DEAD Drill Step 5 - Add the Club

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Hitting all your checkpoints with your body and lead arm? Awesome! Now let's add the club and feel, for the first time, what a proper release feels like!


Once you're hitting all your checkpoints and you've added your lead arm into the swing and nothing is breaking down with your body checkpoints. It's time to stack the club in there. I highly recommend at first that you start out with the club upside down and just grab it down here by the hozzle. The reason is the mass of the club starts generating a lot of momentum. And so the tendencies that you had in your old swing of ripping the club inside being too handsy, picking it up, they'll start to show up here again. But if you take the club upside down, it'll be much easier for your brain to focus on your body movements, because you won't have a club trying to pull you around all over the place. So again, just like when you, I was saying, adding

The lead arm, the key here is that what you're going to focus on is

Allowing your body to move the club and don't try and do anything with the club. The less you do with your arms and hands, the more consistent you're going to be as a golfer. The body is the key. So just like when we added the lead arm, your checkpoints are focusing on your body. And if you do that and you move of your body, just like I've taught you so far, the club will automatically go exactly where it's supposed to without you having to do anything with worrying about positions and planes and paths and all of that stuff. So let me show you from set up what we're going to do. So I'm going to turn back, making my back swing. Now, as I squat to square, when my left arm is about parallel to the ground, I should have at least 90 degrees of lag or angle between my forearm and the shaft.

If you look like this, you're pushing against the shaft with your lead thumb. So as I go back, what I want to do is I squat to square, make sure that club shaft is at least vertical or slightly inside a vertical. And now the big checkpoint is the, as I post up and finish my shift, that my hand is right in front of my thigh. And the club shaft is at least parallel to the ground. Now there's no benefit of having this much lag at this point. That's way too much. And you'd have to do something very aggressive with your hands at the bottom, or have a ridiculously strong grip think Sergio Garcia in order to get the club face to square up. So don't try to get any bonus points here. There is such thing as too much of a good thing. So as I start down my wrist back in front of my thigh club, shaft parallel to the ground, that's it you're done at that point.

If you can get to here, we're going to be golden from down the line. I'm going to do the same thing, go to the top shift and transition squat to square post up now club. My wrist is in front of my thigh. The club shaft while parallel to the ground should be pointing straight down the target line. If you've done that the rest of your swing and the rest of your golfing life is going to be so much fun. You won't be able to stand it because all you have to do from there is released the club. And as you flip the club, right side up, which we're going to do now, the release is going to happen. Automagically because the body is in control of the swing and all your hands have to do from that point is let go. That's what it means to release.

Think about what it literally means to be, to release something. It literally means to let go. And that's how I want you to imagine your golf swing through the hitting area. Once you get to the delivery point, we're in our checkpoint here. All I want you to do from there is just let the club go where it wants to go. Your wrist is just going to re rotate, letting the club go from a towed up position to square, to tote up. That's all you're trying to do. And if you let that happen, it will happen with great speed and great consistency. That's the key we want to put, sir, Isaac Newton in the driver's seat at impact, you don't want to be trying to steer or try and manually square. That club face up. You want to let physics do it for you and let the club release in the more that you get out of the way, and you let Knight Newton get in the driver's seat.

The more the club face is going to consistently do the same thing through the hitting area. So once we have the club right side up, it really helps to choke up on it a little bit at first, because it's a little unwieldy when you're going just with your left hand, only go to the top shift, post up and now from here, just let it go. Now it's a little bit tricky when you stop and you hit this checkpoint, which you need to do at first to make sure once that club has flipped right, set up, because it's going to feel a lot heavier. Now you're going to want to start losing lag or pushing against the shaft, et cetera. So once you get here, you just want to let it kind of naturally release. You can start to get the feel of the release, even stopping here.

But the real goal is by now, if you've done enough of these body drills and you've done enough repetition, you should be able to make the entire backswing transition and post up all in one smooth movement. If you can't do that yet with just your body, then you've skipped too far ahead and you're not ready for the club yet. If you can't put all of these moves together like this at a normal pace of a golf swing, like I just did there. You're not ready for the arms and club yet, but if you can do that, watch what's going to happen. I'll do it slowly. At first.

Pretty fast, right? All I did was just put those movements together without having the pauses in the chunks. The pauses and chunks are necessary at first, so that you can stop and make sure you're hitting your checkpoints. But once you get those checkpoints down, it's time to start taking the training wheels off and start trying to blend this into one smooth motion. That's the goal. And as you do that, I'll go really slow this time. So what I want to do when I'm hitting my checkpoints and going through the, the whole thing slowly, but as one piece is that I want to make sure as I come down and I get into the post-up, it's just my arm and clubs that are moving at that point. You see how my lower body is just post it up. I'm like a big old Oak tree anchored to the ground, driving my feet in the ground, contracting my glutes.

At this point, this is making sure that my body stays stable and protected so that I'm not only protecting my spine and hip from injury, but I'm also going to be more consistent. Imagine if I'm just trying to move my lower body all over the place in the downswing or move my upper body all over the place, it's impossible to be consistent. So as you start grouping this together, you want to make sure that your chest stay square. Notice that my head is still looking down at the ground. Even when I get into the release and my shoulders are still square from down the line, this is a little bit easier to see the club pulls me around to a follow-through. You never, ever try and move your body into a follow-through. The club is going to move. You remember what you've been working on this whole time is getting posted up and then slamming on the brakes, contract the glutes, push the feet into the ground and then release the club.

But nothing changes. The club is releasing, not my body. So as you start adding a little more pace to this, you're going to start getting pulled open a little bit more, but the club is doing the pulling. I'm not trying to get into a follow-through position. I'm trying to get into an impact position and then release the club. And as I do this with speed, that is how you get pulled into a follow-through. So a couple of critical checkpoints, as you start adding a little more pace to this, the biggest thing is going from toe up to toe up, which you remember from the nine to three drill from down the line, it's really easy to start seeing the K the club shaft is parallel to the ground and the club face is toed up or slightly towed in squared impact towed up on the other side while my shoulders are square, my hips are open.

