DEAD Drill Step 1 - The Backswing
DEAD Drill Step 1 - The Backswing

Here's the first step in building your perfect golf swing using the DEAD Drill. It's criti ...

DEAD Drill Step 2 - The Transition
DEAD Drill Step 2 - The Transition

The DEAD Drill transition is DEAD simple. One move to have a powerful and dynamic transiti ...

DEAD Drill Step 3 - The Post-Up
DEAD Drill Step 3 - The Post-Up

The Post Up move is where all the magic happens in the golf downswing. If you've never rel ...

Flip vs. Release in Golf
Flip vs. Release in Golf

What is the difference between a proper golf club release and a flip in the golf swing? To ...

How to Get Perfect Shaft Lean at Impact
How to Get Perfect Shaft Lean at Impact

You want to hit those boring, hissing shots that scream off the face like a rocket? This g ...

Golf Impact Position Face On
Golf Impact Position Face On

After all your hard work on the backswing, it's time for the big payoff! Getting into the ...

Golf Impact Position Down the Line
Golf Impact Position Down the Line

As I discussed in the video on Impact Alignments Face On, impact is everything in RST. All ...

Cure Chicken Wing in the Golf Swing
Cure Chicken Wing in the Golf Swing

You now have a 3-step drill to help you cure your chicken wing golf swing once and for all ...

Left Elbow Position at Impact
Left Elbow Position at Impact

Find out a simple trick to hit straighter shots while also virtually eliminating your chan ...

3 Steps to better impact position in golf
3 Steps to better impact position in golf

Golf is a sport that can leave you frustrated round after round, but WHY? What exactly are ...

Golf Impact - Part 2 of 7
Golf Impact - Part 2 of 7

In part 2 of this new 7 part video series, I'll discuss one of the most important parts th ...

Perfect your golf impact - 1 of 4
Perfect your golf impact - 1 of 4

Compressing the golf ball like a tour pro can be very hard to do. In this new video series ...

Perfect your golf impact - 2 of 4
Perfect your golf impact - 2 of 4

Effortless power in the golf swing is a difficult concept for many amateur golfers. In vid ...

Perfect your golf impact - 3 of 4
Perfect your golf impact - 3 of 4

Learn how to add more speed to your golf swing by leveraging the ground like a tour pro.

Perfect your golf impact - 4 of 4
Perfect your golf impact - 4 of 4

Lag in the golf swing is key for clubhead speed. In this video, I'll show you how to add m ...

Perfecting your golf impact - Bonus
Perfecting your golf impact - Bonus

Perfecting your golf impact video series. Special bonus video that will help you correct s ...

Overview of the Push Release
Overview of the Push Release

An overview to the push release for those who want to use the right side to help power the ...

Fix Your Swing Sway w/ the Wall Drill
Fix Your Swing Sway w/ the Wall Drill

Fix your golf swing sway with this awesome and simple drill! Swaying off the ball in the b ...

Intro to Weight Shift in the Golf Swing
Intro to Weight Shift in the Golf Swing

Weight shift in the golf swing is the FIRST thing you must master before worrying about an ...

Weight Shift in the Golf Swing - Pt. 1
Weight Shift in the Golf Swing - Pt. 1

Using our Science and Motion (SAM) Balance Lab, we can pin point weight shift and weight d ...

Weight Shift Part 2 - Right Hip Line
Weight Shift Part 2 - Right Hip Line

In this second video on understanding weight shift in the golf swing, I discuss specifical ...

Weight Shift Part 3 - To the Left
Weight Shift Part 3 - To the Left

The culmination in the three part series on correct weight shift in the golf swing gets us ...

Step 1 - Weight Shift
Step 1 - Weight Shift

Step 1 of the RST 5 Step System - Mastering Weight Shift

Step 1 - Weight Shift - Drill Only
Step 1 - Weight Shift - Drill Only

Step 1 - Weight shift drills

Weight Shift Sweep Drills
Weight Shift Sweep Drills

The best golf swing drill for weight shift right before you play or when you're just on th ...

5 Minute Golf Setup w/ Weight Shift
5 Minute Golf Setup w/ Weight Shift

Once you've mastered the setup, you can add weight shift to your program to begin developi ...

Fixing Your Weight Transfer in the Golf Swing
Fixing Your Weight Transfer in the Golf Swing

In this video, I will show you 2 of the most common faults in downswing transition by not ...

Learn Perfect Weight Shift in Your Socks
Learn Perfect Weight Shift in Your Socks

Struggling with your weight shift? I'm going to show you how to diagnose your mistakes by ...

How Attack Angle Affects Compression
How Attack Angle Affects Compression

Ever notice how the PGA Tour pros take razor thin divots? That's exactly what you want. Th ...

Taking a Divot in Front of the Ball
Taking a Divot in Front of the Ball

Taking a proper divot is something that is critical to crisp and consistent iron play, but ...

Angle of Attack
Angle of Attack

Taking deep divots? Are you supposed to? What do the pros do? This video tells you how ste ...

Swing Faults When Your Stance is Too Wide
Swing Faults When Your Stance is Too Wide

One of the most common problems with the setup, here's what happens when your stance is to ...

Fix Your Release - Trail Shoulder Back
Fix Your Release - Trail Shoulder Back

This golf instruction video is for those who struggle to stop spinning their shoulders ope ...

Moving the Fulcrum & Hitting Shots off the Toe
Moving the Fulcrum & Hitting Shots off the Toe

It's one of my most important golf instruction videos ever, this will completely transform ...

How to Cure the Shanks in 3 Steps
How to Cure the Shanks in 3 Steps

The golf shank is the ugliest, nastiest, rottenest, and most frightening shot in golf. If ...

Getting Stuck on the Downswing
Getting Stuck on the Downswing

Tiger Woods used to always complain about getting "stuck" in the downswing; a position tha ...

Blocked Golf Shots | Fwd Shaft Lean
Blocked Golf Shots | Fwd Shaft Lean

If you want to compress the ball for explosive distance, then you need to be working on st ...

How to Fix the Two Way Miss in Golf
How to Fix the Two Way Miss in Golf

Struggle with the dreaded two-way miss in golf? One shot goes right and the next goes left ...

2 Finger Release Drill
2 Finger Release Drill

This awesome drill forces you to release the golf club like a tour pro! You're going to lo ...

Stop Coming Over the Top in the Golf Swing and Slicing
Stop Coming Over the Top in the Golf Swing and Slicing

You're well aware that slicing destroys your distance and your scorecard. What you may not ...

Stop Slicing and Start Releasing the Golf Club
Stop Slicing and Start Releasing the Golf Club

In this video, I’ll show you how to release your club to stop slicing and get better com ...

Square the Clubface Early
Square the Clubface Early

Learning how to properly square the club face at impact is something that most amateur gol ...

Hitting a Fade
Hitting a Fade

Learning how to hit a fade is all about learning to control the release of the golf club. ...

How to Stop Hooking the Golf Ball
How to Stop Hooking the Golf Ball

How to stop hooking the golf ball once and for all! If you struggle with hitting hook shot ...

Hitting a Draw
Hitting a Draw

Once you've mastered the RST swing method, you realize that, due to the simplicity of the ...

How to Hit the 3 Yard Draw
How to Hit the 3 Yard Draw

Learn how to hit the delicate little three yard draw and why you're struggling with gettin ...

Cure Reverse Pivot w/ the Necktie Drill
Cure Reverse Pivot w/ the Necktie Drill

Axis tilt is a necessary fundamental of the golf swing that many golfers ignore or fail to ...

How to Fix Golf Reverse Pivot
How to Fix Golf Reverse Pivot

A reverse pivot golf swing can cause a whole lot of bad shots, from hitting it thin to hit ...

Fix Your Swing Sway w/ the Wall Drill
Fix Your Swing Sway w/ the Wall Drill

Fix your golf swing sway with this awesome and simple drill! Swaying off the ball in the b ...

Fix Reverse Pivot - Trail Side Dominant Setup
Fix Reverse Pivot - Trail Side Dominant Setup

This golf setup check is critical to getting rid of a reverse pivot and over the top downs ...

5 Minutes to Master Rotation
5 Minutes to Master Rotation

This video holds the 5 step pathway to mastering rotation in the golf swing. At the end of ...

Keep the Right Arm Straight to Turn
Keep the Right Arm Straight to Turn

One of the most common faults that destroys a powerful turn in the golf swing is how the r ...

How to Fix a Flat Shoulder Turn
How to Fix a Flat Shoulder Turn

Fix a flat shoulder turn in your golf backswing with this simple and easy to do drill.

Simple Fix to Make a Full Shoulder Turn
Simple Fix to Make a Full Shoulder Turn

Struggle with making a full turn, even though your fit and flexible? Lacking the distance ...

Using the Core
Using the Core

Using a side by side face on view of Tiger Woods with a driver and a recent swing of mine ...

The Bucket Drill - Golf Shoulder Turn
The Bucket Drill - Golf Shoulder Turn

The Bucket Drill is one that provides a very simple and clear picture on how to rotate cor ...

Intro to Core Rotation in Golf Swing
Intro to Core Rotation in Golf Swing

The rotating core is the "engine" of the golf swing and the primary mover of the entire sw ...

Step 2 - Core Rotation
Step 2 - Core Rotation

Step 2- Adding body rotation

Step 2 - Core Rotation - Drill Only
Step 2 - Core Rotation - Drill Only

The drill only for Step 2 - Body Rotation

Clamshell Drill - How to Cure Early Extension
Clamshell Drill - How to Cure Early Extension

The Clamshell Drill is the key to the golf swing, no seriously! If you want to see how the ...

Eliminate Early Extension in Golf Swing
Eliminate Early Extension in Golf Swing

The REAL causes of early extension in the golf swing and the only TRUE way to fix it.

Closed Hip Slide
Closed Hip Slide

A closed hip slide is detrimental to your golf swing when learning how to shift your weigh ...

Live Lesson - How to Stop Losing Tush Line & Boost Consistency
Live Lesson - How to Stop Losing Tush Line & Boost Consistency

Struggling with a 2 way miss and lack of consistency? Watch this Live Lesson to learn a si ...

Losing the Tush Line
Losing the Tush Line

One of the most common questions I get regularly is how to stop losing the tush line, or s ...

Squat to Square in the Golf Downswing
Squat to Square in the Golf Downswing

If you watch golf on TV, it seems that you can't turn your hips fast enough or far enough ...

Squeeze the Cheeks for Consistency
Squeeze the Cheeks for Consistency

The glute muscles (your butt cheeks) are some of the most important muscles in the golf sw ...

Role of the Right Foot in Downswing
Role of the Right Foot in Downswing

Footwork is a bit of a misnomer in the golf swing but you hear it every week on TV. What i ...

Fix Your Over the Top Swing by Fixing Your Hand Path
Fix Your Over the Top Swing by Fixing Your Hand Path

Learn how to fix your over the top golf swing by simply being able to read a clock. If you ...

Stop Coming Over the Top in the Golf Swing and Slicing
Stop Coming Over the Top in the Golf Swing and Slicing

You're well aware that slicing destroys your distance and your scorecard. What you may not ...

How to Shallow Your Golf Swing Fast and Easy - Live Lesson
How to Shallow Your Golf Swing Fast and Easy - Live Lesson

Do you struggle with shallowing the club in the downswing and keep hitting a pull cut or e ...

How to Shallow Your Hands During Transition
How to Shallow Your Hands During Transition

Do your hands go straight out toward the golf ball and don't shallow out during the transi ...

Over the Top Stick Drill
Over the Top Stick Drill

Are you tired of yelling “Fore!” when you hit big, nasty slices off the tee? If so, he ...

Drill to Learn Inside Path to Golf Ball
Drill to Learn Inside Path to Golf Ball

Tired of the over the top slice? This drill and training aid will teach you how to approac ...

How to Fix Your Over the Top Move - Live Lesson
How to Fix Your Over the Top Move - Live Lesson

Do you have a steep, over the top golf swing? No matter what you try and do, you can't sto ...

9 to 3 Lag Building Drills
9 to 3 Lag Building Drills

Learn how to build lag in your golf swing with these 9 to 3 lag building drills. You'll le ...

AXIOM Lag in the Golf Swing
AXIOM Lag in the Golf Swing

Producing incredible lag has never been this easy - or fast

Increase Lag - Impact Cube Drill
Increase Lag - Impact Cube Drill

This awesome drill will teach you to not cast the club and maintain lag into impact.

Speed vs. Power in the Golf Swing
Speed vs. Power in the Golf Swing

Speed vs. Power - Which is it that you want in the golf swing? Many golfers think they nee ...

Reshaping Your Golf Swing for Lag
Reshaping Your Golf Swing for Lag

It's no secret that you want more lag in your swing. In this incredible video, I give you ...

RST Student Success - Building More Lag
RST Student Success - Building More Lag

RST student uses a simple 3 step process to shallow his golf swing and build in a ton of l ...

Intro to Fix Losing Lag and Weak Release
Intro to Fix Losing Lag and Weak Release

Find out how to work through this section on how to cure your golf casting / loss of lag o ...

