Using the chest to swing.

[goobers80]

Do any instructors teach this ?

 

For me personally , i likes to really use my chest to move the swings. Once i gets to the top of the swings , i *lead* with the chest opening up , arms follow the chest , hands follow the arms , clubhead follows the hands. That was basically how i was taught ands swing.

 

I see a lots on here abouts lower body moving *first* , etc. I know for me if my hips spin faster thans my chest , i gets stuck on my back foot. Playable misses , but nothing real great. I was just curious if anybody ever teaches this *feel.* I can swing as hard as my chest can open ands my instructors theory is that the chest moves xx mph , the arms move faster , the hands faster thans the arms , etc.

 

The intent is good because if my hips spin too quickly , the chest still is opening. Impacts are towards the toes , but flights are okay.

 

I just ask because all the talks abouts lower body *leadings.* No idea what is leadings my swings nor do i care to try ands swing *pretty* , but i know what i attempt to lead it with. I am nots really into feel vs. real stuffs , since i really am *leading* with chest , whether it looks likes it or nots.

[parmark]

You are correct that this could be a good feel. Two weekends ago golf channel broadcast was on the range, and they caught up with Padrig Harrington, he missed the cut but was on the range nonetheless working on his game. I wish I could find that clip somewhere on line - he made mention that he was working on keeping his chest on top of the ball longer, and not opening up so quickly. I was hitting in my garage later in the day and gave this a try and really liked how more powerful this felt. Can't wait for this snow to leave us so I can get out and swing for real! But you are onto something here. Good luck with this. Always enjoy your observations and input.

[hotsauce26]

The 'feel' of lower body moving first could be an overcompensation for a downswing that starts with the arms/wrists/hands instead of everything moving together ala your feel of the connection of your arms and hands to your chest. Someone who has problems keeping their hands and arms from outracing their swing on the downswing, might try and feel the lower body move first and end up better connecting their arms/hands to the rest of their body.

Personally I'll feel one thing when I swing, take a video, and find out it doesn't look anything at all like what I'm expecting. Or if I'm working on a swing change I'll really try and feel the change, but when I actually swing and check the video, it looks exactly the same as before. By trying to overdo a feel, one might end up at an optimal middle ground and have progress, instead of spinning one's wheels. Kind of like shooting for the stars, but ending up on the moon.

[Paul E]

[quote name='goobers80' timestamp='1394848788' post='8874747']
[color=#800080]For me personally , i likes to really use my chest to move the swings. Once i gets to the top of the swings , i *lead* with the chest opening up , arms follow the chest , hands follow the arms , clubhead follows the hands. That was basically how i was taught ands swing. [/color]

[color=#800080]I see a lots on here abouts lower body moving *first* , etc. I know for me if my hips spin faster thans my chest , i gets stuck on my back foot. Playable misses , but nothing real great. I was just curious if anybody ever teaches this *feel.* I can swing as hard as my chest can open ands my instructors theory is that the chest moves xx mph , the arms move faster , the hands faster thans the arms , etc.[/color]

[color=#800080]The intent is good because if my hips spin too quickly , the chest still is opening. Impacts are towards the toes , but flights are okay.[/color]

[color=#800080]I just ask because all the talks abouts lower body *leadings.* No idea what is leadings my swings nor do i care to try ands swing *pretty* , but i know what i attempt to lead it with. I am nots really into feel vs. real stuffs , since i really am *leading* with chest , whether it looks likes it or nots.[/color]
[/quote]

I understand what you're saying. And I think you're describing the modern swing...a swing that is upper body dominated. Just do this drill, a practice swing, no ball. Take a full swing, half speed or less and keep your lower body from waist down absolutely still like in cement, not a bit of movement, feet locked down and flat.

This is how you view your swing based on your post. But of course, you don't swing like this. Your lower body works correctly by moving first, down first and forward. You may have fast hips and worried about spinning out and getting stuck and that's why you need to focus on upper body. So your instruction is spot on. Don't change a thing.