All that's happening is that my wrist bones are being allowed to rotate. And they're being rotated by the toe of the club. Naturally wanting to turn over. I'm never trying to flip the clubs over actively with my hands. That's impossible to time consistently. So you just want to let the club release, remember release means to let go. So that means you're not trying to steer it. You're just letting the club release. You'll also notice as we start down doing nothing with my arms, look how the club naturally drops into the proverbial slot. You're perfectly on plane here and you haven't tried to do anything with your swing plane whatsoever. It's just shifting squat to square, post up clubs in a good position release and let it go. You put those together and watch out because once we add that right arm and ball, you're going to have a brand new golf swing. That's going to perform as good as it looks.

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Jon
Hello! Been doing the DEAD drill for a good while now. It seems like, one of my main problems is how to not swing at thin air. When you do the post-up and extend the leg, from the squatting position, it also seems to increase the height from the ground, making my club hit way above ground level. Is there a good technique to avoid this?
November 29, 2023
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jon. The post up and movement back with the lead hip actually increases spine angle and trigger the club to move down/out. If you are hitting air than you are probably popping the lead shoulder up too much or having some early extension losing posture.
December 1, 2023
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Ryan
Hi Craig, I am able to hit these positions fairly well all the way to delivery (hand in front of right thigh), but without a ball, I inevitably drag the handle too far as I "release" - resulting in a wide open face and path 6'' inside where the club started at address. Assuming that is something worth focusing on/fixing at this stage, do you have any suggestions for feels / thoughts that could help with this without introducing an "active" element during release? (recognizing that what feels passive to me now is clearly an active holding off of the release until the handle is in front of my left thigh, unfortunately). Thank you!
March 25, 2021
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ryan. Take a look at How Swing Speed Affects Compression and Play the Best Golf Of Your Life in 6 Weeks 2 of 6. If I can get the tension out with you triggering the throw with the legs (no manipulated release). We should be able to take the hold and timing aspect out.
March 26, 2021
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Ryan
Thanks, Craig -- those were super-helpful! Crazy how "flippy" that feels to a reformed early-extender/hook fighter lol. But the video doesn't lie! One other possibly related question for this drill: I find it almost impossible to get to "square" by left arm parallel when I focus on "squat to square". I suspect that makes me late in posting up, which in turn makes my release a bit late. In order to get to "square" by left-arm parallel, I have to think about *rotating* my knees toward the target aggressively in transition, and posting when that left-knee rotation is maxed out. Assuming I'm still shifting enough to get my left knee over my left ankle as I do this, any concerns with that as a transition focus ... or possible issues it might cause that I should watch out for?
March 27, 2021
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ryan. Just concerned you may start externally rotating the lead knee too much. If you don't hit it exactly by parallel. A few degrees here and there won't matter. Take a look at Tour Pro Downswing Sequence Drill.
March 27, 2021
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Olav
Hi Craig. I have a question regarding the backswing related to your comments in the last review. When you say make sure your hand i consistently over trail shoulder / trail angle. Do you mean that the swing sometimes gets too flat when practicing left arm only?
February 2, 2021
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Olav. More it tends to get a little deep. You have plenty of height. The depth issue like the lead arm too far across the chest.
February 2, 2021
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Todd
With regard to the checkpoint of left hand in front of right thigh: it seems that with the irons the hand/handle is about one fist width from the thigh. Is this true / fairly constant? I figure, if I'm remotely outside/over the line, my hand will be farther away at this point of the swing. Also, does this stand for the driver or would it be farther out because it's a longer club? I struggle with the driver (unlike the irons) so looking for contrasts to help understand.
December 30, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Todd. It will be roughly that distance. I don't want to give an exact as some genetic factors will play with this one. The driver will tend to be a little further out due the the setup and radius you are dealing with. Driver and Iron swing are the same. Most players struggle with the driver because they try to create the launch angle versus adjusting setup and catching the ball at a different time.
December 30, 2020
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Alan
I have some questions. The hands are in front of the trail leg at post up. Are the arms mostly dropping from gravity as opposed to pulling them down? Should the proper body motion automatically get the hands in front of the trail leg? It seems that if I do anything with my arms, other than keeping them relaxed, I loose lag.
December 27, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Alan. A blend of gravity and pull. Most players tend to over work the arms with pulling/yanking. Yes, relaxed arms and proper body motion will pull them to trail thigh.
December 28, 2020
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Tom
Dec 27 2020 Are these 5 Dead Drills for all clubs Wedge through Driver , if not please provide a teaching on Specific changes in the 5 Dead Drills for the Specific Club , with much appreciation Tom Lawson
December 27, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tom. The motion will stay the same for all stock shots. Even with the driver. However, the driver can have different setups to maximize launch (proper tee height video) and the wedge for lower flighted shots need some as well (penetrating wedge shot video).
December 27, 2020
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Gerry
I find my club to be shut on the way back and also as I do the post up when doing this in slow motion. When I release from here all I get are pull hooks. When you mention “towed up or slightly inside” does slightly inside mean closed or open?
October 7, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gerry. The toe at the takeaway should be toed up (square), or slightly toe down (closed). Take a look at Shake Hands Drill, Right Wrist in the Takeaway and 5 Minutes to the Perfect Takeaway (full details) Videos.
October 7, 2020
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Tony
Hi, thanks for the video. I'm going to start by concentrating on the first part of the video, with the club held by the nozzle. I'm confused though because the first thing Chuck says is to start the backswing and then he has his lead arm at about 10 o clock with lots of wrist hinge. I've looked back at the video for adding the arm and all he says to do is to go to the backswing position and stick your lead arm straight and do nothing else with it. I've been practising the moves up to post-up, ignoring the lead arm as best I can. Did I miss a stage when we started to put more into taking the arm back, and also, adding wrist hinge? I'm a little worried that the arm might start taking a more active part and thought that we were training the brain not to include the arms at this stage? Have I missed something or am I following the videos too strictly?
September 28, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tony. The club will gradually set as you swing back. It doesn't require much, but the wrist will have to cock some. Take a look at Wrist Cock vs Wrist Hinge and Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing. The weight of the club will set the wrists for you. The arm will have to use a little bit of effort since it will be elevating, but it doesn't require much. Take a look at Proper Muscle Activation and My Golf Backswing Secrets.
September 29, 2020
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Peter
