Share your current swing thought/feels

[moehogan]

Right knee to left shoe laces in the DS!

[nsxguy]

22 hours ago, chasingneil said:

I love adding different swing thoughts/feels to my mental library to try when struggling on the range or on the course.  Thought it would be fun to get a thread going of everyone's go-to or current swing thought or feels they use coupled with how/why it helps them.

 

Most here seem to be taking the 1st "path". I was thinking along the lines of the 2nd; the ON course swing thoughts just before pulling the trigger.

 

Since it's virtually impossible, for me anyway, to have more than a couple or 3 thoughts before "Go", mine vary a bit depending on the shot to come.

 

Ball position, grip, alignment, etc., are all part of the setup, so I don't think about any of that as "triggers". But as for triggers.....

 

Driver - (keep) head back, (get) weight forward, go.

 

Irons - head still, (focus) back of the ball, go.

 

Chipping - (keep) hands forward, pull straight through, go.

 

Putting - XX feet, through to the target (to avoid decel). go.

 

 

[GungHoGolf]

23 hours ago, iacas said:

Curl (palmar flex) my right wrist the entire backswing, then send the back of the clubhead toward the ground behind my right foot as hard as I can.

I’d like to hear you expound on this a bit, as I’ve never heard of trail wrist flexion being a thing to focus on in the golf swing.

[iacas]

 

1 hour ago, GungHoGolf said:

I’d like to hear you expound on this a bit, as I’ve never heard of trail wrist flexion being a thing to focus on in the golf swing.

 

I did…

 

8 hours ago, iacas said:

I tended to palmar flex (left wrist) a bit too early, and steepen the shaft a bit too early. So, I have more success getting the COG under the hand path slightly.

 

Bolded the addition. Basically, I got shut a bit too early, so this helps keep the face "squarer."

 

I can move my left wrist into flexion during the downswing, so when it's already there at the top… it tends to get even more flexed and thus shut.

[Nels55]

I think of Monte streaking through the Super Bowl and taking a handoff from Mahomes.  Then he gets drilled by Dre Greenlaw and fumbles recovered by Nick Bosa!  Then Dre gets flagged for unnecessary roughness….  By that point I’ve topped another tee ball.

[virtuoso]

Not all in one swing but sequentially:

Pick up then stretch down

start the carry at the sternum

shooting a gun over my shoulder

point the handle during the flop

fall back while the legs trap the pelvis

settle in before left knee runs away

p6 feel before belly button escape plan

complete the stand up routine

these are all individual fix-it feels for the things I do poorly in my swing

 

Edited February 11, 2024 by virtuoso

[st1800e]

Middle of the club face on the ball…..

[crucible]

On 2/9/2024 at 2:54 AM, MonteScheinblum said:

I feel like I’m running naked through the Super Bowl and that trumps any embarrassment the next shot might cause me.

Yeah, but what if you get the shanks?

[parmark]

On 2/9/2024 at 12:41 AM, Carlito said:

Most powerful move in golf? 

 

I'm so bummed. I actually purchased this MPMG video from Martin back in the day. Found it very "unique" and had some success.  I tried to find this again, my laptop crashed and I am not able to find any access or retrieve it. I reached out but can't find anyone involved who has rights to this can help me. Again it was a little goofy but a little helpful all at once!

[Djmc25]

I feel like the club passing my right foot in the BS causes peels my right foot off the ground with it. Sounds weird but it effectively forces the early pressure transfer. 
 

to trigger this even smoother I press into my left foot to start the backswing. I m just feeling my feet unstick themselves from the turf in both directions. 
 

for putting I stroke it like I have to hit 2 balls in a row. This keeps me smooth and from stabbing at the ball. When I’m practicing I’ll even hit the ball and then take another full stroke right away, letting the through swing turn into the backswing. Helps with chips, pitches, hell even full swings this is a playable feel. 

Edited February 13, 2024 by Djmc25

[Simpsonia]

 

Address: Still adjusting to a slightly new grip: 2.5 knuckle lead hand, trail hand in Spider-Man hand sign (*thwip*). I'm transitioning to a Rory grip (stronger lead, weak trail).

Keep lower back rounded (really just to prevent lumbar extension and anterior pelvic tilt), proud chest for thoracic extension. 

