Simple understanding of weight shift

RE: Simple understanding of weight shift

JSifers — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 22:57:05 GMT

I have issues with chipping. I either leave chips short or skull them. My contact is inconsistent. Any thing that can help me?

RE: Simple understanding of weight shift

Rick V., Team Titleist Staff — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 13:32:36 GMT

Thanks very much, Ben! I'll give that a shot.

RE: Simple understanding of weight shift

Ben Blalock — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 14:14:52 GMT

Hi Rick,

Thanks for your comments and question!

Overswinging is really a tough one to figure out. I'll just say that finding the answer I'll share here has taken years of research and experimentation, involving physics, biology and psychology. I'm no professor, but I've spent time talking to some of those guys to develop my concept for the swing. It all started with trying to figure out over-swinging...

So, at the end of the day, only 1 of our 5 senses is capable of reacting to the physics produced by the swing in the time it takes to make the downswing - on average, about 0.2 seconds. That sense is your sense of touch, and it's accuracy is a delicate thing. Your sensitivity and the accuracy of what you feel through the fingers is heightened with lower grip pressure and is diminished with heavier grip pressure. Accelerating the club at any point (over-swinging), whether at the takeaway or at the start down, will always be accompanied by an increase in grip pressure. To overcome this issue, do the following:

1. Begin the swing with the club head slightly elevated or suspended off the ground. Do this through posture, not the arms.
2. Monitor your hand pressure throughout the motion - it should stay CONSTANT, and LOW.
3. Practice these concepts incessantly, starting with small shots on and around the greens and working your way back to the driver.

PS - You'll know the backswing is complete when you feel the weight of the club move from your fingers to the thumb of your top hand (left hand for right handed golfers, right hand for leftys).

Thanks again and play your best,

-BB

RE: Simple understanding of weight shift

BCH — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 04:12:20 GMT

Great explanation Ben!
Thanks

RE: Simple understanding of weight shift

Ben Blalock — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 01:32:33 GMT

Hey Bill-

You’re right, it’s simple to understand, but tough to do.

The answers lie in balance, stability, a gradual acceleration rate and grip pressure constancy.

Thanks for commenting!

-BB

RE: Simple understanding of weight shift

Bill L — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 12:31:46 GMT

Seems so simple when properly executed.

RE: Simple understanding of weight shift

Rick V., Team Titleist Staff — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 14:29:30 GMT

Great breakdown, Ben. I like your concept of swinging the arms around the body. One question - I have trouble over-swinging my arms. How can I keep them under control? What should I feel that lets me know that I've swung back far enough and my backswing is complete?

Thanks again!