Since I don't have the flexibility of Chuck in my backswing, when i go to squat to square my left arm is not level or parallel to the ground, but beyond parallel, pointing at about 8:00. But then when I post up I do, and can, get the club parallel to the ground for release. Is that arm position, parallel to the ground, at squat to square, as critical as the club face parallel to the ground at post up. Thanks
September 25, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Peter, first off you do not need much flexibility to move into the position that you see Chuck in this video. Elevation and flexion of the arms is pretty easy to achieve, if you are moving in the correct order. With that said, if you are a little lower than the 9:00 position mentioned and you still have time to post and release the angle you are taking into the hitting area, then you will be just fine. If you are seeing the lead side of your body get sloppy at contact or just post impact, then I would work on getting the arms to be in the upright position at the top and then work on being patient with the hands and arms on the way down.
September 26, 2020
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Peter
Chris, as you can imagine the club gets pretty heavy when doing the drill repetitively. Other than choking on the club, any other suggestions? Thanks
September 26, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Yep, you can flip the club over to take the weight out of it (grip down at the ball) and drill like that. That should make it much easier for you to get the reps you need in.
October 1, 2020
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Gerard
Hi folks, I had a eureka moment with this. I consciously stop my shoulders and body rotating, and the momentum of my arms took over and they actually sped up. Is this consistent with what others experience?
September 15, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gerard. Take a look at You Throw the Club Head at the Golf Ball. You are transferring the energy now from the body through the arms because of decelerating. The snapping the towel analogy.
September 16, 2020
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Neil
Hi Craig. Thank you for the last review. My point regarding keeping my wrist flat was related to the previous review where you observed that it was breaking down after impact. My understanding was you wanted me to keep it flatter for longer post impact. I'ts now staying flatish for about another 18" of club head travel - is that OK? I don't think I have an issue with keeping it flat/slightly bowed at impact. Thanks, Neil.
September 2, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Neil. Copy that. It is tough for me to tell without the up the line shot. I can only see it from down the line when it is egregious. The goal would be flat by the time the club is at 3 O Clock. After that perfectly normal too hinge.
September 2, 2020
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Neil
Craig - just checking we are talking about the same thing - the attached image shows me at impact, after impact just before my wrist bows out (into extension) and once it has bowed out. My question is, how long should it stay flat?
September 2, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Neil. Ideally, until the club is parallel to the ground on follow through. You can see a slight change there. This is still a good release. Look at the Up the Line Shot at 5:00 time stamp Stop Slicing and Start Releasing Video.
September 2, 2020
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Neil
OK, I understand what you mean. I will make sure I maintain my hip line as per your review and put in a couple of sessions of reps and then get back to you to review. Thanks.
September 2, 2020
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Richard
Really starting to hit my check points when using just my left arm and club (held at nozzle) which really boosted my confidence that I was getting a pull driven body turn. I'm able to do this when i let my right arm hang down and slightly behind my body and i can really feel the shoulder blade pulling in and down rotating my torso. But... the instant i hang my right arm down close to (but not holding the club at all) i instantly lose the pull feeling and see my old habit of start pushing across my body from the left arm. With both my shoulders down at a address stance i lose all feeling of being able to pull my shoulder blade down and round leaving the left to take over. Any idea how i can fix this?
August 28, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Richard. It will take some time to get used to putting the trail hand down. Chuck talks about all the different ways in DEAD 6 and Step 5 - Add the Trailing Arm. The Winter Golf Training Program - Backswing Video is very good at helping the blend when adding trail to the backswing.
August 28, 2020
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Veasna
I was taught that I should try to show as much butt cheeks at contact from the DL View.
August 10, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Veasna. Both butt cheeks should be showing. But, the hips only need to be open 35-45 degrees. The whole backside is unnecessary.
August 10, 2020
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Alfred
The emphasis in DEAD is to do nothing with the arms and hands and let the lower body/core bring everything down on plane, but I'm having issues coming in under the plane (as I'm keeping my shoulders closed for longer when I squat to square - I used to rotate my shoulders out too quickly and come over the top). In the other video "trace the plane line", Chuck mentions that we need to rotate the forearms on the way down to prevent getting stuck under the plane. Should I do nothing with my hands/arms or should I focus on rotating the forearms to prevent getting stuck?
August 4, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Alfred. If you are pulling too hard you may need some emphasis on the trace the plane to get the plane/path zeroed out better. However, I want you to check to make sure you aren't pushing with the trail hip giving you too much secondary axis tilt which will drop you under plane.
August 4, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
Hi, After posting up and releasing the club, what does it mean if the club does not pull me to the follow through? And what do I need to do?
July 24, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyaw. Check that you transferred enough weight. Also, try the Two Club Drill to get the feeling of the momentum carrying you forward.
July 24, 2020
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Neil
Hi Craig. Further to today's review. I've done more reps trying to get to where I need to be. In the review you refer to me manipulating the club at each pause point (or words to that effect). I think what is happening is that I'm trying to do each chunk at proper speed and intensity and when I do the momentum of the club bounces my hand around when I stop. I can reduce it by backing off to 3/4 speed but my concern is that this will happen again as soon as I speed up again. What are your thoughts?
July 14, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Robert. Let's back it up and do it correctly. If I have comfort knowing you can make the move at any speed. I will adjust accordingly.
July 14, 2020
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Neil
Craig. Thanks for the review. One thing has been bothering me about how I’m doing drill 5. At the top my arm is only just horizontal with my hand at shoulder height. That means when I squat to square my arm is well past parallel to the ground. I can get my hand higher at the top but it means it doesn’t get into the window above my ankle unless I rotate my hips even more. Something has to be compromised somewhere- what should it be?
July 13, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Robert. Elevation is variable. Most players short the height because of excessive tension. I have kept that concern with your spine/neck during the drills. If you allow for more hips, but don't give up on proper weight placement and can do it without pain. You can go for it. But, I have seen over rotation in the past when you lose the hip line. We can look at both versions and choose the best path forward.
July 13, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
In this video at the post up point the club is still parallel to the ground; but in RST 5 steps at post up point, the club seems to be at impact position already. The DEAD Drill seems to have more lag than RST 5 steps. Which one should I follow?
