Common Golf Setup Faults and Fixes

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Having a poor golf setup position can cost you clubhead speed and make it difficult to fix some common swing faults. This video will show you how to get a perfect golf setup every time you address the ball.

  • Make sure that your weight is even distributed, even with axis tilt. 
  • Make sure your hips do not open when bumping your hip towards the target. 
  • The back of your lead wrist should be to the inside the lead thigh. 
  • Back of the knee should be over the center of the ankle. 


Faults and fixes and checkpoints for your golf setup. If you're not setup to the golf ball correctly you have little chance of making a proper golf swing. Make sure you setup to the ball correctly everytime no matter how bad it may feel at first!

Hi. I'm rotary swing instructor Chris Tyler. Did you know that your setup position could be costing you a ton of power? Did you also know that your setup position could be making it nearly impossible for you to overcome a lot of those common swing faults?

                Yep, that's right. So in today's video I'm gonna show you guys some of the common pitfalls that we see right at the address position. And I'm gonna give you guys a very detailed list of checkpoints that are gonna help you get into a perfect setup position every single time.

                Even if you think you have the setup mastered you wanna pay close attention to this video because you might pick up one thing that's gonna change the way you dynamically move throughout the entire golf swing. Let's go ahead and get started.

                Okay guys so before we get into the real main substance of today's video. I do want to put a little warning or a little disclaimer here at the front in that, anytime we make an adjustment to our setup, it becomes extremely uncomfortable. I'm not gonna lie to you I've been there, I've done that. And the reason for that is, is that, we are so used to setting up over the golf ball one particular way. It feels comfortable to us, it feels natural to us, that even feels athletic to us. That to make an adjustment to that, you will feel maybe a little uncomfortable with it but I promise you, that if you put the time in. Doesn't need to be out on the range, doesn't need to be out on the golf course. You can do this stuff right at the comforts of your own home really. And go through that checklist that I give you at the end.

                You will get comfortable with this new setup position and you won't be putting yourself in a position where you could be costing yourself speed or even making it difficult to overcome a lot of your swing faults. So again, if you've played this game for a long period of time, I encourage you to stay committed to a lot these changes at the address position because you'll see that when you start working on things later in the swing, it becomes way easier to overcome a lot of those problems.

                Also, if I mention any videos during this whole process. Those videos are gonna be over on the right hand side of the video player under the recommended videos tab. Just go ahead click that tab, all those videos will populate. Okay guys so lets get into this now.

                Okay guys so in this first common mistake that we see has to do with weight distribution. Now what are we looking to achieve from an address position? We want to be as evenly balanced as possible. So we want to be really stable and we want to feel evenly balanced as possible. It's okay to have a slight fluctuation maybe five or ten percent one way or the other. Not a big deal. But the big mistake that we see from a lot of golfers is that. In order to achieve their access tilt, what they're doing is, is they're just leaning their spine away from the target and their getting most of their weight preloaded into their right side.

                K so you can see here that I have most of my weight over here. You can see that my right shoulder is pretty well outside my right ankle. Okay and now this can actually cause a number of issues in the golf swing as far as. Loading up those muscles too early they can start to fatigue, they can start to push and wouldn't want to fire. It could make it very difficult for you to get back over to your lead side before your hands and arms getting down to the hitting area.

                So you can see that there's a lot of chain reaction of events that can happen from not having proper weight distribution. So how do we fix it? Well the best way to get proper access tilt, you can try this out at home. Stand up with me. It's getting proper stance width and if you're not sure on what proper stance width is, check out Determining Proper Stance Width.

                But what we're gonna be doing here, is were gonna stand vertical. We're gonna feel like we're fifty fifty like we're having a conversation we could stand here all day. And all I want you to do is keep your head very quiet. And as your keeping your head quiet, I want you to move your hips just slightly towards where your target would be.

                Okay and as you notice, if I'm keeping my head still my spine is starting to lean away. Now because my mass, my lower half is moving towards the target my spines leaning away, it's acting as counter balance and that. When you have your spine now inside the lead knee you should still feel roughly fifty fifty on both legs.

                Okay guys so if you've been battling with some weight distribution issues or been really unclear as to what side you're being preloaded in. Stand up, vertical. Head still. And just move your hips towards the target just a little bit. And now I've met the requirements of access tilt. So you can see that as I move my hips here, see how my spine is now just inside my lead knee and I'm still evenly distributed. So try this out. Make sure that you have proper access tilt and proper weight distribution.

