and then front leg locks. Help reduce pain and hitting fat shots. Any comments? Thanks for great tips!
July 16, 2018
Paul WilsonSteven,
In no way should be in pain do my swing so you need to watch this tip to find out why you are in pain:
Bad Back: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-bad-golfing/
I would think you are doing a reverse pivot as you go back. You need to move your head into the backswing. This will get you loaded so you can unload/uncoil.
Move Head: https://ignitiongolf.com/move-head-back/
Another Way To Stay Behind It: https://ignitiongolf.com/another-way-to-stay-behind-it/
Watch Back of The Golf Ball: https://ignitiongolf.com/watch-backside-golf-ball/
Give that a try and see if in fact you are moving your head. If so and your back hurts you would be hitting it flat footed off the back foot through impact and potentially sliding through impact which would cause you to lean back into the follow through.
So start looking into the cause. Like I said you should not be hurting playing this game. I have helped countless people who were ready to quit due to pain.
July 15, 2018
Bob RichterI believe I use a combination. I push off the instep, and at what feels like the same time the lead leg straightens and locks
July 16, 2018
pastorjohnbutcherI agree. The triggers can work in harmony. I too push hard of right instep and straighten left leg to make sure I don’t SLIDE. Remember to push in a circular way; otherwise, you will slide. The image of the knee turning around a “compass” or “protractor” helps some golfers avoid sliding with that pushing motion.
July 16, 2018
Paul WilsonBob,
Two triggers are fine too. Glad you are doing them.
July 16, 2018
kennionjohnsonI suspect right instep would be best as it also helps to stabilize the feet too. I rocked onto back foot, this helps
July 16, 2018
Paul WilsonKennion,
Yes, this is a great way to fix and sway.
Watch this one too:
Grip The Grass: https://ignitiongolf.com/grip-the-grass/
July 17, 2018
kennionjohnsonThis may be a eureka moment! Will try this in the evening thrash and report back… Hopefully no more swaying for me
thanks
K
July 16, 2018
GaryDuplockHello Paul, I’m narrowing it down to triggers 5 & 6, giving each trigger a 3 week test run if you will, I have notice a lot of instructor on the golf channel and internet talk about keeping your wrist flat and/or bowed and at contact ensuring your hands a turning toward the ground, keeping in mind I am paraphrasing, what are your thoughts, I know we’re trying to turn off the arms, thanks
July 16, 2018
Paul WilsonGary,
You do what they say and you will shoot a million. What they don’t seem to realize is just the slightest bit of open and closed to the face and you will hit the ball way off line. The boxing of this wrist is do to the right fundamentals not because you are purposely trying to do this. Just remember that impact is not the widest point of the arc. The widest point doesn’t occur until after the ball is hit. If impact isn’t the widest point why would you care about it?
Watch:
Knuckles Down At Impact: https://ignitiongolf.com/knuckles-down-impact/
Watch this too:
Back Wrist at Impact: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-back-wrist/
July 16, 2018
STEPHENKALLBERGPaul,
I”m having trouble with locking my lead leg. I seem to hit a lot of THIN shots. Any tips on getting past this. You talked about tilting, but I’m still not always getting down to the ball. Man U R right when you do it correctly WOW just need to get consistent.
Many thanks for all your help.
Steve Kallberg
July 17, 2018
Paul WilsonStephen,
You are jumping and/or doing it way to hard. Just do it then you can speed it up.
It’s a Turn Not A Jump: https://ignitiongolf.com/turn-not-jump/
It’s Like A Throwing Motion: https://ignitiongolf.com/like-throwing-motion/
If you are still not doing it tee it up. This will give you room for error showing you that you can do it and will get confidence as you do it.
Also,
Watch this:
Topping: Watch for the Blur: https://ignitiongolf.com/watch-for-the-blur/
July 17, 2018
PaulKochanowskiPaul, as usual an insightful, valuable explanation of all of the triggers. I am an intense person, and I notice that I become anxious to start the downswing which I generally do too early. I remember reading in Al Geiberger’s book on tempo (and obviously he had a beautiful swing and wonderful tempo) his discussion of downswing anxiety. He believed that when he achieved the correct position in the backswing (shoulders, arms, wrists club, lower body, tension between upper and lower body) that he felt so ready to start the downswing that there was no anxiety whatsoever. However, when he didn’t achieve the correct final backswing position (which he attributed largely to poor alignment), instinctively he knew something was wrong and then became anxious to start the downswing. In this latter case, he said that at best he hit a mediocre shot. Do any of your tips deal with this downswing anxiety? Thanks again for all the great tips and lessons.
July 18, 2018
Paul WilsonPaul,
I don’t have tips on downswing anxiety. This would be part of hitting with arms though. I also have tips on setting the backswing.
We all go through these issues. I like the setting of the club at the top too. Once I feel my spot I know it is going to be a good shot.