It's like if you and me were looking at the same sunset and I said, Hey, Sammy, check out those reds and oranges in the sky and you replied, 'I only see blue and purple.' It's just a different take on the same thing. All that matters is your take.

[crapula]

It makes sense that if the hips move faster than the shoulders you get stuck. The radius of the hips is less than the radius of the shoulders, so the speed of the shoulders has to be faster than the speed of the hips in order for the center of each to be turning at the same speed.

[goobers80]

[quote]I understand what you're saying. And I think you're describing the modern swing...a swing that is upper body dominated. Just do this drill, a practice swing, no ball. Take a full swing, half speed or less and keep your lower body from waist down absolutely still like in cement, not a bit of movement, feet locked down and flat. [/quote]

[color=#800080]I actually feels my lower body moving. If i were to *lead* with the hips , my upper body is so far behinds i must pull hards left to even makes any contacts. Leading with the chest , i feel the arms go second , the hands third , thens it is contact times.[/color]

[color=#800080]I thoughts the *modern* swing was abouts leading with the lower body , tilts , angles , ands elbow stuffs ?[/color]


[quote name='hotsauce26' timestamp='1394850845' post='8875017']
The 'feel' of lower body moving first could be an overcompensation for a downswing that starts with the arms/wrists/hands instead of everything moving together ala your feel of the connection of your arms and hands to your chest. Someone who has problems keeping their hands and arms from outracing their swing on the downswing, might try and feel the lower body move first and end up better connecting their arms/hands to the rest of their body.

Personally I'll feel one thing when I swing, take a video, and find out it doesn't look anything at all like what I'm expecting. Or if I'm working on a swing change I'll really try and feel the change, but when I actually swing and check the video, it looks exactly the same as before. By trying to overdo a feel, one might end up at an optimal middle ground and have progress, instead of spinning one's wheels. Kind of like shooting for the stars, but ending up on the moon.
[/quote]

[color=#800080]No , i was just askings if some instructors actually teach leading with the chest , nots the lower. I know what happens if i *feels* my hips lead. It is so fast , my arms haves to come over to make contacts. I fully know when i *leads* with my chest , my lower body moves to keep balances. This is not a *holy grail* likes that *lower body lie* post (attempts at humour).[/color]

[color=#800080]I do nots think i ever lead with the hands or arms , but they takes over if i try to *leads* with lower body. It is just a sequence thing for me , that maybe it coulds help others , or nots.[/color]

[color=#800080]I just brought this up since it works for me , ands i never really see it mentioned. I see spine angles , tush lines , right elbow , shallowing , (etc) mostly. I just thoughts if peoples were strugglings it *might* be something they coulds try to connect the downswing sequences.[/color]

[hotsauce26]

[quote name='goobers80' timestamp='1394854007' post='8875317']
[color=#800080]No , i was just askings if some instructors actually teach leading with the chest , nots the lower.[/color]
[/quote]

Oh, whoops. My bad. I'm sure some teacher out there teaches the feel of having the chest lead, given the right circumstances. I've used it before when my swing has been out of sync. IMO its a good simple swing thought that keeps everything together.

[goobers80]

[quote name='hotsauce26' timestamp='1394855242' post='8875419']
[quote name='goobers80' timestamp='1394854007' post='8875317']
[color=#800080]No , i was just askings if some instructors actually teach leading with the chest , nots the lower.[/color]
[/quote]

Oh, whoops. My bad. I'm sure some teacher out there teaches the feel of having the chest lead, given the right circumstances. I've used it before when my swing has been out of sync. IMO its a good simple swing thought that keeps everything together.
[/quote]

[color=#800080]I also finds it works with short games ands putting. I never personally liked anythings to do with purposely moving the lower body as a move. I mean likes *isolating* the lower body to move. My instructor firmly believes the lower body will move to keep in balance. Maybe it is just a thing for me , but i brought it ups for others if they finds themselves *spinning* in transition with the lower body ands stuffs. [/color]

[Lefthook]

I like the idea. I am def gonna try to hit the ball with my rib cage one of these days.

[KevCarter]

I actually played some of my best golf years ago with the "feel" of starting down and rotating my chest. Thanks for the reminder, worth another try!

