Hitting the ball reasonably well - and pleasantly surprised with my few course outings - but cannot shed the dreaded trail arm chicken wing / lifting in backswing. I REALLY want to get the motion cold so I can move on to more interesting topics. I've gone back to the beginning more times than I can count. I've watched the "swing fix" videos several times. I've read comments from everyone here. It's all been helpful. I now think I have a pretty good understanding of where I'm failing but can't, for the life of me, break the habit.
I've narrowed things down to, what I believe to be, the main culprit: I'm I not turning my lead shoulder down enough, bringing the club back too low, and then overcompensating with the lift. I know - it's a feeling - and I just have to train myself. Plan on spending a good bit of time with Tom's "club too low" fix section in hopes if sorting it out: https://saguto.golf/courses/1118971/lectures/23973943
@Tom Saguto 's description of the well-intentioned attempt at getting the club around the body but swinging too low (about 1:30 into the vid) appears to be exactly what I'm doing wrong. I don't believe I have roll issues.
I'm posting this because I'd be interested to hear what swing thoughts have helped fellow Saguto golfers break the habit. When I stand over the ball I'm thinking about 3 things: 1. get that shoulder down; 2. hands in; 3. shoulders turn around body. That, of course, is too much and I'm generally only good for 2 out 3 on a given swing.
Based on my results, I don't think I'm TOO far from putting this together. I'm doing a lot correct with my swing: setup appears good, weight stays forward, arms straight throughout, some decent hip turn, etc. Here's a screen shot (slightly off-center) of a SW off the tee just before impact:
I look at that and I see a fairly good result but it took a steep (and unreliable) downswing to get there. Like all of you, I want consistency.
Any and all suggestions welcome!
Thanks for reading,
James
@GolfLivesMatter Been meaning to follow-up with you to get your thoughts on my current progress (I finally have some vids which I'll post in the dedicated thread - recorded in slow-mo).
Year two, it's early in the season so I really want to get a few basics in place.
At present, I've been really focusing on the backswing. I know I have work with the downswing (which I'll describe below) but I want to get a good swing plane back and know how it feels when properly executed. If I can't get that in a good place my swing will always be subject to variance.
From the beginning, I've been fighting lead arm separation from the chest. I think I've improved it a bit since last year but there's plenty of room for improvement. I'm also working on extension and realizing that I just wasn't doing it. It definitely FEELS different when I do it.
Anyway, here's what I think I'm doing right so I'm not putting much effort into "fixing" these items. You could, of course, disabuse me of any or all of this after you've seen the videos I post:
Setup and posture are decent;
Straight arms, pits up;
Weight forward and maintained "against the wall" throughout;
I'm reasonably centered over the ball.
Here's what I'm trying to fix in my backswing:
Lead arm across the chest -too much separation;
Buttons up!;
I think - but am not sure - I have enough tilt;
Extension, of course.
As for the downswing, I'd bet the farm the main missing ingredient is lateral hip movement BEFORE shoulder rotation. Watching my most recent videos, it's obvious that the first movement of my backswing is shoulder rotation. This confirms your observation about my shoulders moving WAY too fast which explains a lot.
Once I get the backswing on a good plane, on to lateral hip movement (and keeping my right leg straighter and quieter as pointed out by Tom in my last v1 with him last year).
I almost forgot: TENSION. I really have to loosen up. A lot.
I appreciate any advice you (or anyone!) might have.
Thanks,
James