Well, I always have a tough time fully understanding how the backswing CAUSES something in the forward swing.  I generally think it's the reverse.  You do something in your backswing to permit what you are looking to do in the forward swing.

Generally those that LIFT when they take the club back are intending to GO DOWN to hit the ball.

So my advice would be to work on swinging toward the TARGET, low and level to the ground rather than trying to hit down.

That might seem like an odd connection for folks who never really thought of it that way, but I find much greater success comes from an intention when swinging forward than one going back.

Hi Steve

I have been told that I have to stop my rightshoulder from coming round, resulting in an over the top downswing and all sorts of poor shots.

Any simple tip(s) to work on this?

Thanks

Ben

Ben

Sorry about this sometimes it takes Ringer a while to get back to us but if you go back through this thread and do a bit of research you may well find the answer to your question?

Hello Ringer,

I would really appreciate your thoughts/opinions on something that is infuriating me.

I've been into golf for just under 5yrs and playing on courses for about 4.5yrs. In that time I like to think I've taken a fairly dilligent approach: lessons from good instructors (I base that on the fact that I have improved from their tutorlidge each time). I've not had many teachers, probably 4 and my reason to use a different pro is due to my working location at any given time. Having grown a rapport with all these guys (and with all of them having similar styles), I feel comfortable visiting them when I'm in their catchment area.

Generally I'll have a few lessons over the year (3-4) but this winter I've had a block of 6. There has been marked improvement and I'm happy with my progress, BUT, the chicken wing! Yep, I've got one (more like a turkey leg actually)  & no matter what I can't get rid of it.

I hit some pretty good shots and my game is based around good iron play (because that's what I like best about the game), and at full speed - cosmetically - it looks pretty decent. However, in slo-mo (which I'm treated to during most lessons these days) after impact my left elbow bows outward tragically and it is of constant frustration to me. Not that this affliction prevents me from playing half decent golf, it doesn't, but I want rid of it!

I haven't booked any additional lessons for the moment as I could be moving along again soon but once I know I'm here for another few months I will do. The pros don't need to point it out to me, they know that *I* know it's there - I'm not blind (even Stevie Wonder mentioned it). In my next block of lessons (as and when they come about) I hope to cover it then (although I fear in vain).

So, after all that pre-amble my questions are:

1) What are/is the cause(s) of the good old chicken wing? The wikidiots can no doubt google it & post 5,000 reasons but in *your* opinion what is the singlemost destructive cause?

Here is a random sample I gleaned earlier courtesy of Google:

"It occurs when a player starts the downswing with the top half of the body instead of from the ground up." - Butch Harmon

"This happens when the pivot motion, the rotation of your trunk, slows down or stalls through impact." - Tony Ruggiero (I don't even know who he is).

"This position occurs when the lead arm fails to fold properly after impact." - Mike Wilson (ditto).

----The problem is that there's about 5 billion explanations of "why it occurs"!

2) Given your definition of why it occurs (and there may be more than one type of chicken wing??? If it helps, I don't swing from out to in - well, not anymore!). How would you fix it? I'm more of a feel learner than a "mechanics speak" person.

3) Do you have one of your excellent videos that illustrates "why it occurs" (and variants thereof - if there are any) and how an idiot like me could go about resolving it on his own cognisence.

Cheers, here's hoping,

Chris.

Ringer, Not a question just want to say thank you for your Video's , I watched one on the thread coming over the top where you showed how by keeping the Y formed by arms and club till you are half way back on the backswing keeps you on plane and stops you coming too much inside , well, my game had gone walk abouts and my coach Scott Currie had sorted my Stance and Knee flex problems , but I was still shan... er hosel hitting and after 3 lessons was no nearer curing it, my fault not his as I was tying myself up in knots , I saw your video and it showed me how I had let things slip in regards to my arms, my 4th lesson was a complete turnaround thanks to you.

I only hit two semi hosel hits but every other shot was sweet and straight and on target , Scott couldn't believe the change from my last lesson , I told him how your video had helped me visualise and copy your Y tip and how it had helped I think stop my hosel hitting, I sent him a link to your vids as he wanted to know more about your vids , Professional curiosity? hope you don't mind.

Just got to stop my chicken wing that creeps in now and again but your other videos will help with that too I'm sure, Thanks Ringer.

Sham

Yep, lost the chicken wing! Camera says "yes".

Cheers.

Steve,

I'm off 13. I've always had quite a steep swing - leading to a high ball flight, but resulting in less distance and consistency with the long shots. Having worked on this a bit, I've found that occasionally i'll over compensate and take the club back too far inside on the backswing. The result is that i'll either go straight over the top / block it... 1 in 5 are a nice draw down the middle.

It's hard to know what thoughts i should have when taking the club back and through my backswing. I was wondering whether you have any tips on how to get this more consistent.

Thanks, Geoff