What you need to do is work on the grip to make sure there is no doubt the face is dead square at the top. You also work on fully hinging the club as it gets to the top. Once you have and know that you are doing these things you are then attaching them to your body which is coiling. So once you have the arm unit working your focus switches to coiling and the tight feeling of the coil. This is consistent and you can repeat it. So you start to forget the arms knowing that they will be in a good position if you coil properly. You focus on the coil. Once tight, you know you are at the top which gives you the all clear to uncoil with the lower. So seeing it a little differently might help.
Watch:
The Importance of Setting the Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/importance-setting-backswing/
Pros Know Its A Tight Coil: https://ignitiongolf.com/pros-know-tight-coil/
Simple Coiling and Uncoiling Thought: https://ignitiongolf.com/simple-coiling-uncoiling-thought/
Think Simple: https://ignitiongolf.com/think-simple/
Hope this helps.
July 18, 2018
JohnCarlockLoved the tip and going to the range to try them out. Note: #6 on video, touch is spelled tough.
July 18, 2018
Paul WilsonJohn,
Thanks for the heads up. Will get fit in the near future. Yes, try them and decide on which one you will be using … forever.
August 5, 2018
Frederic DeyrieuxPaul,
Today at the range, I changed my downswing trigger with “digging my left heel” into the ground. I discovered that helped me a lot to lock the left leg and had the left hip straight over the left foot during the rotation without sliding.
My feeling was to have a solid rotation axis.
And amazingly, the lower body led the upper body. It was like a “click”. I felt my arms became suddenly powerless.
Is my trigger in accordance with your teaching?
Thank for your help.
August 6, 2018
Paul WilsonFrederic,
That would be a left leg trigger. I have never heard about that one but if it gets you to do it then keep doing it. I am always open to what works because different people feel different things. I would keep doing it as I sounds like everything is clicking when you do it.
March 27, 2019
DerekCourtsPaul,
After trying out a few of the triggers over a couple years, I have never really fell in love with one. I still was sliding, not turning in a circle, and felt real uncomfortable when trying the lock the lead leg trigger.
Recently I had a thought pop in my head of trying “turn the back hip to the target” as a trigger. In practice swings it feels like it’s forcing me to make a circular turn. I think this is similar to your trigger thought in your “simple coiling and uncoiling thought” video.
Do you see any issues with this trigger?
Thanks!
March 31, 2019
Paul WilsonDerek,
No I do not have a problem with it. This is tied in with the hip trigger. You can use either hip or both. It’s up to you. If one works then keep doing it and get good at it.
Once you get the trigger triggering your swing it becomes a whole new world.
March 31, 2019
JosephVargasIf you keep your weight on the inner aspect of your rt. foot and don’t go to lateral aspect, the “trigger” is automatic.
April 4, 2019
Paul WilsonJoseph,
Yes, for most it is. The problem is getting people to really think about loading to the instep. They seem to get distracted when this is one of the most vital positions in the golf swing.
April 20, 2019
DerekCourtsHi Pail,
Was out at the range today working on my trigger and had a question. I’ve gotten decently consistent hitting good shots with my 7 iron but when I switched to my 5 iron and driver, my consistency dropped big time. Any idea what might be causing that?
Thanks!
Derek
April 22, 2019
Paul WilsonDerek,
Numerous things:
1. Less loft
2. Longer club
3. You trying to hit it harder. Harder you hit, tighter the wrists the more you manipulate the face.
4. You looking up to see if you hit it longer.
5. You doing a different swing. Different swing = different result.
You only have 1 swing. You need to do this swing precisely for all clubs. Sounds like you need more work on the positions. So check your grip, and setup. Then work on my follow through positions first. Mastering them alone should get you hitting it better than you ever have in your life.
Next, watch your ball. Is is a spin problem, direction or contact or any combination of them. Once you know that you can fix your own swing.
Here are the tips to do that:
How to Cure the Direction: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-direction/
How to Cure the Spin: https://ignitiongolf.com/fix-spin-problems/
How to Cure the Contact: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-contact/
How to Cure Spin and Direction Problems: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-spin-direction-problems/
Here are the pocket drills when you play:
Pocket Drill 1 – Spin: https://ignitiongolf.com/pocket-drill-1-spin/
Pocket Drill 2 – Direction: https://ignitiongolf.com/pocket-drill-2-direction/
Here are the positions that you are going to do every day precisely in practice swings and even if you go to hit balls:
https://ignitiongolf.com/start-here/
Focus on building a great swing. A great swing hits great shots.
September 11, 2021
LennyPaul,
When I practiced your triggers the other day, I realized that back knee ahead of ball and back foot triggers are tightly coupled.
What I meant is that when I used back foot trigger to initiate the downswing, I need to use back knee ahead of ball to make a circular motion. Otherwise I potentially will slide my body. Also it is the indicator for me to make sure that my hip turns properly before the club hits the ball.
Does this make sense to you?
Thanks,
September 24, 2021
Paul WilsonYes, you want to find a trigger that makes you turn circular when hitting the golf ball and definitely do not slide. I would also try the locking of the lead leg, this can be a great one to make sure there is no sideways motion.