Becoming great (Rrrright!!) -> my swing vs what the instructor taught me

[evian]

Here's my question...

Do you guys think there is really ONE ***CORRECT*** swing? I know some of the greatest golfers have the weirdest swings but hey they're still the pros that they are...

The answer's not gonna be black and white, but I just wonder what you guys have to say about this topic.

The reason I brought this up is because I used to have a somewhat consistent swing (I'm a beginner, by consistent I mean relatively straght to about 50-100 with a 7-iron, by no means awesome or anything). Then I took some lessons... now I'm all confused. In class the instructor corrected my swing and the ball did go further (a bit) and straighter. But when I'm on my own I can't get the ball to go anywhere with the corrected swing, which makes be give up and go back to my old swing.

The correction: On the wind up, I lift the club *up* too soon (almost right away) instead of bringing it *back* first, keeping front arm straight, then bend front elbow, then the wrist cock.

Fire away experts!

[Mok]

Here's my question...

Do you guys think there is really ONE ***CORRECT*** swing? I know some of the greatest golfers have the weirdest swings but hey they're still the pros that they are...

The answer's not gonna be black and white, but I just wonder what you guys have to say about this topic.

The reason I brought this up is because I used to have a somewhat consistent swing (I'm a beginner, by consistent I mean relatively straght to about 50-100 with a 7-iron, by no means awesome or anything). Then I took some lessons... now I'm all confused. In class the instructor corrected my swing and the ball did go further (a bit) and straighter. But when I'm on my own I can't get the ball to go anywhere with the corrected swing, which makes be give up and go back to my old swing.

The correction: On the wind up, I lift the club *up* too soon (almost right away) instead of bringing it *back* first, keeping front arm straight, then bend front elbow, then the wrist cock.

Fire away experts!
that's the *problem* with taking lessons. the cert. pros have a swing they teach to all their students ingrained into their head, so if you don't do *their* swing, then they'll be correcting you.

i really don't think there is one correct swing. it's whatever works. but there is always room for improvement. if you really feel that you wanan stay with your swing, let your instructor know.

[Ego Woods]

Here's my question...

Do you guys think there is really ONE ***CORRECT*** swing? I know some of the greatest golfers have the weirdest swings but hey they're still the pros that they are...

The answer's not gonna be black and white, but I just wonder what you guys have to say about this topic.

The reason I brought this up is because I used to have a somewhat consistent swing (I'm a beginner, by consistent I mean relatively straght to about 50-100 with a 7-iron, by no means awesome or anything). Then I took some lessons... now I'm all confused. In class the instructor corrected my swing and the ball did go further (a bit) and straighter. But when I'm on my own I can't get the ball to go anywhere with the corrected swing, which makes be give up and go back to my old swing.

The correction: On the wind up, I lift the club *up* too soon (almost right away) instead of bringing it *back* first, keeping front arm straight, then bend front elbow, then the wrist cock.

Fire away experts!
Hey evian! I really don't believe there is one correct way to do anything in life. The same definitely applies to golf! I've been watching the Golf Channel quite often and a lot of the established teaching pros that they showcase there all have their own version of the golf swing. It may look similar to the normal eye, but there are discreet differences that set them apart from other teaching methods. for example there's atleast 3-4 different grip stances out there and some are very different than others! One grip asks you to be holding the club w/your fingers, while another grip asks you to hold the club with your palms! But both methods are tried and true and do work!

Learning from the instructor is a good way to correct the obvious errors w/your swing, but in the end, the only way you'll discover more about your own golf swing is with repeated practice. Once you practice enough and learn to hit the ball fairly accurately, there'll probably then be more time for the instructor to fine tune the swing even more but still accomodate for how you swing your club.....this is probably why pros still go to swing coaches despite being so great at the game....it's a never-ending learning cycle with golf...=P

[evian]

:confused: I guess I wouldn't say I'm insisting to stay with my current swing, I do appreciate the instruction and as I mentioned, the corrected swing did help me at the time. Plus I am guessing my own swing isn't gonna take me far (literally har har).

To elaborate, here's the drill my instructor uses.

Right handed - so my left is to the target. I set up, ie starting position. Instructor crouches infront of me to the left of my club. He holds an iron by the club head (could be any stick-like object) *about* a foot off the ground, parallel to the ground and to my target line. His club is gently resting on my club. So basically the bottom part/end of my club and its head are bounded by this line one foot off the ground. The idea is that when I wind up, my club should travel along and sweeping *under* his club all the way to the end (for the length of the club) --- before my front elbow bends and my wrists cock.