Sklz Gold Flex Lag Trainer
Sklz Gold Flex Lag Trainer

This KILLER training aid will help you master a smooth, one-piece takeaway and help you bu ...

Rickie Fowler - How to preserve Lag
Rickie Fowler - How to preserve Lag

Lag is the most efficient way to increase clubhead speed. In this video, RST Instructor Ch ...

Lag and Speed Drills
Lag and Speed Drills

To get more distance in golf, you've got to get maximum speed from your arms and not let y ...

Key to Creating Lag
Key to Creating Lag

The secret key to creating lag has been an elusive thing for most amateur golfers. In this ...

Downcock Pump Lag Drill
Downcock Pump Lag Drill

Every golfer wants to know how to create more lag in their swing to hit the ball further. ...

Golf Grip's Effect on Lag
Golf Grip's Effect on Lag

As you've no doubt seen, my golf students have been picking up some serious distance throu ...

Become a Golf Swing Lag Monster: Shocking Success Story
Become a Golf Swing Lag Monster: Shocking Success Story

In this video, I’ll show you how RST student David became a "lag monster" with RST swing ...

4 Step Golf Swing Lag Builder
4 Step Golf Swing Lag Builder

The 4 steps to building INSANE lag in your golf swing - and you can do it TODAY!

Golf Left Thumb: Fix Pain, Soreness, Casting
Golf Left Thumb: Fix Pain, Soreness, Casting

Casting the club in the downswing is a sure way to destroy club head speed. Check out this ...

Right Arm in Downswing: Stop Casting
Right Arm in Downswing: Stop Casting

In this video, you’ll find out: 1) How Tiger Woods builds lag for power, 2) What to feel ...

Sequencing the Downswing - Dump Truck and Drag Racer
Sequencing the Downswing - Dump Truck and Drag Racer

Sequencing the downswing is the HARDEST overall part of the golf swing - and also the MOST ...

The Post Up Move - How to Use Lead Leg for Power and Maintain Posture
The Post Up Move - How to Use Lead Leg for Power and Maintain Posture

Have you ever wondered how the pros use their legs for power in the golf swing? This video ...

My Golf Power Secret
My Golf Power Secret

How do the pros hit the ball so darn far? I tell all inside with this power secret!

Using your wrists for speed in golf swing - 5 of 7
Using your wrists for speed in golf swing - 5 of 7

Your body uses tension as its primary mechanism to sequence the golf swing. In general, th ...

Vertical Ground Force and Double Peaks
Vertical Ground Force and Double Peaks

Should you be trying to increase vertical ground force in your swing and if so, how should ...

Throw the Club Head at the Golf Ball
Throw the Club Head at the Golf Ball

Unlock the leverage, speed and power of your golf swing by understanding the physics behin ...

Throw for More Natural Golf Swing
Throw for More Natural Golf Swing

Do you want a more natural golf swing with much more speed? Then you need to focus on how ...

Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing
Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing

The wrists play a very dynamic role in your golf swing. In this video, I'll cover the term ...

The Tour Pro Downswing Sequence Drill
The Tour Pro Downswing Sequence Drill

If you are looking for a golf swing drill that can INSTANTLY improve your ball striking po ...

Trail Arm Release - Throw the Ball Drill Pt 1
Trail Arm Release - Throw the Ball Drill Pt 1

This is THE key drill for really understanding how the downswing sequencing works. This 20 ...

Trail Arm Release - Throw the Ball Drill Pt 2
Trail Arm Release - Throw the Ball Drill Pt 2

Are you ready to maximize your club head speed at impact? If so, you need this missing pie ...

Tim Burke - Kinetic Chain
Tim Burke - Kinetic Chain

Tim Burke wins his 2nd World Long Drive Championship. In this video, I'll show you the key ...

Golf Takeaway | Overview
Golf Takeaway | Overview

An overview of the RST takeaway by RST Founder, Chuck Quinton. This video walks you throug ...

AXIOM Refine Your Takeaway
AXIOM Refine Your Takeaway

Simplify your takeaway with a simple 2" movement that moves the club 6 feet!

Learn a Perfect Golf Takeaway with Just a 2 Inch Movement!
Learn a Perfect Golf Takeaway with Just a 2 Inch Movement!

Learn how to pull in this video: Pushing vs Pulling in the Golf Swing Learn the simplest ...

Fix Inside Takeaway - 4 Square Drill
Fix Inside Takeaway - 4 Square Drill

You probably overuse your hands during the first half of the backswing, like most golfers, ...

Understanding Shoulder Blade Glide
Understanding Shoulder Blade Glide

If you have questions about exactly what the shoulder blade glide is or what it should fee ...

Golf Takeaway, 5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Takeaway
Golf Takeaway, 5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Takeaway

This 30 minute long golf instruction video is key to setting you on the right path for the ...

Right Wrist in the Takeaway
Right Wrist in the Takeaway

The role of right wrist in the takeaway is often misunderstood and has been the source of ...

Fix Inside Takeaway - Pushing with the Lead Side
Fix Inside Takeaway - Pushing with the Lead Side

An extremely common swing fault, so common that many golf instructors actually teach the s ...

Role of the Right Arm - Takeaway
Role of the Right Arm - Takeaway

Collapsing the right arm early is something that at least 90% of amateur golfers struggle ...

Pull for a perfect takeaway - 6 of 7
Pull for a perfect takeaway - 6 of 7

So many golfers try to perfect the takeaway in the swing and they constantly fight an uphi ...

Thorbjorn Olesen - Perfect your takeaway
Thorbjorn Olesen - Perfect your takeaway

See 2 key moves that Thorbjorn Olesen uses to build a picture perfect takeaway position ev ...

One Simple Key to Fix Your Takeaway
One Simple Key to Fix Your Takeaway

In this video, I’ll show you the one swing change that’ll fix your takeaway once and f ...

Posture's Effect on the Takeaway
Posture's Effect on the Takeaway

Posture at address is something that Tiger Woods always does right and it's something that ...

How to Fix an Inside Takeaway
How to Fix an Inside Takeaway

This one simple trick will fix an inside takeaway instantly, I guarantee it!

Fix Inside Takeaway - Shake Hands Drill
Fix Inside Takeaway - Shake Hands Drill

This is the best golf swing drill to teach you exactly how your hands should work during t ...

Golf Swing Takeaway & Drills
Golf Swing Takeaway & Drills

The golf takeaway has been described by golf instructors countless ways, so many ways that ...

Fix Inside Takeaway - Belly Button Drill
Fix Inside Takeaway - Belly Button Drill

This simple takeaway drill will give you that one piece takeaway you've been looking for o ...

Fix Inside Takeaway - Forward Press
Fix Inside Takeaway - Forward Press

If you've ever wondered whether or not you should have a forward press at setup, this golf ...

Wrist Cock vs. Wrist Hinge in the Golf Swing
Wrist Cock vs. Wrist Hinge in the Golf Swing

Do you know the difference between wrist cock and wrist hinge in the golf swing? The diffe ...

AXIOM Body Backswing
AXIOM Body Backswing

Eliminate your reverse pivot, handsy inside takeaway, your head swaying off the ball and y ...

AXIOM Refine Your Backswing
AXIOM Refine Your Backswing

Dial in your arms during the backswing to start easily shaping the ball, changing trajecto ...

Body Rotation in Golf Backswing - Chair Drill
Body Rotation in Golf Backswing - Chair Drill

If you want to power up your swing in golf, body rotation in the backswing is crucial. Unf ...

Left Shoulder Push in Backswing
Left Shoulder Push in Backswing

This "Left Shoulder Push in the Backswing" video is for you ONLY if you already pull perfe ...

5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Backswing
5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Backswing

Once you've mastered the takeaway using our "5 Minutes to the Perfect Takeaway" video, you ...

My Golf Backswing Secrets
My Golf Backswing Secrets

My keys to success for a perfect golf backswing - how to make the backswing simple and rep ...

How Much Shoulder Elevation
How Much Shoulder Elevation

It's time to help you decide how to power your golf swing. And it all starts with how you ...

Right Elbow Pit in Golf Backswing
Right Elbow Pit in Golf Backswing

Do you struggle, like most golfers, with a flying right elbow at the top of the backswing? ...

Understanding Arm Elevation
Understanding Arm Elevation

In this video, Ill show you what arm elevation is, why you need it, and exactly how much y ...

Fix Overswing/Across the Line - Flying Right Elbow
Fix Overswing/Across the Line - Flying Right Elbow

If you want to cure your overswing/across-the-line swing, you first need to diagnose the c ...

Live Lesson - How to Fix Your Arms by Fixing Your Legs in the Backswing
Live Lesson - How to Fix Your Arms by Fixing Your Legs in the Backswing

Do you struggle with your arms getting too deep or too disconnected during the backswing? ...

Right Arm Backswing Drill
Right Arm Backswing Drill

This is an excellent drill to train your mind to use your torso rotation to move the club ...

Should You Restrict Your Hip Turn in the Backswing?
Should You Restrict Your Hip Turn in the Backswing?

For years, you've been taught to restrict the hips in the backswing. Is that what's best f ...

Simplify Your Backswing with Shallow Arms
Simplify Your Backswing with Shallow Arms

Make this one simple change to reduce tension in your backswing to start hitting more EFFO ...

Stop Overswinging | Get Your Backswing Under Control
Stop Overswinging | Get Your Backswing Under Control

A powerful, compact backswing is essential for creating good contact with the ball. If ...

Fix Hip Overturning in Your Backswing
Fix Hip Overturning in Your Backswing

If you're letting your hips over rotate in the backswing, you're costing yourself a ton of ...

Fix Loose Lower Body w/ Laser Beam Knee Drills
Fix Loose Lower Body w/ Laser Beam Knee Drills

Lower body stability is key for power and accuracy in the golf swing. This drill will help ...

Torso, Hips Over Rotating in Backswing
Torso, Hips Over Rotating in Backswing

How much shoulder turn is too much and how much is not enough? Depends on how it's measure ...

DEAD Drill Step 1 - The Backswing
DEAD Drill Step 1 - The Backswing

Here's the first step in building your perfect golf swing using the DEAD Drill. It's criti ...

Golf Backswing, Completing the Golf Backswing
Golf Backswing, Completing the Golf Backswing

Once you've mastered the setup, weight transfer and takeaway, it's time to progress to the ...

Winter Golf Training Program - Backswing
Winter Golf Training Program - Backswing

Snow on the ground? Too cold out? No problem! NOW is the BEST time to work on your golf sw ...

Upper vs. Lower Body Rotation in Backswing
Upper vs. Lower Body Rotation in Backswing

Confused about how your upper body rotates in the backswing compared to your lower body? T ...

How to Keep Your Left Arm Straight in the Backswing
How to Keep Your Left Arm Straight in the Backswing

The secret to why you can't keep your left arm straight at the top of the golf backswing.

How to Avoid a Cupped Left Wrist at the Top
How to Avoid a Cupped Left Wrist at the Top

Learn the cause of a cupped left wrist at the top of your golf backswing and how to fix it ...

How to Fix Trail Leg Straightening in Backswing
How to Fix Trail Leg Straightening in Backswing

Is your trail leg straightening in the backswing? Do you know what kind of issues this sim ...

Do You Start Backswing w/ Hips or Shoulders?
Do You Start Backswing w/ Hips or Shoulders?

To start the golf swing with the upper or lower body, that is the question! I think Shakes ...

Checkpoints - 5 Minutes Backswing
Checkpoints - 5 Minutes Backswing

If you who have already watched the complete 5 Minutes to the Perfect Backswing video, thi ...

5 Minutes to a Perfect Backswing Pitfalls
5 Minutes to a Perfect Backswing Pitfalls

In this premium video, I am going to cover some of the common mistakes that RST students m ...

3 Functions of Right Arm in Backswing
3 Functions of Right Arm in Backswing

In this video, I'll show you the 3 functions of the right arm in creating the perfect back ...

Henrik Stenson's Backswing Moves
Henrik Stenson's Backswing Moves

See how Henrik Stenson's idiosyncrasies work in his powerful golf swing. Check out these ...

Jason Day - Perfect Backswing
Jason Day - Perfect Backswing

Swing plane is a very common term used in golf and has become a primary focus point for a ...

What is a Perfect Golf Swing Plane?
What is a Perfect Golf Swing Plane?

Swing plane is NOT something you work on by swinging in a big PVC hoop or swinging around ...

How to Fix Swing Plane & Path
How to Fix Swing Plane & Path

If you want to truly, once and for all, fix your golf swing plane and path, you must heed ...

Creating a Swing Plane
Creating a Swing Plane

So many golfers struggle with their ball striking because they misunderstand the concept B ...

Fix Swing Plane - Lead Arm Two Club Drill
Fix Swing Plane - Lead Arm Two Club Drill

Here's a simple golf swing plane drill to get your swing back on track fast with a trainin ...

How Knee Flex Determines Swing Plane
How Knee Flex Determines Swing Plane

Do you struggle with swinging too far from the inside? Part of the problem could actually ...

Trace the Plane Line
Trace the Plane Line

Do you tend to get "stuck" in the downswing? Do you hit blocks and quick hooks? Do you wan ...