July 13, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyaw. Both are teaching the same thing. The drill emphasis is sequence. Post up won't finish until impact. The above drill is just hyper focus on making sure someone completes their sequence before releasing.
July 13, 2020
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Neil
Hi Craig. Thanks for the last review. I'm not sure where you want me to stop. I think you want me to video me doing the rep but stopping at the top of my back swing before completing the sequence of squat to square and then post up. Can you confirm, thanks.
July 10, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Robert. Stop at the top and stop - squat to square.
July 10, 2020
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Neil
OK. I’ve submitted another review. Thanks.
July 10, 2020
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Neil
Hi Craig. Thank you very much for turning my review round so fast. I will get on with the reps over the weekend and submit Monday. Have a great weekend.
July 10, 2020
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Dmitry
Have you ever experienced discomfort around ring finger knuckle / ring finger base bone on the left hand? Not really pain but definitely noticeable even when not holding the club (especially in the mornings). Given RTS is focused on injury prevention, I wanted to see if you ran into this before and what might be causing this.
July 8, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dmitry. I haven't heard much other than you are using way too much tension, or the placement is wrong in your hand. Which is necessitating extra work for your fingers to help stabilize the club.
July 8, 2020
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Brian
Bootcamp member here, in practicing this week I am noticing that my hands seem to be behind my trail leg when I stop here (Stopping pre-release as per the bootcamp sequencing). Ive videoed myself and I cant seem to notice anything specifically breaking down, was wondering if this could just be a case of trying purposely not to release the club or if its a function of not having enough practice with a club in the hands
June 26, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brian. Could be a product of trying to stop the release. However, check two things. 1) The arms are working in front and not stuck behind. 2) You are finishing the weight/post with the body.
June 26, 2020
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Brian
Thanks Craig that sounds right. I think by trying to stop my release I am also stopping my left hip from fully rotating back. If I turn it a little bit more the hands are looking in the position you guys described
June 26, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
Hi Craig, Thanks a lot for your review on my lead arm only release with foam ball. I will keep doing the baby DEAD Drill (lead arm only with foam ball) as you suggested. After that should I add my trail arm to do the baby DEAD Drill with both hands? When should I submit my next video for your review (which video)? Thanks
June 19, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyaw. Yep. Add the trail arm once the lead is working well. Ideally, I would like to see the full 9 to 3 in next review if you can nail it down.
June 19, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
Hi, When I practice looking at the mirror, I feel like I can swing correctly. But, the problem is that I am not comfortable swinging without looking at the mirror which is like I cannot swing correctly when I look at the ball position. Any advice to overcome this issue?
June 15, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyaw. Have to get the camera out. Look at the position of the ball on the ground and start filming your drills. Constantly checking the feedback. The only way to get over the hump with the perspective change.
June 15, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
Hi Craig, When I do the DEAD Drill step 5, I just focus on the body movements without thinking about the release part. But when I do 5 minutes release drill, it would feel like I manually release the club as apposed to the DEAD Drill step 5 which Chuck says release should be automagic. I am a bit confused about where to focus during the release (my body or my arm).
June 11, 2020
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Michael (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Kyaw Make sure you dont have any tension in your arms and hands when you do the release. You will have some tension in the hands and forarm when you stop the club at the parallel checkpoint in order to hold the club. When you put a bit of momentum to it you should feel the club release. Make sure you dont drive with the left arm and you feel the most pressure in the last 3 fingers on the club. So focus on relaxing your arms and hands and really feel like you let go.
June 11, 2020
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John
After putting a clubhead through the wall while practicing in front of the mirror in our bathroom, my wife has forbidden all golf club swings inside the house. However, I've discovered that a flyswatter works very well for these exercises.
June 8, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. Oh boy. We all have been there before. Good luck!
June 8, 2020
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John
Hi, I've been working on dead drills for the last couple of months and decided to take it out to the driving range today. Unfortunately I'm finding that no matter how many "right shoulder backs, squat to centers, and post ups " I do at home in front of the mirror, when I get a club in my hand and a golf ball in front of me, I still want to wack at the ball. Can you recommend a drill to get beyond the "hit impulse" ?
June 6, 2020
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Todd (Certified RST Instructor)
John, I recommend you check out the webinar, “How to Translate Your Drills Into Great Ball Striking.” Chuck goes into detail on taking things from in front of the mirror to the course. One of the biggest mistakes is trying to go from “0 mph” in front of the mirror to “100 mph” on the range or course.
June 6, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
Hi Craig, Thanks for your review and feedback on my headless club swing videos. I would like to know if I practice my backswing with two hands and, "squat to square", "post up" and "release" with left arm only (taking off my right arm after backswing). Will that destroy my routine?
June 3, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyaw. Not at all. Great way to keep trail side less dominant.
June 3, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
Hi, When I add the club, will that be OK to practice only the back-swing part with the club first (eg. only back-swing with the club for 2000 reps) or any other suggestions?
June 1, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyaw. You can separate the work into chunks. I needed more reps for backswing in my personal game before I stacked the downward movement.
June 1, 2020
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Martin
Hi. I'm working on my releast atm. It feels a lot easier if I use a different checkpoint at this stage. Rather than have my hands parallel with my trail thigh the key point is when the hands are about a fist width away from the thigh so that DTL the club is about to bisect the forearms. (as an e.g. in the analysis tool, chuck in shorts 8i dtl its frames 166-168). What seems to work very well is just focusing on the butt end of the club pointing at or behind the ball's target line and releasing from there. This way the club naturally does what it wants to. Waiting until the club is acually parallel to the ground seems to leave it too late for me.
May 30, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Martin. I don't want you guiding, or steering the club. However, the goal is to hit your checkpoints. As long as you move through that proper position when the hands are at the trail thigh with lag, etc. all should be well.
May 30, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
Hi, Is that OK to practice with a golf trainer swing stick (pic attached), before I practice with the real club?
May 28, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyaw. Those should be fine. Basically a headless club.
May 28, 2020
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Kyaw Thet
Hi, Do I need to do other release drills separately? In a mirror when my DEAD Drill is correct the release part seems to work automatically.
