It's been about 3 weeks since I started with S&T and I "think" I've made progress but need some outside opinions (I'll include a few screenshots in the post). I've watched - and re-watched - the chapter videos and clips of my swing so many times that I'm getting a bit overwhelmed. I really need to find a range with grass as all my practice thus far has been hitting from mats. I'm also reading the S&T book now too.
I did my first V1 analysis with @Tom Saguto on 6/15 and he made several helpful suggestions:
Setup related changes: with the exception of greater hip bend toward the ball (could likely use a bit more), I "think" I've largely incorporated Tom's suggestions and am at least moving in the right direction. I could perhaps get my elbows closer together but anything more than what I'm currently doing is uncomfortable and creates a lot of tension;
2. Left arm more connected to chest: again, I think I'm doing this but need a 2nd opinion. This screenshot was taken just before I start to lift my arms which I continue to do no matter how many times I tell myself I won't. The proof is in the video and it always disappoints.
3. Setup / Stay against the wall: I think I'm mostly doing this. The first screenshot I posted looks like I'm heavily leading with my left shoulder but I think that might be partially due to camera POV. I do seem to keep my weight moving toward the wall throughout the swing as shown in this shot.
4. LIFTING THE ARMS!!!: this is what's preventing me from venturing further. I can see that's it's too high and causing an overly steep downswing.
I worry that that lift is caused by something which I think I'm doing right, but am not. Should I be focusing on something else and it will fall into place? Do I just need more time with the 90% drill? I'm open to any and all suggestions. I'm adding @GolfLivesMatter as an earlier comment from him encouraged me to post about this.
Thanks for reading!
James
@danny Thanks! You're right about the shoulder. I'm mindful of it and always make a point of pushing out the hip but still seem to end up top heavy. I'll continue to work on that for sure.
The detached trail arm (and lifting in general) continues to be my biggest obstacle. Also, @thomas.linehan is 100% correct about me not keeping my left arm across the chest (it's also one of the main suggestions @Tom Saguto gave me after my first V1 analysis so major points to Thomas). I THOUGHT I was doing it so, if nothing else, I now know it needs a lot more work. The feeling is so unlike my old swing that I'm having a really hard time adjusting to a FULL rotation. Familiar refrain here, I know. My old swing just will not go gently into that good night...yet.
Thanks again for the help!
James
Hi @James Flood ,
Here are few things I'm noticing.
At Address you're doing the same thing I started doing. Your shoulders are ahead of your knees. So, you're not stacked. In getting the weight forward you need to keep your shoulders over your knees and move just your hips forwards.
In the position I see at your address, I'm willing to bet your weight ends up more on your trail leg at the finish.
Also the trail elbow is really detached from the side of your chest. Gotta keep that thinks glued. It will probably help get the hands where they belong.
Danny
@desmondmoss and @thomas.linehan : thanks again for your responses. Now it's clear to me that I'm not getting the left arm sufficiently across the body. I needed some outside perspective and you guys provided it. I also see why I was confused. My vids and pics were deceptive to my untrained eyes and it kind of looked like I was close. I was just watching one of Tom's YouTube clips about two students' progression and he explained how golfer #2's swing was deceptive in that it looked good positionally but the left arms was disconnected . https://youtu.be/i08DZRbbRdk (comment at roughly 7:30).
I think that's where I'm at so my plan is to stay in Chapter 2 for a bit longer. I'm not as far along as I hoped but that's to be expected.
Thanks again.
Looks great at address. My only suggestion is to make swings with a head cover in your right armpit.
Thanks @thomas.linehan ! That's exactly the kind of response I was looking for. While I think I'm getting my left arm across the chest enough (and perhaps I am in the beginning) I should be more mindful of KEEPING it there throughout the backswing. I'll check out that new video you mentioned. Thanks again.
One more thing he explained in the new video is turning your forearms up. I found that turning the right forearm up makes it stay closer to my side.
Your club is way too high, because you are not bringing your left arm across your chest. Left shoulder shoulder should have more turn. I'm guessing because you have not brought your left arm across, instead you brought the club up. I think Tom's new Get out and Play is excellent for explaining the turn and against the wall.