Golf Grip's Effect on Swing Plane
Golf Grip's Effect on Swing Plane

Having a proper grip is crucial for club face control and lag in the golf swing. In this v ...

Stop Coming Under the Plane in Golf
Stop Coming Under the Plane in Golf

Coming into impact under plane kills your consistency, often resulting in blocked shots, t ...

AXIOM Body Tour Impact
AXIOM Body Tour Impact

Learn the secret of how the pros are so consistent with this tour impact position.

AXIOM Body Downswing
AXIOM Body Downswing

Learn how to cure your flip, stop hitting fat and thin shots and how to get into the perfe ...

AXIOM Release Left vs. Right
AXIOM Release Left vs. Right

Discover the release that is best for you and your swing that will give you the fastest re ...

AXIOM Release Overview
AXIOM Release Overview

Finally, understand what it means and feels like to fully release the club

AXIOM Compression Drill
AXIOM Compression Drill

THE drill that will give you the consistency you desire with effortless distance you didn' ...

AXIOM Unleash Your Inner Speed Demon!
AXIOM Unleash Your Inner Speed Demon!

Learn how three tiny changes can unleash 30+ more yards on your drives when you need it.

Golf Swing Sequence - How the Lower Body Works
Golf Swing Sequence - How the Lower Body Works

Struggle with coming over the top or don't know how to use your lower body in the golf swi ...

The Magic Box - How to Check Your Lower Body in the Transition
The Magic Box - How to Check Your Lower Body in the Transition

The "Magic Box" is a term created by Chuck Quinton to help golfers learn the proper transi ...

Start Downswing Before Completing Backswing
Start Downswing Before Completing Backswing

You need to start your downswing before completing your backswing. This pro-style transiti ...

Golf Swing Transition Drill
Golf Swing Transition Drill

Most instructors consider the transition in the golf swing the most difficult, if not impo ...

Which Muscles to Feel During Golf Swing Transition
Which Muscles to Feel During Golf Swing Transition

Learn exactly which muscles you should feel and in what sequence during the golf swing tra ...

You Hit the Golf Ball with Your LEGS!!
You Hit the Golf Ball with Your LEGS!!

You hit the ball with your legs, specifically your lead leg, not your hands in RST. Learn ...

Golf Downswing, Rotary Golf Downswing Overview
Golf Downswing, Rotary Golf Downswing Overview

Mastering the setup, weight transfer and takeaway are critical to a great golf swing. But ...

Right Arm Only Downswing Drill
Right Arm Only Downswing Drill

Once you've worked with the Throw the Ball Drill, you'll want to begin mastering this much ...

Drill for Golf Downswing Sequencing
Drill for Golf Downswing Sequencing

In this video, I'll show you where you're losing power and a simple drill that'll get it b ...

5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Downswing
5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Downswing

All the work you've done on your RST golf swing to this point has culminated in this next ...

Golf Swing Follow Through
Golf Swing Follow Through

The follow through is a result of all things you have done in your golf swing up until thi ...

Adam Scott Driver Swing Follow Through
Adam Scott Driver Swing Follow Through

In this Adam Scott follow through video, you'll find out: 1) How Adam Scott finishes his p ...

What You Should Think Over the Golf Ball
What You Should Think Over the Golf Ball

I get asked all the time what I'm thinking over the ball. This video finally answers it - ...

Taking Your Golf Swing Drills to the Course
Taking Your Golf Swing Drills to the Course

How to take what you're doing with your golf swing drills in front of the mirror to the go ...

3 Cable-Machine Core Exercises To Add To Your Routine
3 Cable-Machine Core Exercises To Add To Your Routine

We all know how important the core is to your golf swing. But which ones are the best for ...

Fix Your Release

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Impact in the golf swing is the most important part. In this video, I'll show you how to get into a tour quality impact position.

  • Use a tube of toothpaste to help determine proper grip pressure. 
  • When training impact, make sure the lead wrist is bowed so that your knuckles are facing the ground. 
  • Keep the lead arm relaxed when working on the release and let it swing under the lead shoulder as if it were a pivot point/pendulum. 

Impact - The big payoff and the most important part of the golf swing.

Why do so many golfers getting into this position? Is it because we are working getting to the result the wrong way? Perhaps.

If you stop and look the one commonality shared among all of the best players in the world, you will see one thing that sticks out the most. A flat left wrist at impact.

It is this common position in the golf swing that produces compression of the ball. We all want compression and that hiss that the golf ball makes once we strike it. But, how do we get into this position.

When learning how to get a flat left wrist at impact, you must work on things in a very slow and isolated manner. Basically, you are going to work from impact backwards.

To start out, it is best to put your body into a proper golf impact position. This will help eliminate any sort of distractions of body movement while you are working to train yourself in a flat left wrist position. To better understand what your body needs to look like at impact, check out “impact alignments - face on”.

Tension of the left wrist is pretty much your worst enemy when it comes to working on your golf release or impact. Grab a tube of toothpaste and take the cap off, and use it as a club for any of the drills I speak of in this article. The goal is to hang onto the toothpaste but not squeeze any out. This will teach you how to eliminate tension and is a great tool to assist you in the process.

Now that you have taken all of the moving parts out of the mix, start without a club. Allow you left arm to swing back outside of your right thigh. When you get to this position, check to make sure your glove logo or watch are facing directly in front of you. Then, allow the arm to fall underneath the shoulder and rotate the knuckles in your left hand so that are facing down to the ground and stop where impact would happen. As a checkpoint, if you were to drill a hole in the palm of your hand, you should be able to see through the hole directly to the ground.

Once you train this slowly, for several reps, add the club back to the mix and use an impact bag to show you the position of your left wrist at impact. It’s that simple.

After you have trained impact for a bit, it is time to add the release. You want the left arm to swing under the left shoulder in a very relaxed manner. Think of your left shoulder as a pivot point and your arm is to swing back and forth under the shoulder as if it were a pendulum. When doing this, some simple checkpoints are to make sure you glove logo or watch, are faced directly in front of you at the 9:00 position and then directly behind you at the 3:00 position. This will trail you to allow the wrist to rotate in a gradual manner and will allow you to eventually feel the club rotate on it’s own, like it was designed to do.

Now that you have trained the release and you are becoming a pro, it is time to add the right hand back to the club. Do this very slowly and allow the wrists to feel as they are rotating just as they were with the left hand in control. Do not allow your body to rotate while doing this. Try to keep the buttons on your shirt facing down at the ball when you add the right hand so that you are not tempted to help push with the right shoulder.

That’s just a simple few checkpoints that will help you get more speed AND more control on the golf course than you ever thought you could have.

To see more information in the best detail possible, check out golf’s best release video ever called “5 Minutes to a perfect release” and get on your way to compression and a tour like impact position every time.

Hey everyone, I'm Rotary Swing Instructor, Chris Tyler. Have you found yourself struggling with getting into a really good impact position? Or have you found yourself struggling working on the release, and never really have been able to figure out if you're doing it right or wrong? Well, today's video's going to be perfect for you because I'm going to show you guys a lot of the common mistakes that we see day to day. I'm going to show you how to correct those mistakes and most importantly, I'm going to give you a detailed list of checkpoints that you're going to look for that are going to help you through this process so that you can get into a good impact position and have a tour quality release every single time.

                Okay guys, so the first common mistake that we see when training your impact position or working on your release is the total amount of tension. Now, tension can be our worst enemy when we're working on our release or impact position, because tension can actually slow the club down from doing what it's designed to do. And the club is designed to rotate, and if we are squeezing it really hard it makes it difficult for it to actually want to rotate, and it is also hard for it to square itself up. So what we want to do is we actually want to have a good visualization, we want to have a good way to be able to translate how much pressure we want to be able to have through the hitting area.

                And I know we've heard a lot of crazy analogizes out there, like holding a baby bird, but we are going to go back to that old thought process of holding a tube of tooth paste. What I want you to do is, I want you to grab a tube of tooth paste, take the cap off, and anytime your working on, whether it be an impact position or if your working on a release, the goal is that we don't want to squeeze the tooth paste out all over your floor. So try this out. Remember you want to be able to translate how much tension your keeping in there. Slowly put the club back in your hands, and you'll start to feel the golf club rotating like it's supposed to. It's a great way to get into a better impact position. It's a great way to train your release.

                Okay guys, so the next common mistakes we see have to do with training the impact position. Now, some of the things that we tend to see here from a lot of players is when they are starting to train to getting into this good impact position is that they tend to set their wrists too much. Okay, so the first movement of the club is just setting the wrist. So, you can see how far I've moved the club here, this is going to be too much leverage, we would never want that much leverage in the golf swing, make it very difficult to get the club releasing and back to square.

                Okay, so what we are going to be looking for, a good way to focus on this is start without a club. And our goal is to get our lead wrist out past our trail thigh. Okay so, focus on getting your lead wrist out past your trail thigh and then what you want to do is you want to let the arm feel like it is just kind of falling and rotating and when you finish what your going to be looking for is if you drilled a hole down through the middle of your palm, you can see down into the ground. So you can see here I've got some nice bowing to my lead wrist right here. So train that first. So outside your lead thigh and then see down through your palm. And then your translate it, you'll but the golf club back in your hand, outside the lead thigh and now I can see down here through my palm. Okay so those are two ways to fix the impact position drills and a great way for you to start to understand what you're doing wrong. 

                Okay guys, so this next common mistake that we see is probably my biggest pet peeve when we're training the release. And we tend to see a lot of golfers trying to get way to much out of this drill, like we're trying to hit the ball way to far. So what I'm talking about here is that we'll see when you're training a release, which should just be like a hip high to hip high area, we'll see the club go back nice and slow and then they'll pull their arm through, and then your finish with your arm way up here like your Jack Nicklaus winning the masters. Okay what we are trying to do here is we want to keep things relaxed, if your yanking your arm through the hitting area chances are the club face is going to be late to rotate and your going to hit the ball out to the right.

                So what we are going to be looking for here, try to feel what we are going accomplish when we put the club back in, is think of your lead shoulder as a pivot point that's nailed to a wall. Now I want your arm to just swing from that pivot point. So the amount of energy that you use to get your wrist out past your trail thigh, is the amount of energy I want you to use getting it to go to the other side. So it should look really relaxed. So what I want you to do is I want you to train that. Think of your shoulder as a pivot point, we don't want to pull the arm, you want to feel that as a pendulum, you can use a metronome if you want there are apps that you can put on your phone, and just get a good solid pace going. And then slowly put the club back in your hand, and you will see how the club face wants to rotate and square up on it's own.

                Okay guys, so the next common mistakes we see, talk about club face rotation. And the best way for me to describe what the common mistake is that we try to get too much rotation going back. So if you notice if your wearing a watch or a glove logo. When you get out to the nine o'clock position, and your glove logo or your watch are facing more up to the sky, then you can see that this club face is going to be just a little more open. Now that's going to make you have to rotate the club face at an excessive rate and that's what we are trying to avoid. We want the club face to rotate at a constant, we don't want to have to try to speed it up.

                So what we're going to be focusing on here is if you focus on primarily getting your glove logo out in front of you, and then your glove logo behind you, that's a great focus point. For those of you that have had a hard time releasing. When you see that your club is passing in front of you and you can hold a glass of wine on there. What you're going to want to try to do, is when you finish you're going to want to see your fingernails over here. And a lot of people who have met me face to face know that I will draw pictures on their gloves right here to make sure that they see those fingernails or the pictures that I have drawn for them. So, glove logo out in front of you, glove logo behind you, if you've been a little bit late with your release, or you've had a hard time doing it, then what you're going to want to try to do is over cook it and see your fingernails. It would be very difficult for you to release a club this much when you have your right hand on it, so you want to try to over exaggerate it for a little bit. So again glove logo out in front of you, glove logo behind you, make sure that you can see your fingernails over here and you'll have a really well trained release that has got proper rotation.

                Okay guys, so in this final common mistake that we see from a lot of students around the site has to do, when we put that crazy trail hand brother back on the club. And what we tend to see when working from a hip high to hip high environment more than the nine to three thing is when you finish your swing, what you're going to notice is that your chest is open about 90 degrees here and your right heel is up off the ground, it's another big pet peeve of mine.

                So what we've going to be looking for here is, rather than allowing our chest to spin through the hitting area, we want to feel like the wrists are rotating over the top of each other. So a good way to feel this again and your going to try to keep your chest or the buttons on your shirt facing down at the golf ball while this is happening, so stay wide. And now what you'll notice is that my chest is open about 15 to 20 degrees, heels down on the ground, and my shirt my buttons on my shirt are now behind my buckle. So if you've been shoulder spinning you'll notice that the buttons are out in front here. This is a great way to train yourself on how to allow the club, the hands, and the arms, to act independently from the body so you can stall the body out and let the club do it's job.

                All right guys, so now that you've see all the common mistakes what we worked on through the release drills, it's time to put them to use. And don't be ashamed of yourself if you have to pull yourself back and start with a tube of tooth paste. The release and impact is a very very important part of golf. So be discipline enough to train yourself. If you have to start working on an impact position, do so. Take your time, start without a golf club, and you'll be well on your way to having a really really good release and a tore quality impact position. I wish you guys all the best, now make it a great day. 

