Merry Christmas Paul,
You will agree with me that one needs gauges,to measure speed and pressure.
Now,this is the best way of determining speed. Thanks.
Could you please come up with how to easily determine the pressure between the front of the armpits and the upper arms
during the address.
The pressure under the armpits at address is a slight pressure. If you are locking them against your chest too hard you will tighten your arms as you take the club back. So I would say it is about 3 out of 10.
This is a very clever way to rythm THE start of THE backswing,never seen this tip before !I understand you don’t have a single rythm in THE takeaway and backswing :you start slowly ,then increase speed progressively up to THE top .
How do you find THE optimum speed in THE downswing,without “forcing “THE movement and keep a smooth swing ?
The rotational speed of your body should be telling your arms how fast to come down. If you body rotates slowly in life and they are telling your arms how fast to swing how could you not have a smooth swing?
Many instructors say the left wrist (right handed golfer) should be completely flat at the top of the back swing. In my natural back swing my left wrist has a slight cup at the top when I hinge the wrists. . If I concentrate on rolling the left forearm to get the left wrist totally flat, It seems to cause tension. What is your opinion? Is it necessary to have a completely flat left wrist? If so, are there practice exercises to achieve it?
Paul,I said it before ,I repeat it again ,a very astute way to avoid the “manipulaton” of the club face going back and staying in rythm.
Now a question related to the downswing (I believe I touched on this before ).
When I keep the club closer to my body in the downswing,the clubhead speed-measured on the SSR- is noticeably higher than when the downswing is “rounder”,with the arms a wee bit further from the body.
This is probably due to a better connection between upper arms and body.
But to do so ,I have to stand more erect in performing the swing ,which is unnatural for me .
What do you advise to do?
I like a taller set up. Taller means you can turn more circlular or coil and uncoil better. If it is allowing you to generate more clubhead speed why would you not want to do it no matter how bad it feels.
When you are swinging during a round, what are you looking at during the backswing and the first half of the downswing? Are you just focusing on the ball the whole time or do you look at something else? It seems like when I look at the ball the whole time, I have a hard time not using a hit the ball instinct vs swinging through the ball.
There were times when I was working on parts of my swing where I picked out a dimple etc. but once I got what I was working on I stopped this fixation.
Thanks, Paul for clarifying the correct wrist position at the top. I guess I missed those videos. Makes me feel better because that is my natural position in the back swing.
You would work on these things are separate times. You do realize you don’t have to work on everything I post on the site all at once right? Every tip I do goes into the archive. You pick an area of your game and work on that. Then go to another area and so on. If you are working on everything you will most likely not master anything. So take it one step at a time.
This was a watershed tip for me. I’ve been yanking it back too fast for 55 years and never could control it. This tip (and the other takeaway tips) finally got me to institutionalize a slow, smooth takeaway. Easy to practice at home without a club whenever I have a few seconds. As you teach, doing one thing well (particularly one’s first move) positively influences the remainder of the swing. I focus on a slow, one-piece turn getting my hands high and out (curing my seemingly incurable flat swing). In turn, the slow backswing automatically cured my lack of separation. Now separation occurs naturally as I move from Point A by turning my belt buckle to the target and touch the knees and head at Point B.
Further, instead of being tense at address anticipating a quick yank away, I am very calm and have a moment to (using a QB term) run through my setup progressions making sure everything is properly set. My first time out I was getting 10-15 plus yards (up to 240) on my drives despite very cold weather and was much more consistent and accurate with all of my clubs. And it is coming swinging easy and relaxed. What a feeling I’ve been missing all these decades!
I now realize that this hurried backswing had also spread to my putting and chipping. They will benefit as well.
I feel like I’ve got one more gear but want to keep going slow until I really have this nailed down. I hope next year at this time I’m reporting 250 yard drives and consistent scores in the 70s.
Merry Christmas Paul! I hope you got a couple of well-deserved days off to relax a bit.
I absolutely can’t wait for the 2019 golf season and staying plugged in with Ignition Golf!