                Okay guys so in this second common mistake that we have with the address position has to do with access tilt as well and I'm gonna turn. This is gonna be a quick one here. So what we see from a lot of students is, is when they're moving their hips towards the target to get that access tilt. Okay when they move the hips this way, the hips tend to open up just a slight amount. So double check to make sure that your hips are nice and square.

                If you feel like they're open, you might feel your weight start to squeak to the forward part of our trail foot. So when you pulling back to square you'll feel really rock solid stable to the ground. So just double check when you get your access tilt, that you make sure your hips are nice and square.

                Aright guys so in this third common fault that we see at the address position has to do with hand position. Now a lot of us have been taught in the past that we want to froward press our hands but all that's doing is starting to create a lot of tension in your hands and your arms. So when you get into proper axis tilt, proper stance width, you want your hands and arms to be hanging freely from the shoulders. And what you're gonna notice here without pressing your hands forward, is that the back of my lead hand is just inside the back of my lead thigh.

                K so, make sure with proper ball position, proper axis tilt, proper stance width that we you look at yourself from a face on prospective, that the back of your lead wrist to your lead hand has right inside the lead thigh. Don't press the hands forward. Don't have your hands back here, that's probably a big reason why your hands would be back here in the first place and it probably has to do with weight distribution. So you want your hands and arms to hang freely from the shoulders. Proper ball position. And notice that your lead hand is just inside your lead thigh.

                Aright guys so in this final piece of the common faults or mistakes that we see with the setup position or your address position. I'm also gonna walk you through this detailed checklist of things that your gonna be able to do at home to get yourself perfect in your setup position.

                This common thing that we see is adding too much knee flex. Okay so when get too much knee flex here, you can see that my butt, my hips are kinda pulled up underneath me and in turn what you're gonna see is, you're gonna see some roundness from your thoracic spine up. So you'll see some curvature there and you'll probably see a lot of roundness to your shoulders.

                Now this is obviously an exaggerated look at this. And what I want you to stay focused on is that, even though this feels really stable, okay 'cause we feel like we can't be moving anywhere at all, we feel like we're stuck to the ground. In turn what that's doing is getting your quads more activated and gonna make it very difficult for you to load your glute muscles up believe it or not.

                Also, because you have roundness to the shoulders, it's gonna make it very difficult for you to rotate properly throughout your golf swing. So what you're gonna be looking for, and this is where I'm gonna start to go into this checklist, is that we want the back of the knee to be over the center of the ankle. We only need just enough knee flex just to relax the knees.

                Okay and this is the one that's really uncomfortable for a lot of golfers at home. So the checklist is, 'cause I want you guys to get proper stance width. We're gonna get axis tilt last on this list. K? Proper stance width and what I want you to do is just lock your legs into a straight position here. K? And what we're gonna do, is if we were to stretch our hamstrings we would keep our legs locked very straight here.

                Aright we're not gonna flex our knees at all. So I want to feel like I'm doing a hamstring stretch and I'm gonna push my hips back. Okay so you can see I'm hinging from my hips. My hips are going back. My butt's going back here. My chest is now going over the ball. Now what you wanna do is, you wanna continue to hinge until your toes start to feel really light. So you could see that my toes are starting to try and come off the ground.

                Aright so now what I wanna do form this, is just soften the knees. And then were gonna allow the arms to hang freely from the shoulders. Now, if you seen a lot of roundness to your shoulders, you want to double check the total amount of knee flex you have 'cause as you could see that, it feels like I've got just soften amount here but you want to double check to make sure that you have your hips back far enough and your in true balance with your weight locked underneath your ankles.

                Okay so encourage yourself to get your butt to stick out, chest a little bit more over the ball and make sure that we don't have a lot roundness to the shoulders so you might want to try find a neutral position for your shoulders.

                One of the common mistakes that we see when starting to hinge forward is because your shoulders start to bear mass. Okay? Shoulders bear mass not start to bear mass but you'll see that, because we're hinging our shoulders want to round. Okay that's our way of being a little bit lazy. So you want to kind of fight that with gravity kind of pulling in that direction. So good way to overcome that. Shrug your shoulders up to your ears. Depress them. Then go ahead and keep your legs locked straight, don't have any knee flex and just hinge forward slowly until your toes becomes light. And then just soften your knees. Arms hang freely form that shoulder line and now you're ready to rock n' roll.