May 17, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyaw. Some players need added help. Which I would recommend the 5 Minutes to the Perfect Release. But, as you noticed it starts to become automatic when you move correctly.
May 17, 2020
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Max
i'm having trouble posting up before the release. Impact still looks like a weaker (non-posted) lead leg. What's a good feel for this or a good drill you can recommend?
May 15, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Max. Take a look at You Hit the Golf Ball With Your Legs for further information and Play the Best Golf of You Life in 6 Weeks Video 4 of 6.
May 16, 2020
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Lorenzo
Hi Graig, Many thanks for your excellent review again. Because I'm not able to email you directly I posted my question here. In your last review you mentioned that before I release, my hand should be more in front of my leading thigh (left leg) but in this step 5 of the DEAD drill Chuck showed that it must be at your trailing thigh (right leg, see approx. 4:12). That is what I practiced to get my check point correct but you say something different so I'm a little confused or it could be that I did not understood you correctly. Could you clarify this?
May 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lorenzo. I want you to "feel" as if it was in front of the lead thigh. You are correct the checkpoint and goal is trail thigh. But, you release the club a hair too soon. So, the transition video I gave you will help you delay that last frame or two. "Feel," not actuality .
May 11, 2020
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Lorenzo
Thanks Craig, got it. By the way, which transition video you refer to? You did not add any videos in my last review.
May 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lorenzo. Search for Golf Swing Transition Drill Video. My apologies.
May 11, 2020
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James
Starting to work on this drill Craig; I have worked on the dead drill many times but in this section the part I find the hardest when I hold the club at the grip end (choked down) is getting the the shaft to maintain 90 deg at the squat to square stage when the arm is parallel to the ground. I do feel a tremendous strain on my shoulder when doing it at a clunky motion and the shaft is going slightly past the 90 deg position at the first position down. I manage it ok holding it at the club head end; also, if I hold the down on the grip almost touching the metal on the shaft, any higher and I find the club too heavy to control. Perhaps I am just too weak )
April 16, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. When you responded to your own comment I didn't see that there was a question from you. I apologize. The club has mass. Understandable to struggle with it a little bit. If you take the chunks out, but hitting all the checkpoint markers. All should be well.
May 11, 2020
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James
Further this, if I just lightly place my fingers of my right hand on the grip to give support to the left arm, I can then reach these positions. I am not talking of wrapping my right hand fingers around the grip, I leave the hand open with the fingers touching the grip and then letting go of the right at the squat position. I find it much easy then. Have I got a problem with this?
April 16, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Exactly. Trail will provide a little bit of support. If you need just a touch to help the new movement. I won't yell at you much.
May 11, 2020
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James
Hi Craig many thanks. Work on my swing has come to a bit of stand still at the moment as we have just acquired an additional bit of land behind where my net is sited; in two pictures below you can on the one where my net stands, I have re-sited the plant indicated. The other picture shows where I have extended and built the dry stone wall. This will continue to the gate. It is very hard physical work and have no strength to swing a club at the moment. It is a big task that is going to take a few weeks!
May 11, 2020
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James
This shows my dry stone walling.
May 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
I would be happy to come help. I am actually doing stone work on my end too. It will be worth all the hard work!
May 11, 2020
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James
If you came I think the stone walling would stop and would use your golf expertise ). I did a load of this 16 years ago prior to breaking my femur and did not find it any where near as hard as it is now. Suppose being a year short of 80 does not help :((
May 11, 2020
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Todd
Hi Craig - In home video review, I've noticed that when I practice with the irons, I'm steeper than with the driver at the S2S check point as in the picture of the video above. It occurred to me that I may misunderstand this and that the driver broadens on its own when I stop to check at S2S. Should the driver be broader in the slot or the same angle as the irons? Tried getting the driver DTL videos to work in the analysis section but apparently having technical issues. Thanks!
April 14, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Todd. The driver may shallow out a little more depending on the aggressiveness of body usage. But, the window should still be pretty close.
April 14, 2020
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Ross
I really like the checkpoint of lead hand in front of the trail thigh with the shaft still above parallel. Of course if we use the club right side up stopping in that position requires effort to keep the club from falling to the ground. If I swing all the way through I tend to lose lag with my club tending to beat my hands. Should I try to speed up my arm? Or practice with my thumb off the grip and gradually add it back? Or ...
March 13, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ross. I would practice with the thumb off the grip. It will take a little effort to maintain that position parallel when stopping, so that is to be expected.
March 14, 2020
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Remington
At impact in this video your ribcage is square. In the GEARS pro videos, all the pros have ribcages open about 27 degrees and pelvis 42degrees at impact. The scan shows pros actively rotating both through impact. Why this difference?
February 29, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Remington. Because we are the higher learning in injury prevention. Almost all pros get injured as a result of this very thing . 81% injury on rate the PGA Tour. Take a look at the latest video Chuck put out on Cameron Champ on the RotarySwing Youtube Channel. Don't forget to subscribe . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xl8X3vzd-I
March 2, 2020
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Erik
When adding the club it seems it is harder to move the body. To me the post up especially is a lot heavier. I’m thinking this is natural as I am trying to “hit the ball with the legs”. I still wanted to ask if it sounds correct?
February 28, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Erik. I haven't heard the heavy connotation, but for some it is harder to move with the club. When adding the club you are giving yourself another distraction. Therefore, the focus is spread out more and you have to keep super aware not to lose the good body positions you trained prior. Which can make it methodical and feeling "heavy."
February 28, 2020
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Rich
Chuck's lead wrist appears slightly cupped in the downswing and at trail thigh, is this ok? Also, which aspects of this step should count as reps? Thanks
January 28, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Rich. Depending on the strength of the grip and the amount of lag it may be cupped. Ideally, the lead wrist will be flat at the trail thigh.
January 28, 2020
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Rich
ok, so does Chuck have a strong grip and that's why it is cupped here? And what about the reps - do all aspects of this drill count toward the 5,000 rep count such as the chunking, or just the full length swing? Thanks,
January 29, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Rich. Could you give me a timestamp? When Chuck is normal parallel to the ground it may appear to be cupped, but the wrist is pretty neutral. Yes, all reps count with the goal towards the end to have a smooth blend without error.