[Mok]

evian, you can always draw a picture using Paint or some other gfx program and attach it to your post hehe...i tried to understand your diagram but :confused:

[RidetoGolf]

Where did your instructor stand? How did you avoid hitting him with your club?

[evian]

Okay my previous picasso has been removed and no longer available for viewing. :nono:

Here's the new one.

[Focker Singh]

Here's my question...

Do you guys think there is really ONE ***CORRECT*** swing? I know some of the greatest golfers have the weirdest swings but hey they're still the pros that they are...

The answer's not gonna be black and white, but I just wonder what you guys have to say about this topic.

The reason I brought this up is because I used to have a somewhat consistent swing (I'm a beginner, by consistent I mean relatively straght to about 50-100 with a 7-iron, by no means awesome or anything). Then I took some lessons... now I'm all confused. In class the instructor corrected my swing and the ball did go further (a bit) and straighter. But when I'm on my own I can't get the ball to go anywhere with the corrected swing, which makes be give up and go back to my old swing.

The correction: On the wind up, I lift the club *up* too soon (almost right away) instead of bringing it *back* first, keeping front arm straight, then bend front elbow, then the wrist cock.

Fire away experts!

Good question Evian. I dont' think there is only ONE correct swing. Everybody has different bodies and strengths so I think whichever works for the individual is the best. The experts say Tiger had the "perfect" swing in golf (or used to!) because he had a strong body built for golf. He maximized all his strengths and ability in each swing. Jim Furyk, has an awkward swing that most teachers would not teach but it works for him. BUT, their fundamentals are all the same though. Its just their backswings and swing paths are different, but everything else is the same. I think thats the key.

I think if you keep on listening to your instructor you'll get used to it. I remember one guy told me to keep my left knee from buckling on my backswing and at first i couldnt hit the ball after that. Once I got used to is, I notice a big improvement in consistency.

[evian]

The target line should be at my club head? ... but you know what I mean...

It's more of a "drill" so for me I just keep winding up and don't really swing through. But as you can see, the instructor is kinda reaching in with his arm when holding his club so he's not really in the way.

He does use this for the swing down as well. So after winding up and sweeping under his club till you reach the end, on the way down you should not hit his club but come underneath likewise in the opposite direction to hit the ball. His hand and club is off the ground so you shouldn't hit him.

[TorontoGolfNuts.com]

The target line should be at my club head? ... but you know what I mean...

It's more of a "drill" so for me I just keep winding up and don't really swing through. But as you can see, the instructor is kinda reaching in with his arm when holding his club so he's not really in the way.

He does use this for the swing down as well. So after winding up and sweeping under his club till you reach the end, on the way down you should not hit his club but come underneath likewise in the opposite direction to hit the ball. His hand and club is off the ground so you shouldn't hit him.
ah I think I understand the pic now......I believe the instructor is using his club just to ensure you follow the proper swing path/plane, is that right?

[evian]

Yup, he was trying to correct my swing/swing path - namely to prevent me from lifting my club too soon.

His club being there acts as a guide and block to keep my wind up low - kind of extending the "stretch" if I'm making any sense at all.

[Ems]

Good question Evian. I dont' think there is only ONE correct swing. Everybody has different bodies and strengths so I think whichever works for the individual is the best. The experts say Tiger had the "perfect" swing in golf (or used to!) because he had a strong body built for golf. He maximized all his strengths and ability in each swing. Jim Furyk, has an awkward swing that most teachers would not teach but it works for him. BUT, their fundamentals are all the same though. Its just their backswings and swing paths are different, but everything else is the same. I think thats the key.

I think if you keep on listening to your instructor you'll get used to it. I remember one guy told me to keep my left knee from buckling on my backswing and at first i couldnt hit the ball after that. Once I got used to is, I notice a big improvement in consistency.
I don't know anything about teaching golf or what the perfect swing is but I'm going to hazard a guess as to whether one exists. I think golf is a scientific sport. If the trajectory of your swing is perfect, at the perfect speed and strength of contact, you would see your ball fly perfectly.