                Now, the final bit and you thought I was gonna let you get away with it, is adding that axis tilt. So we're gonna do it from a face on perspective here. I'm gonna hinge forward till my toes become light, soften my knees. K? And all I'm gonna do is move my hip towards the target just a little bit, keep my head still. And now I'm in a good setup position ready to start to shift my weight, load things up and rotate properly.

                Aright guys. So now you've seen a lot of those common pitfalls. Double check that your setup position is perfect and you'll be well on your way to helping yourself overcome a lot of those nagging swing faults.

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Gavin
Hi Craig Hope you're well I have been working on the setup and I think we are finally there, do you have any issues with the posture, what should I move onto next?
May 20, 2021
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Gavin, Chris Tyler here. Looks like your posture is in a very good spot now. Without knowing where the rest of your swing is at, I would suggest that you work on loading the trail side and making good full body turn. Good job on the setup.
May 21, 2021
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Gavin
Hi Craig Thanks for the lesson really appreciate and I like the simplicity we need to get out of this mess, are you happy with this posture? Cheers,
May 17, 2021
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gavin. Much improved over lesson posture. Now, we need to make it consistent.
May 17, 2021
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Brian
Hi Chris thanks for feedback on last video, have tried moving the hip to right, (forgot to mention I'm right handed), prior to beginning the hip turn. Hip/body turn feels more difficult with combination of wider stance and slide to right. I'll keep at it and send video once it feels more natural. Previously beginning with bent knees at start of swing, felt as though the squat to square move was preloaded!? Improving set up and stance took that away, so will build swing up from here Regards Brian
October 17, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Brian, my pleasure. Remember, the knee flex at address should be very minimal. If you have the legs locked out straight, you only need enough flex to to soften the knees. When you look at it from a dtl angle, you should see the back of the knee over the center of the ankle. From there, you can load up properly and then allow for a subtle increase of flex in the knees in transition when you make the squat move. Looking forward to seeing your next review. Have a great weekend.
October 18, 2020
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Brian
Hi Chris, been working on the bump of right hip to move weight onto right side, it's ok in slow motion, However only feel weight transfer in full swing if I make the bump and weight transfer prior to beginning hip turn and club takeaway. If i try to do it in one movement the hip doesn't move much, feels like I'm moving it but the videos tell a different story. Is the 2 part movement ok just now? Photo shows hip bump and take away just about to begin (right handed) All the best Brian
October 23, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Brian, the 2 part movement is PERFECT for you to work on now. In fact, I cannot emphasize how important it is to do it like that for a good number of reps. You'll be able to blend things together as you get a large number of reps under your belt. Also, when you say right handed...are you saying that you are actually a right hand golfer and we are looking at mirrored images/videos of your swing? If so, please let me know so I can flip your videos in the reviews when you send them in.
October 23, 2020
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James
Have worked on this video a lot Craig and feel I am getting there; less roundness of shoulders, better axis tilt at address. As a result this has led to much better release and in balance. In the capture below, I felt the club dragging me through into completion. This is shown more in the review. Maybe I could have a little bit more of my butt sticking out at address but I am getting there.
October 14, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Release and components are better. I just want that last little bit of leverage transferred into the strike and club shooting towards the target.
October 14, 2020
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James
First of Craig I offer my sincere apologies for deleting my initial review. After I looked at it, I realised I had posted the wrong down line video. The words were exactly the same but the DL video was wrong. I did not realise you would be getting the initial review done so quick. Please consider me suitably chastened.
October 14, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. No worries my friend. Just if you get that lump of coal. You know why . Haha
October 14, 2020
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Brian
Hi Chris, I've been working on setup and reverse pivot you highlighted in the previous feedback. Not completed the drills yet!!, but would welcome any feedback on progress so far. Initially setup felt that I was too far from ball (especially when I was using driver?) being more upright, however this did result in greater sensation of loading up right leg during drills and out on course. I've included screenshot of practicing drill using alignment sticks to make sure no reverse pivot, when camera not on. Thanks for your help and look forward to your comments. Brian
October 8, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Brian, looks like you are making some good progress. Shoulder turn may look a little flat, but I would need to check that from a down the line perspective. If you get a chance, take a picture from down the line so I can check the hips a little closer and I can see the shoulder plane in relation to your spine.
October 9, 2020