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Tim
Any feedback on how long this should take? I am topping many and really not feeling this after a week of repping it. I have done over 500 reps and am not getting it to square up consistently at all. I can hit the same spot in the ground w no Ball once I get a rhythm but stop and try to hit a ball it is brutal. 1/10 go how I feel like it should. I feel like the release is likely the most important part of this system so I will keep going on.
May 10, 2021
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tim. If you are struggling that much I would suggest a swing review, or post on the community board. Something has to be amiss. After that many reps if done correctly. You should be seeing a lot of daylight.
May 10, 2021
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Kevin
Hi Craig - thanks for my recent swing review. One question on a concept I may have misinterpreted is on my release. Chris mentions in this video at 3:15 not to have a large lead arm pull through the hitting area because it can hold off the release - which I understand but I need more extension like in the wide-narrow-wide video. I’m trying to balance those two concepts and make my wrists still snap through the hitting area with my lead leg post (body) without a right hand flip. My though for a drill is going back to letting the right hand come off at impact like Chris shows in the “playing best golf of your life”videos.
March 14, 2021
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Great thinking and what you should be doing. You don't need a big pull. You inhibit the momentum. The club pulls you through and not quick hand flip.
March 14, 2021
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Blake
Hi, Chris. I'm getting ready to send you another video. I've made progress but - still having trouble releasing my lag. Here is what I've tried. (1) Hinging earlier during backswing and, thus, avoiding a float-load (2) Flattening the wrist at top. (3) Relaxing my wrists on the downswing as much as possible. (4) deliberately casting the club by trying to forcefully unhinge my wrists on the way down. Do you have any RST videos or tips for me before I submit my videos?
February 18, 2021
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hmmmm, were you able to get rid of the angle in smaller swings or did you try and fix this is full swing territory?
February 19, 2021
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Blake
Hi, Chris. I took your advice and did the steps in 5 Minutes To The Perfect Golf Release video. That helped some and my videotaped swings look correct. But that is because with that drill, my club starts just behind my trail thigh with the shaft almost parallel to the ground. My problem is that in the full swing I cannot get to that position of "shaft parallel at trail thigh." I still have too much lag at that point. And it feels the cause of that problem happens somewhere between the transition and that point. I am no longer "float loading" it but I still can't get rid of the lag between the top of the backswing and the trail thigh. I can send you a video of the short drill if you think it would help. But I worry that it will not capture the problem. But tell me what to do and I'll do it!
March 6, 2021
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Blake
PS - You have given me the solution! I just found your video on YouTube (can't find it on RST): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-4PXg8rbkU Like your student, I have been pulling my hands down on the shift left (it feels like such a natural move but it was THE mistake). Leaving them up, as you told your student, stops a huge hinging tension being put into my wrists, a tension that I cannot lose. I just videotaped the result and - bingo! - shaft parallel at trail thigh! No longer too much lag.
March 6, 2021
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
SWEET! Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about the progress.
March 6, 2021
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Sam
Hi Chris. Thanks for the review, fully appreciate the need to fully educate the left arm/wrist vs trying to do it with the right hand now. I'll take it right back to the beginning but just wanted to ask if you had any recommendations for playing/hitting balls. Best to just play and forget until the left arm release is more ingrained or try to work it in to a full swing? Also, I understand that the left thumb shouldn't be pushing. But does that mean they're should be a pulling sensation or just as neutral/light as possible - i.e. focus of any grip 'tension' is in the last three fingers? Cheers
December 9, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Sam, my pleasure! The stuff within the release you can try to take to the course, it shouldn't hurt you much at all if you have a little bit of focus on it while making full swings. You can have a little pull of the handle through the hitting area for sure. just don't overcook it and not be able to square the face. Light pressure in the grip is imperative.
December 18, 2020
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Sam
Hi Chris, Great video... and review. From my recent video review it's clear that I'm a big right hand flipper!! I've had pretty good success with all of the one hand (left hand) focussed drills but have struggled to get the right hand back on without flipping. Until this afternoon. I think. What seems to really help is having the left hand bow (yes) on the way back and into impact etc. However the real success I've had today putting my right hand back on is the feeling of my palm (right hand) folding up on the backswing with the sensation of it pushing in towards the ground as I come into impact and beyond. This seems to help me keep the left arm moving through impact and release the club fully. Funnily enough it felt like I was actively 'releasing' less  and actually holding the release a little. However, when I saw it on video the club was fully released with good extension (am guessing the 'holding off' feeling is the antidote to massive club face change that comes with a big flip? Just wanted to check that the sensation of my right palm working down (pushing and facing the ground into impact) is a good one? It seems to be the best feeling I can get to make really solid contact when the right hand comes back on the club. Many thanks, Sam
November 18, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Sam, Glad you enjoyed the video and review. I have read back through your note a couple of times now and I think I understand what you are doing with the right hand in efforts to keep the left wrist from breaking down in through the hitting area. I am perfectly on board with this sort of approach but I would like to look at you performing it in your next review so I can watch the left wrist post impact and also keep an eye on the clubface and shaft through the hitting area. We need to keep an eye on the angle of attack and the rate of closure in the clubface to make sure you aren't going to have any sort of wide misses with this approach. So, I would say work on it for a few days and then get it in for review and I will take a close look at it.
November 18, 2020
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Blake
Hi, Chris. Thanks for another helpful lesson. Before I start my drills, here's a question that has baffled me for years. Despite my making sure that my grip is fairly correct my (although left thumb/forefinger crease points to right shoulder, not right ear), when I square the club face, the back of my left hand doesn’t face the target, it points about 45° to the right of the target. In contrast, when I put my hand in the positions RST videos (and other pros) recommend, my hand position looks very correct but the club face is closed quite a bit. Here's a photo of me in address position....
October 9, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Blake, I'm not entirely sure I understand your explanation. However, I'll do my best to provide a clear explanation on what I am seeing in the pictures to help you understand why your face is shut at impact. First thing, your grip at address needs to have the v pointed towards the right ear, otherwise, when you rotate it to be pointed down the target line at impact, the face is going be really shut. Try this, make sure you v is pointed at your right ear and the clubface is square behind the ball, in a normal address position, without looking at the clubface, take your left wrist and move it to a flat position pointed down the target line in a FULLY uncocked position (ulnar deviation). Then, shift and rotate your lead him to NJA, keeping your head behind the ball. This will increase your axis tilt a bit. Then, look at the face, it should be square pointed down the target line and your hand will be much further forward than where it was at address. The point is, start with the grip in the correct spot and then to move your body and wrist into the impact positions we advocate and you will see that the face is square and the shaft is delofted. Hope that helps.
October 9, 2020
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Blake
...and here's a photo of me in impact position, clubface is closed. Feedback?
October 9, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
See post above. There is a typo where I said shift your him (that should say hip).
October 9, 2020
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Blake
Thanks Chris! I'll change my grip. See you next lesson!
October 9, 2020
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Kevin
Hi Craig - as I keep working on my releasing and pulling with the left side (hips, obliques) I tend to pull with the left arm and have the “Heisman move” going on that Chris talks about. Besides reducing tension, have any other students had learnings as the pull and post into the left and slow down the left shoulder and arm? One of the live lessons talked about the post move pulling the hands down into impact which has helped me on half swings but not full left arm swings
October 4, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. When you think about the videos How Swing Speed Affects Compression, or Left Hand Release Drill. You have to realize to transfer ultimate power you have to stop pulling. Tough to trust. Impact bags are really helpful for this issue.
October 5, 2020
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Kevin
Thanks Craig - when I use the impact bag I can feel the "pop" at impact into the bag. I need to trust it again - I had some issues when hitting balls where it snapped left on me after doing those drills but that is probably due to me not transferring my weight properly. Ill work on this with the impact bag and trust it.
October 5, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Weight, or you flipped the club. Not released the club.
October 5, 2020
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James
Have uploaded review. I was going to hold this back for a couple of days but the weather is now horrendous with no respite possible until at least Monday, so feel I need your input via the videos. As per attachment showing rain intensity now, red is worse, with my place arrowed. Looking at the news it does not look too good for your Caribbean States in the coming days, hope your not exporting them :((
August 27, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. The storm hit pretty well coming in from the gulf last night. I am fine. But, have some students that were hit pretty hard. Stay well and indoors. Nasty looking radar picture.
August 27, 2020
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James
Hi Craig, could do anything yesterday as we had 70mph winds and torrential rain, 30mm fell in one hour in our area which was the highest figure in the UK! Still windy today and iffy tomorrow so I have got out to do the review videos but did have problems with my net keep blowing down. I am reasonably pleased with the result apart from not getting a proper squat and the fact that my head is not dropping in the downswing prior to impact. I am not getting so much rear flexing of the right hand in the back swing but have lost a bit of angulation in the downswing, shucks! The one thing I am pleased with is maintaining a better tush line as seen in the yellow comparing with some young whippersnapper called Morrow LOL. You will be getting the full review when the midnight window opens tomorrow.
August 26, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Tush line is better. You don't need a massive squat, but a little more settle into the tush will help you load and pull more leverage from the ground. Also, allows the arms to shallow and not rush down. Be careful in the nasty weather. Formerly young whippersnapper
August 26, 2020
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James
Went out again after dinner as the wind had completely dropped and worked on that tush line. I got a shallower swing in this second session but there were pros and cons. Got a better tush line, plus I was coming into the impact area with the shoulders more closed. Although you cannot see it here I did get a better top of the swing in the earlier version on the right but as you say never really kept that tush line, plus the swing in that one was steeper coming down. Getting to dusk now so will go with what I have got for tomorrows video; I will give this evenings DL one for that. Catch you tomorrow.
August 26, 2020
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James
Craig I have not been able to get out for a few days because of bad weather. Today the rain relented but still had gale force winds up to 60mph so could not use the net and did this in my front garden. I was really pleased at my progress, especially with my release as I am not collapsing that left arm as I was. Could be better but will work on it. The one area I am not able to sort out properly is my shoulder angle in transition. Unlike Chuck when he makes that transition, I am not getting that lead shoulder dropping initally towards the ground and target. In the following captures I am highlighting various points. The first lot are face on, starting with my position at lead arm parallel in backswing (n.b. here I think my problem is caused by the shoulders a bit too flat), second shows just before impact and one frame later at impact, which I am very pleased with. Minor problem here is I need to be shifted a tad further towards target.
August 22, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Impact and release are some fo the best I have seen from you. When we start getting more of the stacked NJA at impact. Swing will be looking superior to previous versions.
August 23, 2020
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James
In the second captures showing at 45 deg club angle in release and when right arm is parallel to ground I feel I have improved a lot in posting up and shifting my weight towards to target. Further to these comments and captures I wonder if you can advise how I can improve on this. Will show DL captures in another comment under how far from the ball, where I think my issue is highlighted more.
August 22, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. The upper half is hanging back slightly which is affecting the extension. But, yes very much improved.
August 23, 2020
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James
Once again I am totally in sync with you here. Did a lot of lines and comparisons with Chucks swing and could see that his upper body is more towards target at impact. Apart the arms thing in the setup video, I have thoroughly checked Chuck to see his differences and this is something I noticed a couple of days ago. That is his leg movement in the swing. First in the back swing his lead knee goes more towards his right foot as he turns; I did mention this to you a couple of days ago. What helps me to facilitate this is to let my lead foot roll on to the inner edge, with the outside of the foot leaving the ground but at the same time maintaining the inner edge in contact of the ground. Plus letting my right glute extend out a bit and letting my right leg slightly bend almost like a mini squat helps me maintain a better should tilt. As for the forward movement, I have been concentrating in getting into the squat position with the hips dominating the movement, my upper body has been trailing a bit. As Chuck as said in his live lessons, in the transition feel your lead shoulder drop towards the ground/target initially keeping the lead shoulder lower than the trail shoulder. For me this is facilitated by making sure I do not get a bit flat with the shoulders in the back swing. Also, his trail leg has a more sloping position towards the target at impact, whereas mine has a definite kink at the knee and going towards the lead toe. By letting my trail leg do the same also helps me to roll the right foot over to the inside edge at impact. Now I have got more into my mind the lower body doing the engine work more naturally, I will be focusing a bit more on these leg movements; doing this in front of a mirror and using my laser beam tool is extremely helpful and I am using that more regular to make sure I do not slip back into my old habits. My apologies for the length of these replies but wanted you to know about my observations, thoughts and movements.
August 23, 2020
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James
Release capture DL after impact.
August 22, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. You are maintaining posture and shoulder plane much better. I see an improvement for sure.
August 23, 2020
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John
Keep the lead arm relaxed when working on the release and let it swing under the lead shoulder as if it were a pivot point/pendulum. — My question about this bullet point is about swing path , should it be directly over our toe line ? Many thanks..
May 29, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. It will be pretty much around the toe line.
May 30, 2020
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Brian
I find that with my heavier clubs (wedges) I get a better release due to allowing the natural weight of the clubhead do the work. As I get up to my driver I really struggle and leave the face open a lot at impact. To compensate I will have my hands more active to facilitate squaring up the clubface but I find this to be inconsistent and also leads to more tension in my hands which creates other issues. Any suggestions?
May 12, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brian. Have you checked to make sure you aren't adding more spin the longer the club to try and generate speed? If so, take a look at Keep the Rear Shoulder Back and Arms vs Body Release. If not the case, take a look at Square the Face Early Video.
