Step 4 - Add the Golf Club - Drill Only

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Adding the club back into the core RST body movements.


Okay, just for the drill only section, I want you to start with the club upside down. Trust me, overcoming this momentum once the club's right side up is pretty challenging at first. Your goal, shift and turn. If you think shift and turn, relax your arm, and I want you to do this as part of the drill, let your arms kind of swing back and forth, your lead arm start swinging back and forth as you give it a little momentum. You don't want your arms all tight. If you do that, you're going to fire them first. Keep your arms nice and relaxed and just shift your weight, make little turns back and forth and feel how the club, even with just the handle, has some momentum.

                This is the first part of the golf swing drill, just starting to make a little shift and turn, and now just make that turn a little bit bigger. Turn all the way to the top, back to impact, all the way to, and you can stop at impact, or you can release it. This is putting everything together, all in one motion. As you get comfortable with this, flip it right side back up. You can choke up on it if you like, makes it a little easier. You don't have to if you don't want to. Shift and turn. Shift and turn. Shift, turn, shift turn. You turn your shoulders going back. You turn your hips going through. That's it. That's the whole movement.

                We'll look at it from down the line. My arm, I'm helping it stay relaxed by using the momentum of my turn to help bring it up to the top. Then it's all just my trunk, my core, bringing it down from there. I'm focusing on using my legs to bring the golf club down. That's it. Keep working on these drills. Keep stacking them. Keep working them every day. You're going to see massive changes in your golf swing. 

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Kyaw Thet
If I hold my lead arm with my trail arm like that lady does in the picture, what will the effect be?
December 13, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyaw. To me it looks like she is trying to keep awareness of the lead elbow to not bend it. I personally like to just get the trail arm out of the picture. Doesn't mean you can't do it this way.
December 14, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
Hi Craig, When I do like this my shoulders tense up. I was trying to prevent my lead arm from flying. I think I should stick to RST drills.
December 14, 2020
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Fred
There are videos out there that say"pure your irons" what does that mean?
July 15, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Fred. Videos on our site, or just in general?
July 16, 2020
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Fred
Just in general it's a term I've heard a few times. Does it mean a perfect iron shot?
July 16, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Fred. Yes. When you "pure" an iron shot. You are talking about the quality of strike. Perfect compression, flight, execution, etc...
July 17, 2020
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M. (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Graig, If you are reasonable skilled to hit iron shots with lead arm only would you advice to do this also with driver to improve driver swing? Thanks for helping!
February 9, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Marcel. The swing is the same with an iron/driver. Hitting a driver lead arm only is tough and tends not to yield good results because there isn't enough speed. No need to hit balls lead arm only with the driver.
February 9, 2020
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M. (Certified RST Instructor)
And drill with 2 fingers of rear hand on grip?
February 10, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Marcel. If you add some fingers from the trail hand. You may be able to perform with the driver.
February 10, 2020
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Aaron
Hello Craig. I hope all is well. Wanted to find out how many reps should be given to swinging the club with handle out and how many with clubhead out. Also, at what point in the drill should I submit a swing review, again handle out or clubhead out. Thank you for your time.
September 15, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Aaron. The reps are dependent on you. If you have a tendency to really guide the club around it may take about 500 before you should flip the club. I would suggest submitting when the club is in normal position. Therefore, your instructor can make you take a step back if it is too soon.
September 15, 2019
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Michael
Because of this wonderful sight I now I do have a deeper understanding of the mechanics of the swing. I am on the “Add the Club – Drill” and having issue with the club bottoming out in the same spot. It is in different locations and it’s a considerable difference. Even when fat it’s not the same location, I am not being repeatable. Also; after performing some repetitions I am ending up on the ball of lead foot. I reset and start again. Therefore; I would attempt to self-diagnose. I would go back to weight shift, then back to lead arm. I’ve watch and done the drill from the “How to Use Ground Force for Speed”. Also; 5 Mins to the Perfect Takeaway, Backswing, Club release and The Squat to Square in the Downswing. But with club is bottoming still bottoming out in different locations. I do understand (and it feels like I am doing this) that my logo of my glove should be on the inside of my thigh (release) when I post up. But evidently, I am not doing this. It is like my timing is off. Also, please confirm, should the club head feel as if to “slap” the deck on release. Thank you
June 22, 2019
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Mikko-Pekka
Hello Michael. I had the same issue and if your steps 1 2 and 3 are fine then I would make sure you aren't moving your fulcrum (Moving the fulcrum video). I had too much tension on my left shoulder. If you work on playing the best golf video 2 of 6 then it should help with that if you too have too much tension.