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Brian
Morning Chris, thanks for getting back to me, I've attached screenshot of video taken yesterday. Unfortunately shorts aren't suitable just now in NE Scotland. I was using a reference line when checking video to check knee position.Getting balance pt with straight legs with feeling of toes off ground has given a good reference pt, which I feel has helped a great deal. Will submit a video soon, once I've completed with more reps of the drill. Brian
October 9, 2020
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Brian
Morning Chris, thanks for getting back to me, I've attached screenshot of video taken yesterday. Unfortunately shorts aren't suitable just now in NE Scotland. I was using a reference line when checking video to check knee position.Getting balance pt with straight legs with feeling of toes off ground has given a good reference pt, which I feel has helped a great deal. Will submit a video soon, once I've continued with more reps of the drill. Brian
October 9, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Good morning to you sir. I don't see anything really out of sorts here at all. The appearance of the hips at the top of the swing gives me the impression that you might not have hinged enough at address (butt back, chest over the ball), so definitely keep an eye on that. Also, make sure you check on the right foot at the completion of the backswing, if you notice the foot is rolling to the outside as you finish of the rotation, that would indicate that you didn't shift enough weight into the right foot first and right right knee is turning away from the ball too much. Very very common for those that are afraid to use some lateral movement in the swing. It's okay for the hips to move laterally. Just keep it subtle. Ill be on the look out for your next review.
October 9, 2020
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James
On this video Craig I think this is where some of the errors you pointed to is caused. This is marked as one of my favourites as you have pointed to my legs being bent a tad too much before and have worked on this. When I did my review though, my LiveView camera was set to look at my FO angle to make sure I was doing the 4 by 4 drill correct on 30, 60 drill. Consequently I'd got a little too relaxed over the ball and my shoulders got a bit rounded and I feel this was the reason I did not maintain a good shoulder tilt on the way back as I was aware of my lead shoulder coming close to my chin at the top of my backswing. Plus this would have caused that protraction you highlighted. The other point in this video is in regard to when I shift my hips forward. On checking in my study, trying feel that I sort of fall to target, keeping my lead shoulder initially lower, I can see that my lead hip does start a little open. I am wondering as well whether that may be inhibiting me from getting that lead hip from opening earlier. Working on this in my study, I find it much easier to push that lead hip out of the way when I bump more laterally and back. Also, this helps my tush line so will work on the things Chris shows here. He does explain thin things so well for me.
October 1, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Thanks for the compliments of Chris's presentation. Very important video on the site. Yes. It needs to work laterally and back. I think it will make it much easier for you.
October 1, 2020
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Jim
Setting up with straight legs and bending at hips terrific. I feel my spine more tilted over ball than usual and less round shouldered. Do you actively tilt upper pelvis back vs butt out (latter can cause a lordosis or curved spine)? How do I know when legs are too straight?
September 1, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jim. Absolutely shy away from the lordosis! The legs will be too straight if you aren't balanced and can't draw a line from the center of your ankle joint through the back of the knee joint.
September 1, 2020
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James
Craig I have worked really hard today, nearly 4 hours in front of the net and I am getting really frustrated at not being able to clear that left hip at impact. I can take a short swing and do a lot better but as soon as I go to a full swing, even when I fully focus on pulling that left hip out of the way, Although I almost post the leg up, it is not enough clearance for my arms and club to release through without that lead arm folding in. Just concentrating on a short backswing I get the hips clear fine. You can see in the capture below what I am talking about. I am absolutely drained and devoid of any idea of how to get that hip out of the way any earlier than I am doing!
August 9, 2020
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James
I have gone out for another session after looking at Chuck's Chicken Wing video "Cure Chicken Wing in the Golf Swing" and just barely held on the grip with my right hand, with the fingers just resting on the grip and no thumb. Despite just concentrating on that lead hip trying to shift and pull it out of the way at impact, I still don't get it out of the way. I'm so clapped out now I have given up for the day and do feel really dejected as I just don't know what to do to clear that lead hip at impact. Think I am a forlorn cas Craig and ready for the scrap heap.
August 9, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. You must start the transition sooner. We know you have the lead leg/hip issue. Do some full swing body only drills. If you can start transitioning sooner and post up by impact body only we can get you over the hump. Start without the club first to attain the feel/movement. We must remember though you have some strength and limitations with your post up leg.
August 9, 2020
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James