January 29, 2020
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Rich
Thanks, i'm looking at 2:29 - 2:33
January 29, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Rich. You can see that he is maintaining the same wrist position that he had at the top. It may look very cupped, but it is only slight. More due to the fact the club is flipped over which made the wrist a hair cupped. But, it is pretty flat at the trail thigh. Take a look at Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing Video. The lead wrist will gradually be losing cupping throughout the swing.
January 29, 2020
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Daniel
I’ve followed all of the steps and “found” my swing. I’ve gotten to the point twice now over the last two years where I feel dialed in. When this happens I feel like I’m hitting the ball by simply pushing down through my left heel and releasing the club and the club pulls me into a balanced follow through. My problem is after weeks to months, I “lose” my swing again and I’m back to pushing off my right foot, spinning out, finishing off balance and hitting mostly pulls. Can you suggest a specific plan? For example do these drills for x number of reps per day for x number of weeks. I feel confident in my checkpoints without the club but can’t seem to progress from there. As soon as the ball is in front of me I seem to go back to old habits. Thank you in advance. I have tried several programs and Rotary Swing seems to somehow manage to be the most detailed and yet simplest teaching method I’ve found
January 19, 2020
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Mikko-Pekka
Hello Daniel. It's the old movement pattern that hasn't yet been replaced with new better ones. It takes 3-5 k reps to master a new movement pattern and overwrite the old one. If you revert back to old habbits when ball is in front of you then you aren't yet ready for that stage. If everything is working when you have no ball in front then I would suggest that you start very slowly. Don't worry about the distance or contact. Do the movements first in chunks. If everything is working then you can make the pauses smaller and smaller. Eventually you will be able to perform the movements at slow pace with the ball. Then gradually speed up. Please check that your movements are correct. Also a good idea is to start with foam balls. Then your subconcious isn't trying to kill the ball when you have that soft ball in front of you. Hope that helps. You can also send your swing for a review. The instructor will be able to help you.
January 20, 2020
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Daniel
Would you recommend sending a video of me doing a drill to see if I’m doing it right or go take a full swing and record it to see what is going wrong?
January 20, 2020
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Mikko-Pekka
If you haven't worked with instructor then I would recommend that you send your full swing for a review. The instructor will be familiar with your tendencies and recommend you videos you need. You can mention in the notes what are you working on currently.
January 20, 2020
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M. (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Graig, If I go for a training round I always try to make notes afterwards about things I noticed or did not go well. By doing this I get more knowledge of swing and it helps me to make students aware also. Today I noticed that at the post up moment I tend to move my hands more towards my lead leg insted of the rear thigh. Making notes about the consequences of this wrong movement I came to the following: 1. To much shaft lean at impact, resulting in lower ballflight 2. Steeper AoA causing lower dynamic loft 3. Inconsistency in direction. Are there more consequences? Thanks for helping.
January 19, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Marcel. If you keep pulling through those would be the main culprits. But, you also are delaying rotation of the face. Hurting yourself of that free speed with the toe rotating around the heel.
January 20, 2020
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Andre
Hi Craig, I think I figured it out. In my back swing, I tend to stretch my left shoulder, chest and arm as far back as possible. I seem to keep that left chest/shoulder crunch right into my posting up (as per the picture). Is this something I should continue do or try to correct by staying within and connected?
December 19, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Andre. The lead shoulder will have a touch of protraction at the top. But, if you are trying to over do shoulder rotation going back you can leave the box too much leading to your tendency of lead shoulder out. Sounds like you are on the right track to me with staying connected.
December 19, 2019
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Andre
I'm so appreciative and impressed of the quality quick response. Thank you
December 20, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Andre. My pleasure. Thanks.
December 20, 2019
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Andre
I added the right arm and club as per the boot camp. I'm seeing huge improvements from the "flying right elbow" at the top of my back swing. Very encouraging! When I make a full motion and post-up as I get back to square, everything seems to line up except I notice my left chest/shoulder/armpit sticking out a bit. Should I work on that or is this simply a function of me using those muscles to stop the club at parallel. Thank you!
December 19, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Andre. Are you referring more to the shoulders being closed so you see the lead shoulder more, or is diving out towards the ball?
December 19, 2019
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Andre
If I understand your question back, I would say a little of both. When I do the full drill with both hands on the club and come to a stop at post up, I'm not perfectly square (a little closed) to the ball but also, my left shoulder/chest/armpit stick (diving) out even further than the closed position I end up in. Nothing major per say but not perfectly square as when I use one arm or the tips of my right hand fingers to support the club. (I have a picture but can't seem to upload it)
December 19, 2019
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Andre
I'm currently in the Dead Drill Boot Camp. I am a right handle golfer with a left arm "Golf Elbow" (not from a golf injury). I can swing a club, even hit a golf ball without pain. When i swing simply using the left arm, as per this drill, i feel pain and further damaging the tissue. In anticipation of day 12 of the boot camp, can you recommend an alternative method that would provide similar benefit, until we start using both arms?
December 7, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Andre. Do you have any problems with the club flipped upside down lead arm only? The lack of weight from the club head should be doable.
December 7, 2019
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Andre
That might be the best solution. Everything hurts right now but I'm going through Golf Elbow rehab. I might be able too swing the club upside down by then. Thank you.
December 7, 2019
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John c
Hitting balls with left arm only it looks like I have a decent swing till I add right arm then it’s shut face halfway back club gets upright elbow flies right arm wrecking swing
November 16, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. Exactly. That's what the trail hand is good at. Messing up the swing. You need to add it back extremely light and slowly. You can try mirroring and fingertips to help get over the hump. DEAD Drill 6 and Step 5 - Add the Trail Arm will help with undertaking this challenge.
November 16, 2019
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Serge
Any plans for Chuck to do the DEAD drills with the Driver? Since it is a longest club in the bag. I know the movement patterns will remain the same but it would help a great deal to see how he goes about it, makes it easy to replicate.
November 8, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Serge. I don't know, but certainly will look into it. Yes, the movement patterns are exactly the same. Just a few setup adjustments.
November 8, 2019
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van
