Hip/Shoulder Separation and Hands at Impact

[Bow Hunter]

I am a lifelong golfer since my youth and oscillate between scratch and 2 hcp. I have always been a draw player that has to hit a lot of balls to keep my timing down, since I’m more handsy. 
 

I’ve noticed the best player’s hands are much closer to their body at impact and they have good hip/shoulder separation. I am trying to get there because I believe that will get me more consistency off the tee and my approaches. 
 

Before:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bow Hunter]

This is yesterday. Trying to rotate left with hips while keeping sternum facing ball. 
 

 

 

[airjammer]

Not a good idea with current backswing. You have very little hand depth at the top of your backswing. Most likely outcome from you trying to open your hips more will most likely be your path shifting too far to the left. 
 

me personally since you have been so good for so long, I’d stick with what you have and try to shave strokes with putting, short game, or course management. 

[KMeloney]

4 hours ago, Bow Hunter said:

 I have always been a draw player that has to hit a lot of balls to keep my timing down, since I’m more handsy. 

...in order to produce the draw, or in order to keep it from being a hook? Left hand LOOKS like it's on the club pretty weak, which makes me think you likely fight a hook -- but maybe it's weak enough that it's making it harder to hit an intentional draw. 

 

Second swing looks a little more OTT than the first swing (which can certainly keep your hands away from you on the downswing)... But if you're a scratch-2, then who cares? LOL 

 

(Seriously, though, I think clearing up your comment above will me helpful toward others helping you).)

[MonteScheinblum]

You’re addressing the wrong thing.

 

You have plenty of separation, you aren’t playing draws the right way from this position.  You need a very significant change, or understand this is a fade pattern.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMtslqhRY6j/?igsh=MXNzazM4dWN1YWw1bw==

Edited July 30 by MonteScheinblum

[MonteScheinblum]

5 hours ago, Bow Hunter said:

This is yesterday. Trying to rotate left with hips while keeping sternum facing ball. 
 

 

 

That feel will likely make the issue worse.

[golferdude54]

Right elbow is too bent past P3, more width between club and chest is needed. Watch Tom Watson’s right elbow in his prime vs. 2009, he was wider in the 1970s/80s. 

Hold off release/finish is robbing you of power and ironically encourages over-draws/hooks when it’s not a weak push/push-fade. 

[joedizzy1978]

Definitely not a downswing issue.  Adding a small amount of trail foot flare would allow an increased range of motion for the backswing.  This could help improve p3-p4 but OP would also need to put time in on increasing the pivots role, while reducing the arms in this area.  

[MonteScheinblum]

2 hours ago, golferdude54 said:

Right elbow is too bent past P3, more width between club and chest is needed. Watch Tom Watson’s right elbow in his prime vs. 2009, he was wider in the 1970s/80s. 

Hold off release/finish is robbing you of power and ironically encourages over-draws/hooks when it’s not a weak push/push-fade. 

Agree.  Either understand the stock shot for this swing is a fade, or make significant change in backswing and transition of you want to play a draw.

Edited July 31 by MonteScheinblum

[Bow Hunter]

8 hours ago, MonteScheinblum said:

You’re addressing the wrong thing.

 

You have plenty of separation, you aren’t playing draws the right way from this position.  You need a very significant change, or understand this is a fade pattern.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMtslqhRY6j/?igsh=MXNzazM4dWN1YWw1bw==

I play the ball both ways and in the clip above I was playing a fade. Here is my draw swing. I don’t have a video with an iron. 
 

 

 

[MonteScheinblum]

19 minutes ago, Bow Hunter said:

I play the ball both ways and in the clip above I was playing a fade. Here is my draw swing. I don’t have a video with an iron. 
 

 

 

That’s even more severe.  You’re going to be prone to really bad hooks and it will get worse as you get older.

 

Not saying you can’t hit draws with that swing, you obviously do, but it’s a time bomb on every swing.  Some days it lines up but other days hook city.

