My journey with Tom's teaching method has been extraordinary over the past 10 months. I put in the time practicing the drills and building my swing in a structured manner, and my practice time on the range has decreased dramatically. This allows me to spend 70% of my practice time on 25 yards in, which has talked 4 strokes off my handicap. I was a 12 when I enrolled in the program and am now a 5 moving quickly to a 4.
My 'bad' shot now is a pull or over-draw with irons, causing me to miss the green. Even keeping my right shoulder down and in on my downswing didn't always result in the ideal soft draw. On the range last night I focused on something I heard Tom mention in a video, which was the feeling of really tilting to the right on the downswing, feeling like you are 'crunching' the right side. That simple tip was the cure. For the next 20 minutes, I hit perfect soft draws with every iron and hybrid, and the swing feels much more comfortable.
@Tom Saguto Awesome video! I can actually visualize Hogan's top of BS position with my driver, and that allows me to start and complete the downswing (automatically) in a way I haven't been able to do for seemingly ever!! Along with the "Hogan Arms" video, I have really turned the corner! Thank you!!
This might help others with thin shots and over-draws/hooks.
I have found that if I do not immediately rotate my lead shoulder down to the ball on the takeaway, I find my weight drifts to the right during my takeaway. It doesn't take much...even an inch or so of lead shoulder "drift" to the right puts weight on my trail foot and thus my low point moves to the right of the ball. Don't buy into the "low and slow" takeaway mantra because it's too easy to move the shoulders to the right vs. rotating the lead shoulder down, and that's the move for the "shift and lift" swing.
I suggest for folks to try this. Get into address position, then move your lead shoulder along a line (not immediately down) for about an inch or so, then STOP right there and check your weight distribution. I guarantee you'll be on your right foot, and the starting point of 55/45, lead-trail weight distribution will reverse to 45/55 lead-trail, or worse. The movement is very subtle but you'll feel the difference because when the lead shoulder rotates down the weight will be on the inside of the trail heel.
Good to hear from you, @mpandichjr, and thanks for the awesome progress report! Great job self-correcting your ball flight. Seems to me that you've really taken ownership of your swing and this system!
Hey @GolfLivesMatter - our resident short game junkie - what do you think of Mr. Pandich's validation of what you've been shouting from the rooftops?? 😎