June 22, 2019
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Michael
Mikko, good evening. I am still having the issue of the club not bottoming out at the same spot. But it is more consistent from the last time I asked. I am more consistently behind the ball. unless I start with my weight shifted to lead leg (more on this latter). I have watch the videos you suggested and done the drills. I have a better understanding, thank you. So based on the videos and performing the drill I can self diagnose something, I think I can....lol. I may not be doing my shift, turn and post up correctly. The timing of my lead arm is (or at least I think I know) is at impact position but not I am not posting up. I am pretty sure my shoulders are square and belt buckle is 30 degrees but not posting up. Thats when I hit fat. When I concentrate of weight shift and post up things are better. When I do my drills, for the most part they are correct, but I do notice when getting reps in I find myself leaving my weight on lead leg. So think I am not timing my back swing with weight shift properly with the post up. but again if I concentrate with post up and or leave weight shifted on fwd leg, I get better results of impact on the ball. Oh...this would be helpful to know.....help with weight shift. If I do weight shift properly would I have a sensation of almost a post up on trailing leg, then squat to square, therefore a slight movement down, then before top of the back swing, shift / transition weight to fwd leg then post up. short version its like: up - down - up Thank you, look forward hearing from you.
July 17, 2019
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Mikko-Pekka
Hello Michael. As I mentioned in my first post the steps 1 2 and 3 have to be mastered before. It sounds like your body is out of position. I would go back to step 1 and 2 and work on those. If the club is bottoming out before the ball with just lead hand on club then it is weight shift issue. The backswing is weight shift to trail then turning then downswing is weight shift to lead leg (squat to square) and posting up. Please make 100% sure you have step 1 and 2 mastered. If you are unsure then I would highly recommend that you send your step 4 for review. The instructor will tell you what you should be working on. Remember I am only a peer talking to peer. But having been member of RST for some time and being unlimited review student I am relaying what I have learned. So in short show instructor your step 4 in a swing review and tell about your problem. Work on step 1 and 2 and make sure they are correct. Please do some step 3 drills after step 1 and 2 are mastered. Hope this helps and I'd love to hear how things are going!
July 18, 2019
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John
Hi RST, I've managed to go from a 15 to a 10 with RST, and looking to continue progress this year. Thanks for the teaching. I am finding I am using too much arm swing going back (left arm crossing shirt logo at start then collapsing at top), and too much right leg coming down (and out of sequence). What seems to help, after seeing some of Chuck's lessons, is the thought "plant" (right foot), "screw" (right foot into ground with shoulders without arms swinging), "plant" (left foot), "tree" (left leg straightening and clearing hip with the glute). On video this seems to achieve the best results thus far, with more leg stability. Would this be in line with RST?
May 7, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. Happy to hear the progress. I think the components you listed are on par with RST. Moving the body better with less arms swinging and your lower half triggers sound good.
May 7, 2019
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John
Great! Thanks so much, Craig
May 7, 2019
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Rich
I'm getting some discomfort in the extensors at the left elbow. Trying to maintain a straight left arm as I can feel the arm want to bend under the weight of the club. Is this normal? Thanks
April 22, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Richard. It is natural for the lead arm to want to be soft and bend slightly since the trail arm isn't involved. This is okay to relieve pressure, but try to keep it as straight as possible without injury.
April 22, 2019
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Matthew
Hi guys, I've been working through step 3, and I think I may be ready to add the club. But I don't have enough room in my apartment to swing a club. I will go to the range to get it done, but I won't be able to do that quite as regularly as the in-home drills. I wonder if I could try adding the right arm (starting with mirroring like in the step 5 drill) with no club? If I still concentrate on the fundamental moves, would that be beneficial? Thanks!
March 24, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Matthew. Ideally, a club would be best before adding the trail arm to any drills. However, I know your space situation is limited. You can do some mirroring like you said with the trail arm if you can't do a club. But, make sure when you can add a club have hyper focus on getting the lead arm motion down with the stick.
March 24, 2019
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Ed
Hi, When I add the club and swing left arm only, if I just do the takeaway portion where the club is parallel to the ground, the position looks really good; club is in-line with my target line and with my hands. But, when I swing from setup all the way to the top, the video shows at the same point the club is lower than my hands and starts to work too deeply as my lead arm seems to rotate too much. I've been working on this for a while now and I just can't seem to get it right. My arm gets tired after trying for a few minutes. Any suggestions? Thanks.
