Is long really wrong? (When it comes to backswings)

[gopherguts]

What do you hit in the sweet spot more often ?

Your putter or your PW ?

Your PW or your 7 iron.

Your 7 iron or your driver ?

ONE reason is the shaft is shorter so you're closer to your target (the ball).

USUALLY, another reason is the swing is shorter. Less movement, more consistency.

Put in the time.

[quote name='MonteScheinblum' timestamp='1420180098' post='10673381']
[size=5][b]Yes, the longer the swing the more difficult it is to get the arms and body to impact properly.[/b][/size]
[/quote]

THIS !!!

[larrybud]

[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1420214946' post='10674383']
Here are some ghetto pictures of my swing taken from my ghetto swing videos I made the other day. This is the length in the backswing I'm talking about. Im swinging my 7 iron. Please excuse the mess in the background haha

[attachment=2554381:vlcsnap-2015-01-03-02h00m35s80.png]
[attachment=2554383:vlcsnap-2015-01-03-01h59m09s110.png]
[/quote]

Impossible to tell with still shots. It's how you got there, and not just the fact that you're there.

[Lefthook]

[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1420214946' post='10674383']
Here are some ghetto pictures of my swing taken from my ghetto swing videos I made the other day. This is the length in the backswing I'm talking about. Im swinging my 7 iron. Please excuse the mess in the background haha

[attachment=2554381:vlcsnap-2015-01-03-02h00m35s80.png]
[attachment=2554383:vlcsnap-2015-01-03-01h59m09s110.png]
[/quote]

I'd say it depends on how you handle it from there.

Long or short, a good swing requires good connection, at least through the ball.

The typical hacker is connected only a short while during the downswing and is often disconnected through the ball. The better golfer typically sets up for being well connected through the ball, but may not have the best connection during transition. And better golfers are connected all the way. A longer swing requires a better, more athletic motion, especially in the lower body to maintain connection through the ball. But if you can handle it, you have more travel to create club head speed.

More degrees of turn requires better hip action and more active feet, for instance. Which is why it is so impressive to see how young Jack Nicklaus went about with his business:

[media]http://youtu.be/mU8CHBZY19k[/media]

[Lefthook]

[quote name='gopherguts' timestamp='1420220448' post='10674839']
What do you hit in the sweet spot more often ?

Your putter or your PW ?

Your PW or your 7 iron.

Your 7 iron or your driver ?

[/quote]

The driver

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='gopherguts' timestamp='1420220448' post='10674839']
What do you hit in the sweet spot more often ?

Your putter or your PW ?

Your PW or your 7 iron.

Your 7 iron or your driver ?

ONE reason is the shaft is shorter so you're closer to your target (the ball).

USUALLY, another reason is the swing is shorter. Less movement, more consistency.

Put in the time.

[quote name='MonteScheinblum' timestamp='1420180098' post='10673381']
[size=5][b]Yes, the longer the swing the more difficult it is to get the arms and body to impact properly.[/b][/size]
[/quote]

THIS !!!
[/quote]
I'm actually quite good at finding the sweet spot with any club, it's the amount of curve on the ball that gets me in trouble more often than mishits.

[Palauan Hammer]

Here are the videos of the carnage.


[url="http://youtu.be/CwXXi-RlU1I"]http://youtu.be/CwXXi-RlU1I[/url]

[url="http://youtu.be/LojxUfomHZo"]http://youtu.be/LojxUfomHZo[/url]

[Lefthook]

IMO there is room for improvement, but this is not bad at all.

Your arm swing goes more across the chest than necessary. It seems to be the cause of a bit too much hip sway back and forth.

A shorter arm back swing will set you up for a purer rotation and sustain it through the ball. You can create some extension by pushing away from the target with the right hand when you get towards the top.

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='Lefthook' timestamp='1420257356' post='10677619']
IMO there is room for improvement, but this is not bad at all.

Your arm swing goes more across the chest than necessary. It seems to be the cause of a bit too much hip sway back and forth.

A shorter arm back swing will set you up for a purer rotation and sustain it through the ball. You can create some extension by pushing away from the target with the right hand when you get towards the top.
[/quote]
Imporvement is what Im looking for, I also see a lot of lateral movement in my swing as well. I will try the right arm extension and see how that works. Thanks for suggestions, I appreciate it.