Is there a good drill you can recommend me to work on please Craig? I have been so dejected this evening but I still got out on my front garden to work on things looking at myself in the window to see where I can improve but it has been so frustrating. Too tired now and I am off to bed to rest; will check back tomorrow for any info you can give me. Thanks anyway for coming back today with your initial answer.
August 9, 2020
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James
Craig I am looking at two videos, the Downcock Drill and the Magic Box with Tiger. I have made a comment in the Magic Box video which maybe you can comment on my observation there please. Feel a bit better today as I can see some possible light over the issue I am having with this transition problem.
August 10, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Let me go take a look over there first before I respond here. Just in case we are on the same page of where to go.
August 10, 2020
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James
Further to my previous comments Craig I have been working on what sot of feel I should have in my feet and what works best in the swing. I am talking about working from the ground up. What I have found that the best results come from the following. As I come into impact with my lead hip rotating back away from ball and target. I find that this is best accommodated when my left heel pushes into the ground, whilst at the same time, I feel my right foot starting roll left as shown by red arrow and the pressure point goes on to the base of my right big toe. This causes two things I like, one it allows me to roll my foot on to the inside edge whilst keeping the inner part of my left heel slightly grounded, two it stops my right knee from bending outwards towards the ball and the heel completely leaving the ground; instead it helps the knee moves more towards target as indicated by the yellow arrow. A third aspect it does help me create a shallower impact and striking the ground after the ball. It is just a simple thought but feeling that rolling pressure on the ball at the base of the big toe of my trail foot seems to create a lot of good things. Appreciate your comments of these thoughts Craig to ascertain whether this is OK.
August 8, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. The goal is not to have a big push off the trail foot. You must allow for it to roll as you speak of when posting to help facilitate enough weight transfer and clearance of the lead hip. Makes sense to me.
August 8, 2020
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James
It is definitely not a push, it is as you say, a rolling motion. I am feeling my left hip and oblique pulling my body over to the left, rotating back and away from target. I find that this motion of letting my trail foot roll over on to the ball of the base of the big right toe does facilitate my lead hip being pulled away and rotated back. As I said it definitely stops my right knee from bending too much towards the ball, which I think has been causing me at times to get my spine axis bending too much, inhibiting my weight shift a bit. With that trail leg not collapsing so much with the knee moving towards target, it makes it easier for me to transfer that weight more effortlessly over to the lead side. I am going to do some videoing today as the weather is good. After doing a lot of work indoors I want to see how this working in a full swing, which I can't do indoors as Veronica does want to see holes in my study ceiling! <)---<
August 9, 2020
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James
Have worked on the swing today paying special attention to my setup height, knee flex, takeaway and impact position. In the first capture I show my setup and impact position. Regarding the latter I know I need to work harder to get that left hip more up and back but feel I am getting a bit more shaft lean. The other point I would mention here is I am also, trying to get the lead wrist more bowed and have improved a bit there. I will comment on the second capture below this regarding the takeaway. Appreciate your comments about my setup position, I have felt today my chin was not tucked in so much, making my neck not so bowed.
August 2, 2020
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James
This is the second capture I took when the shaft is parallel with the ground. I have put in the arrows to indicate what I think I should be doing. I am still not getting that right arm extending as much as I should, could it be because I am not tilting the shoulders enough towards the ball and not pulling that left knee more across and down as indicated by the arrows. Although not shown here I am not getting that head lift as I get to the top of my backswing, which is a bit shorter. Plus I start the transition before I complete the backswing.
August 2, 2020
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James
Update to the second part above. I noticed in the the DL video comparing with Chuck my lead knee is coming out way further than Chuck's lead knee. So worked in front of a mirror and although letting my right hip dictate the rotation back, I kept more control on the lead knee, not letting it collapse so much and got much better extension and the right elbow did not bend so much. Would love to work on this tomorrow but afraid V has some jobs for me!! Ugh
August 2, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Some great work on the 3 posts. The reason for the takeaway is right arm fold and you tend to start with the hands. Therefore, the takeaway isn't fully driven by the core movements. However, vastly superior to the takeaways I have seen in the past. It is okay to have some of the lead knee movement. You are just allowing for a little more hip rotation. Sorry about your chores .
August 2, 2020
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James
