Move Less - Get Good

Original topic by Ross — 2022-12-15T23:42:10Z EmailsToRoss — Apr 19, 2016 Hey Ross, I have an issue where I take too long in my pre-shot routine with every club, especially on my tee shots. I know it’s because I’m overthinking, and it’s something I’m fully aware of, but I cannot seem to just step up and hit, even when I try on the range. I’m pretty decent, usually shooting somewhere between 95 and 105, and it’s only my fifth year playing. But I know this issue is annoying the friends I play with, as well as being detrimental to my shots and my ability to relax when I’m about to hit the ball. Any ideas on how I can shorten my pre-shot routine and confidently hit the ball without so much thinking? Thanks in advance for your help. Great app, by the way! My best, Eric Hi Eric, Your routine should last about 12–14 seconds. As you stand about four steps behind your ball, look at the target and “visualize” the shot you want in your mind. Once you decide, GO. Walk up to the ball. Sit down, bal...

Original topic by Ross — 2022-12-15T23:37:49Z EmailsToRoss — Apr 20, 2016 I find myself sometimes bringing the club too far back (too much wrist hinge). Should I be using more of a three-quarter swing? This is very troubling to me. Your thoughts, please. I know the wrists must hinge to some extent. Chris Hi Chris, My thoughts on this could fill a book. FYI, there has already been quite a bit of discussion about this in the forum and blog. In a nutshell… think about what “impact” needs to look like, and then work backward. Impact on a solid, square golf shot only looks one way. Now, there are many variations that cause different results, but essentially, the shaft will be in line with the front arm, maximizing its strength, and supported by the back wrist, with a square clubface at just the right point of the swing arc. All of that is being moved by the body’s rotation—the body is unwinding, moving that arm/impact shape around to the left for a right-hander. So, how can we arrive at tha...

Original topic by Ross — 2022-12-15T23:20:53Z Ross — Apr 20, 2016 Ross, I have noticed that when I start the downswing, the shoulders and hips move simultaneously. The core moves all at once, with no separation between the hips and shoulders. Is this the correct way of thinking? Chris Hi Chris, Yes, if you’ve wound up correctly from the top down—meaning the shoulders start the backswing and wind from the top down—then, on the downswing, we unwind from the ground up. So, if you start with your hips on the downswing, as they move, the clubhead should move too. There should not be any “slack.” Everything should be wound like a rubber band. If you can start your hips on the downswing and the upper body does not come along, you did not wind up correctly. Ross

Original topic by Reposted — 2022-12-15T23:15:40Z RAM — Apr 23, 2016 How do you feel about using the same shaft length throughout the bag, and also about the idea of an oversized grip to help take the hands (the flip) out of impact? Thanks, RAM I’m starting year three using your method. It’s getting better all the time! Discussion (6 replies) Reply 1 Ross — 2022-12-15T23:16:23Z Ross — Apr 23, 2016 I honestly have not heard enough from golfers who have tried them. Again, there will be trade-offs: gain accuracy, lose distance. My method already produces pretty straight shots once learned, so losing distance for no gain does not make sense to me. Interesting story: One of the biggest problems with junior camps in general involves a similar concept—clubs that are too short for their loft—and it’s one of the reasons many kids don’t like golf or struggle at first. The golf courses and pros think it is okay to take a bunch of unmatched, lost-and-found golf clubs, cut them down to fit the kids...

Original topic by Reposted — 2022-12-15T23:13:18Z larry — Apr 30, 2016 Ross, It has been my contention for a long time that male amateur golfers could learn more from watching LPGA players than from watching the PGA Tour. Besides being nicer to look at, the course management skills they employ are a lot closer to what I need to do than anything on the PGA Tour. The shortest hitter on the PGA Tour outdrives me by about 40 yards or more, since I average 230. But the ladies’ average drive is maybe five yards longer than mine, although a few can pound it out there 260-plus yards. Since driving distance can dictate your second-shot club, they are often hitting the same club into the green that I am. Their clubhead speeds with the driver, 6-iron, etc., are virtually the same as mine. Most of them can’t reach par fives in two, so, like me, they don’t even consider it. What they can do is score. Their wedge play, short game, and putting skills are something to emulate. Any thoughts? Larry Orig...

Original topic by Reposted — 2022-12-15T23:10:34Z BigAl — May 05, 2016 Ross, What if my knees don’t touch at the finish? To get my knees to touch, I must narrow my stance. Original forum topic Discussion (3 replies) Reply 1 Ross — 2022-12-15T23:11:05Z Ross — May 05, 2016 Usually, if your knees don’t touch, you didn’t finish rotating to the outside of your front foot… and problems can occur. Find a comfortable stance that allows you to rotate completely. Reply 2 Reposted — 2022-12-15T23:11:22Z carlgo — May 16, 2016 This was a good tip for me, as my stance had drifted too wide over time, making it harder for me to get a decent backswing and rotate properly. For some reason, the backswing is the most inconsistent part of my swing, and it has a big effect on what happens afterward—at least for me. Reply 3 Ross — 2022-12-15T23:12:05Z carlgo — May 16, 2016 This was a good tip for me, as my stance had drifted too wide over time, making it harder for me to get a decent backswing and rotate pro...

Original topic by Reposted — 2022-12-15T23:01:53Z Student Question — Jun 04, 2014 Ross, Overcoming 40 years of throwing my arms and hands apparently isn’t easy for me. Any suggestions? Original forum topic Discussion (8 replies) Reply 1 Ross — 2022-12-15T23:02:57Z Ross — Jun 04, 2014 I have really emphasized lately to some of my other students having flipping and throwing problems: SHORTEN THE BACKSWING AND FOCUS ON SPEEDING UP THE BODY ROTATION ON THE DOWNSWING. This has worked wonders for them. The reason is that if you allow your backswing to get too long, the arms lift slightly or the wrists hinge a bit, and then you are going to “throw the clubhead” to help catch up. But if you stop the backswing when the shoulders are done—which will feel short and weird at first—you haven’t hinged or lifted and can now just focus on turning for the downswing. And I mean GO! TURN. The shorter backswing gives you confidence that you can return to the ball easily and keep going… no hit… just turn… ...