Sounds like you are now on track. You were taking it back too fast which activated the arms. Now you know keep it slower to keep the arms out. 70’s will happen.
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.
31 Responses to “Watch Grooves Going Back”
December 25, 2013
mikeplummerGreat tip Paul! Thanks and have a Merry Christmas!
Mike
December 26, 2013
Paul WilsonMike,
Thanks Merry Christmas to you too.
December 25, 2013
GeorgeNordhaugThanks for the great tips! Have a Merry Christmas!
December 26, 2013
Paul WilsonGeorge,
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you too.
December 25, 2013
Raoul BintnerVery clever ! And a good reminder for cleaning the clubs !
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Raoul
December 26, 2013
Paul WilsonRaoul,
I never thought of that. Good idea. Merry Christmas to you too.
December 26, 2013
ERIABBERAMerry Christmas Paul,
You will agree with me that one needs gauges,to measure speed and pressure.
Now,this is the best way of determining speed. Thanks.
Could you please come up with how to easily determine the pressure between the front of the armpits and the upper arms
during the address.
December 26, 2013
Paul WilsonEriab,
Glad you liked it thanks.
The pressure under the armpits at address is a slight pressure. If you are locking them against your chest too hard you will tighten your arms as you take the club back. So I would say it is about 3 out of 10.
December 30, 2013
RaymondCHASTELThis is a very clever way to rythm THE start of THE backswing,never seen this tip before !I understand you don’t have a single rythm in THE takeaway and backswing :you start slowly ,then increase speed progressively up to THE top .
How do you find THE optimum speed in THE downswing,without “forcing “THE movement and keep a smooth swing ?
December 31, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
The rotational speed of your body should be telling your arms how fast to come down. If you body rotates slowly in life and they are telling your arms how fast to swing how could you not have a smooth swing?
January 10, 2014
LenKoblenzHi Paul,
Whenever I want to slow things down, relax and have a smooth swing I think “Freddie Couples.” Maybe I should think “Freddie” more often.
Len
January 10, 2014
Paul WilsonLen,
You should think Freddie all the time. This is a great image. So is Ernie Els.
January 17, 2015
BruceMacEwenHi Paul it’s working but I need to focus on keeping my head behind the ball. Do you have a tip on that?
Thx
—mac
January 18, 2015
Paul WilsonMac,
He head behind the ball is vital so definitely work on it right away:
Body Tilt: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-body-tilt/
Impact Head Behind Ball: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-head/
Cures – Manually Tilt To Stop Pulling: https://ignitiongolf.com/manually-tilt-cure-pull/
Stop Fat Shots When Working On Moving Your Head: https://ignitiongolf.com/fat-shots-moving-your-head/
October 10, 2015
PeterEspositoMany instructors say the left wrist (right handed golfer) should be completely flat at the top of the back swing. In my natural back swing my left wrist has a slight cup at the top when I hinge the wrists. . If I concentrate on rolling the left forearm to get the left wrist totally flat, It seems to cause tension. What is your opinion? Is it necessary to have a completely flat left wrist? If so, are there practice exercises to achieve it?
October 11, 2015
Paul WilsonPeter,
You want the lead wrist slightly bend. This is relative to a 2 knuckle grip position. I did a tip on it here:
Cupped or Flat: https://ignitiongolf.com/top-backswing-cupped-flat/
This may help too:
Top of Backswing Square: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-square-at-top/
Never keep this wrist flat at the top. The only way you can do this is to manipulate the face or have a 1 knuckle grip position.
October 10, 2015
RaymondCHASTELPaul,I said it before ,I repeat it again ,a very astute way to avoid the “manipulaton” of the club face going back and staying in rythm.
Now a question related to the downswing (I believe I touched on this before ).
When I keep the club closer to my body in the downswing,the clubhead speed-measured on the SSR- is noticeably higher than when the downswing is “rounder”,with the arms a wee bit further from the body.
This is probably due to a better connection between upper arms and body.