Thanks for your response Craig. I must admit I was not quite as enthusiastic as you were with my takeaway. I do agree about the handsy bit though and will continue to work on that. I know you pointed me to the belly button drill but is there another one that I can work on that will have a similar effect? The main thing I have to improve though is to get my arms extending through release, trying to delay the folding of them more nearer to the top of the release, after the arms have passed horizontal. I can get them better if I concentrate on extension but my weight shift is not so good and vice versa! It's so frustrating. Oh well that is for another day, now to my chores!!!
August 3, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. For You it is right off the golf ball. Think the 1/2inch hand drill in 5 Minutes to Master Rotation and Role of the Right Arm. You need to feel the core give the movement to amrs/hands/club.
August 3, 2020
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James
Hi Craig is it this one https://rotaryswing.com/golf-instruction/golfbiomechanics/golf-rotation-5-min-to-master-rotation?
August 3, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Yes.
August 3, 2020
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James
Hi Craig remember working on this a couple of years ago. I went through all five steps and had no issues in accomplishing them all correctly. Have to say I really felt those obliques doing this. I did it with Chuck first of all and then did it in front of that mirror shown below. I could plainly see that there was no handsy movement at all doing this. Also, it has re-awakened my mind to the part played by my right shoulder blade. I do feel that there has been so much emphasis in Chuck's Live lessons that my focus has been mostly on rotating the hips back getting the right tush on to the chair. Consequently, I feel my right shoulder blade has become a little redundantly. Is there a follow up to this drill where the hips and legs start coming into play?
August 3, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. How to Swing From the Ground Up, or the LiveLesson I believe you are referring too.
August 3, 2020
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James
I went to the former and have made a comment about it in the link. Many thanks Craig.
August 4, 2020
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James
Craig, further to my comments on the clamshell drill, I mentioned about checking this in front of a mirror. I took a capture of the setup and have attached it to this comment. Can you advise me if this looks about right please?
July 29, 2020
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James
On re-checking standing the opposite way to I am in the picture, I did the setup routine again and this time lightly flexing the knees it looked much better. I felt in the picture I still had a little too much knee flex, even though the line from chin to the finger tops was OK.
July 29, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Exactly what I was about to say with the knees.
July 29, 2020
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James
Many thanks for the review today Craig. Like many videos on RST I have this one marked as a favourite LOL. Ironically, I wore my skinny trousers so you could see my leg movement more obviously. Yes the last part is something I am guilty of and I frequently check this in front of a big mirror in our guest room. The one part of this video I would comment on is regarding where Chris refers the back of his lead hand position at the 5 min mark. I do feel I have that about right, maybe an inch too much but Chris's ball position would be halfway between the lead heel and centre of the stance, so this confuses me a bit. Not sure what club he is showing there and it could be a 7 or 6 iron so this may explain it. BTW, as you are aware of my position with RST I will be contacting RST about this.
July 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Great. The goal is logo/lead ear. Just enough behind the bottom of your swing arc for perfect downward strike.
July 11, 2020
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James
Hi Craig having watched Chuck's "Should you restrict your hips" video it has helped me with the post up. You can see more with my comment on Chuck's Dead Drill Step 3, https://rotaryswing.com/golf-instruction-videos/full-swing-basics/downswing/dead-drill-post-up#kmt-44241. Also, I am getting used to having myself stand more upright, less knee bend and less back arch near the neck. Weather is bad today but hope to do something later this week.
July 13, 2020
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Brandon
Hey Chris, Thanks for the swing review. It was awesome and I have already started the work. Question regarding staying positive during the process. Since dedicating myself to improving I’m going the opposite way. My game is just trash. I was consistently shooting mid to low 80’s and now I can’t even break 90. I feel like I can’t even hit the ball and I’m terrified to stand on the tee box. I assume this is just part of the process? What’s your advice on how to stay positive and remain dedicated to the process despite the results being such garbage. I know ultimately it’s just about getting the reps in...are there any videos about the mental side of remaining committed to real practice? Thanks!
July 3, 2020
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
My pleasure Brandon. This can be a very long winded answer that I would like to address in your next swing review. So, make sure put this in your notes to me when you next submit. Staying positive when you are going through swing changes that are leading to chaos is really really difficult. Being dedicated to the process is definitely something that will help BUT I know there is a limit in which students do not want to see the bad stuff on the course any longer. With that said, I can give you some things for the course in the review, to help get you moving in a better direction so that you at least feel a little more at peace during the processes.
July 4, 2020
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Brian
Hi Chris, thanks for your comments, managed to access video on an old laptop! The rst app apparently won’t open in uk. Looks as though laptop has been resurrected for rst. Regards Brian