July 17, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ed. Sounds like you might lack wrist set, or you are letting momentum help you swing up. Take a look at Wrist Cock vs. Wrist Hinge and My Golf Backswing Secrets. Apply the principles to this drill.
July 17, 2018
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David
I am working on this and the frisbee drill as i have a tendency to come out of the shot. My question is around where the weight should be on the feet on the downswing, as very often i feel it is towards the toes causing me to move nearer the ball and feel cramped at impact. The ball flight when i do this is low and to the right. Thanks David
June 27, 2018
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Howard (Certified RST Instructor)
Good morning David. It is important that the weight be distributed more toward your heel in the downswing to activate your glute for stabilization, balance and stacking on the lead leg. Also, weight in the ball of your left foot makes your knee the primarily joint around which you are rotating in the downswing. Weight in the heel allows your hip socket to take more of this rotation, which is much safer than your knee because of its ball and socket design.
June 28, 2018
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Timothy
This drill seams very similar to the weight shift drill. When I did the 3,000 reps (in the weight shift drill) I progressed from shifting my weight by moving my feet to shifting my weight by feeling "lightness" in my heals. When I did the first 100 rep this morning I felt like I picked up where I left of on the weight shift drill. Is this normal or am I doing it wrong?
April 10, 2018
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Mark
I was thinking the same thing at first, however, this drill includes weight shift and core rotation at the same time with club in hand. In my mind weight shift and core rotation should be the primary focus all throughout the five steps. Get that mastered and the rest will be easy to figure out I think. Best of luck!
January 19, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Timothy. Some of the same sensations will remain. But, with more thought/focus on proper posting up and letting the legs trigger the release.
April 10, 2018
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Brian
When I video myself swinging the club left arm only I notice my swing plane flattens out quite a bit compared to swinging with both arms. Is this a natural byproduct of swinging with the left arm only? It seem like without the right arm it is much more difficult to get the wide takeaway and maybe this is causing the path of the club on the backswing to be more inside. Any way to correct this using only the left arm only? Thanks.
March 4, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brian. The lead arm only will tend to shallow out more coming down, but you shouldn't be too inside going back. Sounds like you are adding push and roll of the lead arm. Take a look at the Winter Golf Training Program - Backswing Video for help.
March 5, 2018
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Curt
I cannot upload review videos on my Mac. Says I need to update my flash player, which is fully updated
February 7, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Curt. I use Mac for all my dealings on the site. You will need to use Google Chrome, or Firefox. Also, you may have to click "Enable Flash" in the address bar.
February 7, 2018
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John
This drill is "fun" compared to the lead up drills and for me it also feels like exercise. My question is, what club should you use, and because my problem is Driver related is it ok to work my way through from Wedge to Driver doing 15 repeats with each daily and occasionally add my right arm. As I work my way through the rotary concept and play a weekly 4 ball, I find my shorter clubs play better than ever, my 3 wood is ok but Driver still slices; hence my concentrating on left arm only drill
January 14, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. I would rather you wait to add the trail arm until you reach Step 5. You can do this with a driver. In the early stages a 8 or 7 iron should suffice because the movement pattern is the same. Then, you may mix in a longer club if you would like, but not necessary. When hitting a driver. Make sure you are making setup adjustments (Proper Tee Height Video and Driver Setup Adjustments Video).
January 15, 2018
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Curt
For Craig: Thanks for your video suggestions in the RSA review. I hadn't watched either of them. I really haven't understood what I need to do to "fix" the right heel or the lead wrist. But, these help a great deal, and I will begin changing my drills to incorporate changes. It is difficult for to get the lead wrist in the right position without help from the right arm, but I see some change I can make. Honestly, the wrists haven't been an issue in older full (both arms) swing reviews, but this exercise should still help.
January 11, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Curt. Good. I'm glad it is starting to come into picture how to improve the move.
January 11, 2018
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Terry
Does it matter which end of the club used? Beginning to notice some tension in the left elbow when using the club in normal position...
January 5, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Terry. Start with the club flipped to the heavy end. Once, you get pretty proficient. Flip the club around.
January 5, 2018
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Terry
Ok. This is an extension of step 3 but with the club and a followthru... how many reps?
January 5, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Terry. Same protocol. 100 minimum per session (3000-5000 total).