But to do so ,I have to stand more erect in performing the swing ,which is unnatural for me .
What do you advise to do?
October 11, 2015
Paul WilsonRaymond,
I like a taller set up. Taller means you can turn more circlular or coil and uncoil better. If it is allowing you to generate more clubhead speed why would you not want to do it no matter how bad it feels.
A New Way To Get The Taller Setup: https://ignitiongolf.com/new-way-taller-setup/
October 10, 2015
MichaelForsythHi Paul,
When you are swinging during a round, what are you looking at during the backswing and the first half of the downswing? Are you just focusing on the ball the whole time or do you look at something else? It seems like when I look at the ball the whole time, I have a hard time not using a hit the ball instinct vs swinging through the ball.
Mike
October 11, 2015
Paul WilsonMichael,
I am not fixated on the ball. I see the ball as part of the landscape. I did a tip on it here.
What To Look At: https://ignitiongolf.com/looking-at-golf-ball
There were times when I was working on parts of my swing where I picked out a dimple etc. but once I got what I was working on I stopped this fixation.
October 12, 2015
MichaelForsythThanks Paul! The video link was exactly what I was looking for.
October 11, 2015
PeterEspositoThanks, Paul for clarifying the correct wrist position at the top. I guess I missed those videos. Makes me feel better because that is my natural position in the back swing.
Peter
October 12, 2015
Paul WilsonPeter,
So many people have probably wrecked their golf swings trying to keep this wrist flat. Amazing.
April 8, 2017
SusanEcclesGreat tip. Thank you. But how do you also watch the back of the ball as per yr tip the other day at the same time Sue
April 9, 2017
Paul WilsonSusan,
You would work on these things are separate times. You do realize you don’t have to work on everything I post on the site all at once right? Every tip I do goes into the archive. You pick an area of your game and work on that. Then go to another area and so on. If you are working on everything you will most likely not master anything. So take it one step at a time.
April 8, 2017
AllenMacLeanGreat tip but too many “OK’s”!
April 9, 2017
Paul WilsonAllen,
I say it how I say it. You try doing it off the top of your head.
December 25, 2018
MichaelBarrettPaul,
This was a watershed tip for me. I’ve been yanking it back too fast for 55 years and never could control it. This tip (and the other takeaway tips) finally got me to institutionalize a slow, smooth takeaway. Easy to practice at home without a club whenever I have a few seconds. As you teach, doing one thing well (particularly one’s first move) positively influences the remainder of the swing. I focus on a slow, one-piece turn getting my hands high and out (curing my seemingly incurable flat swing). In turn, the slow backswing automatically cured my lack of separation. Now separation occurs naturally as I move from Point A by turning my belt buckle to the target and touch the knees and head at Point B.
Further, instead of being tense at address anticipating a quick yank away, I am very calm and have a moment to (using a QB term) run through my setup progressions making sure everything is properly set. My first time out I was getting 10-15 plus yards (up to 240) on my drives despite very cold weather and was much more consistent and accurate with all of my clubs. And it is coming swinging easy and relaxed. What a feeling I’ve been missing all these decades!
I now realize that this hurried backswing had also spread to my putting and chipping. They will benefit as well.
I feel like I’ve got one more gear but want to keep going slow until I really have this nailed down. I hope next year at this time I’m reporting 250 yard drives and consistent scores in the 70s.
Merry Christmas Paul! I hope you got a couple of well-deserved days off to relax a bit.
I absolutely can’t wait for the 2019 golf season and staying plugged in with Ignition Golf!
Mike
December 26, 2018
Paul WilsonMike,
Sounds like you are now on track. You were taking it back too fast which activated the arms. Now you know keep it slower to keep the arms out. 70’s will happen.
July 9, 2019
MarkOverbyPaul do you drag the club back on the ground? on slowmo driver swing it looked like it stayed on the ground the first 6-10 inches
July 14, 2019
Paul WilsonMark,
It will definitely brush the grass going back.