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Ross Aug 22, 2020
Yes, the arms (except for a little bit of tension at the elbows towards each other), are relaxed and simply whip through to the finish. One other “feeling” of tension is the wrists “holding” the shape of flat to slightly bowed out front wrist* and the bent-in back wrist. There are no control/directing movements. Ideally, if you’ve taken your grip with a square club face**, you can freely swing the arms/club as fast as you want. It is not good to have any tension in the upper arms, into the shoulders. That will choke off the freedom of the body moving the arms/club. As for you last comment. There is a fine line between controlling the club face square, with the shaft in line with the front arm vs. flipping or throwing the club head. I did spend many years trying to just maintain even, equal grip pressure with very good results, but found there is more control holding the shape (lightly).* In theory, the back of the front wrist would point towards the target coming through impact.
** If you setup with the club face aligned square with the back of the front wrist, … in theory the ball would go were the back of the front wrist is pointing at impact. I believe that back-of-the-front-wrist saying came from Lee Trevino (and I agree).
Ross Aug 24, 2020
This subject has been discussed here a lot. Everyone looking for the “perfect” golf swing. The “perfect” golf swing is the one that works for you (on any given day). If there were perfect golf swings, you would not see the best players in the world win one week then miss the cut the next… so, in my search for a more “reliable” golf swing (over fifty years now), I discovered many things about reliability vs perceived gains. What I mean is… what do you gain in hinging? maybe a little distance (maybe)? You will definitely lower your reliability with hinging. Here is a post I wrote as I was questioning hinging and removing variables in the golf swing. Please read and then you can experiment for your own game. https://movelessgetgood.com/to-hinge-or-not-to-hinge/Ross Sep 11, 2020
If you start the backswing, moving the arms/club using the shoulders only (shoulders get ahead start while lower body resists), you’ll windup the backswing from Top Down. This takes the “slack” out of your back Muscles (like winding a rubber band). Then on the downswing, the hips can’t race ahead. because everything is connected. Also, if you are lifting the arms on the backswing, there will be tension at the top of the backswing, restricting the arms from coming back down, as the body starts the downswing, due to momentum of the lift. The arms/club must feel totally submissive to the shoulders/body control, for them to be moved by Large Muscles. It is like you’re slinging the arms/club “template”.Ross Sep 10, 2020
Not seeing a video I’d be speculating, but it sounds like you’re lifting your arms vs. turning your shoulders around your spine, so the shoulders don’t really get a chance to move the arms/club slightly to the inside. It also sounds like you’re not focused on what the duplessisgolf method is all about, and are trying to direct your arms/club. If you allow the large muscles to take control and not worry about path (in this case the shoulders turning around the spine, and also the shoulders turning the hips a bit at the end of the backswing)… the arms/club will go where they go on the backswing for your swing. Then, on the downswing, if you just unwind your body and turn through, all should return to impact as you started (unless you change something during the swing, like letting the hands or arms get involved.)The elbows coming back down in front of your body is a “dynamic” moment that just happens as the body unwinds and the arms are free to be brought back down and around to the left (right hander). If you try to focus on returning your elbows back down in front of your body, more that likely, the body will stop and wait for that to happen. It is not something you “do”, it is just an understanding of where the body parts are during the swing. Focus on Large Muscles … Shoulders on the backswing… entire body unwinding and accelerating for the downswing, all the way to the finish. The ball just gets in the way.
Ross Sep 14, 2020
It is a term to roughly describe the extension of the arms/club ‘away’ from the body*. Some of it has to do with the amount each elbow bends. The term has some merit based on geometry. The idea is … the longer the radius … the potential for more distance and the more consistent the result. A full extension (front arm straight) at impact, would will help maintain a consistent radius thus helping to create a more reliable swing. It is only one factor. If the body tilt changes, great extension does not matter… the club head goes into the ground, or hits the top of the ball… or other.* In my experience, width is often used to describe the moment in the backswing, when the front arm is roughly parallel to the ground as a “checking” point or “sign” of a potentially good shot or more advanced player.