January 5, 2018
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Erik
My question is about the "whipping" motion of the club head. How should this feel around impact? I think that when I am doing this downswing motion correctly the club head feels like it is suddenly and strongly pulling down in a sudden "snap" or "jerk" or "strong tug downward"-like motion at the bottom of the swing, just at impact. Is this correct? Or should the feeling be more smooth and less like a sudden snap or tug at the bottom? I think the tug feeling is correct.
August 3, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Erik. You should feel like it snaps or whips through at impact. It sounds like you are trying to force the hand to speed up versus the speed being in the club (Flip vs Release Video).
August 3, 2017
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Tom
I notice a lot of pressure on my grip and the thumb when doing this drill. On a scale of 0-10, I'm shooting for 2-3, but feels more like 6-7. What kind of pressure is on the thumb in this drill? I don't feel like I'm pushing with the thumb.
July 28, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tom. It will be helping with stability. However, you don't want a ton of pressure there. Try to keep it more in the last three lead hand fingers.
July 28, 2017
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Bertrand
How come there is no specific drill for the 5th step? We only see a copy of the drills of step 4 in the step 5.
June 23, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bertrand. This video is the Step 4 - Drill Only Video above. Step 5 is another video. Combining the Step 4 motion adding the trail hand. Search Step 5 - Add the Trailing Arm.
June 23, 2017
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Bertrand
The long explanation. Your website has 5 steps. Each step has a picture at the left and 3 columns on the right with different topics per column up to step 4. However on step 5, the topics in the columns are carbon copies of step 4. Therefore when in step 5, you cannot play the drill video of step 5 because it goes automatically on the drill video of step 4. Can you fix step 5 so that I can have access to the drill of this video.
June 24, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bertrand. I am gathering the issue is in your dashboard. Not, that there isn't a Step 5 Video. Where your Step 5 should be Step 4 is mistakenly put there. Use the search bar at the top right of your screen and type in Step 5 in the meantime. I will get to work on your account issue.
June 24, 2017
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Bertrand
I tried your suggestion and it works. Thanks. However you seem to imply this is only my dashboard. It is not my dashboard but yours, provided on your website. The problem is not specific to me. Also it is not only the drill video in step 5 that is the problem but also the topics attached to step 5 that are the same than step 4. These topics should be different from step 4.
June 24, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bertrand. It should be working properly now. Please check and report back if incorrect.
June 24, 2017
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Rich
Ii had the same problem and reported it. The next time I logged in, about 4 days later the Step 5 videos were properly back in place.
July 3, 2017
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T David
Just a comment on this video... I have been working on it daily (200+ reps per day with the RepTracker) and it has been excellent! This drill is a tough at first, but it really makes you think and feel the movements and how the left side needs to function in the swing. I highly recommend it. I hit the 3,000 rep mark and plan on keeping this one for my pre-shot routine. Thanks RST!
May 26, 2017
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Dave, thanks for the comments and most all drills that you will work on to fix your swing should be tough at first but if you keep doing the reps like it sounds like you are doing, you will become much more proficient and perform the moves with ease. Keep up the good work.
May 26, 2017
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T David
Great drill! Started working on this daily using the rep tracker. Question on wrist... Should we try to engage any wrist hinge with this drill? If not, how do we keep the hands from getting ahead of the club in the backswing? I also noticed that Chuck would give a slight pause at the top, allowing the club to "hover" at the top before firing the hips in the downswing. Is this correct?
May 19, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dave. You may practice a slight pause to help train the positions or movement. The goal would be to work into a smooth flowing lead arm only swing. Yes, allow for the momentum and weight of the club to allow for a little bit of wrist set.
May 19, 2017
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John
Hi Chris, I am working on this drill as part of my swing review and it is very helpful to feel the proper movements. I hit some balls today and on video I started my downswing by shifting my upper body towards the target. My head and upper body would slide slightly in front of the ball and then I lose my lag. I don't do this on video with left hand only drill. Is there another drill I can use to get rid of this upper body sway at the start of the backswing? Thanks for the help...this site and instruction are invaluable!
April 5, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. At the start of the downswing? I would focus on the first move. Take a look at Fixing Your Weight Transfer. Thanks for the compliments of our site.
April 6, 2017
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thiraphong
Hi Craig. In Chuck's demonstration I notice that his club does not make contact with the ground on the downswing. When I am doing this drill, I tend to have a better feel when my club makes contact with the ground on the downswing. Does it make any difference whether the club is making or not making contact with the ground on this particular drill?