May 13, 2020
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Brian
Thanks I'll focus on those videos to try and work it out
May 14, 2020
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Kevin
When working on the release after Bootcamp today, I came back with two questions. Using lead arm only with a short release, is it okay to have lead shoulder feel “in the box” while arm and hand are relaxed? If I don’t then club momentum pulls arm from body. Also, my lead elbow seems to rotate slightly too much. Will adding the right arm keep this in check? I’ve been working on the left elbow impact position but it seems without the right hand on the club, it’s harder to perfect.
May 2, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. Don't glue the arm to the body. Lead arm only it will start to come away while releasing through. Trail arm will help keep from over rotation, but you still need to implement having the lead elbow point correctly.
May 3, 2020
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Daniel
So I've been working through the release with Chris lately, and I am noticing when I'm repping with my usual grip that my club face is very closed at impact. I've also noticed that when I play and I am focusing on releasing the club, I am getting a lot of pull hooks. Is this bc my grip is too strong and I am actually making progress with releasing the club?
March 24, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Daniel. Could be overly strong grip, or you are steering the club. Take a look at Golf Grip Checkpoint Tips Video for the grip. Also, lots of left shots/closed face at impact can be you have taken over for Newton. Take a look at Flip vs Release and Moving the Fulcrum. Fluid free releasing and stable lead shoulder.
March 24, 2020
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Phil
Is lifting the left heel a definite "no-no" in the backswing in the DEAD drill?. My back muscles are pretty tight and I find that when the left heel comes, up I get a fuller turn, the weight shifts onto my right leg/glute more easily and I can use the replant of my left heel in the ground as a "trigger" to start the transition without moving or tightening my arms shoulders or hands on the grip. Any thoughts?
February 14, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Phil. Ideally you would keep the lead heel down. A slight lift may be acceptable. But, you have to watch out for over turning of the hips and excessive weight shift. If you are very limited flexibility wise I can understand the feel you are going with, but I want you to tread carefully.
February 14, 2020
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Scott
I’m having a difficult time with the idea of keeping this much tension out of wrists and hands. Don’t you need some force to compress the ball? Also what about the force from the ground and ball into impact that could move the club head at impact? And how can you keep this relaxed in a stressful matches or tournaments? What are us control freaks supposed to do when playing?
January 10, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Scott. The compression comes from the ball squeezing into the face and bouncing off. Of course you need some pressure to not lose the club out of your hands, but the vast majority of players squeeze the blood out of the grip. We promote a shallow strike which shouldn't be impeded by the ground too much. Grip pressure will naturally rise in the swing, but it isn't a forced motion. Your brain will make the necessary adjustments. Give up control to gain control. Think about it this way. For all of us control freaks (myself included) its what got us here in the first place. First admitting we overly control and steer the club, and now need to start giving some trust into the design of the club/physics.
January 11, 2020
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Kirkland
I'm working on adding the club and swinging with one arm. When releasing the club (with one arm), sometimes I hit the ground before the ball. It's like I'm releasing too early. Am I supposed to consciously hold the wrist cock or let the club flow or what?
October 28, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kirkland. Take a look at Play the Best Golf of Your Life in 6 Weeks Video 2 of 6. Work on consistent bottoming out point. Also, you could be pushing a little with the thumb too early.
October 29, 2019
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Justin
Hey Craig. When practicing with left arm only, where should the ball be positioned? Without the right arm, the club wants to bottom out further forward than with both arms so having a normal ball position (under the left ear) seems to lead to thin/topped shots.
June 23, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Justin. The ball should still be lead ear/logo of the shirt. Lead arm only will tend to bottom out a little later. But, you should still get compression. Work on two videos for me. Moving the Fulcrum and Play the Best Golf of Your Life in 6 Weeks 2 of 6 Video. That should clean up the bottoming out and topped shots.
June 24, 2019
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Justin
Thanks Craig.
June 25, 2019
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Terry
According to what Chris is saying, the bowing of the wrist doesn't occur naturally - we have to intentionally make that happen. True?
June 17, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Terry. The wrist will want to naturally flatten with pull, but to get a more exaggerated bow position you will have to work for it.
June 17, 2019
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Richard
So if I get the knuckles of my left hand to face down won't this put the club in a closed position? my grip is pretty neutral with just two knuckles showing at address. thank you!
April 16, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Richard. Bowing of the wrist will control more of the loft rather than rotation/squareness of the face.
April 16, 2019
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Richard
thank you Craig!
April 16, 2019
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Cary
When I practice the drills using only the lead arm, I am able to release the club and see my finger nails and the upper part of me lead arm stays straight and moves away from my peck/chest in the follow through. But when I add the trail arm, this causes the lead elbow to bend slightly and stay connected to my chest. If I don't let the elbow bend it causes my lead hand thumb to get/feel like its being jammed upward towards the forearm. I noticed in the video that Chris's left arm is being bent slightly and staying next to his chest as well, is this ok?
March 11, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Cary. I don't want you to glue the lead arm to your chest, but it will stay a little more connected when adding the trail arm. You should have some awareness of the upper bicep touching the chest. But, you don't want to force connection tending more towards a body release. The lead arm/elbow can stay soft, but shouldn't be overly bent due to trail hand takeover.
March 11, 2019
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Cary
Craig, Thanks for the quick response, I have actually been trying to find away to get it away from my chest as it does with just using the lead arm.
March 11, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Cary. Practice the Side Bend in the Downswing Video. It will help you feel the appropriate amount of stretch. Also, the latter part of the 5 Minutes to the Perfect Release when practicing the trail arm addition.
March 11, 2019
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Jeff
Good video. I have a question about the left leg and the release. Does the left (lead) leg fully straighten before the full release of the club head or is the lead leg and the release happening at the same time? I have the understanding that in order to get the body to "slam on the brakes" that the lead leg would have to be finished driving the body upward (away from the ball), so the club head could be driven downward to maximize the snap in order to get the most speed out of the swing. Could you explain the timing please?
March 5, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello William. Take a look at the Rotary Golf Downswing Overview. The post up will trigger the release. As you start moving up the club will start moving down. The post up will be completed before full release of the club. The Overview Video will give you a good visual.
March 5, 2019
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Jeff
After reviewing the downswing overview as suggested I have a question on WHAT MUSCLE IS used to rotate the hips after bringing the hips back to square. Chuck refers to rotating the hips (to open) twice during the overview video, before posting up. What I have been doing is using the left (lead) oblique to pull the hips around. I also find that this will cause the left (lead) leg to straighten or post up.
March 6, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello William. Exactly. The lead oblique is what pulls the hips to square and open them during the post up.
March 6, 2019
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Phil
I have been doing the drills for about 6 months and have developed a really good release on even lies. However i still find my hand tension tightening on uneven lies, especially downhill, and top the ball or thin it and don't complete the release. I set my shoulders to the lie etc but still don't feel like I can let the clubhead rotate when the ball isn't at foot level. Is this just a "trust it" issue? Phil
December 4, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Phil. Sadly, it's a trust issue. If you look at the Downhill Lies Video the main thing is staying committed to the shot and keeping the lead shoulder down. When the ball isn't on a level surface. Lack of commitment, or bailing out is usually the cause when you know what mechanical adjustments need to be made.
December 5, 2018
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Pete
My issue is the left hand collapsing after impact (not during impact). The right hand and forearm turn over but the left hand collapses instead of rotating over. It doesn’t feel like a push from the right side is causing this, rather it feels like my right side is not rotating through fast enough to keep up and the left hand is forced to collapse. What is causing this?
October 5, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Pete. Typically, its the trail hand pushing against the lead forcing the cup. The trail side follows you in the release. You don't need any active motion to "speed up" and catch the lead side movement. You can see in the Flip vs. Release Video how the trail wrist forces the cupping. Also, take a look at the Cure Chicken Wing and Side Bend Video. Maintaining your posture through and the lead extending will help.
October 6, 2018
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James
I am working on this drill to try and get better control of my lead arm. The query I have is when the lead arm is fully released at hip high, looking at Chris's left elbow at the approx 6' 20" point in the video, it appears slightly bowed not ram rod straight. I have to admit I have striven to try and keep my lead arm as straight as humanly possible as I complete my swing and think this is hindering me. When I let that elbow relax as I swing through my hands rotate anti-clock a lot easier. So I hope it is acceptable that a bit of outward bowing of the lead elbow is OK after release occurs.
August 3, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Ideally, you want a straight lead arm. Having a soft lead arm/elbow is okay as long as there isn't too much flexion. Some players do make the mistake of locking and trying to keep too ram rod straight which inhibits the proper release by creating excessive tension.
August 3, 2018
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James
Went down to practice this and think I am getting closer to it. The shots were going so much better than I did in my review and intend to work on the drills Chris shows here. Even got Veronica to have a go at it before she did her review that is now submitted. Think I have achieved a better release than previously but still need to work on it. One of the things I am doing is to keep almost just a touching grip with my right hand to stop it dominating. This is a capture I did this afternoon.
August 3, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Look at those forearms starting to crossover! Keep at light trail hand and honing in that lead release. Much improved from review.
August 3, 2018
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James
Further to my last review I have been going over this video and observed the ball position of Chris and as you pointed out in my review, mine needs to be further forward, which I have now adjusted. Also, the comment Chris makes about using a metronome. I do have one on my phone and found by setting it to 56 beats to the bar it fits perfectly for a rhythmical half swing. So I set this to last for 5 minutes and saved it for a regular daily routine. When I set up I barely have my the tips of my middle two fingers of the trail hand on club concentrating on a light grip of the last three fingers of the lead hand; then swing to the metronome, transferring my weight first to the right and then posting up to the left, with my lower body leading the way. This enables me to effortlessly to rotate the left hand anti-clock through impact to the rhythm. Have to say it is a great way to do the drill. When the weather gets better, a lot of rain at the moment, I will try this on the range with balls but this is great indoors.
September 17, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Sounds like a good game plan. Better ball position, rhythmical, and light trail hand. Should lead to some great results!
September 17, 2018
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Mariam
I know it's not really the point of this video, but it seems to me that Chris' stance is a bit wider than what is typically advocated in RST. Even after 6 months of working on the transition on a nearly daily basis, I still feel like I struggle with the initial move of transitioning my weight back to the left side/sitting into the left side/shifting/whatever we should call it. It seems like one of two things happens: either I struggle to get my weight fully seeded initially into the left side or I push a little from the right side to get there. Today, I was watching "which muscles to feel during the transition" and started doing the drill along with Chuck with a slightly wider stance and something felt like it clicked. I guess the only way to really know is to submit a video, but do you think that almost 6'4", I may need a slightly wider stance (like Chris here)?
May 29, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jay. Your stance should be based on your hip sockets. I don't think that slightly wider for you should be a given. But, maybe you have been measuring incorrectly and you are now in the proper width. Happy to take a look at your adjustments in the next review.
May 29, 2018
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MICHAEL
I seem to be only able to have very light hands when I'm driving my rotation by turning from my shoulders, with my arms and hands coming along for the ride. Just wanted to confirm this is the right 'feeling'. Thanks
November 29, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Michael. You don't want to drive the shoulders in the downswing. Sounds like you are spinning with the shoulders and the arms/hands are being drug through the shot. Take a look at Throw the Club Head At the Golf Ball.
November 29, 2017
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Kevin
I think im hitting at the ball and losing my wrist angle too early. Is the release a natural thing that i should let happen?
October 1, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. The release will be manually trained in the beginning until you ingrain the proper motion. Then, it will be more of a natural move which the post up will trigger to happen.
October 2, 2017
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Craig
Hi When i try bow my hand at impact it makes my club face really closed... I'm obviously doing it wrong.. Can you please help Cheers
June 27, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Craig. Take a look at the 5 Mins to the Perfect Release and Knuckles Down to see more information on the bowing at impact. If the face is closed there would be a few common mistakes. Grip too strong, lead elbow position off, or over rotation of the hand. I don't believe it's your grip seeing on video, but check with Golf Grip Tips Video. Lead Elbow with Left Elbow Impact Alignments Video. And, over rotation practice solely impact with 5 Min Video and start to add a gradual release.
June 27, 2017
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GC
The body is square at the release. I get the upper body must be covering the ball, but isn't the lower half starting to clear already? How does it work?
June 16, 2017
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi GC, you want the hips to be open about 35-45 degrees and the shoulders to be square at impact. The lower half will be going from a closed position of 35-45 degrees to open, which will pull the shoulders down into a square position at impact. Hope that helps.
June 20, 2017
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Kevin
So our posting up is more than just straightening the lead leg, were also stalling (or holding) or lead shoulder from rotating any more, creating this pendulum effect?
June 5, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. Yes, that is what a proper post should help create. A good visual of this is in the Arms vs. Body Release Video and You Hit the Golf Ball with Your Legs. A proper posting with good release will create the stall effect and transfer the energy to the strike.
June 5, 2017
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GC
Watched other videos, just to clarify, the lag starts "releasing" primarily due to the upward shift of left lats during the clearing? Otherwise the hands should still be gentling holding the club so it does not prematurely cast?
May 31, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello GC. Yes, the wrist should still be soft and without too much pressure. As you start to post up the releasing of the lag will start to occur. You are moving up and the club reacts by moving down.
May 31, 2017
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Hector
This bow of the left wrist at impact is with all the clubs? Or only the irons ?