Kevin

[Tanner25]

[quote name='Lefthook' timestamp='1394904449' post='8877475']
I like the idea. I am def gonna try to hit the ball with my rib cage one of these days.
[/quote]

I believe Monte recently said, move the zipper or rib cage away from the ball on the downswing.

Sammy thx. for the info. I also thought and believed swinging with the lower body was a must to start the downswing. But, it never works for me either. Hopefully, your instructor is right and the body will do it naturally to stay in balance. Of course, everyones body types and swing tendencies (fast, slow, smooth) are different. So, upper body move may work for some and lower for others.

Great post!


Tanner

[Saltire]

Definitely worth a bash, im one who tends to get the hips firing too early and spinning out.

[Sean2]

I did this today at the range. Had some very positive initial results. Stayed connected, got through the shot. Didn't over swing as much. Still have some bad tendencies I need to work on, but overall starting to understand what my instructor has been saying about staying connected.

[trajectory]

One's intention will cause other body parts to become active at a certain time in the swing.

Simply, changing your grip can have an effect on what your body does.

If you are thinking about firing your chest through hard, your lower body will subconsciously support and aid in driving this action.

Some may just need to think about hitting the ball as hard as possible with the hands, and consequently, the body responds by,

supporting, just when it should........leading just when it should........following just when it should.

[goobers80]

[quote name='trajectory' timestamp='1394913574' post='8878151']
One's intention will cause other body parts to become active at a certain time in the swing.

Simply, changing your grip can have an effect on what your body does.

If you are thinking about firing your chest through hard, your lower body will subconsciously support and aid in driving this action.

Some may just need to think about hitting the ball as hard as possible with the hands, and consequently, the body responds by,

supporting, just when it should........leading just when it should........following just when it should.
[/quote]

[color=#800080]That was the points of my post. Intent with one parts will make other parts move. However , intent to move somethings already moving coulds cause issues. I cannots consciously use my lower body , so posted incase some others feel that as well. [/color]

[color=#800080]Also , this coulds easily be overdone likes most feels. I haves to feel likes i swing flat too , or i gets so high ands disconnected , thus droppings it under or pulling across. [/color]

[Daniel Eason]

This sounds like covering the ball...

Use the hips and ground up to stabilise the upper body.

[Redpro]

[quote name='goobers80' timestamp='1394856053' post='8875509']
[quote name='hotsauce26' timestamp='1394855242' post='8875419']
[quote name='goobers80' timestamp='1394854007' post='8875317']
[color=#800080]No , i was just askings if some instructors actually teach leading with the chest , nots the lower.[/color]
[/quote]

Oh, whoops. My bad. I'm sure some teacher out there teaches the feel of having the chest lead, given the right circumstances. I've used it before when my swing has been out of sync. IMO its a good simple swing thought that keeps everything together.
[/quote]

[color=#800080]I also finds it works with short games ands putting. I never personally liked anythings to do with purposely moving the lower body as a move. I mean likes *isolating* the lower body to move. My instructor firmly believes the lower body will move to keep in balance. Maybe it is just a thing for me , but i brought it ups for others if they finds themselves *spinning* in transition with the lower body ands stuffs. [/color]
[/quote]

Tried this today with my lob wedge pitching of around 20 yards . . what a great motion swing thought to have, kept me totally from chunking.

Thanks for the post Sam!

[RBImGuy]

[quote name='goobers80' timestamp='1394848788' post='8874747']
[color=#800080]I just ask because all the talks abouts lower body *leadings.* No idea what is leadings my swings nor do i care to try ands swing *pretty* , but i know what i attempt to lead it with. I am nots really into feel vs. real stuffs , since i really am *leading* with chest , whether it looks likes it or nots.[/color]
[/quote]

Personally I belive that golf instruction has become way to complicated.
If it works, use it.
That wont stop us from investigate and understand why this works though.
Which will lead to aha and deeper understanding and hopefully something new.