I am taking lessons from one of your certified instructors. I have a couple of questions to make sure I am following the doctrine. 1) on the take away do the hands follow a path essentially straight back along my toe line until I reach the 9 oclock position at which time the club follows the plane established to reach from takeaway to 3 oclock ?2) Initiating the downswing is a shifting of weight from the right leg to the left side attempting to establish as much tension (similar to stretching a rubber band) as possible in the straight right arm as that shifting of weight to a flat or slightly pronated left foot occurs. In the dead drill 5 he mentions somewhere in here the body is relaxed as the release is made. That stretch ( implying tension) and relaxed to me and my comprehension of the term are incompatable. Can you respond in a little detail????
November 5, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Van. The takeaway will almost feel straight back and be around the toe line. Take a look at the RST Pencil Tee Drill and 5 Minutes to the Perfect Takeaway for some checkpoints. The downswing is initiated by shifting weight from trail to your lead side. You shouldn't be trying to force the trail arm to stay straight in the transition. You are looking for the lag angle to increase due to soft hands and change of direction. When shifting the goal will be to get over the center of the ankle joint on the lead foot. You should be pronating to the outside of the foot that early in the swing. I'm a little concerned by your use of tension. The core/glutes will be engaged/loaded, but the arms and hands should be soft to allow them to release freely. Anytime you are adding unnecessary tension you are introducing variables that don't allow the club to flow freely.
November 6, 2019
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Serge
Thank you Craig for reaffirming my understanding but your further clarification crystalized it for me.
October 25, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Serge. You're welcome.
October 25, 2019
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Serge
Craig- Let me know if this following statement is true so I know that I am doing the right thing. 1) The lower body brings the arm and the club at impact while the arms remain totally passive, is that correct? The speed comes from the fact the club is set at the top as a result of soft hands (soft grip) then as you squat and square, leverage is created (Lag) then at post up, release at impact happens automagically as Chuck says, is my understanding correct? Now, Chuck says that the release happens auto magically. In other times, he says especially in the release videos, he says that you rotate your forearms. To clarify this once and for all, is there any manipulation going on at all? Do you have to actively rotate the forearms to release at Post up or should it happen auto magically as Chuck says? Just for context, I have been working on the drill, I notice more speed when I shift and post up because of soft hands (light grip pressure) as Chuck recommends, let the body more involved than arms
October 25, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Serge. The arms won't be dead, but they will get pulled into by weight and core. Relaxed. Release will happen automatically and the speed will come from a combination of leverage, width and rotation. At first if you don't release the club you have to train the motion. The goal is to have the correct movements and then allow it to happen automatically. Yes, focus more on the body and let the arms react/whip through (not forced).
October 25, 2019
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gary
Chuck says that at post up, it's only the club and arms that are moving as you make your release. That is different from what he says in previous videos where he says at post up, you use your obliques to help pull the club through. Can you clear this up for me? Thanks, Gary
October 21, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gary. The obliques are what clear the hips at post up to trigger the proper release. During the release phase it should be only the forearms/wrist rotating to release the club. You don't want to keep pulling the body.
October 21, 2019
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Jonathan
So the swing plane will vary from club to club given that I am standing more upright with the driver than a pitching wedge. If I rotate the same the left shoulder will be lower with the pitching wedge and the Driver will go deeper. The only way I can get to a similar position at the top is with more arm elevation with the driver. Is this something that I should be conscious of or if we rotate properly it doesn't matter where the club ends up in the backswing.
October 9, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jonathan. The type of swing plane will stay the same. Now, spine angle will change due to the length. But, as long as you rotate properly and add elevation, flexion, etc you should hit the same checkpoints. The tendency will be the taller you are the more the shoulders and plane will want to round out. Hitting the markers with your body and arms correctly will make sure you don't have to focus on the plane.
October 9, 2019
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Stan
This game drives me crazy everyone has a different view of the golf swing. If it's all body why did Jack Nicklaus say I wish I had 3 right arms. You look at utube videos clearly the pros or aggressively using the right arm and shoulder ...ugh...I just want one way that works consistently. I like his approach I just don't get where club speed comes in on Chuck's approach, you cannot get fast speed with the left arm only or even with rotation... I'm probably wrong but hey that's what it look like.
October 8, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Stan. That's why we teach from a objective approach and not subjective! Most teaching are from a players perspective of what the feel, or works from them. We base our approach purely on biomechanics and anatomical absolutes. Hogan wanted three right hands in his swing to shy away from hitting the hook. By pushing/steering more with his trail hand he was able to delay early rotation of the face and continue to be aggressive through the strike. However, this was a compensation for his swing. Case in point: When he first saw his swing on film he didn't believe it was him. Because his feel didn't match what was actually happening. He taught based on what he felt. Most players on tour that release the club properly actual have a very stable trail shoulder through impact to maximize release. Yes, the trail side can add speed, but it cannot over take the lead side which is there for control. Tiger made the switch to being more body oriented and it is the sole reason he blew out his back. Take a look at Arms vs Body Release and Tiger Woods Swing Changes with Sean Foley Videos. There are many different ways to swing the club, but I want you to hit it safely with distance. Not at a cost to your spine.
November 2, 2019
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Shreeraj
I feel there's a little bit missing in these videos that is somewhat covered in one of the Youtube videos. In the Youtube video, Chuck mentions rotating the club face going back and on the downswing, which means the hands or forearms should be rotating to get the club toed up (or "slightly toed in") as we squat to square and beyond. Chuck talks here about getting back to toed up when the club is parallel before releasing, but it's not just a result of the lower body movement. The hands/forearms do play a role in rotating the club face on the downswing. Are there any videos here that discuss that? The Dead drills don't discuss that at all, but as Chuck mentions in the Youtube video, many of us are likely keeping the club too open before we get to the release and as a result, can't release properly.
October 8, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Shreeraj. Take a look at Square the Clubface Early and Trace the Plane Line Video. Those will cover that topic depending on your need of being under, or on plane.
October 8, 2019
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David
My release is very inconsistent. Club is 90-- 100 degrees when my hands are in front of the right thigh but my ball striking is horribly inconsistent--especially with clubs lower than a 7 iron. Divots are before, at, or in front of the ball. Very frustrating. I'm guessing it has something to do with my shoulders. Where is the ideal location of the hands at impact? I'm wondering if that might be a good reference point in this video. i.e. If you've done the release correctly then your hands should end up here...