[demand]

I cannot speak as to whether a long takeaway is bad for any individual but one enlightening experience I had as an overswinger was taking a video of yourself full swing, taking it back what you feel is 100% 75%, 50%, 25%. Do it hitting a ball. Watch after you have hit from all percentages.

First time I ever saw this was mind blowing. What I thought was a 40% backswing was a "perfect" parallel position at the top. I am not bad at math, feel is not real. I had bad hip sway and lost control bringing the club back to impact.
So shortening the swing as a feel to me was actually just making a controlled parallel at the top swing not necessarily compact compared to the greater population.
Good luck!

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='demand' timestamp='1420264090' post='10678001']
I cannot speak as to whether a long takeaway is bad for any individual but one enlightening experience I had as an overswinger was taking a video of yourself full swing, taking it back what you feel is 100% 75%, 50%, 25%. Do it hitting a ball. Watch after you have hit from all percentages.

First time I ever saw this was mind blowing. What I thought was a 40% backswing was a "perfect" parallel position at the top. I am not bad at math, feel is not real. I had bad hip sway and lost control bringing the club back to impact.
So shortening the swing as a feel to me was actually just making a controlled parallel at the top swing not necessarily compact compared to the greater population.
Good luck!
[/quote]
I'm a feel player so I'm sure that would be something I should try. I know once I feel the correct movement (with confirmation it's correct) I can start to make improvement, and hopefully become a more accurate player. Thanks for the help!

[MonteScheinblum]

Your hips are not rotating that well through impact for two reasons. The hips are waiting for the arms because they are a bit behind and you are a little close to the ball.

Those two issues are causing some early extension and not allowing your hips to rotate as well as they could.

So the long swing is creating an issue.

[rbhan12]

By looking at my own swing on camera, I've noticed that I had a very long and what looked and felt to me as an unstable backswing position. Now I'm [b][u][i]feeling[/i][/u][/b] like I'm taking half swings, when in actuality it's some 10-15* before parallel. Feel is not real! If you're determined on shortening the swing, feel like you're taking the club back halfway and see where you end up!

[TB07]

Long swing itself isn't bad. Just makes syncing the body and getting into impact with the arms and body more difficult for most. Your too close and swing the arms back way more than the body pivots. This gets arms behind in downswing and causes body to have to wait.

[starsail85]

Best thing that worked for me in shortening my backswing was making the whole backswing the same pace, not allowing it to speed up as it progresses which lead to arm over run

Maintaining the same grip pressure going back helps too

This gradual backswing, feels like what I see when I watch Justin rose or Adam Scott's swing a gradual wind up, not a snatch and speed up from nine o'clock

Helped my wedge game massively as I have control of the swing lengths now for half and three quarter swings also

[rafal]

[quote name='Lefthook' timestamp='1420241044' post='10676317']

[media]http://youtu.be/mU8CHBZY19k[/media]
[/quote]

Dat swing....GOATlaus

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='MonteScheinblum' timestamp='1420298665' post='10678937']
Your hips are not rotating that well through impact for two reasons. The hips are waiting for the arms because they are a bit behind and you are a little close to the ball.

Those two issues are causing some early extension and not allowing your hips to rotate as well as they could.

So the long swing is creating an issue.
[/quote]
Thanks for help!! I found your video on goat humping haha, I now understand what your talking about. Do think more tilt at address would help me?

[Palauan Hammer]

Thanks for all the insight and help guys! I'm gonna work my butt off to get my swing together. I can only hope I become more accurate and with all the work around the greens maybe get to a plus handicap this year. Now to break my 15 year old habit lol

[MonteScheinblum]

[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1420329361' post='10681261']
[quote name='MonteScheinblum' timestamp='1420298665' post='10678937']
Your hips are not rotating that well through impact for two reasons. The hips are waiting for the arms because they are a bit behind and you are a little close to the ball.

Those two issues are causing some early extension and not allowing your hips to rotate as well as they could.

So the long swing is creating an issue.
[/quote]
Thanks for help!! I found your video on goat humping haha, I now understand what your talking about. Do think more tilt at address would help me?
[/quote]

Nah, you are good.

[Mob]

I have along, past parallel swing, and I have committed to shortening this winter. This is a very hard habit to "fix". My tempo seems to flow from my long swing, but there is no question that this long swing is leading to problems for me. A large part of my long backswing is too much of a wrist hinge. Fixing this is proving to be quite difficult. I am noticing improvement, but I am going to have to spend a lot of time during the offseason working on this. I have been doing online lessons with Monte, and this is quite helpful.

