The amount of golfers that move their body (sway) away from the target on the backswing is, let’s just say.. a lot..
I’d say 80-90% of the people I start to teach sway on the backswing to some degree.
This is quite an eye opening observation, as it is this quick fix that will drastically effect the weight distribution throughout the swing and therefore effect low point control.
Remedy: Practice TILTING and EXTENDING towards the target.
Yes, the head will move – but this is the feeling you want to achieve with your ‘body’ while you keep your head relatively still during the swing. This will take care of much of the turning needed in the backswing.
Notice how well Elk Tilts and Extends his upper body. Which is made possible by his pelvis tilting and extending. This is only possible while his lower body functions properly.
Right leg straightens – left leg flexes.
Note: The upper body ‘hub’ (center) is the thorax. The lower body ‘hub’ (center) is the center of the pelvis.
If the upper body hub moves away from the target during the backswing, ‘off’ center, you are turning too much without the required amount of side tilting and extending to stay centered. Your left shoulder will not move down enough in the takeaway and your head will move to the right.
So you can see – when you start looking at the swing from this standpoint, keeping your ‘weight forward’ doesn’t seem like some radical idea that a few guys decided to start preaching one day when they got up out of bed.
Keeping your weight forward happens when the center of the hips is always bias towards the lead foot.
This is the model I’ve chosen and adapted to over the years. A Non-restriction based model that the majority of the best players throughout history have demonstrated or certainly demonstrated parts of.
I’d highly recommend you start learning it as well.
first step – Stop keeping your right knee flexed!
HI James, with all this talk about Tiger being lost in swinging the golf club and mental game.
I heard the he left Sean Foley because of his back issues. At 67 I have all kinds of issues with my back and whole body from playing golf since I was 7 yrs. old. I know every ones body is different but I can tell you since I’v started using the Stack and Tilt swing I haven’t had any issues with my back and I’m hitting the ball dead straight 99% of the time. I just don’t get it, there must be some other issues. Because the swing he is using now it looks like he is twisting his body more than the Foley swing. Can you comment on the S&T swing being bad for a golfers back? Thanks.
Thanks for the comment Ray. I don’t think it was because he had back issues. As you say, tilting, turning & extending – is essential to stay centered in the golf swing and it’s not just a S&T thing. I’ve read other blogs and forums where people have commented on bio-mechanics experts saying that the S&T style of moving the body is the closest thing to safe/sound movement pattern. I agree. Plus it’s more efficient than a restriction based style that promotes a flexed right knee and an upper body that moves right while trying to turn against a restricted lower body.