 

If you want long term success, you need a change in backswing and transition.

 

Look at the instragm link I put above 

Edited July 31 by MonteScheinblum

[iacas]

What he (Monte) said. Also, that ball cuts. Probably mostly because of the below, but you can definitely see it cut.

 

 

 

 

 

[MonteScheinblum]

If you want something to work on that will help you, this video should be on loop on your phone.  Your arms accelerate REALLY late.

 

 

[Bow Hunter]

40 minutes ago, MonteScheinblum said:

That’s even more severe.  You’re going to be prone to really bad hooks and it will get worse as you get older.

 

Not saying you can’t hit draws with that swing, you obviously do, but it’s a time bomb on every swing.  Some days it lines up but other days hook city.

 

If you want long term success, you need a change in backswing and transition.

 

Look at the instragm link I put above 

Thank you. Here’s a clip from 2020 when I was much skinnier. I think this delivery was better. 
 

 

 

 

[MonteScheinblum]

7 minutes ago, Bow Hunter said:

Thank you. Here’s a clip from 2020 when I was much skinnier. I think this delivery was better. 
 

 

 

That’s definitely a draw swing.

 

You have just proved what I have been saying for years.

 

I’m 50 pounds heavier than I was 10 years ago and am now 58 and 250 and my swing is as good and effective as it’s ever been.  I just hit it shorter.

 

This swing from 2020 has the same issue as today’s.  A little out of position at the top and arms late in transition sequence.  5 years and a few pounds later it’s harder for you to manage. 
 

This is why homemade swings that don’t adhere to most measured efficiencies become unmanageable when golfers get older and less fit.

 

My 25 year old swing was unmanageable at 40.  My 58 year old swing is way better than my 25 year old swing and even being old and fat, I can still manage it. 

[Bow Hunter]

9 minutes ago, MonteScheinblum said:

That’s definitely a draw swing.

 

You have just proved what I have been saying for years.

 

I’m 50 pounds heavier than I was 10 years ago and am now 58 and 250 and my swing is as good and effective as it’s ever been.  I just hit it shorter.

 

This swing from 2020 has the same issue as today’s.  A little out of position at the top and arms late in transition sequence.  5 years and a few pounds later it’s harder for you to manage. 
 

This is why homemade swings that don’t adhere to most measured efficiencies become unmanageable when golfers get older and less fit.

 

My 25 year old swing was unmanageable at 40.  My 58 year old swing is way better than my 25 year old swing and even being old and fat, I can still manage it. 

Thank you. I was coached by the late Mason Rudolph as a boy. He was a tour pro in the 60s, so not technically a home made swing lol. With that said, I’m not currently using a coach. 

[Bow Hunter]

13 hours ago, MonteScheinblum said:

That’s definitely a draw swing.

 

You have just proved what I have been saying for years.

 

I’m 50 pounds heavier than I was 10 years ago and am now 58 and 250 and my swing is as good and effective as it’s ever been.  I just hit it shorter.

 

This swing from 2020 has the same issue as today’s.  A little out of position at the top and arms late in transition sequence.  5 years and a few pounds later it’s harder for you to manage. 
 

This is why homemade swings that don’t adhere to most measured efficiencies become unmanageable when golfers get older and less fit.

 

My 25 year old swing was unmanageable at 40.  My 58 year old swing is way better than my 25 year old swing and even being old and fat, I can still manage it. 

We are a group of scratch players at the club. My buddy just reminded me about the pause at the top drill I’ve done before. I like this delivery better. 
 

 

 

Edited July 31 by Bow Hunter

[MonteScheinblum]

Yes

[Llortamaisey]

17 hours ago, Bow Hunter said:

I play the ball both ways and in the clip above I was playing a fade. Here is my draw swing. I don’t have a video with an iron. 
 

 

 

I can’t help you with your swing, but what I can tell you is never tell your non-golfing buddies that you go both ways!