Takeaway: Lead hand ice cream cone (just move in the direction of the shaft) like I'm trying to keep scoops of ice cream inside a cone. Helps with my inside takeaway

Downswing: aim bottom of lead hand at ball and fire trail arm/hand (specifically index finger palm joint) as fast as possible (Rory pump drill). Remember to keep weight on heels, which just prevents me from getting on my toes. 

Follow through: Just try to end up with thumbs facing towards the sky so I don't over-supinate. 

 

Most of these aren't active thoughts in the moment of the swing, but thoughts I will do in a slow-motion rehearsal to just prime myself for the actual swing. 

Edited February 13, 2024 by Simpsonia

[allparz]

1 Align body (aim) Feet-knees-hips-shoulders to 2nd base

2 Back to the target

3 Then swing to hit the ball over the 2nd baseman

[dminn23]

Feel some pronation of the right forearm in takeaway.  Club feels more stable, I feel more wound up, and don't overcock my wrists.

[baudi]

target / distance / apex / target / distance / apex / target / distance / apex / target / distance / apex / target / distance / apex / target / distance / apex / target / distance / apex / 

target / distance / target / distance / target / distance / target / distance / target / distance / target / distance / target / distance / target / distance / target / distance / target / distance / 

target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / target / 

[Arthur_Vandelay]

I started focusing exclusively on P6.  How to get there, and how to hit the ball from there. 

 

 

In the downswing I feel like the club gets so shallow its parallel to the ground, then I can rotate into P6 and "hit" from there with hands feeling a little more left/inside the ball through the hit.  This is definitely a massive change for me and it feels great so far as ball striking is one of the weakest parts of my game.

 

Edited February 15, 2024 by Arthur_Vandelay

[Nels55]

1 hour ago, Arthur_Vandelay said:

I started focusing exclusively on P6.  How to get there, and how to hit the ball from there. 

 

 

In the downswing I feel like the club gets so shallow its parallel to the ground, then I can rotate into P6 and "hit" from there with hands feeling a little more left/inside the ball through the hit.  This is definitely a massive change for me and it feels great so far as ball striking is one of the weakest parts of my game.

 

Sounds like you are doing something similar to this drill?

 

This drill seems to help me to swing better and when I do it I get the rotate and hit feel that you described.  LOL at least I think so...

[Arthur_Vandelay]

Similar but not quite.  It wasn't a specific drill, I just got the idea from watching videos from the Elite Golf Schools Youtube channel.  You can probably find a short clip where they're working through P6 to see what I mean.  I think they teach a very rotational swing, which I'm not necessarily trying to achieve, but how they work through P6 made sense to me and works as a good exaggerated feel.

Edited February 15, 2024 by Arthur_Vandelay

[A.Princey]

Proper wrist set, backswing plane and connected arms(trail elbow tucked into side/stomach). Basically back to the basics for me, as some bad habits have been creeping into my swing. 
 

Faldo preset wrist drill, I even use it on the course for my actual swing. But lately, I’ve gotten quick about my positions and lazy about my wrist angles. Slowing everything down now and creating all the proper positions has really straightened out my ball flight and improved my contact. 

Getting this drill to work took lots of practice for me, but once it clicked, it really clicked. 

 

[Soloman1]

Recently, my feel is like a man trying to kill a cockroach with a crowbar.

[Geomane]

Grip it and rip it

[bakere]

Mine has been all about right side bend. My actual thought is:

Oblique crunch/squeeze my right rib to my right hip bone so my hands passively work low and left.

 

I envision Niemann or DJ before I swing.

 

In reality I look nothing like them, but if I don't think like that I throw my arms at the ball and flip.

[Petethreeput]

I have changed from "left shoulder under the chin" to "right shoulder blade behind my head" because I wasn't turning down enough.

 

One I "get" this move, I am sure it will change again.

[ferrispgm]

Currently....no forearm rotation going back to stop over rotating and getting my arms to far across the chest, feel like lead wrist is flexed at the top (keeps it neutral) and go.

[A.Princey]

On 2/15/2024 at 11:00 AM, Arthur_Vandelay said:

I started focusing exclusively on P6.  How to get there, and how to hit the ball from there. 

 

 

In the downswing I feel like the club gets so shallow its parallel to the ground, then I can rotate into P6 and "hit" from there with hands feeling a little more left/inside the ball through the hit.  This is definitely a massive change for me and it feels great so far as ball striking is one of the weakest parts of my game.

