Sam's Swing

[slammy01]

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Both shots were hit with a 6 iron, standard shape is a 5 yard draw. I usually play to a 4-5 handicap these days. 

[Richie3Jack]

What are you looking to improve upon?






3JACK

[slammy01]

I'm working on getting a better feel for a full hip turn in my backswing in addition to weakening my grip a touch.

I think that's the thing holding back my power and some of my consistency.

[Richie3Jack]

Okay, then.

You have the right idea for starters. You need to really work on your lower body action.

Here's an example:



Your right knee pretty much stays in the same amount of flex it does at address.

This makes it difficult to rotate the pelvis which inhibits the amount of power you can generate when you get to the downswing. Sam Snead is a good example of straightening the right leg to allow for more pelvic rotation in the backswing.



We can also see this lack of pelvic rotation from the caddy view:



If we look at the left knee, it is almost in the same position it was at address. That's what will happen when you keep the right knee flexed. You can't get pelvic rotation and you won't get your left knee to move inward more like Jack does:



I think it's important to understand that the hips and pelvis are 2 separate things. The hips are actually on the sides of the pelvis. So, to look more like Snead and Nicklaus (or many modern golfers like Rory, Bubba, etc)...you need to get internal rotation of BOTH the left and right hip joint in the *backswing*. Generally, the more internal rotation you can get...the better.

It's tough to internally rotate both hip joints going back without straightening the rear leg and seeing the left knee 'kick in.'

As far as the grip goes, I personally wouldn't touch it. A weaker grip may help you get some more distance in the short term because you *might* get a less closed face and add a little more loft and that will help with your lack of club speed to get more distance with *this* particular golf swing.

But, if you improve the lower body action in the backswing, you will start to increase your club speed and that weaker grip can become a detriment to your swing.

Lastly, I would flare your feet a little (about 10 degrees). Having 'square' feet will restrict your hip turn.



I would highly recommend when practicing all of this, utilizing a full swing, but slow motion practice. Start at the slowest speed possible, 10%, and then when you are starting to do it *correctly*, move up to 25%. Then when it is done correctly, move to 50% and so on until you get to 100% speed. I would also use a mirror to see if you're doing it right. If you're not doing it correctly in the mirror, move yourself to the correct position. This will probably feel very funny for you and will be difficult to pick up by just hitting balls. But when you go in slow motion and making sure you're doing it correctly, it will feel less funny, you will pick it up quicker and you won't have to think about it as it becomes ingrained in your mind.

I would recommend seeing either Kelvin Miyahira or checking out Kelvin's membership site with Gabe Writer at mti.gabrielwriter.com/ or seeing Lucas Wald at [e-mail]. They know far more about this stuff than I do.






3JACK

[slammy01]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I'm playing in a small tournament this weekend, so I'll probably start experimenting with changes next week. I'll check out the membership site you recommend.

Hopefully, in a couple months I'll have some better video to show.

[Richie3Jack]

Thanks.

It would be a good idea to start after the tournament. I cannot stress enough to do this in full-swing, but slow motion in practice. Ramp up the speed as you start to get it.






3JACK