April 26, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Hector. Bow can vary from club to club depending on preferred shot and flight. Typically, the lead wrist will be bowed for all clubs. However, the driver will tend to have very little.
April 26, 2017
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Mike
Craig, I'd like to tell you I was working on 9-3 but I wasn't. Everything has gotten shorter, more narrow and quicker. Back surgery, neck surgery since 2014. I am basically starting over. I've been doing the drills and I'll get some video to you. Video and drills are helping. One question, I have never understood when elevation occurs. In unison with turning back? Thanks, Mike
April 22, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mike. Sorry to hear about your back and neck. We will get the swing as best we can. The vast majority of elevation occurs from the takeaway to the top of the backswing. A slight amount is required in the takeaway to keep the arms out in front of the sternum. Players off the ball will typically start to rotate or shift a little before elevation starts to raise the arms. You can see this in the 4 Square Drill and Pool Noodle Video. What you want to be careful of is starting to raise the arms up too soon before any rotation occurs.
April 23, 2017
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Mike
Craig, I sent in a worse video than this yesterday. 27 seconds of nothing. Please disregard. I'll send a better one in in a couple of weeks. I did fix the release after making about 200 left arm only swings. Hitting it a lot harder and no chicken wing. I'll work on that backswing. I can do better. I appreciate you.
April 28, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Mike. Appreciate the message. Will be happy to take a look at the new and revised version. We will get it the best you possibly can be!
April 28, 2017
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Jackie (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Chris, going forward on your comments about my release. From everything I've learned about RST, the release is something that is supposed to happen correctly as a result of proper rotation. I do not want to put a bandaid on my release, I want to fix my rotation so that everything sequences correctly on the downswing. We have to figure out what is happening on my backswing that is causing improper release.
April 12, 2017
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Jackie, thanks for the note and based on RST, the release is not just a result of proper rotation. Having a proper release is dependent on several variables in the swing such as, the position the hands and arms are in at the top, the downswing sequence, the path the club is on and the proper stalling of the body in the hitting area so that the hands and arms can act independently from the body to release the club. We do not work with band-aids around here at RST. We instructors look at your current swing from an big picture perspective and identify and help you correct areas of the swing that will keep you going in a positive direction. If you want to focus on your backswing, which is NOT your big fault, then we will need to work on getting more weight into your trail leg and get you moving off the ball first with the correct moving parts.
April 12, 2017
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T David
I think I am starting to get the hang this release (finally). I have been videoing my swings and watching them everyday. However, i am getting a divot now that starts at the ball and moves forward. I think that part is right, correct? However, these are some sizable divots that end up about 10 yards forward. Very odd. Is there anything I might be doing wrong here?
March 30, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dave. The divot should be pretty shallow. Sounds like you are getting a little steep. Take some tension out. See if you can get it to brush the ground a little better and bottom out in the same place. Play The Best Golf Of Your Life in 6 weeks - 2 of 6 Video.
March 31, 2017
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T David
So it seems like my brain and body have an aversion to grasping this release part, and I'm working desperately on it. I am not planning on playing another round of golf until I get this down. I am sentencing myself to drills, drills, drills. Question: at the point of the hands coming through... It appears we want a slight bow in the left wrist (using the left side). Would it be best to try to get a bowed left wrist at the top of the swing (like Dustin Johnson)?
March 26, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dave. I would advise against bowing the lead wrist at the top like Dustin while working on a proper release.
March 27, 2017
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T David
Thanks, Craig, but then should the left wrist be flat at the top?
March 27, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dave. Yes, the lead wrist should be flat at the top. Take a look at the Using the Wrist Effectively and Efficiently Video.
March 27, 2017
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Marc
Hi using Chris' watch as a focus point I am trying to see where his watch is pointing at impact. What I see is that his watch is pointing straight at the target when his lead hand is 3 to 4 inches past his lead leg. My impression is that at impact the watch should point about 20 degrees to the right of the target with a bowed wrist, is this right? Best, Marc
March 19, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Marc. 20 degrees might be a bit much. It will be pretty close to aimed at the target.
March 20, 2017
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Terry
Craig, hello. Following up on Marc's question, I have 3 sets of knuckles on my left hand. Which ones are parallel to the ground as Chris describes in the video? Seems that once he put the club in his hand, maybe the middle set of knuckles might have been pointing at the ground. Thanks.
March 21, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Terry. If I am gathering the question correctly that sounds on par.
March 21, 2017
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Justin
Hi Chris, this concept of using the left shoulder has also helped me in my full swing. I feel like after shifting my weight, and stalling my body rotation I can simply release the club from left shoulder. Please advise.
March 19, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Justin. Focusing on the lead shoulder and simply allowing for the release of the lead wrist/forearm is perfectly fine. Take a look at the Left Hand Release Drill. Also, with further work you will be able to sync the post up to trigger an effortless release for more power.
March 19, 2017
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Justin
Superb, likely the best explanation I've heard about releasing the club! Great sequencing of the drills . Most importantly, easier to understand how to slow the body and let the club go from the left shoulder joint.
February 27, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Justin. We appreciate the post.
February 28, 2017
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Ian
What is the difference between a high and low release? And which one do we want to have in our swing?
December 11, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ian. The release typically dictates the ball flight pattern. High release usually adds loft while a low retains more lean decreasing the loft. For a standard or stock shot you don't want to guide to either position.
December 12, 2016
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Nigel
Great video. I am working hard on it because I know it is one of my major issues. This is just a theoretical question. If our lead wrist is supposed to be flat or bowed at impact, why don't we set up with our hands in this position at adress. This would cause a forward shaft lean at address like at impact. Then do the swing as advocated with the cocking and undocking of the wrists. If the wrist started with a bow, there would be no need to create one during the downswing. The lead,wrist at,address goes from cupped at address to bowed at impact. There must be a reason to introduce this mid-swing correction.
October 22, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Nigel. Starting or being preset with a bow at setup would cause a couple issues in the swing. 1) Already being bowed would put you in a position where some ulnar deviation has already taken place. This would require the resetting of the wrist going back and would make for a much more handsy motion in the backswing. 2) Address and Impact are 2 different animals. One is static and the other is a dynamic position. Simply placing your impact position at the address position would take away the dynamics of swinging into impact. You would be returning to a static position which would be slower and typically require more body rotation to try and add power.
October 22, 2016
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Corby
What am I missing? When I attempt the wrist bowed/knuckles down drill, three things happen: the toe rotates too much, I chunk or shank it, and the club shaft ends up on top of the plane (I would have to go with a lie angle of 3 degrees upright to accommodate where I end up).
October 14, 2016
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Micah (Certified RST Instructor)
Micah Hi Corby. You are having trouble with this because you probably have been chicken winging ever so slightly to alot before and you made compensations in your swing in order to straighten out your ball flight. Try opening your club face a touch at set up and keeping the shoulders closed through impact as well as posting up on the left leg more. This will ramp up the speed at which the face closes and the more the club face closes, the closer the hosel gets to the ball causing a shank. Check out the hit the ball with your legs, fixing your release and how to cure the shanks videos
October 14, 2016
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James
I have a release question: I had serious rotator surgery 2 years ago on my left shoulder. According to my surgeon the tear was a 9 on a scale of 10! Well over the last 2 years drilling the left hand release has started to complicate my left shoulder again, with a pinched nerve that caused the 3 middle fingers of my left and to have a "asleep feeling" Is there any other way that you can recommend a release that will not irritate my left shoulder. Its the release of the left hand that is irritating my shoulder? The pain starts in the middle 3 fingers of my left hand & runs up through my rotator cuff? Your advise would be appreciated as I can't continue to play with the pain & inconsistent release because of the injury Thank you, Jim T
June 22, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Jim, When you have both hands on the club and are swinging from hip high to hip high (9 to 3) focusing on the club rotating from a toe up to toe up position, do you feel any pain at all???
June 22, 2016
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James
yes I do! As I'm rotating the club from 9 down to impact & rotate the toe to up 3, I feel a stretch or pinch of the nerves in my left rotator. One other point I will add is that due to inflexibility my hands at the top of my backswing are only about shoulder high maybe slightly under shoulder high. Chuck in one of his videos mentioned that someone with low hands need to release more with the body. So I'm conflicted because it seems that the standard release discussed on this website is suited for people with higher hands. Bottom line I'm looking for a consistent release that will not further damage my shoulder.
June 22, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks for the info Jim. A lower hand position at the top of the backswing means you would have to rely more on body rotation to help make up for some speed loss that you could get from a higher hand position at the top of the swing (more width). We are looking for the body to stall in the hitting area with the hips open about 35-45 degrees and the shoulders to be square so that we can throw the club (release it) independently from the body as part of the kinetic chain. If you are going to hang onto your release to protect your shoulder, you are going to need to continue to rotate your body hard through the hitting area. You must sacrifice a good bit of speed by doing this and start putting more stress on your back. We might need to take a close look at your swing in the reviews so we can see how we can help. This is a very delicate situation and we want to help you as much as possible.
June 23, 2016
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James
I have a video of my swing posted a few months ago for review. Even though I have fixed the problems I was having then as far as my right knee flex goes, you should be able to view that swing and make your recommendations?????
June 23, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
You would need to submit the videos for review, you can use the same one, for us to be able to see the swings.
June 23, 2016
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James
I have a swing that I posted for review on 3/22/16. So my swing video is already out there waiting for your review & recommendation for a better way for me to release. FYI I have some prior back issues which mat not be ideal as well for a body release. But I have to try to work with a release that compliments my custom body. I have lost about 20 pounds since the video in March. Let me know Chris. Should I submit again how & to who should I submit the video so it doesn't get reviewed again by James Ryerson.
June 23, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Jim, The review you submitted previously, I do not have access to. You have to go in and submit the videos as outlined in the how it work links in the swing review tab on the site. Please make sure that you mark in your student notes: FOR CHRIS TYLER - Per Chris and the instructors will leave it for me to handle. Thanks.
June 23, 2016
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James
I just resubmitted the videos for your review.
June 23, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Ok thanks. I will try and get to it in the next day or so.
June 23, 2016
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Andrew
Do we bow the wrist at impact with every club from wedge to driver?
June 12, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Andrew. Typically, the driver won't have a lot of bow into impact due to launch conditions. Pretty much every other club will have a slight bow and forward leaning shaft.
June 13, 2016
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Donnie
I'm wondering what to do with my release at and post impact. I generally have a lower ball flight, so in an attempt to hit it slightly higher I try to create some wrist hinge at about 3 o'clock. My arms are pretty straight at impact through 5pmish, so I'm not scooping, but then I immediately try to incorporate hinge for a higher ball flight. Is it okay to have a little cupping in the left wrist at about 4-3 o'clock?
May 22, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Donnie. After the 3 O'clock position the lead wrist will start to re-hinge a little. I don't want you scooping the ball, but controlling the lead wrist to help change the flight (as described above) is a good thing.
May 22, 2016
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Brandon
Thanks Chris! I noticed that I'm starting to take deeper divots and the ball flight is too low (particularly with my driver). What is the best way to perfect the impact without increasing the loft on my driver?
May 11, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brandon. If you are releasing properly the key would be setup adjustments first. Play around with the ball position and axis tilt (Proper Tee Height Video). If you are overly bowing the lead wrist and hitting a knock down driver use the Left Hand Release Drill. Make sure you aren't continuing to pull through the ball too much and allowing for the snap of the lead wrist.
May 12, 2016
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Martijn
Hi, I struggle with the straight left wrist at impact. I did the release drills, but when hitting balls on the driving ranche I find I cup my left wrist most of the time. Should I keep doing the release drills, or could the cupped wrist be a consequence of another action which needs to be fixed?
March 31, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Martijn. It could be a consequence of something else in the swing. Tough to determine without any visuals. However, work on exaggerating the bow and hands ahead first, then the release. Take a look at the Exaggerated Hands Ahead Video.
March 31, 2016
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Michael
At what point in the follow through is it ok for the left (lead) hand/wrist start to cupping again?
March 5, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Michael. After the 3 O' Clock position the lead wrist can start to re-hinge a little.
March 5, 2016
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Marcus
Chris, Great video!! For years I have struggled with flipping my trail hand at impact and could never fix it. In literally 10 minutes of working on the the impact drill I was able to get that tour quality impact you guys talk about on the site. I can't wait to get back out to the course.
March 3, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Marcus. We appreciate the compliments of the video and happy you are getting that impact position ironed out! Start getting that consistent compression.
March 4, 2016
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Gary
Hello I can't seem to figure out the release. For some reason I can't feel the release at all. Sometimes I pull the head through the hitting zone blocking the ball out to the right. The head definitely feels like its open at impact. The other thing that sometimes happens is I flip the head by somehow turning the left wrist in an upward motion where the back of the hand almost points upwards after impact and the right hand rolls under instead of over on top of the left hand. I cant seem to figure it out or get the feeling of releasing the head? Help!!!
February 6, 2016
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Gary- First start the release training with just the left hand, that is the hand that is dominating the release for control/accuracy. What you want to feel is you're turning the left three kuncles of the left hand down through impact into the follow through. Once you feel like you have the left hand release drill down-then move into the lose the right hand video. But focus on the left hand and those last three knucles turning down. That wil stop the flipping at impact.
