I had a good day of working out at the range yesterday, just getting used to the new and improved address position that I’m changing from last year and earlier this year.
The changes involve a more parallel line with my feet to the target line, making sure my shoulder line is square with the target line instead of open, and straightening my posture to a more upright one while still bending at the hips.
These changes are all designed to eliminate the over-the-top club path that my swing has always had to some degree, but which I am now determined to lose completely before I begin playing golf regularly again.
Address Stance – 7i Down the Line
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All of which changes you can see in the comparison of yesterday’s address with a 7i to last year’s address with the same club.
The changes certainly are doing more than making my club path less steep on the down swing. I was hitting draws with all clubs while just working on the address, and I mean from 9 iron to the Driver. I usually aim left of the target and expect to have the ball work back to the right.
Yesterday I had to reverse this, aiming for slightly right of the target and watching the ball work to the left.
I have two clips from yesterday showing the swing changes viewed down the line.
7 Iron – Down the Line
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Driver – Down the Line
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I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made in my changes thus far, but now that I’ve made the commitment to completely rebuild my swing and remove my idiosyncrasies to the extent that I am able to (to maximize consistency and therefore turn a “power swing” into a golf swing for scoring), I am not satisfied.
The work continues, but I like what I’m seeing with my ball flight after the first couple of practice sessions.
Looks like you are also standing closer to the ball, I noticed recently that I’ve been standing too far from the ball, and have had to change that. Standing too far from the ball can also cause your arms to be too stiff which results in an out-to-in path.
That was one of my causes for sure, Seb. If you go back to the old Austin analogy of the swing circle being a Ferris Wheel and not a Merry Go-Round, you want the swing circle (think of a hula hoop) to be more vertical than horizontal.
It will of course be a diagonally vertical, not completely vertical circle, but by standing more erect from the hips and letting my arms hang down more vertically, I change my swing circle to one more vertical.
And of course, that brings you closer to the ball as a result, or if you look at it the other way, standing closer to the ball allows the swing circle to become more vertical.
I have a little ways to go, but by changing my view on the extent of reach to the ball, I am now opening other avenues of opportunity to perfect my swing motion.
I read a good way to tell correct distance from the ball, after soling the club on the ground with both hands on the grip, let your right arm go limp and let go of the club, it should obviously move sideways but it shouldn’t move forwards or backwards. If it moves forwards you are too close, if it moves backwards you are too far.
Something I have also noticed is that at the top and just as you transition the back of your left wrist cups instead of bows. I don’t know really if there is anything to be made of that, as Jack Nicklaus mentions in his book he hit his best shots with his wrist in that very position, and yet Mike Austin had a decided bow in his wrist during transition..
Things are all over the place right now because of the changes I’m making, so I’m not focusing too much on anything little thing, just looking at the big picture. I imagine that things will settle down as I get into a more mechanically-sound address position, and certain things will naturally clear themselves up.
Even looking at this clip from Friday, I can see a few things that will change when I get back to the range tomorrow (where I think David D. will be joining me again for another chat).
The exciting thing about all of this is that it’s given me fresh enjoyment in working out the swing components, where I’ve been kind of stale for the last year or so, knowing that things weren’t perfect but not knowing exactly what direction to take to make the changes.
Fun times!
Nicklaus liked the baby fade which is achievable with a slight cup. Hogan played the push fade which is done through the super cup and slightly weaker grip. It’s ideal to have a flat or slightly bowed wrist in order to hit the straightest shots (like most of us have eluded to before including BT down below). We’ve all seen Dj’s flat wrist position before, so we know he can get there. I’ll just take note later when he posts newer videos. Although it may feel like a smaller piece of the picture, that wrist position is critical Dj, and even when working on something new, it would be wise to notice where that wrist is, otherwise progress could be hindered.
Eyup fellas!
It’s an instinctive thing for me, the right distance from the ball. Never paid much attention to it. Maybe its about listening/feeling your body and also your surroundings. A bit like the closed stance thing with open hips and shoulders. Wherever your feet are placed your hips and shoulders will be too, if not there’ll be some twisting going on for sure. Try walking in a straight line with your shoulders open, a bit cockeyed or what!
I think the co-ordination gets lost more for golfers once the swing begins.
Although I rarely play/practice golf these days when I do I always keep it simple.
I’ve never been one for analysing, tinkering, but if it makes you happy. The mind is where it all is, that’s your greatest club when playing the greatest game
I can walk a straight line with my shoulders open. I don’t get where you’re coming from, Indy…….