July 1, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brian. Glad you found something to access the videos on!
July 1, 2020
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Brian
Hi, just received email indicating review ready,however won't open in swing academy app, see this is common fault with app, any suggestons Brian
June 30, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brian. I apologize for your issue. Please Email Customer Service.
June 30, 2020
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Kevin
Hi guys, I'm working on my setup and the shoulder plane drill. When I place a club across my shoulders and slide the hips forward, the target-end of the club shifts upward a few degrees in order to preserve the shoulder/spine T position. My head angle doesn't change (remains upright), but does move slightly back down the target line. This all makes sense to me but I want to confirm if it's correct. I have a long way to go but you guys have helped me so much. Finally a resource that can help me focus on training the body. Seems like all other instruction out there is trying to sell a quick fix and I've played sports long enough to know that's just wishful thinking. Thank you
June 19, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. Love it. Thanks for the positive comments. Head won't move a lot. But, you will have a slight adjustment in shoulder position. If you head moves a ton. You are just over doing the tilt.
June 19, 2020
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jane
Down the line !!!!
May 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jane. I don't see an attached image.
May 12, 2020
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jane
Craig, Thanks for doing my review. I want to make sure my set up is correct so I don’t practice the wrong way. Can I send you a video on FB to make sure I am setting up correctly?
May 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jane. You're most welcome. Sure. Or, you can post the images here.
May 11, 2020
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jane
Working on stance width and address with weight back above ankles
May 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jane. Huge improvement. Make sure the bump creates the tilt. May have slightly overcooked the tilt.
May 11, 2020
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jane
I will watch the axis tilt. My stance used to be too wide, so I over adjusted.
May 11, 2020
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jane
down the line
May 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jane. Up the Line looks great. If you can send a Down the Line just to confirm. Major setup improvements over the review.
May 11, 2020
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jane
Opps facing the wrong way! LOL Will send it
May 11, 2020
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jane
Down the line
May 11, 2020
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jane
Craig, When I bend over with straight legs and then slightly bend the knees, I was hitting the ball thin? What would cause it, or will it just take to time adjusting to the set up.
May 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Watch out for lordosis and too close to the ball. Maybe some of the culprits.
May 11, 2020
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jane
Any thoughts on how to correct it in my golf stance. Tuck the pelvis ?
May 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jane. Put a club completely down the back of your spine. Hold one end on your head and one on your tail bone. Nice and flat posture. Hinge from the waist with losing it. You can see how to make the setup adjustment in the Golf Posture Video.
May 11, 2020
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Ronan
It’s not natural for me to do better than that, is that a wrong position ? I have a SW in my hands
March 26, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ronan. The SW may tend to be closer and driver further away. But, it is all how you take the setup. Your lines are that off. But, I would like to see the routine in how you reach the position from standing straight up and down and into setup position.
March 26, 2020
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Ronan
Basically what I do is: Stand straight Hinge from the hips Unlock my knees Put my club where my hands hand down freely Have I to much bend here ?
March 26, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ronan. Try with a 8 or 7 iron. SW can tend to be a hair inside.
March 26, 2020
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Ronan
How can I give you that ? You said my lines « are » or « aren’t » that off ?
March 26, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ronan. Swing review, or add it to your post on FB. Here is some imagery for you.
March 26, 2020
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Ronan
Hey Would that be the same for everyone ? Tall guys, small guys ... and for any clubs, from SW to driver ? The results will always be the same ? I’m thinking mostly about the hands right on the chin line Ronan
March 26, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ronan. We you get to extremes one player might have more hinge from the hip, or added knee bend. But, the vast majority will be the same for all players/clubs.
March 26, 2020
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Ronan
Ok thanks
March 26, 2020
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James
Hi Craig, thanks for the review and have taken aboard your points of reference. I do like this one best by Chris. I actually have had it marked for a long while as one of my favourites because I do have a habit, as you know, of getting too close to the ball. Normally I would have used my LiveView camera to check this but as you know my son was Skyping my wife and she was using my tablet. I immediately went in front of the mirror and instantly got it right. Just one query is the ball position, Chris here mentions having the back of the lead hand just inside the lead leg, so using an 8 iron, that would place my ball position about two inches from my lead heal. Does this seem right to you? BTW you can shout at me any time, I'll just take my hearing aids out