February 6, 2016
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Gary
Thanks for the help, at what point do the knuckles start to turn down? Considering the butt of the club is being dropped from the top. I never have quite understood at what point does the butt end of the club start to turn up towards the body on the downswing? If one holds lag on the downswing the wrist and back of the hand has to rotate at some point - please explain how the lag to impact to release feels?
February 6, 2016
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Masato
hi, in a full swing, how long does the left arm remain straight after impact? Cheers
February 4, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Masato. After 3 O'clock or above waist high some flexion will slowly start entering the picture.
February 4, 2016
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Ulf
I have a problem with "chicken wing", I would like to see more of how the lead arm and elbow should react after impact and in the follow thru.
January 12, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ulf. Take a look at the Long Arms Drill and Left Elbow Impact Alignments Video.
January 12, 2016
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Dan
I got everything until the very end when Chris says "the buttons are behind the belt buckle". Is this to mean the hips are open a specific amount compared to the chest? At impact? If so, what degrees open is the chest, compared to the hips at impact? Dan
January 6, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dan. This is to make sure you have a little axis tilt at impact instead of straight up & down. At impact the chest/shoulders will be square. The hips will be 35-45 degrees open. With the buttons staying back just after impact it will make sure that you don't push the release through with shoulder spin. There isn't a specific amount of difference you need to shoot for right now. Other than the fact there is separation between the upper and lower half after impact. Not rotating at the same rate or together.
January 7, 2016
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John
Let me know if I have this right, at in pack the left hand should be bowed, and then we are releasing the club? John
December 26, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. The face will be squaring up into impact. Nevertheless, yes bowed at impact and rotating over.
December 26, 2015
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Earl
Great vid Tyler, a ton of value in a couple of mins. Brilliant
December 24, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Earl for the compliments and post!
December 26, 2015
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David
Is it normal for scores to go up while going through this swing change? Since I began this process, my scores have gone up 10-12 strokes per round. HDCP up from an 8 to an 11. I'm spraying my shots everywhere, and am getting too much loft on approach shots. Chunking my wedge shots. Everything just feels messed up. Please don't get me wrong here. I'm not being critical of the Rotary Swing at all. I'm just getting discouraged at everything that is happening, because it's mostly bad, and my confidence is gone. On a positive note, my back feels better after a round, and off the tee, I've improved. It's just everything else. LOL!! I feel like I'm maybe a couple of corrections away from getting back to shooting 6-8 over par again. Thanks!
December 23, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello David. It is normal when changing motor patterns to disrupt feel. Therefore, comfort levels go down on the course which may lead to higher scores. However, it sounds like to me just finding consistency squaring the face. Work on the Impact portion of this drill, Taking a Divot Video and the 5 Mins to a Perfect Release. Get the feel back at impact for solid and square. Then, start allowing for some free releasing of the club.
December 23, 2015
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
David- Scoring depends a lot of short game as well. Without seeing your swing it is hard to tell you what is going wrong in the swing. I recommend sending in a swing review of yourself face on and down the line so we can get a good look at what is occuring in your swing and give you a plan on where to proceed from there.
December 23, 2015
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David
Thanks Steven. I'll do that right after the holidays!
December 23, 2015
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Great david-We dont want you guessing on what to work on. We will get you set on the right track and better than before. Enjoy the holidays
December 23, 2015
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Michael
Good video. From a 13 to 8 handicap; still inconsistent in the release. Hope these checkpoints bring me lower! Sending you'all a video to critique in the new year. Keep up the good work! Thanks.
December 23, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mike. I'm glad to see the handicap has dropped. Lets look forward to keeping that progress going in the New Year.
December 23, 2015
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phil
really good video. Great analysis, clearly explained-excellent
December 22, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Phil. Glad you liked the presentation.
December 23, 2015
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Marc
Hi I need your help to understand something. The only way I can keep my right foot on the floor when I reach the club reaches the 3 o' clock position (swing from 9 to 3) is if my left wrist is fully cocked almost immediately after impact. If other words my lead hand thumb rotates 180 degrees in a very short time span. Is this right? If I do what I am normally doing which is to supinate my left wrist which will lead to a supination of the forearm also, my left hand will be quite in front of the body and for my trail hand to keep up I have to lift the right heel. Thanks, Marc
December 12, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Marc. Right after impact you don't want the lead wrist re-hinging too quickly or re-cocking. You can allow the trail foot to roll on the instep if you need too. Just make sure you aren't pushing off of it too hard or spinning the chest open.
December 12, 2015
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Sean
For these types of drills, I notice that you tend to choke WAY down on the grip. Is that just to try and alleviate the tension that would come from taking a proper left hand grip even with limiting the swing to 9 to 3? Also what is the typical iron that you suggest to use for one handed drills? (7, 8, 9)
November 20, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Sean. You can practice choking down or normal. It does help alleviate the tension if you are struggling with it. Typically, use a 9, 8, 7 iron while practicing.
November 20, 2015
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David
I am doing well with lag and release with my irons. I"m really getting great distance and I am fairly accurate. However, my driver is not cooperating. I him hitting the ball hard with my driver but it feels inefficient. I am either dead blocking it right with power and high, or I am smothering the ball almost with a feeling of overspin that results in a low pull with a minor hook. I am hitting it hard and solid and the ball travels 260 yards or so in the air, but Just not accurate or consistent. I will also say with my irons my misses, althought not as often, are blocks and pull hooks.
November 12, 2015
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
David-the best way to get this looked at is to send in a swing review for one of us to take a look at..otherwise take a look at the trace the plane video.
November 13, 2015
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Stéphane
Probably my favorite video. It helped me a lot when I worked on left hand only release. I now work on right hand only release and really struggle with it. Could you do a video on right hand only release like this one to help us? Thanks a lot!
October 7, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Stephane. Thanks for the compliments and suggestion for a new video topic. Take a look at the Golf Swing Release Drill and the Right Arm Release Video in the meantime to help the cause.
October 8, 2015
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Stéphane
Thank you Craig! I sent a swing review of videos doing the right arm only. DTL, Steven spoted that I'm a little bit OTT(1-2 inches over my hands when club is parallel to the ground). He would like me to be more on plane so here's my question. How could I achieve this the correct way... Doing the right arm only drill, if I'm a little bit OTT and want to be more on plane, does it mean I need to "throw" more my right elbow first toward the ball so my right arm will rotate clockwise and make the club more on plane? It may be the way but I'm scare that if I do this my club face will open too much...I'm confused! Thanks again for all your help guys, really appreciated. Steph
October 9, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Mmm. That's a tough one considering I haven't seen the swing. I would work on the right arm more in front, but not trying to throw the elbow too hard. Work on the Sledgehammer Video so it won't affect the OTT and actually help it.
October 10, 2015
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Mitchell
I never really gave the impact position any thought until this year. These really helps and when I get it right it's almost unbelievable. Not only does the ball have piercing flight it goes an average of 10 extra yards. I want to go over the physics and tell me if I got this right. The swing starts with the left wrist slightly cupped. Then it gradually flattens out at the top and stays that way and then begins to supinate on the way down about waist high creating that bowed wrist at impact position. Also there was a video I can't find. I though it was Clay or Chris where you swing with both hands and let the right hand go. When the club reaches waist high on the follow through you reach across to get the feeling of how your body stays more square to the ball. Can you help me find it?
October 3, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mitchell. You are correct in your diagnosis. I think you referring to the 5 Minutes to the Perfect Release (Chuck will discuss the reach of the trail arm). Or, the Vijay Release Drill (Chuck will discuss letting the trail hand go for speed).
October 3, 2015
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Joel
I've been trying these drills but struggling to get good impact a lot of the time. I have been performing the back swing (up to around the 9 o'clock position) as per RST instruction, ie rotating from the core, keeping arms in front of chest and transferring weight to my right foot. Looking more closely at this this video, however, it seems like Chris is keeping weight more on the left foot as he moves the club back, and it is being moved much more by his arms than his body, is this correct?
September 24, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Joel. Chris is specifically working on the release. When working on the release it can be easier for a player to preset the weight a little on the lead side to take an element out of the equation. Therefore, you can focus on impact with what the wrist and arms are doing versus worried about shifting into a perfect impact position.
September 24, 2015
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John
Chris, how does this work with the throw the ball drill? John
September 22, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. The throw the ball drill is designed for players that need to get rid of there lag. However, it also shows how the trail arm adds speed. To understand how they both will work in conjunction at impact. Take a look at the Golf Swing Release Drill. You need to master the lead hand first and then add how the trail hand can apply some extra force.
September 22, 2015
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Anthony
Chris, I was working on my release the other day and concentrating on keeping a flat left wrist at impact; however, when I changed the focus to keeping a bent right wrist at impact everything kind of fell into place. The feeling I had at impact was applying force and pulling or dragging the club head through impact and letting the wrist rotate after impact. Is that the correct feeling with the bent right wrist at impact, also when I had a bent right wrist at impact the left wrist was always flat.
September 22, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Anthony. Yes, if the right wrist is straight at impact it will be hard to apply force. Same goes for the arm. The right arm will have a slight blend to add force from core rotational speed. Take a look at the Step by Step Right Arm Drills.
September 22, 2015
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Jim
is this type of release applicable to pitching and chipping as well?
September 21, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jim. The release in pitching will be a little quieter. And, the chipping will maintain more of a bow in the lead wrist (square hit) versus rotational release.
September 21, 2015
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bryan
I've been working on the left arm pivot point action to correct my release. I always see in golf magazines that they want to maintain the connection of the left arm to the body. The one drill i see over and over again is the headcover under the armpit to maintain the connection. The left arm pivot point for the release seems to be in direct contrast with this idea. I'm just starting to get the correct feeling of the left arm pivot point for the release but wanted to understand if these two teaching methods are in direct contrast.
September 21, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bryan. Yes, the "towel" or "headcover" drill is more of a body release. We don't advocate the "towel" usage.
September 21, 2015
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Seth
What is the best way to check yourself while you are doing this drill? I was hitting off a range mat last night and it seemed like every attempt to get the movements right produced poor contact.
September 10, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Seth. If performed correctly you should hit little straight compressed shots. Easiest way to check is with camera. However, make sure you practice impact first. Easy way to start seeing how the ball should fly.
September 10, 2015
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Gary
I was watching a video of Fred Couples, who seem to have a cupped wrist at the top of his backswing and at the start of his down swing. Is he simply rotating his forearm or is he flatning his wrist at impact?
September 7, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gary. Fred flattens his wrist somewhat at impact. Not all the way bowed, but as he loses angle his wrist flattens a bit. However, due to the strong nature of his grip it won't be as much as RST's.
September 8, 2015
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Stephen
Hi Craig, this is a good video an I have improved my release from this? However, when I try to perform the 9 to 3 drill with wrist hinge I struggle a bit with contact due to the speed. Any advice in improving my release in this case? Should I perform left hand only with wrist hinge first?
August 26, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Stephen. You can use a left hand only with a little hinge to get the proper feel. If you struggle with the contact just make sure it isn't the trail hand pushing.
August 26, 2015
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Mads
I've been struggling with having a good amount of lag and getting into an ok impact position (Aaron and Craig M have seen my swing), but getting nothing out of that lag. Went to the range today with a swing speed radar and my driver. Tried positioning the radar at different spots parallel to the target line and noticed something interesting. When positioning the radar about a foot back from the ball (so it would measure the club head speed about a foot before impact) and next to the ball (so it would measure speed at impact), I would get around 99-102 mph, sometimes 104-105 when hitting as fast as I could. But when positioning the radar a foot up the target line, so that it would measure the speed about a foot after impact, I easily hit 106-109, and 112 when swinging as fast as I could. Believe I've read that you speed should max out just after impact, but losing about 7-8 mph seems like wasting a lot of speed to me. Should I move the ball further towards the left foot (right now Its app. under my left ear)? This might a problem when it comes to iron-shot, as I'm probably losing some speed there too. Or should I try to release the club a bit earlier to max out closer to impact, but still after? Thanks a lot for your help (especially Aaron and Craig M )
August 26, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mads. Yes, you should move it more towards the instep of the lead foot (Driver Launch Angle Video). Irons should stay under the logo/off the left ear. No problem for the help. The suggested video will discuss about the max speed and the up ball position.
August 26, 2015
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Mads
But won't I have the same "problem" with my irons, maxing out too late after impact and missing out on some extra mph's ?
August 26, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mads. You could miss a little speed. But, you don't want a positive angle of attack with an iron. It will lead to a much higher flight and not a lot of control. The driver is more about distance, than the iron.
August 27, 2015
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Brian
I've noticed that with my practice swings on video, there isn't as much tension in my forearms--and all the checkpoints look pretty good. But when I bring that wicked white ball into the scene, the veins are bulging out of my forearms on the downswing. Will the light grip pressure help to train my body to relax on the downswing even when hitting a ball?
August 19, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brian. Yes it will. You want to reduce tension to have good speed. Just like casting a fish pole. You wouldn't try to flick a lure far with the arm maxed out with tension.
August 19, 2015
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stewart