So can I, but I don’t because it’s not natural and comfortable.
When you stand up everything is in line, ahead on…feet, hips, shoulders or it is with me!
BOW IN THE WRIST at transition, Seb! I know that is something we want in this swing. If you get a cup then you are pulling too much and not throwing. DJ, standing closer like you are now…..I see more leverage in your future.
BT, I think you’re right on the money.
The thing that has worked against me the whole time of this “project” is that I was always pretty long, which makes it difficult to determine whether it’s your technical proficiency driving that ball, or just that you can naturally hammer it.
I hit a 330 yard drive into a light breeze my first year taking lessons, using my instructor’s new titanium driver (which he demanded back after that episode
), on a 550 yard par-5 hole, and reached the green in two hitting a 5-iron. That same summer, I drove through a 325 yard par-4 with a 3-wood – that was back in ’97, ten years before I’d ever heard of Mike Austin, and with a swing that would likely make me pass out if I saw it on video.
For me the challenge has always been to figure out what I’m doing that is correct and what is incorrect but still producing power.
The MCS principles are from Austin and my own athletic experience, and I know they work, based on the feedback from the videos I’ve made – what I need now is to take my swing apart, and re-build it with only the MCS principles at play – that will, I’m sure, produce results I’m still only dreaming about producing for myself.
But at least I’m excited again!
Yup that’s true enough about the bow in this method of swinging, I was reflecting on whether it was a killer and essential given that the greatest player of all time (arguably) said he hit decent shots with a very slight cup (best were with a flat wrist), and said that he couldn’t control the ball at all if his wrist was bowed.
I’m guessing that Hogan couldn’t control his hooking because he was turning his hips too much and had a bowed wrist at transition prior to changing it to a cupped position, once he said he changed it to a cupped position he found he couldn’t hook it.
DJ
Can’t help but think, the answers lie on the golf course, not at the driving range.
Ah, Stephen, the answers to which questions, is the ultimate question.
The answers to my questions won’t be found on the course until I start asking different questions. I tried the “work it out on the course” method already, and all I got then was the answer “You’re not going to find it out here…”
The question I originally began with was, “What kind of swing will give me the straightest, longest ball with the most consistency? What is the best swing, technically, that I can build?”
That can’t be found on the course. It was never about how to score on a golf course, I had already played well enough to break 80 without even working on my short game, and it wasn’t scoring that stumped me, it was finding a swing that was technically correct.
Moe Norman and Ben Hogan found their answers in the dirt on the practice range. I can’t argue with their own method.
Just like learning how to shoot proper free-throws is not found in the heat of the game – it’s found in the practice gym, with hours of mind-numbing repetition, until you’ve got it – then, you can take it to the game court.
Not the best analogy, but one that explains my philosophy.
I think there are two types of swing, driving range and golf course. Pros, scratch players are able to take their DR swing to the course but club golfers seem to struggle.
Obviously playing golf to banging balls on the range is completely different. On the course you just have one ball to hit, find and score.
Again it’s a mind game and more so the stronger your game becomes. It’s like life, what your mind is thinking comes out in your actions. Unfortunately technique seems to overpower golf these days, even in the pro game. It is definately needed when you are a beginner and progressing, but should soften as you learn the feel.
I admire the likes of DJ who work very hard at their technique, trying to simplify it, so it becomes repeatable on the course, in the heat of the moment.
But there is so much to learn when playing this game and it’s not always about technique or the score. So many different lies, weather conditions, diverse elements, playing partners, frame of mind. Things you won’t find on the range.
To me it’s an adventure, striking a ball, finding it and striking it again. You live it, love it, no matter what. Don’t be too concerned on the result, enjoy the experience, enjoy the challenges and let your own free flowing inner swing go.
Oh…and don’t forget a beer or three
“To me it’s an adventure, striking a ball, finding it and striking it again. You live it, love it, no matter what. Don’t be too concerned on the result, enjoy the experience, enjoy the challenges and let your own free flowing inner swing go.”
Couldn’t have put it better my self Indy….. although playing golf in just your underpants may be taking the adventure a bit too far.
(where’s those bloody smiley face thingys when you want one)
Aye you’re probably reet Stephen
But as I said the course was deserted, the weather had frightened everyone away.
After a couple of holes I was a drowned rat! My clothes were impeding my swing as well as making me a wee bit chilly. So I thought bollocks! Off with everything barring the undies and man what a feeling I felt. Not just in the freedom but I guess you could say being at one with nature. Played some great golf as well along with a few nips from my hip flask kept me in fine spirits.