Hi - I am brand new but became interested after hearing about Tom on Golf Smarter podcasts. In my limited time I have had in using the techniques I have learned here, I am hitting MUCH better shots. So thank you, Tom. Question - and I apologize if this is posted somewhere on your site. I am trying to find a smoother way to build clubhead speed at the bottom of the swing. Like many golfers, I have too much speed at the top of the backswing, which is a waste of effort. Thanks in advance.
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Thank you Tom. I will follow your advice and provide some feedback accordingly.
Welcome to the school and to this great members forum community, @Al Colcer!!
If you are maxing out your clubhead speed prior to impact and throwing away your distance potential as a result, then it's somewhat likely that you are either too steep or you have early extension (aka "casting"). The Downswing section of Fixing Common Swing Problems includes diagnostic videos for both issues, as well as drills specific to resolving them. Taking some video of your swing from both perspectives - down the line and face-on - should help with your assessing the cause. You can also post the videos in the forum's Video Analysis Room for your fellow members to offer their thoughts, or submit to me for a V1 Analysis (more on the latter below).
Having said that, I'd like to offer you some preliminary advice to help you get off to a good start on your journey to the Land of Ball Striking Bliss:
1) Regardless of a member's skill level, this swing necessitates a complete reboot for someone transitioning from a shift & lift swing (which is typically the case), and therefore it is imperative that one take sufficient time to ensure that the fundamental components are mastered. From the ground up there is nothing superfluous in the Stack & Tilt swing - in other words, everything with a purpose, and a purpose for everything. (For example, contrary to shift & lift where you may be taught to keep your trail foot perpendicular to the target line as a means of "creating resistance" in your trail side, in S&T we flare both feet out 10-20 degrees in order to facilitate a free flowing, inclined hip and shoulder turn.) I cannot emphasize this enough, as frustrations predominantly occur when students jump ahead in the curriculum without properly dedicating themselves to the foundational base upon which our consistently repeatable, powerful, low maintenance swing must be built. Chapter 1 of the Golf Swing Simplified program (GSS) and Part I of Get Out & Go Play (GOGP) both address this.
2a) GSS: One of the many great things about this swing is that you can achieve solid ball striking even at the most basic levels. This is why I oftentimes will suggest that students park themselves on Chapter 2 of the GSS course for an extended period of time after locking down Chapter 1's foundational elements. Chapter 2 reinforces the body motions and the weight-forward component, and it culminates with what I call "The Best Golf Swing Practice Drill of All Time". Work yourself sequentially and gradually through the chapter, and then commit yourself to that drill in Lesson 2.8. Learn it. Practice it. Master it. You can even use this partially abbreviated swing on the course and play quite well with it as it will provide plenty of distance. (It actually is the full swing minus just a couple of power accumulators.) Once you've got that down, you will be well prepared to move forward in the curriculum and well on your way towards taking ownership of YOUR swing!
2b) GOGP: This quick-start program is exactly as it sounds - it is designed to fast-track you out onto the course so you can have fun - and success - playing as you learn! Should you choose this path, everything in #1 above still applies, and as implied above in 2a you will still want to work through it sequentially and gradually, mastering each lesson before moving ahead to the next one. In this program, Drill #5 - The Flying Wedge is the one you'll want to park yourself on and nail down.
3) Also, as you progress always keep in mind the V1 Swing Video Analysis service, an effective and inexpensive service that I highly recommend to everyone in the school. I liken it to bringing your swing into the shop for a tune-up or minor repair. Scheduling one on a quarterly basis for preventive maintenance will do wonders for keeping things humming along nicely, and it's also a great tool for pinpointing and resolving any issues that arise. The process involves downloading the free V1 app and then submitting two videos to me through the app - one down-the-line (captured from your stance line, not the target line) and the other face-on. You'll find more information about the V1 Analysis halfway down this page on the Saguto.Golf site.
I look forward to hearing from you regularly in the Forum and to assisting you in building a consistent, low maintenance, powerful, body-friendly swing that will bring your enjoyment of this great game to a new level!
TS