Ross Sep 17, 2020
Yes, with the elbows slightly pinching towards each other. It does feel heave since the Shoulders are moving the arms/club. This arms/club template is passive to the shoulders control.Ross Sep 22, 2020
The hands and arms are not pulling the club down. The body starts unwinding and the hands and arms are brought down by gravity and by the body turn, unwinding and accelerating. You’re kind of “slinging” them using your body turn. The body turn is bringing them down and around to the left (if this makes sense).Ross Sep 17, 2020
There is no difference between Drive and Irons except ball position… same swing and mechanics. If you tell me more about the specific struggles you’re having with irons, I can help direct you to Lesson Videos for help.Ross Oct 07, 2020
At the range, when you practice, you can think of the wrist, unwinding etc., but you want to forget about those things when it is time to take a shot. You want to practice your Pre-shot routine, that is not about making swing changes. When you play, you want your swing to be automatic and you get what you get. Then work on specific issues at the range. Your Routine is critical for playing the game with consistency.Ross Oct 06, 2020
I think if you could visualize 2 things (Keywords) just before you start your backswing (watch the Pre-shot Routine series “Keywords”). The 1st, using your shoulders for the backswing… and then facing the target for the 2nd. You can take the thought of trying to hit at the ball out of the swing. The Pre-shot Routine uses 3 keywords… 2 keywords works just fine. You want to get away from thinking too much before and during the swing. Backswing visualization… Finish visualization.Ross Nov 22, 2020
After you Login to the Members Login, it is in the Practice Drills Section… it is the 4th Lesson Video (you scroll).. here is a link Fixed Wrist DrillRoss Jul 28, 2017
Yes! Exactly! .. and as the front wrist stays flat or even a bit bowed out. Both are working to hold the shape. This shape helps keep the shaft in line with the front arm for a very solid shot.On the downswing, key to maintaining this shape through impact, is to use the body turning or unwinding to drag that shape through impact and around to the left (right hander).
One other important reminder … the shoulders must start the backswing. The shoulders move that shape and the arms/club on the takeaway. Many golfers think they’re using their shoulders, but in reality they’re grabbing the club with the hands (changing the shape) and then the shoulders give up and let the hands take over (NOT GOOD). Practice starting the club back with the shoulders. The club should be off the ground to start… then push with the shoulders. Takes practice but produces very powerful, repeatable shots.
Ross Apr 02, 2017
In a nutshell … setup with the front wrist flat and the back wrist bent in a bit and that “shape” is maintained back and through. I feel both hands with equal pressure holding the shape as the shoulders take the club back (a little) and then the body brings the arms/club right back and around to the left (right hander). It will feel like your “dragging” the shaft (with wrists holding the shape) through impact around to the left. If you’re having difficulty then the wrists are not holding firm enough or the body is not doing its job rotating and the hands are taking over.It is best to start with little pitch shots, and just feel the shoulders move (backswing), then the body unwind (downswing) and nothing changes with the wrists from your original setup shape. You may want to exaggerate the flat (or even bowed out a bit) front wrist to help hold.
One other crucial factor in holding that shape, is that the pad below your little finger on the front hand is on top of the shaft… can’t be off to the side. Watch the “Grip” video if needed.
What is important is that the grip pressure remain constant. The best grip pressure for each golfer, is the one that will allow the setup shape (shaft in line with the front arm with a square club face), to return the same. If that takes a firm feeling pressure then do that. My experience has been the lighter pressures allow the wrists (hence club face) to move around and makes it more difficult to return square or even worse, to flip the club head creating off center hits and inconsistent direction.
Ross Jan 24, 2021
If you use your shoulders on the backswing, the club head stays outside the hands. I use this concept as a reference for students that use their hands to help the backswing and they end up hinging the club head behind the hands. There is no particular point or place that the club head changes. It does not matter where it goes, if you’re only using the shoulders on the backswing. Each golfer is different. Hint: Focus on the shoulders doing the job. Takes work and practice.