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='MonteScheinblum' timestamp='1420339190' post='10682083']
[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1420329361' post='10681261']
[quote name='MonteScheinblum' timestamp='1420298665' post='10678937']
Your hips are not rotating that well through impact for two reasons. The hips are waiting for the arms because they are a bit behind and you are a little close to the ball.

Those two issues are causing some early extension and not allowing your hips to rotate as well as they could.

So the long swing is creating an issue.
[/quote]
Thanks for help!! I found your video on goat humping haha, I now understand what your talking about. Do think more tilt at address would help me?
[/quote]

Nah, you are good.
[/quote]
Thanks for help Monte!

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='Mob' timestamp='1420344579' post='10682491']
I have along, past parallel swing, and I have committed to shortening this winter. This is a very hard habit to "fix". My tempo seems to flow from my long swing, but there is no question that this long swing is leading to problems for me. A large part of my long backswing is too much of a wrist hinge. Fixing this is proving to be quite difficult. I am noticing improvement, but I am going to have to spend a lot of time during the offseason working on this. I have been doing online lessons with Monte, and this is quite helpful.
[/quote]
It is a hard habit to break but I'm really gonna work at it! It's amazing the difference from what it feels like and what your really doing. I started the journey today and I have to say it will take a mintue but I'll get it. Good luck with your swing improvements as well. And I should probably take some online lessons with Monte as well!

[Palauan Hammer]

So this is my attempt to shorten up the backswing. I literally have to think I'm stopping at my hips but this is how it ended up. Still trying to work on the hip slide and I think I forgot about crowding the non-exsistent ball.Considering it's my first real attempt, I see a slight difference. BUT still a long way to go!

[url="http://youtu.be/FBO9FRGAHyA"]http://youtu.be/FBO9FRGAHyA[/url]

[url="http://youtu.be/jBVCfcSnWWo"]http://youtu.be/jBVCfcSnWWo[/url]

[TB07]

Making the same error most make when shortening your swing. Your decreasing your body pivot while trying to shorten swing. Arms are shorter only because body has made less pivot. Need to pivot MORE and decrease arm swing.

[thepinkbomber]

[quote name='Mob' timestamp='1420344579' post='10682491']
I have along, past parallel swing, and I have committed to shortening this winter. This is a very hard habit to "fix". My tempo seems to flow from my long swing, but there is no question that this long swing is leading to problems for me. A large part of my long backswing is too much of a wrist hinge. Fixing this is proving to be quite difficult. I am noticing improvement, but I am going to have to spend a lot of time during the offseason working on this. I have been doing online lessons with Monte, and this is quite helpful.
[/quote]Interesting...For me I found a correlation from a exaggerated delayed wrist hinge caused me to overawing on BS. When I felt like I exaggerated an earlier wrist hinge my swing was shorter but my turn suffered. That is why the BBA drill worked great for me- keeps connection with arms/chest and you turn completely and the hands stop when you complete a full turn. It takes reps though to get used to it so not a quick fix.

[Mob]

[quote name='thepinkbomber' timestamp='1420381741' post='10683457']
[quote name='Mob' timestamp='1420344579' post='10682491']
I have along, past parallel swing, and I have committed to shortening this winter. This is a very hard habit to "fix". My tempo seems to flow from my long swing, but there is no question that this long swing is leading to problems for me. A large part of my long backswing is too much of a wrist hinge. Fixing this is proving to be quite difficult. I am noticing improvement, but I am going to have to spend a lot of time during the offseason working on this. I have been doing online lessons with Monte, and this is quite helpful.
[/quote]Interesting...For me I found a correlation from a exaggerated delayed wrist hinge caused me to overawing on BS. When I felt like I exaggerated an earlier wrist hinge my swing was shorter but my turn suffered. That is why the BBA drill worked great for me- keeps connection with arms/chest and you turn completely and the hands stop when you complete a full turn. It takes reps though to get used to it so not a quick fix.
[/quote]

I would agree with this. My wrist hinge is late as well. I am working on starting it earlier but that seems to change the backswing for me, and is going to take some getting used to. I bought one of those plastic swing gyde things that stop the wrist hinge, and I find it very helpful.

