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Head moving towards target

So I was trying to hit a proper backswing position from a down the line view and think this is pretty close. This is the extension that kept my head stable in the up/dow direction.

But, I noticed when I attempt to recreate this in the front view, my head is moving towards the target. It seems like it’s still staying okay up/down though. I assume this means I’m tilting too much or not extending enough, but wouldn’t both of those corrections cause me to come up too much?

3 comments

3 Comments

Sagar Patel

Mar 02, 2022

Thanks Tom! I definitely have been doing the wall exercise and will continue. Love the second approach to get the feel! The right amount of extension really does feel like I'm standing up in my swing. I'm realizing how crucial videoing the swing is. Feel vs. Real!

Tom Saguto

Mar 02, 2022

Replying to

@Sagar Patel - It feels like you are standing up because - as far as your spine is concerned - you are! See the excerpt below from the S&T book. Of course the combination of the TT&E motions keeps you oriented towards the ball and therefore it won't look like you are standing, but this is what the spine does.

Tom Saguto

Mar 01, 2022

Looking good down the line, @Sagar Patel! The forward head movement is typically a result of a deficiency in the extension component. Even if you've already been through it, lesson 2.3 is probably worth reviewing as extension can sometimes be a tricky concept to grasp.

To summarize, if you were to only tilt and turn, your head would move down and towards the target. Extending the spine as you tilt and turn keeps your head - and thus your swing center - in place. Based on this, oftentimes it's easier to explain extension by reverse-engineering. In other words, we take care of the effect by putting our head against a wall or other stable object and keeping it in place while tilting and turning - as shown in lesson video 2.3c. In doing so you should notice the sensation of your spine straightening - or extending - in order to enable your head to remain steady. Then try to recreate the movements without the assistance of an external support, using a mirror or video to confirm that your head is not moving "outside the box" established at address.

Another way is to first get into your setup posture. From there if you were to just tilt and turn, again your head will move down and toward the target. So instead try this and compare/contrast the feel:

1) Get into your setup posture

2) Stand up straight (extend)

3) While standing erect tilt your upper body towards the target while keeping your hips in place.

4) Now that you are extended and tilted, turn your upper body as you would in your backswing, keeping your weight forward while allowing your hips to turn 45 degrees and your trail leg to straighten.

There you have your backswing - tilted, turned, and extended!!