Tailbone to target

Yes - @James Flood - Extension tends to be the element that is most commonly overlooked, probably because it's difficult for many to comprehend that the spine actually extends to a straightened condition during the backswing. It took many swing reviews - plus even noticing a slight extension deficiency in my own swing - to finally say to myself, "gee - perhaps I ought to provide a bit more detail on this..." Anyway, I'm glad the updated lesson resonated well with you and I'm happy to know that yesterday's KFC Club episode was helpful as well!

Keep battling those old swing demons!! You WILL win!!!

@Tom Saguto just want to echo @rjroll 's appreciation for the extension video. I think the concept deserved a bit more attention and I'm glad you rolled it into chapter 2. I was treating extension as an afterthought and sort of assumed I was doing it - I wasn't. I haven't been playing or practicing much lately (for various reasons) but am looking forward to giving it some work at my next practice session.

One thing I've realized is that I have a lot more work to do on the movement (I have the setup and other elements mostly under control). The more I mess with my "hybrid" swing the worse it seems to be getting - but that's ok.

I recall in one of your intro videos you describe a guy who was about to quit until he realized he just wasn't doing the movement. That's where I'm at (minus the quitting). I know I'm not getting that left shoulder down enough and it's a tough habit to break. As RJ noted, the "buttons up" thought is a good one and it sort of proved to me that I simply wasn't doing it. Now, just need some good focused practice.

Lastly, I really enjoyed your most recent KFC "mindset" video. Narrowing down swing thoughts has been a priority for me.

Thanks again,

James

Hi Tom, thank you for providing and suggesting the Extension lesson. I watched it yesterday and began to really focus on the "buttons up" thought on the backswing. That really helps.

I thought I read or heard something you said about being careful not to place too much weight on the left side too quickly with the T to T move. Can you elaborate on that more? Thanks!

@rjroll - What you are conveying is exactly what this move is designed to do, and powerful, crispy compression is the result if properly executed! As for keeping the head in place, that is certainly a common issue when learning this swing and working on combining the motions. While your videos will show me what I need to know in this regard, I can say that oftentimes the head movement is a result of insufficient extension during the backswing. I did just update the extension lesson in Chapter 2 to provide more detail on this critical component. Perhaps that may offer some insight.

Well done and well said!!

Tom

@ Jari Hissa, I've been really focusing on this move over the last few weeks. One of my key findings in trying to employ this move is for me to really focus on feeling the weight transfer to my left foot as I swing the back door (trail side hip)open so to speak, and then concentrate on maintaining that weight on my lead foot. I find when I can keep the weight that I've created on my lead foot I can have great results. I am at the point now where I can feel if it's done incorrectly with the weight transfer.

The other nice benefit is that this move provides the feeling of my hands getting up and inside at the top for a powerful strike at the ball. Keeping the head in position is still a challenge for me doing this.

Tom, I will be sending in a couple videos doing this for your analysis soon before I get to sidetracked. I will say though this is making a huge difference in ball compression.

@jon - The simple answer is that the head does not move until after impact when the body "releases" into the finish. In other words, if you were to draw a circle around your head at address, it should remain in that circle and unaffected by the tilting, turning, extending motions or any lower body action. If the head moves then so does our swing center and low point, and crispy KFC compression becomes an occasional chance outcome as opposed to a consistent result.

Let me know if this doesn't answer your question.

Thanks,

Tom

@Jari Hissa i see what you mean about thinking maybe the T2T is excessive. That’s what I thought when I first saw the photo. But what do i know?! Lol.

@Tom is the goal to have the tailbone toward the target so much that it doesn’t sit in line with the head? More so that the tailbone moves left while the head stays in place more centered?.....

Or is the head supposed to travel towards the target as well So that it is in line with tailbone? (Basically touching more of the green like pictures above) I hope I’m conveying properly what I’m trying to ask

Okay - If you think your contraption is sufficiently accurate then I suggest you work on getting your numbers closer to the prescribed range. Try to get to where you are 50/50 prior to bumping the hips ever so slightly forward - about an inch - at setup, and also make sure that your upper torso does not bump forward with the hips. That little nudge should give you ~55/45 in the narrower stance used for short or mid irons, and around 60/40 in the wider stance for longer clubs.

Hi Jari,

Please understand that I must do my best to refrain from engaging in personal swing analyses here in the forum - whether it be video or still photo sequences - as it conflicts with the V1 services I offer. However, this does not preclude other members from commenting on such uploads (at your own risk...).

Having said that, you say correctly in your post that moving the tailbone towards the target during the backswing can definitely preset your lower body action in the downswing. If you look face-on in a mirror you should notice that if you execute the "T2T" motion properly the lead hip will have moved several inches towards the target by the time you reach the top, and even though you might then feel pure rotation to initiate the downswing the hip will still bump forward another inch or two on autopilot!

T2T does indeed create a very powerful condition at the top. However, you should still take care to ensure that you are not getting too much weight forward too soon. As a general rule you start with your weight forward (55/45 for the short and mid irons; up to 60/40 for the longer clubs), gradually add more forward weight to the top (70/30), 80/20 halfway down, 90/10 impact, and 95/5 finish. So while T2T will definitely allow you to feel the pressure build up into you lead leg, if you get much more weight forward at the top than prescribed, then subsequent compensatory moves can occur during the downswing that may adversely affect the outcome.

I hope this explanation helps. Based on your comment I think you are on a good track here!

Tom