[thepinkbomber]

[quote name='Mob' timestamp='1420388782' post='10683887']
[quote name='thepinkbomber' timestamp='1420381741' post='10683457']
[quote name='Mob' timestamp='1420344579' post='10682491']
I have along, past parallel swing, and I have committed to shortening this winter. This is a very hard habit to "fix". My tempo seems to flow from my long swing, but there is no question that this long swing is leading to problems for me. A large part of my long backswing is too much of a wrist hinge. Fixing this is proving to be quite difficult. I am noticing improvement, but I am going to have to spend a lot of time during the offseason working on this. I have been doing online lessons with Monte, and this is quite helpful.
[/quote]Interesting...For me I found a correlation from a exaggerated delayed wrist hinge caused me to overawing on BS. When I felt like I exaggerated an earlier wrist hinge my swing was shorter but my turn suffered. That is why the BBA drill worked great for me- keeps connection with arms/chest and you turn completely and the hands stop when you complete a full turn. It takes reps though to get used to it so not a quick fix.
[/quote]

I would agree with this. My wrist hinge is late as well. I am working on starting it earlier but that seems to change the backswing for me, and is going to take some getting used to. I bought one of those plastic swing gyde things that stop the wrist hinge, and I find it very helpful.
[/quote]I used the swing gyde as well for addressing late hinge. very helpful aid for this. made sure the swing gyde was fully hinged and connected by the P3 position in BS (left arm parallel to ground). It gives the feedback without the need for video.. you can hit balls with it once you get used to it but I need to put a sweat band around the my forearm for when it reconnects after the through swing so the connect is not so harsh since its plastic.

[Mob]

[quote name='thepinkbomber' timestamp='1420390658' post='10684029']
[quote name='Mob' timestamp='1420388782' post='10683887']
[quote name='thepinkbomber' timestamp='1420381741' post='10683457']
[quote name='Mob' timestamp='1420344579' post='10682491']
I have along, past parallel swing, and I have committed to shortening this winter. This is a very hard habit to "fix". My tempo seems to flow from my long swing, but there is no question that this long swing is leading to problems for me. A large part of my long backswing is too much of a wrist hinge. Fixing this is proving to be quite difficult. I am noticing improvement, but I am going to have to spend a lot of time during the offseason working on this. I have been doing online lessons with Monte, and this is quite helpful.
[/quote]Interesting...For me I found a correlation from a exaggerated delayed wrist hinge caused me to overawing on BS. When I felt like I exaggerated an earlier wrist hinge my swing was shorter but my turn suffered. That is why the BBA drill worked great for me- keeps connection with arms/chest and you turn completely and the hands stop when you complete a full turn. It takes reps though to get used to it so not a quick fix.
[/quote]

I would agree with this. My wrist hinge is late as well. I am working on starting it earlier but that seems to change the backswing for me, and is going to take some getting used to. I bought one of those plastic swing gyde things that stop the wrist hinge, and I find it very helpful.
[/quote]I used the swing gyde as well for addressing late hinge. very helpful aid for this. made sure the swing gyde was fully hinged and connected by the P3 position in BS (left arm parallel to ground). It gives the feedback without the need for video.. you can hit balls with it once you get used to it but I need to put a sweat band around the my forearm for when it reconnects after the through swing so the connect is not so harsh since its plastic.
[/quote]

Yes, it is very helpful. I am starting to get a feel for where my wrists should be at the top of the swing. Obviously much less than where I am used to having them.

[Lefthook]

[quote name='TB07' timestamp='1420378509' post='10683281']
Making the same error most make when shortening your swing. Your decreasing your body pivot while trying to shorten swing. Arms are shorter only because body has made less pivot. Need to pivot MORE and decrease arm swing.
[/quote]

word

[Palauan Hammer]

[quote name='TB07' timestamp='1420378509' post='10683281']
Making the same error most make when shortening your swing. Your decreasing your body pivot while trying to shorten swing. Arms are shorter only because body has made less pivot. Need to pivot MORE and decrease arm swing.
[/quote]
And by pivot you mean get more to my left side earlier in the BS? Or stacking over my left foot? Thanks for the help

[TB07]

[quote name='Palauan Hammer' timestamp='1420420904' post='10686533']
[quote name='TB07' timestamp='1420378509' post='10683281']
Making the same error most make when shortening your swing. Your decreasing your body pivot while trying to shorten swing. Arms are shorter only because body has made less pivot. Need to pivot MORE and decrease arm swing.
[/quote]
And by pivot you mean get more to my left side earlier in the BS? Or stacking over my left foot? Thanks for the help
[/quote]

Mainly rotate more. If you rotate properly you won't have to think about shifting or not shifting.