A Further Swing Update

[Neil18]

Hey all,

Just thought I'd post my latest video on here for all to look at if it fancies your tickle. I've re-posted my previous video first for comparison purposes:

We can play a game of spot the difference(s) if you like!

[GregJWillis]

Re: A Further Swing Update

Niel.jpg

I think I like the previous swing...

[Neil18]

Re: A Further Swing Update

Nice drawing!

I prefer the latter swing both visually and in terms of the results.

I understand your observation with the left leg straightening which you like. The reason for me now keeping it bent is more apparent from a down the line comparison:

If you freeze the frame at impact for both swings (do another drawing! They're cool!), hopefully you'll see some more detail as follows:

One of the main reasons why my left leg is straight in the first vid is because I was losing my angles at impact (not massively, but enough to cause inconsistent strikes and direction). I now am not, but you wouldn't have known because you can't see that from face on.

It's kind of linked to me seeming as though I'm "peeking" at the same stage in the follow through on the older swing, but not in the latter. The only reason my head has started to turn (incidentally, I was still looking at the ball, but out the right eye) is that my spine angle was straightening, as were my legs, and through impact my head was dipping, so my head could not stay back. Now it can, unimpeded by my raised body. Bent legs get my hips out of the way of my elbows too! Stay back, damn you hips!

I totally agree, however, that the left leg stays bent a fraction too long, hence the weight goes to the outside of my left foot a touch. I am currently getting used to the "squat" move and finally getting my left knee out from under my body in the downswing, so it's an exaggeration until I find the balance.

Well spotted! You are good! I will most definately keep an eye on that. I hadn't seen/felt that. Thanks.

In terms of accuracy and power the latter swing is streets ahead. Consistent controlled 165 yard 7 irons were not in my bag at the start of the year.

Also, I like my shortened follow through. I had too much aggressive upper body motion throughout the swing in the earlier vid, especially in the follow through. I was doing it to artificially create some speed in the clubhead which lead to inconsistent shots. My chest now faces the target when I'm done, not twisted around. I haven't out-raced my hands. This also leads to better balance for me and keeps my right heel down. Something that keeps my swing even more consistent. That's like a yard-stick to me on the range and on course. If I end up on my right toe at the finish, I've gotten out of synch and had to twist my upper body to keep the speed up.

When I look at them in terms of motion, my current swing looks like it has a bit more flow and less effort about it. It certainly feels that way.

Thanks for the feedback.

[GregJWillis]

Re: A Further Swing Update

Neil2.jpg
Just goes to show you that a picture does not tell all the story. I agree that if you are hitting the ball better now, then absolutely you should keep down this course. Just from video and positions, I see the possibility for better consistency in your previous version.

How has this translated onto the course under duress?

BTW, You should be pleased with both swings...I know many would give various appendages to look this good.

[Neil18]

Re: A Further Swing Update

Thanks for that Greg,

On the course I was initially having trouble as so many little changes had been going on that I was having difficulty emptying my mind and getting back to the target.

When I did that the results were good though.

Not sure if this will have happened to you in your early golfing life, but you get used to a swing, play with it, and it produces certain shots, but not others. It's like the compromise when you know you're on the path to somewhere good, but there's lots of compromising stops along the way.

I have no trouble playing with what I have on any given day, but generally up until now, what I have had was a set of shots that tended to fade and weren't as penetrating or consistent in terms of yardage and direction as I would have liked from wedges to woods. Plus it gives certain "anomolies" that I was aware of at the time, e.g. I would almost always pull a lie with the ball below my feet, so that's how I played it. If I needed it to cut, I opened the clubface, which can be disastrous from that lie if you over-do it. I learned how to play well with what I had.

This last week I have been starting to get the "textbook answer" from my shots. Ball below feet goes left to right, above feet goes right to left and I can hit it low or high, left or right with minimal adjustments. It's starting to resemble a fully working swing producing shots that I and any textbook would and should expect from the conditions infront of me and my swing.

I'm now not used to that.

It's caused another "unfamiliarity stage". For a while, I'd play with a weak cut. Get a bit better and player with a "better" cut and learn to score well with that, then I'd learn how to play good golf with a limited number of chips and pitches, then learn a bit more and re-adjust again.

It seems I am nearing my desired swing. I dare say that it will eventually look like a hybrid of the two swings in the videos. I am now having to re-learn how to play the course because (again) I'm able to hit shots I didn't have before which dictated my strategy. I've been able to hit a reliable draw on the range for about two weeks now, so now I feel I can take it to the course.........................................I have to now re-learn how to play holes upon which I can use a draw.

It all sounds very complex but I hope you get the idea!

I see the plus points you highlight in my older swing and I think they will come back. Especially the rotation through the ball. Once I get used to the feelings I have now I'm looking at shortening my swing a little by reducing the amount of wrist cock going back. I have little room for increased lag on the way down as I over-cock my wrists going up. This will lead to me retaining more lag later in the downswing and I'll need to get used to turning my hips and shoulders through the shot whilst I leave the clubhead behind. Another feeling that, no doubt, will mean me having to re-learn how to play at some point in the future! We love it.

I guess I'm really pleased with my progress in other areas as I've been trying to get those parts right for over a year! Finally I see a breakthrough in areas that I sometimes thought I'd never get. I have, however, loved every second of the highs and lows and wouldn't swap it for anything.

I've got my next lesson in 3 weeks. Can't wait.

[Neil18]

Re: A Further Swing Update

Just found some wicked pictures.

At the finish, snead seems to have a bit of weight on the outside of his left foot.

Historic Golf Photos | The Ron Watts Collection of golf pictures and art.

This next photo definately shows your thoughts, Greg, on a straighter left leg at impact:

Historic Golf Photos | The Ron Watts Collection of golf pictures and art.

More weight on the outside of his foot:

Historic Golf Photos | The Ron Watts Collection of golf pictures and art.

Think I'm going to pop to the range today and try standing a little further away from the ball:

Historic Golf Photos | The Ron Watts Collection of golf pictures and art.

What a position!

Historic Golf Photos | The Ron Watts Collection of golf pictures and art.

There's only one Sammy Snead.

[BrianW]

Re: A Further Swing Update

Neil,

Your new swing does look nice and compact and you are making great ball contact.

As Greg rightly confers many would give their most precious bits for either.