I think that's why companies spend so much on designing clubs, to give individuals the best club to make that perfect swing. And because different golfers have different body types and muscle mass, not everyone would have the same swing (angle, speed, ..? anymore) ... but everyone needs to find that perfect swing for themselves.

And then there are certain things that should be avoided by all golfers, anything that interrupts the flow of the swing thereby reducing the transfer of energy from the swing movement to the ball.

[Jaydog]

Good question Evian. I dont' think there is only ONE correct swing. Everybody has different bodies and strengths so I think whichever works for the individual is the best. The experts say Tiger had the "perfect" swing in golf (or used to!) because he had a strong body built for golf. He maximized all his strengths and ability in each swing. Jim Furyk, has an awkward swing that most teachers would not teach but it works for him. BUT, their fundamentals are all the same though. Its just their backswings and swing paths are different, but everything else is the same. I think thats the key.
I think if you keep on listening to your instructor you'll get used to it. I remember one guy told me to keep my left knee from buckling on my backswing and at first i couldnt hit the ball after that. Once I got used to is, I notice a big improvement in consistency.

i gotta disagree with you partially here, fs. most of the pros have a swing that follows their own swing path. with jim furyk, he does a little thing that goes off his swing path and plane at the top but when he comes down on his swing, the club gets back on his original swing path.

as for the rest of us, i think you are right about everyone having "unique features" :rolleyes: to their swings. however, all of that still boils down to fundamentals which try to give us a consist swing path and plane hopefully resulting in striking the ball more consistently.

evian...did your instructor say take the club away low and slow as well? just curious.

[evian]

evian...did your instructor say take the club away low and slow as well? just curious.
I guess he wanted me to stay lower (since I lift way too soon). But he said I was too slow. I tend to wind up slow because I'm thinking about what he said about staying low, and when I come down I'm also too slow because I'm scared to miss the ball.

[Queen of the Beach]

i gotta disagree with you partially here, fs. most of the pros have a swing that follows their own swing path. with jim furyk, he does a little thing that goes off his swing path and plane at the top but when he comes down on his swing, the club gets back on his original swing path.

as for the rest of us, i think you are right about everyone having "unique features" :rolleyes: to their swings. however, all of that still boils down to fundamentals which try to give us a consist swing path and plane hopefully resulting in striking the ball more consistently.

evian...did your instructor say take the club away low and slow as well? just curious.
I agree with you here Jaydog...I read in a golf magazine that though all pros have their own unique swing, their swing path is ultimately the same. Somehow they know how to correct themselves on the down swing. So no matter how unorthodox their back swing is they always come down on the ball. I'm a beginner and I'm still making a lot of mistakes that I hope will be corrected next year before golf season starts.
Evian where did you take your lessons?

[Hoz-ay]

Its where your club head is at slot position & impact. Jim Furyk is a prime example of this. Mike Wier has that check swing he does to check where the club & hand is at slot position. If your club is on plain in the slot then it should be straight at impact. But some of the tour pro's still have "natural" fades & draws. Just the way it is for them & the play the course with that. No one can tell you how to swing a club. Everyone has their own unique way of swinging the club... but if you get your club in the slot at the right time then the club head should be straight or close to straight at impact. Jack Nicklaus has a product that he sells on the golf channel helps with that.... i forget what its called... anyone know what i'm talking about??

[Q-School]

Hoz-ay, I think you're talking about the Inside Approach.

QB, I agree that everyone has a unique swing, but the backswing is the most important part of the swing. Very few individuals have the gifted ability to correct themselves on the down swing, and still hit the ball straight. This is from my personal golf teaching experienced.

[Special_K]

Here's my question...

Do you guys think there is really ONE ***CORRECT*** swing? I know some of the greatest golfers have the weirdest swings but hey they're still the pros that they are...


I disagree slightly with some of the responses you have gotten. It is true that every person's swing is different and that no pro swings the same. It is also true that some pros (e.g., Furyk, Kenny Perry) have very unorthodox swings that produce excellent results. The main thing is, however, that all the pros are doing similar things, especially at impact. If you look at the swing path (downswing in particular) of pros, there are more similarities. If you look at the impact position of pros you will see even MORE similarites. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the pros look identical at the moment of impact (e.g., hands in front of the ball, weight transferred properly). Thus to answer your question Evian, there is no ONE correct swing, but there are commonalities that exist in GOOD swings.

The question of whether or not to completely change a swing or to work with what the student has, has been debated for years. My position on this is that it depends on the student and what he/she wants.