Thanks for the great video Chris. This cleared up some points really well for me. Cheers.
August 19, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
My pleasure Stewart.
August 19, 2015
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Richard
Hi, which hand should have the grip pressure of holding a tube of toothpaste? The lead or the trail or both. I struggle with my trail hand grip pressure but the video shows the lead hand holding the tube.. Thanks!
August 18, 2015
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Richard-We want both hands to be "holding the toothpaste". Otherwise the hand that has more grip pressure (mainly right hand if RH) will take over and we can get flippy and will be hard to square the face.
August 18, 2015
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Richard
Thanks Steven!
August 19, 2015
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Stéphane
Hi! When you do small swing in this video, it seems that you preseted your weight to the left leg and already activated the left glute. Is that right? Thanks!
August 11, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Yes that is correct. We want to work on these drills by pre setting into an impact position, that way there are minimal distractions when training this important piece of the swing.
August 12, 2015
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Seth
Is the natural rotation of the club caused by it basically being along for the ride when my glove logo is facing in front of me, as I let my wrist / forearm drop and turns it faces the ground at impact, then behind me at release? The club here feels fairly flat or swinging shallow when I practice what I believe is correct from Chris's explanation. Or should I feel more active wrist turn, using my last three fingers / knuckles on the handle turning up or inward as my arms drop?
August 10, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Seth, I think I am understanding your first interpretation as being exactly what we are looking for the in the release. There are times when a person needs to actively feel like they are creating more rotation in the wrist, but that is generally geared towards those that carry too much tension or have been trained to delay/holdoff the release based on the path.
August 11, 2015
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Seth
Hi Chris, thanks for the confirmation! It's tricky sometimes to know what body movement is exactly right and trusting it when you are trying to ingrain. Love this video!
August 11, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
My pleasure and glad you enjoyed it!
August 12, 2015
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Donald
Thanks much, Craig. I have spent exhaustive time on the range practicing with "the punisher", in fact made my own. Only to discover that this move tends to slow down club head speed - Wow! I am now working exclusively on your "Fix Your Release" drill and am seeing some positive results although it's a lot of work convincing my left shoulder that it no longer has to move left in conjunction with the clubface.
August 3, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Donal. Also, use the Vijay Release Drill in the Advanced Downswing Section for more help. Get that speed back!
August 3, 2015
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Hilmar
Hi Chris, what an excellent video this is! I will take it to the course later today! I realize since I joined RST that I have way too much pressure in my hands, which disables my release, my speed and my clubface to get square through the ball. Especially when I am on the range, it quickly gets painful. The opposite is happening when I'm playing: I put some of your thoughts in my pre-shot routine, and focus on these, instead on the need to get the distance I expect from my club. Great way of enjoying the game, thanks a lot!
August 2, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Hilmar. Thanks for the post. Most of us over work in the golf swing. Keep making it simpler and easier on yourself!
August 3, 2015
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Donald
Hi, Chris. I really like and appreciate your tips in this "Fix your release" drill. I am 71 years old and over the years have had many lessons. During a number of these lessons I have been told to do the "punisher" drill. That is, use a club with an extended shaft that hits your side if and when you release the clubface. So as you can imagine I have had very little release in the past. My question is "was the punisher drill a bad drill for me to be practicing", as it seems to directly contrast with what you are instructing in your release drill.
August 2, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Donal. The punisher drill is great for hitting a knock down, but will really slow up club face rotation. Therefore, a lack of club head speed at the ball. For example: Tiger under Foley versus Como. Tiger is now smaller (weight) and older, but gained more club head speed. Due to the fact he releases the club, versus holds off the rotation.
August 3, 2015
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John
Hi Chris , I think these series of tips are great . I just want to know is there rule of thumb or benchmark regarding how far away from our body is our lead wrist from our trail thigh ....again asking questions about a particular video besides the great instruction is what really makes this site the best !
August 1, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey John - Glad you enjoyed the video. A good rule of thumb would be to have the lead hand be in the area of the toe line as it passes slightly outside the trail thigh. Let me know if you have any questions at all.
August 2, 2015
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steve
Hi Chris, Great series of tips, I like the format particularly from basics through. This is area I struggle with but whenever I try these drills, particularly with the right hand on the club i end with big hooks or draws. Is this likely to be me truing to manipulate the clubface through the hitting area or/and getting too right dominate? Steve
July 31, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Steve. It could be a little right side dominance or forcing more of a flip with the club head rather than letting it rotate over. Take a look at the Vijay Release Drill in the Advanced Downswing Section.
July 31, 2015
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steve
Thanks Craig the video makes a lot of sense I'll work on the drills.
July 31, 2015
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Thomas
Chris, Great video. A lot to absorb in one video. Have to take each section of the video one by one. t
July 30, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks for the compliments Tom. Will pass along the good word to Chris.
July 30, 2015
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Tom
Chris: I have been trying to do the "left shoulder pivot point" drill with my driver to help me learn to release my driver better. However, when I take it back until my left hand is behind my trail leg and let momentum pull the club down the driver hits the ground a foot or more behind my intended impact point. What am I missing? Thank you for another fine video.
July 27, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Tom, my pleasure. Make sure that you have your weight mostly into the lead side AND you have enough secondary axis tilt. If you weight is back or you do not not have enough tilt, you will be running into the problems that you are mentioning.
July 27, 2015
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Tom
Thanks - your fixes resolved the problem. Tom
July 28, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
My pleasure!
July 28, 2015
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ron
I'm brand new here and eager to learn as much as I can. That said, I though I noticed a question in this thread a couple days ago (from a "Christopher" maybe?) that I really relate to, and eagerly awaited a response. Well, now the original question seems to have disappeared! It had to do with left-hand-only practice swings working well and brushing the grass properly out in front of the lead foot; adding the right hand has proven difficult to bottom-out the swing far enough forward (please excuse the rough paraphrase). Two questions; Where did that question go? And, what's the answer? Thanks!!
July 26, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Ron -- Not sure where your original question may have gone to or my response. The video comments appear to be working properly on our end. I will further look into it for you though. I am not sure I remember the question entirely but I will say adding the right hand can be a difficult task. You want to take your time when adding it back onto the club. Start out just mirroring the club, not even touching it with focus still being on the left wrist. Slowly start to touch the club but open palm it and then so on and so on. Just make sure you are watching the moves on camera and making sure that if there is some breakdown, then you take yourself back a step. Sorry again about the lost comment.
July 27, 2015
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Raymond
I am having a hard time pulling shots with short irons an wedges. Would that last drill be a good one to help cure the problem?
July 26, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Raymond, Yes, absolutely this will help with the pulling of your short irons and wedges. Sounds like you have a lot of right side dominance and this will train you how to control things from the lead side. Report back if it does not help and we will further assist you.
July 26, 2015
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rick
Nice drills! I've been so used to turning my chest to the target, with my left shoulder spinning out a bit to much, I can now clearly see my release problems. Feeling like my left shoulder is nailed to the wall behind me (pivot point/pendulum is going to take some work.
July 25, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Glad you liked the drills Rick. Hope this helps you get on the correct path with your release.
July 26, 2015
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rick
Just another question... Would you advise keeping the left elbow close to the chest to help keep the left shoulder in tact?
July 26, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
No, I would not advise that. When you have the left arm pinned against the chest, that can shorten the radius and also cause the body to have to rotate through the hitting area.
July 26, 2015
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rick
Thank you.
July 26, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
My pleasure. Let me know if you need any further help at all and I will gladly assist.
July 26, 2015
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Dean
Chris, excellent series of drills. Especially like the left shoulder pivot point / pendulum drill and keeping arms relaxed. I've found it difficult to swing as if the arms are "dropping" to impact, when I do this the right hand can overpower the lest which loses they bow and can create a flip.
July 24, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Dean! Glad you enjoyed the video.
July 26, 2015
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jay
Great way of explaining
July 24, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Jay! Glad you found this video useful.
July 26, 2015
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Louis
What a good resumé... I would have like to know more about the position of the wrists at the starting position; should they be completely flat and aligned with the forearm... or cooked a little bit ?
July 24, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Louis, glad you liked the video. Check out the "using the wrists effectively and efficiently" video for some answers to your questions. Let me know if that does not help clear things up.
July 26, 2015
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joseph
Regarding "setting too much leverage" ... does this comment apply to just the drill? Because in the full swing as the left hand is at the right thigh we're hoping for nearly 90 degrees of lag.
July 24, 2015
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robert
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it was a bit of misspeak. What he did was more of pulling the club inside to start the swing as opposed to shoulder glide with arm flexion and a small wrist set
July 27, 2015
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paul
Is this also true with the Driver swing? with your left shoulder as a pivot point and not pulling up and rotating?
July 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Paul -- To further add to what Steven was saying to you...With a driver swing we tend to have more secondary axis tilt at impact, thus giving the appearance that the lead shoulder is much higher than the trail. Secondary tilt helps shallow the plane and helps you launch the driver high like they are designed to do in modern golf. Hope that helps.
July 27, 2015
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Paul- Correct. The left shoulder should never pull up and out. Feeling the left shoulder low and working as a pivot point for the release is a good swing action for every shot.
July 24, 2015
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jeffrey
Maybe i'm not understanding what you're saying...but, in looking at pro swings, their left shoulder position is higher at impact than at setup....with the right shoulder of course correspondingly lower. What do you mean by "up and out". Up seems obvious...but "out" isn't.
July 24, 2015
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
What I meant was we don't want our lead shoulder spinning out. If we keep the feeling of left shoulder low into the shot, the shoulder won't spin out of the shot
July 25, 2015
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Suneel
This is a great video to give you those small checkpoints. My issue is that during the speed of a golf swing, it's so hard to focus on what your impact position is. However, this video is giving some checkpoints to train your body to do it naturally. Love Rotary Swing
July 23, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Suneel. It does take some work. But, you will get there. Hang in there and get that release!
July 27, 2015
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Michael
One of top videos on the sight. This explains a lot about not allowing left shoulder fly openc
July 23, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Michael. Great. I'm happy you liked the video.
July 27, 2015
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Mike
A little confused, and this may just be where my son's development is at this point. His instructor said his chest was stalling and he needed to pull from the obliques and keep the club in front of him. This seems to say we want to club to go by us and the body to stall so it can do that. But seeing zillions of tour players swing it seems the chest rotates through impact to finish, no stalling or stopping.
July 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Mike, when working the RST swing, we are wanting the body to stall as much as possible during the release and then we want the club to pull us into a finish position. At full speed, like you see the tour pros, it can be hard to see the body stall for long while the release is happening.
July 23, 2015
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Anthony
Hi Chris, you mention that the left shoulder acts like a pivot point ( left shoulder nail to a wall behind it). In some other videos you mention that the right shoulder acts like a pivot point when releasing the right arm, should I also feel the the right shoulder is nailed to a wall behind it. Thanks
July 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Anthony, You want the shoulders and the chest to do very little at the release point of the swing. The less you do with the upper body, the better. Things will be happening quickly at the release point of the swing so it would be a good thought to feel as though both shoulders are nailed and allow the club to pull you into a finish post impact.
July 23, 2015
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Cullen
WoW...GREAT description of the progression to release the club. Can't wait to practice each step and send in a video for review..Thanks!
July 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
My pleasure Cullen! Glad you enjoyed it!
July 23, 2015
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Dan
These are great instruction to work on to get a great release but how do you transition it to regular swing with power. Dan
July 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Dan, glad you enjoyed it! You will want to work on downswing sequence drills, which we have a lot of. Then allow the arms to be pulled down into the hitting area with the lower body and BAMMMM release it with lots of speed and lots of control. You can also work to get a good 9 to 3 drill going and then work to add more width and rotation to it the more you become better at it. Hope that helps.
July 23, 2015
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andrew
Great video Chris. Your timing is impeccable as I was starting to get flippy with my left wrist. I recently saw a video on Youtube where Tommy Ballard talks about how keeping the left elbow down on takeaway and thru impact. Seemed to help and you brought even more clarity to this. Thanks. I look forward to trying these drills.
July 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Andrew! Glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. Now, get to work
July 23, 2015
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Seth
This is a great video. What is it that you mention about a phone app that tracks the pendulum movement?
July 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Seth, glad you enjoyed the video. I use an app called "metronome" and I set the pace to 50-55.
July 23, 2015
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Seth
Sorry to be a PITA but there are a few of them. Who wrote yours or who is it by?
July 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
haha no worries, I should have known better. I think it is by gizmart.
July 23, 2015
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James
Hey Chris - You did a great 4 video series last year on hitting crisp iron shots I could not find it on the website. It helped me tremendously - but I need a refresher and watch it again for this season Thanks Mike
April 16, 2018

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