March 27, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Thiraphong. Swinging lead arm only will tend to shallow the swing more. Hence, the lack of strike on the ground. However, if you would like to make contact with the ground or brush the grass (after the ball) like a proper divot position. No worries.
March 28, 2017
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Robert
I'm not sure where to address questions, however, I am curious of your thoughts on shaft lean. Do you have any videos on shaft lean at address? I've seen videos where the lines on the irons should be vertical to you and the shaft should lean outside the left hip. I've also found videos about the toe of the clubs to be slightly up.
March 24, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Robert. You don't want a lot of shaft lean at address. Also, for a properly fitted club the toe will be sitting slightly up, or off the ground. Take a look at the Golf Grip Tips. The lead hand will be placed just inside the lead thigh creating more of a vertical look with the club at address.
March 25, 2017
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
I noticed after doing this drill for about 1000 of the necessary reps that when I play and make sure I let the arms drop when starting the downswing that I seem to be coming into the ball from too far inside and hitting the outside of the clubface and sometimes hooking it as well. What should I be focusing on? Assuming my stance is correct. Also of note, when I don't let the arms fall deliberately, my normal tendency is to hit on the inside of the clubface (most likely due to posture issues)
March 15, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Chris. Typically, when coming too far from the inside you would be hitting more the heel versus the toe. I can see getting too inside, but it sounds like you may be trying to make up for the inside approach by over rotating the face into impact. Which would lead closer to the toe and more of a hooking shot. You need a blend of gravity and pull. It sounds like you are manually just dropping the club. Take a look at the Rotary Golf Downswing Overview Video. You seem to be missing the lead pull to help keep you in sync.
March 15, 2017
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
I'm working through the five step process and have just started this process and watched the video. I understand the girls in the video and think they are great. My question is regarding how do I count the Reps in this drill? There's different parts to it like shorter swings to full swings and can't figure that out. So what counts as one rep? What should I be putting the most focus on?
February 28, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Chris. Try to use a fuller motion (a correct one) as your counted rep. The different breakdowns in the video and stages are to help you get over the hump to make a perfect full motion rep. Most of the pieced together movements should already be ingrained from the previous videos which shouldn't require you to have a ton of each breakdown.
March 1, 2017
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Yi
Hi my problem is that It seems I am able to do this drill with the club upside down as a light stick, but once I start to use a 7 iron as normal, even with a choked length, I started the old fashion again. Should I start weight lifting to make my left arm stronger?
February 20, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Yi. Weight lifting shouldn't be required. It takes time to get the new motor patterns down. I would start smaller. Hit some small lead arm only released shots and gradually build back up to the fuller move. 5 Minutes to the Perfect Release Video.
February 20, 2017
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Lee
Hi, I have asked this before. Craig speaks about relaxed arms, etc. I have tried many things, however have not found an "easy" method. Also, getting to the top, often I don't feel true loading on my right side.
February 6, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lee. Use the Weight Shift Video Part 2 and How to Swing from the Ground Up to help with trail glute load. Learning how to relax takes practice. Listen to the talk about gravity and being relaxed in the Reshaping Your Swing for Lag Video.
February 6, 2017
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Vince
"You turn your shoulders going back, you turn your hips going through" - is that the sequencing key in a nutshell?
November 24, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Vince. Pretty much.
November 25, 2016
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Donald
Hi. Are we thinking about a lateral hip bump before turning the hips or do we just focus on turning the hips to initiate the downswing. Cheers Donald
September 14, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Donald, the hips are moving dynamically in the downswing, they are shifting AND rotating at the same time. You need to make sure the lead hip socket is shifting into neutral joint alignment while they are rotating back to square during the initial movement and then the hips will open 35-45 degrees when posting up for the release. Hope that helps.
September 14, 2016
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Alex
Hello! I've been spending a ton of time on making sure that my previous couple steps are solid before moving to this point and can get through have the grip down just fine. Yet, when I move to having the club head down, it becomes difficult for my lead arm to hold onto the golf club. Is this an indicator that I'm not moving from the core enough or simply that my golf muscles aren't strong enough?
May 27, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Alex. It will take some time to build strength in the lead side/arm. I think lack of strength and also I would check the lead hand grip. Golf Grip Tips Video and Vijay Release for proper pressure points in the last three fingers.
May 28, 2016
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