In general, I would recommend people who haven't been playing that long and have a real interest in improving listen to their CPGA pro and swing the way they want you to swing. Chances are, your swing has not been grooved yet and you have an opportunity to groove something that is correct and fundamentally sound. In this situation, know you that you have to first get worse in order to improve. Swing changes are difficult and will take work. Just think of how difficult it will be to change it if you continue to swing incorrectly for a few more years! This is why it is ultimately the student's decision and a good pro will ask you what you would like to do beforehand. A good pro will always be wary of simply offering "band-aid" solutions as opposed to offering to work in-depth with a student in order to fix their problems right at the fundamental level.

[Shadow]

Regardless of what swing method you use, there are perhaps three essential positions necessary for success. (A) hands ahead of the ball at impact, (B) clubhead path is inside at impact, square at separation, (C) club shaft "On Plane."

Whether there are different swings my answer would be "Yes. No." If all cars have 4 wheels, a motor, steering wheel, brakes, etc., then all cars are the same. Other differences them are just cosmetic. Golf swings are then the same. Finger grip, lead arm straight, trail arm folded, body rotated away from the ball at impact, etc.. A single axis swing is different: palm grip, wide stance, body facing the ball at impact. So there are different swings, but, IMO, not as many as you would think.

The basis of the teaching of the conventional swing, is on perception and feeling, not on science. This is why it takes so long to improve. There are a gazillion tips out there, all based on perception and feeling, few of which are of any value.

Someone said that Tiger has the perfect swing. Not even close. Tiger has swing flaws for which he compensates on the way down. Because he is a superior athlete, his compensations allow him to play world class golf, plus his short game is awesome. If he had his swing and my talent, he wouldn't break 90. Having said that, I noticed in the Skin's game last week, that he is flattening his backswing a little, which in turn is flattening his downswing, so his club shaft is getting closer to a position, where if the release were allowed to happen naturally, he would be more consistent, particularly with the driver. More later.

[Andru]

Good question Evian. I dont' think there is only ONE correct swing. Everybody has different bodies and strengths so I think whichever works for the individual is the best. The experts say Tiger had the "perfect" swing in golf (or used to!) because he had a strong body built for golf. He maximized all his strengths and ability in each swing. Jim Furyk, has an awkward swing that most teachers would not teach but it works for him. BUT, their fundamentals are all the same though. Its just their backswings and swing paths are different, but everything else is the same. I think thats the key.

I think if you keep on listening to your instructor you'll get used to it. I remember one guy told me to keep my left knee from buckling on my backswing and at first i couldnt hit the ball after that. Once I got used to is, I notice a big improvement in consistency.
I have to disagree with you here. Tiger woods and Jim Furyk have nothing in common other than they both have US Open Wins and they're human. Everything is different from the Grip, Clubhead Path, Setup, Backswing, Follow through, Ball Flight. They couldn't be any different.

I honestly believe newer instructors lack the patience to teach golf. I'll take an old time instructor any day. They make one small change at a time. There's no confusion. That's how you get better. Overhauling swings in one lesson is just too much to ask of a student. if a student can't put into practice what they learned in a lesson. It was a bad lesson.

Cheers :)

[Shadow]

I have to disagree with you here. Tiger woods and Jim Furyk have nothing in common other than they both have US Open Wins and they're human. Everything is different from the Grip, Clubhead Path, Setup, Backswing, Follow through, Ball Flight. They couldn't be any different. Give me a choice between the swings of Tiger and Jim I would take Jim's in a heartbeat. If you look at Furyk's position in the downswing when his hands are about or just below hip high, you will notice that the club shaft is on the shaft axis plane, the position from which good shots naturally happen. In a similar position in the downswing, Tiger's club shaft is above or off plane, the position from which he has to block his hands from releasing, otherwise he would hook the ball. He does this frequently and ends up in the right rough
Granted Furyk's backswing is most unusual, however, the forward swing is more important that the backward swing. It also takes superior coordination and timing to get the club shaft in the correct position after taking such an upright backswing and he has it, or he would not be of Tour calibre.

If Tiger got himself into this position on the downswing,
(http://www.golfbetterproductions.com/comparison.asp) he would be a better player.

Notice how the club shaft coincides with the right forearm of these players, all of whom are great ball strikers. If the professional is not trying to get you into this position, say, "Bye, bye."