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Hands and Arms must be dead

"THIS TIP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE" on Tilt (on YouTube) and the Keep Your Arms straight because your right arm will fold automatically (YouTube)-- on the first aforementioned video, Tom said that his hands and arms are dead. I was struggling with the 2.8 videos over 18 holes yesterday because my arms were tense. But when my hands and arms are dead on both the back swing and down swing and I begin with the hip contact is crispy and shots much farther. Plus, I can do the flying wedge!

18 comments

18 Comments

Dan

Aug 10, 2021

Hi guys, was just wondering if there was a direct link for the 'dead arms' video on YouTube. I've had a look but can't see anything on there.

Definitely someone who uses arms/hands way too much.

Thanks in advance!

Tom Saguto

Aug 10, 2021

Replying to

@Dan - Here is the Tilt video from the YT channel. "Dead Arms" is perhaps this "Gorilla Glue" episode.

You can try doing 2.8 or Flying Wedge using the Tee Drill from the S&T book described below. Just tell yourself that the arms are going along for a ride and let the Chapter 2 body motions drive them. As I probably said somewhere in this thread and elsewhere for sure, "give up control to gain control!"

Dan

Aug 10, 2021

Replying to

Many Thanks Tom!

ihmpadre

May 31, 2021

If my arms are not dead, especially on the downswing, there will not be a release and rehinge. IN fact, re-hinging the club was like a foreign language to me until I watched Tom do it. Alas, with the rehinge with a firm grip but loose wrists, and the finish, I outgrew my basement. Even with a wedge, I can hit the ceiling and pipes with a follow-though and rehinge.

Tom Saguto

May 31, 2021

Replying to

@ihmpadre - Sounds like it's all coming together quite nicely for you with those dead hands!!

FYI, I take no responsibility for property damage resulting from proper execution of my golf lessons.....🤣

Keep up the great work!!

Tom

tfpatriot

May 31, 2021

Tom,

I noticed your hands in the backswing are "flat" and there is no cupping of the hands. As I swing back my trail arm/hand is cupped . Is this a grip problem ? The only way I can't seem to eliminate this issue

TimG

Tom Saguto

May 31, 2021

Replying to

@tfpatriot - A good grip paired with a properly executed backswing should - without any active manipulations - put your lead wrist in a flat position at the top. With the grip correctly in the fingers of your trail hand, that wrist should be somewhat bent backwards at the top in support of the weight of the club. Again, these are not contrived positions - they ought to occur naturally. So yes - check you grip against the grip lessons in Chapter 1 (you can also search the word "grip" in the SagutoGolf YT channel for more lessons), and then ensure that you are performing the body motions as shown in Chapter 2.

For reference, have a look at the photo below of S&T co-founder Mike Bennett at the top of the backswing.

Tom

daniel.zawadzki

May 23, 2021

This could be the tip I needed to continue my journey with 2.8. I've seen marginal improvements but it's fleeting and frustrating. I know full well that it will take time but as humans we are impatient and want instant results - sadly, that ain't gonna happen with years of swinging the golf club poorly and incorrectly. When I read through this something struck me - I'm still relying on my arms and hands and NOT letting my shoulders/torso/hips to do the work. Unless I read something wrong (in this and one other related post) then I know what I need to do and that involves exercising this: "Hands and Arms must be dead" I didn't quite get it when I first stumbled on this post but after reading through it and finding the related link on YouTube "THIS GOLF TIP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! (The Secret to The Golf Swing)" it all started to click and I think I'm finally getting it. I'm going to put this into practice later today on my practice mat/net and see how it turns out for me...it's going to feel foreign, this I know but it must be done. I hope to be reporting back in a day or two with some positive feedback. :)

Tom Saguto

May 24, 2021

Replying to

This is all about building in the "feels" that work best for you, @daniel.zawadzki. For some it's dead hands and arms, for some it's only hands and arms, for others it's hands/arms/body all together. Yesterday at the PGA Championship I saw all three of these on display among the various players we watched. In other words, as Mr. Palmer would say, "swing your swing!"

Looking forward to your follow-up post!

daniel.zawadzki

Aug 11, 2021

Replying to

I wanted to report back to this with fantastic news but I developed, of all things, "frozen shoulder". Ugh...what a kick in the groin in golf season. So, I'm not able to swing the club properly until this clears - which can take weeks, months, even years...I'm hoping for the former but time will tell. Man, I'm bummed. lol

Tom Saguto

Aug 11, 2021

Replying to

@daniel.zawadzki I'm so sorry to learn about your shoulder situation. I was wondering where you had disappeared to after your very encouraging update a couple of months ago.

I hope you heal well....and quickly!!

Tom

ihmpadre

Apr 26, 2021

To tell you the truth, dead arms is all I am working on right now. I am starting each short practice session with wedge in my basement with dead arms riding on my chest and doing short pitch shots. Then, I do a full swing with the same feeling. That is the only way for me to play consistent for 18 holes on a full course. Tenser arms can work for short par 3's, but that is about it (and that 'aint much!).

Tom Saguto

Apr 27, 2021

Replying to

@ihmpadre - There are many who would benefit from what you're working on. Too much manipulation with the hands and arms going on out there. Give up control to gain control!!

ihmpadre

Mar 31, 2021

I am a student of a couple Masters! One teaches golf! The other, I've dedicated my life. Regarding the reference in my last post about keeping the arms straight in one of Tom's YouTube videos: Obviously the right arm fold happens automatically at the top with straight dead arms/hands after a proper takeaway (hands in, club head out), however COMNG DOWN, I "manually" lower my right shoulder (not a natural consequence of the hip bump for me yet), THEN I do the MAGIC MOVE --a straight right arm coming into impact with a right tilt. Awesome and helps with sequence. IN sum, the bent right arm at the top is straight at impact as per above.

danny Dead hands/arms for me is helped by having the upper arms ride a bit (partially) on top of the chest. It connects them as per Tom and it is easier for me to have them ride along dead during the tilt of the backswing. WHAT ALSO HELPS-- my chipping, pitching and putting feels also have a dead arm feel too, powered by the shoulders. So, everything is mutually reinforcing.

Tom Saguto

Mar 31, 2021

Replying to

@ihmpadre - That "manual" move will become automatic once you lock down a good feel for it. You've definitely got the right concepts per your detailed explanation, and I really like how you're applying them to the other aspects of your game for that "mutually reinforcing" effect!

Tom Saguto

Mar 31, 2021

An epiphany during Holy Week, @ihmpadre!! 😂 Nice self-discovery work (again)!!!

danny

Mar 31, 2021

I think that was the most difficult thing for me to understand. Get the tension out! I'm still working to rid myself of it completely. But you're so right, when you get there, the swing just works and feels effortless with more distance!

Tom Saguto

Mar 31, 2021

Replying to

@danny & @ihmpadre - As I've said at various times, "you gotta give up control to get control." That's what I'm talkin' about!!