 

This is how I try to set up at address somewhat, all the while utilizing Faldo/Leadbetter preset wrist drill. I attempt to stay connected with my trail elbow, and take a shorter backswing as a result. I follow the shaft straight back to start my backswing rotation. 

[moostache]

I use notes to journal my thoughts and feels in good days and bad. It’s helpful to go back to a day to played well and see what the thoughts were that day. Currently: keep club head outside the hands on the backswing, hit the inside of the ball in transition, please for the love of everything let this short putt go in 😂

[otto6457]

edited due to whiny complaining.

Edited February 17, 2024 by otto6457

[Pepperturbo]

Visual shot, bailout, address and see the ball.  Relax, one last look at target to visual shot, focus on back of ball, then deliberate take-away and good turn, transition into slot.  That's my process and it happens fast.  The only variable depends on the shot, I may accelerate hands just before impact.

 

@otto6457 recovering your body mechanics after a serious medical procedure takes a great deal of patience.  Willpower and perseverance can overcome negative thoughts.

Edited February 17, 2024 by Pepperturbo

[Haber]

Get pressure into the trail heel and push to accelerate the arms to the top and from there it’s unfolding the trail arm as fast as possible.
 

There is a drill on IG with an impact bag behind the golfer and he’s slamming an alignment rod down to it from the top and I’ve found it to be a brilliant feel to just slam the rod down and turn to get the club to the ball.

[hacker101]

I’m guilty of always chasing something extra. Beating balls and ingraining too many different theories. This year, I’m committing to keeping it simple. 

 

Grip, posture, alignment and ball position. 
-complete backswing

-knuckles down at impact

-LH pocket turns behind me

 

More time on the practice green. 

[bobfoster]

Was thinking about this lately (as the 2024 golf season is starting this weekend for me). Was going to start a thread, but searched and this one already exists (and I don't want to be "that guy" on WRX that starts threads like "Can a scratch golfer beat an LPGA pro" for the hundredth time).

 

[IMO, one of the basic Rules of WRX Etiquette? Before you start a thread, search to see if there's already one you can just resurrect.]

 

Was thinking about how my swing thoughts have evolved over the years. Have always used them. Discovered early on that I can't go with the "just don't think at all" approach. Some people can, but I haven't yet reach the point of gunga galunga total consciousness 🤣, so if I don't find something to focus on, my brain gets filled with all manner of random, chaotic thoughts. I gotta pick a focused lane, or my brain will pick a dozen (conflicting ones) for me. 

 

Early on, I would commonly focus on individual elements of the swing. Went an entire year or so and it was all about the weight shift and hips firing at the top and what sort of divot I wanted to see. (I was very young, and still had the tendency to try to "help the ball into the air", i.e., the classic beginner's slice mistake of unintentionally finishing with weight on the back foot). For a long time it was the P positions. Exactly correct angles at every step of the backswing, transition, and downswing. I obsessed on getting the angles right. Getting the wrists set right at every phase of the swing. Could go on and on, but suffice to say, I went through a bunch of different ones over the years.

 

Lately though? My main swing thoughts are trending towards those that encompass the entire swing instead of individual elements. 

 

I have a pretty good pre-shot routine (IMO, this is one of the fundamentals of golf that anyone who shoots under 100 has, that doesn't get talked about enough - you cannot play consistent golf without a consistent pre-shot routine ... every pro, and every good amateur has one). Mine is to approach the ball and stand behind it. Look at the hole (or where you want it to land). Visualize the shot shape. (High cut against the wind, or a hooded stinger to try to stay under it - lalala, etc., etc. - every swing has to have as specific intention behind it). Take a practice swing (I never take more than one) that will produce the visualized ball flight. Address the ball with feet together. Set the clubface and grip, then move the front foot forward and back foot backward (to get the ball anywhere from forward to backwards in the stance). One wiggle (never any more than one - or thoughts start getting in my head). Set for a couple seconds, breathe out, and swing. 

 

It is those couple seconds between set and swing where swing thoughts enter the picture. My current ones? Not about weight shift or P positions or wrist angle at the top or any other thing like that. 

 

So right now, two very basic, and simplistic ones (as the best swing thoughts are): "Fluid, and Smooth". Not thinking about any specific element of the swing, thinking only about the feeling of the total swing. 

 

"Fluid and smooth" is my ticket. Not "fast". My primary goal is not clubhead speed, it is contact, it is "center-face". 

 

Another Bob TL;DR. My $0.02. 

 

 

Edited April 7, 2024 by bobfoster