Just had a lesson

[MGB]

I had what I consider to be my first real golf lesson in the ten years I've played this game. My handicap is 8.6 but I struggle with inconsistency. I was looking to minimize or eliminate my bad ball striking days. I expected to learn a little bit more about my swing and have the ultimate goal of getting my index down to a 5 so I can participate in the national amateur. I was stunned by how much I took away.

The pro, a good buddy of mine, saw my tendency to sway during the downswing and pointed it out to me on his laptop. He made some refinements to my position at the top and my left knee (he got me to kick it in at the top). He then gave me a drill to help me re-educate my muscles. He had me go to the top of my backswing, then bring my hands down to about my hips, without moving anything else, twice before finally hitting the ball. He said I should do the drill at home to help speed muscle memory along. Two repetitions of the drill followed by a normal swing.

I played yesterday for the first time in a week and a half. The ball striking was just amazing, so consistent and accurate. Distance is equal or better with seemingly less effort. The swing still feels wierd, but was very consistent and the dispersal area of my approach shots to the green is much tighter. Plus, I can now move the ball from right to left, on demand, which make for some very interesting possibilities.

Funny how we spend so much on equipment and so little learning how to use it properly. I'm stoked! And what he's charging me should be easy to get back from my flight mates this weekend. :cool:

[bruinduke]

Mike,

that's an interesting concept. Can you go over that drill in more detail? My coach is trying to get me to kick in my right leg more as I clear my hips in the downswing. Bringing your hands to your hips without moving anything else...was that for the feel or do you feel you're now dropping your hands into the slot with the feeling of clearing the hips afterwards?

[Guest]

Interesting drill indeed. I would assume, as bruinduke indicates, that it's to program the feeling of dropping into the slot on the downswing. I would be curious to know what the correct position is supposed to be when you pump - should the right elbow touch the side hip or just a little forward of that. This point is very important to program since the right elbow is key to position at impact. Let us know MGB.

[MGB]

You're both right. Remember, he gave me this drill to correct my swaying and to re-train my muscles in this area.

The drop of the hands helps me feel my hands droppng into the slot, keeping my legs quiet prevents me from swaying to my left side. Once my right elbow connects with my right hip, the movement of the lower body can't hurt the swing and helps square the clubface.

So, in answer to your question, the right elbow is just ahead of the right hip before the lower body clears to let the arms through. Kicking the left knee in gives me a feel of 'footwork' in the swing (very appropriate as an ex-tennis player) and starts the sequence correctly.

[bruinduke]

Thanks Mike. I am going to give that drill a try as I think it's a piece that can connect what I am working at.

I played tennis much more in the past as well. In fact I think it creeps into my swing at the wrong time. I still haven't gotten out of resisting my torso turn against my base. Still I would trade anything to be able to step on the first tee with the same confidence that I had stepping onto the courts.

[Breal]

Nice drill, keep up the good work. Good luck on your Game.

[MGB]

Since the initial lesson, I've been doing the drill twice a day for a few minutes. I didn't play for a week just to let my muscles acclimate to the new swing. I now have four games with this new swing and although I'm still thinking about it, I must say the results are impressive.

I'm much more accurate than before. My greens in regulation are up (although I can't furnish you with statistics). I seem to have many more birdie putts every round. My problem area is the driver, but if I wasn't so intent on killing it, my accuracy probably would be better. But this will change. Everytime I play, I seem to concern myself less with the swing and more with the target.

I think that in another week or so, this swing should feel like my own. Then watch out guys!! :-)

[Guest]

So you basically make a backswing, then without moving anything at all, you pump your right elbow down to your hip twice, and then swing?

[MGB]

So you basically make a backswing, then without moving anything at all, you pump your right elbow down to your hip twice, and then swing?

Correct. He gave me a variation on the drill, too. I make a full backswing, then without moving anything at all, bring my arms down to almost full impact position behind the ball twice, then swing.

This really helped me focus on minimizing my hyperactive leg movement.

[Guest]

My error is getting too long on the backswing...result of wanting to crunch the ball... :surprize: This drill would help - gonna try it - 10 mins. a day?

[MGB]

My error is getting too long on the backswing...result of wanting to crunch the ball... :surprize:   This drill would help - gonna try it - 10 mins. a day?

Didier,

He also had me tighten up my backswing a bit. At the top, if viewed face on, you should be able to see both of your hands on the right side of your head (for right handers). He said if you want to hit it hard, accelerate the club through the impact zone after the right elbow connects with the right hip.

Ten minutes a day is plenty. I do 5 in the morning when I get up and another 5 or so in the evening when I wind down. Two reps of the drill then a full swing and repeat.

Hope it works as well for you as it is for me.

Mike

[Guest]

Cool, thanks. I'll give it a try.

[MGB]

I'm a bit over a month into this swing change and there are very positive signs that I did the right thing.

To help the drill set, I didn't play for a week and a half and I practiced the drill everyday, twice a day. The swing felt weird when I finally did play, but I did notice that I hit straighter shots and I picked up a bit of additional distance along the way. I also noticed that I'm less sore after a session at the range or after a game. I've equaled my low 9 hole gross score (1 over)on one of the courses at the club, but have yet to hold it together for the entire 18.

I like the results a lot. I hope you have similar success with your games.

[MGB]

Just want to update ya'll on my progress. The new move down finally feels like my own. I've become familiar with my tendencies with it, too.

I just played a team tournament at a beautiful mountain course. Very picturesque and of moderate difficulty 128 slope 71.6 course ratings. Hadn't played there in 5 of 6 years and was pretty much playing the course blind. I shot 74 gross on my 8.5 index. My best tournament round ever. I felt like I left maybe four strokes out there on wasted birdie chances. Golf felt easy for minute there!

If you haven't tried this drill, you might give it a whirl. It's worked wonders for me!

[hue]

  He then gave me a drill to help me re-educate my muscles. He had me go to the top of my backswing, then bring my hands down to about my hips, without moving anything else, twice before finally hitting the ball. He said I should do the drill at home to help speed muscle memory along. Two repetitions of the drill followed by a normal swing.

 :

It is called the Pump drill

http://www.golfbetterproductions.com/drill...l.asp?drillID=6