Lower body dont lead and will never do in a golf swing.
Typically someone feels something and then apply this logic that whatever they feel seems real and then apply a concept to it and soon all kinds of funny things happens. Then we have a ton of amateurs and even pros trying to do stack and tilt, or some version of them, and if a tour pro cant do it how and why would an amateur do it then?

Then the golf field has become a field of fixing your swing as it brakes down now and then and I find that silly as, [b]does your walking needs fixing?[/b]

I teach 2 amatuers atm, one is 67 years old and another is in his 30 with family and such.
so I apply what I found for them and they improve by using feedback and reference to that feedback.
so while some might have a swing drill often more than nots the feedback and reference is lacking and it becomes hard to do and improvement is slow if nots nonexistent. Making feedback and reference be more direct the golfer can improve their swing in minutes.
However the golf field isnt built that way.

[Jobu]

is this a chest leading the turn, or the chest moving down at the ball?

[smotherhook]

[quote name='Daniel Eason' timestamp='1394927871' post='8879339']
This sounds like covering the ball...

Use the hips and ground up to stabilise the upper body.
[/quote]

I notice something like this when I make a good swing. I feel the pressures and balance in the feet rather than the hips rotating....I'm sure they have rotation, but it's not something I sense as a "circle". When spring comes, I will try some short shots while paying attention to the center of the chest.

[Sean2]

Had more success with this today. I just have to be careful not to get to quick at the beginning of my transition.

[dpb5031]

I love this. It's not for everyone, but If you already have a good athletic lower body move/footwork, focusing on rotation of the chest through the shot is a great swing thought.

[goobers80]

[quote name='Jobu' timestamp='1394974853' post='8881857']
is this a chest leading the turn, or the chest moving down at the ball?
[/quote]

[color=#800080]For me it is just the chest opening ups towards target. As aboves , be careful nots to be too quick with it. My personal practice is swing to top , "pause" , rotate the chest open. I cannots move anything at the ball , for me it just causes a squish feels ands i haves to back out or come ups to contact the balls. I also cannots swing withouts a small pause or my sequences are screwed. To me it is a deliberate pause , to watchers it is slight.[/color]

[Lefthook]

[quote name='flopper' timestamp='1394960768' post='8881461']

Lower body dont lead and will never do in a golf swing.

[/quote]

Lower body leads. Always have, always will. It varies how much and for how long.

The alternative would be a hip turn that was bigger than the shoulder turn at the top of the back swing. I don't think I've ever seen that actually.

[RBImGuy]

[quote name='Lefthook' timestamp='1395012647' post='8885731']
[quote name='flopper' timestamp='1394960768' post='8881461']
Lower body dont lead and will never do in a golf swing.

[/quote]

Lower body leads. Always have, always will. It varies how much and for how long.

The alternative would be a hip turn that was bigger than the shoulder turn at the top of the back swing. I don't think I've ever seen that actually.
[/quote]

your misinformed.
whatever you see in the swing, is not what happens.
and yea I know how paradoxal that is and I also know why its like that.
your leg cant do anything without other things going on that makes it goes where it goes.

The reason Sam here turns the chest the way she does is due to [b]her own swing motion[/b] which btw is solids and helps her create the needed space for the down swing. [i]Turning the chest allows her to wait for the sequence to happen in cue[/i] so while the leg moves it dosnt lead, her chest does.
so while she is describing her feel and reference for what she does she tells how she does the kinetic chain the way she does it.
So her question was if others teach that and its likely not as they wont be able to cue up the sequence the way she does it.
any +number player do things that is by feel which indicate they already have things in sequence.

my advice to her is that she needs to as she already is aware of her timing needs a specific waiting period before she can fire her swing.
in her case, turn the chest the way she does.
if she does that and becomes aware of how this works for her, then her timing will improve and tempo improves.
she be saving a few shots around if she does that a bit better and at her level that is big.

and btw no leg aka lower body will lead the golf swing ever.
its wrong.

[Sean2]

I find if I start with a smooth transition I hit the ball straight with some authority, and I don't come up out of the shot. The difficulty for me is maintaining the discipline of starting the transition smoothly.