I’ve decided to start learning how to play golf and I want to stick with Tom’s method because it makes sense to me.
I’m videoing myself each time I go out to swing. If anyone feels like giving any sagutoesque advice on what they see in this video, I’d appreciate it.
I still look and feel very stiff,unathletic, and clumsy. Hopefully that will change over time.
thanks in advance.
@Jim Huck Welcome to the journey. You found the right path. Tom's school will take you down the trail to crispy golf shots. I expect Tom will reply soon with some info he provides to new members. I have a few suggestions below.
Google "how to video a golf swing". Its important to capture the swing from the correct camera placement, both face on, and down the line. Basically for face on you want the camera to be directly across the target line from your sternum at about hands high. For a down the line shot, the camera should be hands high and lined up with your hands, not looking straight down the ball to target line. You may need to invest a couple of bucks on a tripod for your phone.
Working with what you posted, I have a few comments. Your lower body is too static. Probably why you feel very stiff. Tom has videos in the school courses and on youtube that address the lower body motions. It's all about the knees! Basically you have to bend the forward knee more as you straighten the trail knee in the back swing. The key is to move the bottom of your tail bone TOWARD the target, not away from the target. This keeps the weight (center of gravity) moving toward the target. Moving your weight away from the target is swaying off the ball and dooms your swing by introducing a requirement to time the strike with a move back to your forward leg. I'm guessing you don't have the time or inclination to hit a 1000 balls a day to perfect that timing.
Assuming you have your trail foot flared out about 20 degrees or so, when you straighten the trail knee you will push your trail hip around and behind you. This turns the hips, which turns the torso, which turns the shoulders. This provides about 50% of the required shoulder turn. The rest of the shoulder turn is then continued by the torso turning further. Because of the facet joints in the spine, you can't turn the spine more than about 40 degrees. So to get a 90 degree shoulder turn you have to get the hips turned. Once the facet joints stop the torso, you can get about 20 more degrees of shoulder turn due to the stretching of the shoulder and back muscles. You only need about 90 degrees of shoulder turn to get the club back parallel to the target line.
I think you have a good lead shoulder lowering and your hands appear to be getting in far enough. The wrists don't appear to be hinging, though. So check your grip first. Tom has a video in the school for getting the proper grip on the club. It does appear that your trail elbow is going back away from the target line. Try to keep the right arm connected to the torso a little longer to force your right arm to rotate externally instead of swinging back away from the target line.
That's enough for now based on this video. Post a down the line shot next time to give us a different view. I'm sure there will be others who have some pointers, also.
Good luck on your journey.
@Jim Huck - Is there any way you can embed the video in your post by clicking the video camera button? It'll make it a lot easier for your fellow members if they can see it here rather than having to download it. Also, in the future please post these in the Video Analysis Room section of the Forum.
Thanks!
TS