October 8, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello David. The lead hand should be around the lead thigh pleat of the pant. It sounds like you are forcing the release instead of letting the club release on its own. The release is passive and not active. Take a look at Flip vs Release, Play the Best Golf of Your Life in 6 Weeks Video 2-4 of 6 and Fix Your Release.
October 8, 2019
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Ron
Hi team. My right arm is bending as I release. Is this caused by an overactive right hand, right leg, or both?
October 4, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ron. Right handed, or left handed swinger? More than likely spinning the chest and lack of release. Take a look at Arms vs Body Release and Side Bend in Golf Downswing. You could be pushing with the trail arm, but typically it would be straight and the lead bending too soon.
October 4, 2019
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Paul
Hey guys I tend to want to spin my hips thru. Should I consciencely try to stay in the impact position thru impact? To me that feels like im keeping my rt heel down and my body has stopped. If I let the swing go, I spin out too much. It feels so odd because Im used to using rotation for speed. Thanks. Paul
September 29, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Paul. Yes. You may need to feel the body slam on the brakes (stay at impact) to allow the club to release through independently.
September 30, 2019
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charles
I struggle with keeping my lead shoulder lower than my trail shoulder at the squat-to-square position when I add the club. Even when I hold the club upside down with one hand only. I went back to the squat-to-square drill with no club, and after about 15 minutes I was able to get it correct again, but when I add the club I lose that shoulder position again. any suggestions? Is it okay to have the shoulders level at that position? -Chip
September 27, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Chip. Ideally, you want to keep the lead shoulder down in the transition. Sounds like to me when you add the club you are trying to guide the shoulders to shallow out the plane. Take a look at the Level Shoulders Drill.
September 29, 2019
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Diane
Hi, I'm part of Bootcamp. When I first added the club with my left hand it was really heavy until I realised I had reverted to a flatter shoulder turn, once I put that right swinging with the club was fine again. Then when we moved on to adding the right arm, I found that it was really helpful to stack 5 minutes to the Perfect Backswing onto the Core body movement (without a club) just to get all the moving parts moving together before adding the club back in. Also am I right in thinking that the arm rotation at the top, mentioned in the Perfect Backswing video, helps to position the arms for the final release when the right wrist has to rotate over the left?
September 27, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Diane. Great. No problem with your stacking. The arm rotation at the top has more to due with setting of the plane. But, being on a proper plane definitely makes it easier to release the club properly.
September 27, 2019
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Diane
Great, Thanks! Looking forward to Bootcamp 6 tomorrow!
September 27, 2019
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Bernard
Hi. I'm part of the Bootcamp and had Aaron review after Steps 1-3. Since adding the lead arm and club I seem to have lost my way a little and now struggling to maintain hip line, meaning I would push against anything leaning against my right hip. However more concerning is that my left hip feels really strained after doing maybe 10 reps? So struggling to do reps before final session.
September 27, 2019
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John
Hi, Bernard, for what it's worth, adding lead arm/club for me also caused "a lot of distraction" from body movement. I've needed to go really slow to make sure I now learn to maintain body movement with lead arm and then lead arm+club. And getting my body muscles to hit all the checkpoints has been quite a bi of effort. The practice sessions to get 100 correct reps in have taken a much longer wall clock time. And.... it's been worth it. After couple of days of drilling, the pieces are falling back into place.... slowly but surely. My 2 cents. Keep it up!
September 27, 2019
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Bernard
Watching the Dead drill and background videos, I think I may have resolved it - I think my weight was too far on my heels. Would that cause the hip issue?
September 27, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bernard. Take a look at Preventing Hip Pain. Hip issues tend to come from push.
September 27, 2019
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Lippen
Could you please clarify the statement "Elbow and shoulder near alignment perpendicular to chest"? Confused as to where to reference perpendicular. Is that in relation to down the line viewpoint where a line drawn between right shoulder and right elbow is perpendicular the chest/shoulder plane or a reference to width away from the chest? Does this position help maintain width and not getting too deep?
September 25, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lippen. Yes. If you are in bootcamp and have the course material you will see on page 17. DTL perpendicular to chest with trail arm/elbow. Certainly, helps with maintaining width and not getting deep. Keeps the trail arm from going behind you too much.
September 25, 2019
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Lippen
Does that mean I don’t actively have to use external elbow rotation as described in 5min to perfect backswing as long as elbow shoulder line isn’t deeper behind at the top of the backswing ?
September 25, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lippen. When you add your trail arm underneath in the correct spot that require a slight bit of humeral rotation. You may not notice it, but it will be there.
September 25, 2019
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Jens
So do i want to feel that i am kerping some tension in my wrists untill i am within the hitting area to maintain lag, or is this all done through just keeping my right elbow from straightening too early?
September 25, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jens. You will have a little tension to maintain the drill in chunks with the lag. When going fluid it will be simpler to keep the wrists softer and not fire the angle too soon. Not firing the trail elbow and wrist too soon also help retain the angle.
September 25, 2019
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Alan
For quite a few months, I've been trying (and finally succeeded) in getting my right (trail) elbow underneath my hands at the top. This puts the right elbow 2 or 3 inches below my left elbow at the top (when viewed face on). To get them almost level, my right elbow has to chicken wing out a little. Which is more important, right elbow underneath the hands or elbows close to level at transition? Pictures from the site show both positions.
September 25, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Alan. Should be a little mixture of both. However, if you start letting that trail elbow go behind you then you will get stuck. Requiring manipulation to fire the lag and get the club out in front. I would rather the elbow stay in front of the body and not getting trapped.
September 25, 2019
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Alan
I'm taking that to mean keeping the elbows more level? I've noticed if the left elbow is above the right, the club goes deeper. Ok, I'll work on it. Thanks Craig!
September 25, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Alan. Elbow underneath. No flying!
September 25, 2019

We're after one thing: Real Results - Real Fast. And that's exactly what our members achieve. And that's why they say the AXIOM is: Mind-blowing. Game changing. Revolutionary.

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Here at RotarySwing, talk is cheap and the proof is always in the pudding. Come see the massive transformations we can achieve together in your swing.

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From beginner to pro, we have what you need to get you where you want to go.

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RotarySwing was founded out of frustration with the current state of golf instruction. Quinton knew a better way had to exist to learn this game we all love.

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