March 23, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. I don't like using the stance width as the determiner of ball position. Because this can vary depending on genetics. The ball position should be lead ear/logo regardless of 8 iron, 5 iron, 3 iron. The lead hand on the inside of the lead thigh allows the club to be vertical vs too much forward press. Haha. Ok. I will keep yelling .
March 24, 2020
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James
Many thanks for that. As from today, all golf courses in England, Wales and Northern Island are closed for three weeks under the new laws with Scotland not allowing any playing of golf. They have certainly put in really draconian laws to beat this thing. Everyone is now told to stay at home apart from health and key workers and where they can work from home they should. Those confined to their homes are only allowed out to go to get food or medical supplies. They are only allowed out once a day for a walk on their own or with a family member. All non-essential shops, like clothing, music, hardware etc are closed and there is a law being passed in parliament to allow police to monitor this and where necessary to fine companies and individuals who do not observe these laws. Even the army are being brought in to keep essential supplies going. I remember the rationing after the WW2 and this is a lot worse than this. At least I was able to get out and play. God lets hope this is not lasting too long. While I can hear you shouting Craig I will be happy. Take care to all members. Not sure if you got this but it is worth seeing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYTzX9JCbDY.
March 24, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Thanks for the laugh. Please take care. Hopefully, all of this mess will be over on the sooner side.
March 24, 2020
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Chuck
At about 1:42 in the video, you say that other videos you mentioned are going to be over on the right side of the video player. I'm new to RST and frankly, find it a little difficult to navigate. Where is the video player?
December 30, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Charles. That was under the old build of the site. I apologize. If you have any questions I would be happy to navigate you.
December 30, 2019
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Eric
Maybe this is covered in right hand dominance, but I don’t see any emphasis on the way the trail arm is put on the club. I have to be very careful to put my trail hand on the club from under, like a 45 degree to target line. If I do it parallel to the target line my trail shoulder and elbow set up where: (1) It is hard to properly pull from the right side, (2) proper swing plane with the right arm, ends up with flying right elbow va elbow down. Any thoughts?
December 15, 2019
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Eric
Went to the range, I think the bad right hand on the club (right hand dominant position with hiked sholder that makes it almost impossible to take the right arm back in plane with the body vs. picking it up into a flying elbow) may be about posture. I notice if I don't get my weight back into my heels/ankle the right hand goes on in this pronating action. If I do the stance properly with locked legs, moving the weight into the heels with good shoulder posture, the right hand naturally comes in from underneath the club, putting the right elbow and shoulder in a good position to start the swing with weight shift and right side turn/pull/shoulder glide? Does this makes sense anatomically?
December 15, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Eric. When you reply to your own comment the system believes it to be answered. I apologize for late response. Yes, this makes sense anatomically and it seems you found a major culprit in your swing. Right side dominance at setup is a killer to having a proper motion.
December 30, 2019
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Jaleel
I think the process described in the video is excellent. Thank you. I do however, expect it will take many many reps before I start settling in with the back of my knees over the ankles naturally without much conscious thought. See, my big problem is tight hamstrings … I’m sure it would expedite the whole thing if I did some hamstring stretches everyday … which I intend to do. Still I would love to know what RST recommends for tight hamstrings and what you think about this very common problem with folks like me who sit at the computer all day long … Cheers.
July 8, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jaleel. Yes, tight hamstrings will hurt the setup and swing. Visit our Glute Series under the Golf Fitness category for strength and flexibility. Sitting at a computer isn't just a slow death, but it is a golf swing killer.
July 8, 2019
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Steven
Where should a players arms ideally be at address to facilitate connection during takeaway, backswing and transition?
June 6, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Steven. Hanging down neutrally from the shoulder socket. Shoulder socket inline with the elbow joint. Take a look at How Far to Stand from the Ball Video. As you elevate you will lose some of the initial connection from setup.
June 7, 2019
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Jeffrey
Chris, I just received a swing review from you. In the face-on video you focused on the second swing in which I allowed full involvement of the right hand just to show the bad result. I intended for you to review the first swing in which the right hand lets go before impact. I think this shows pretty good impact position - stacking. shaft tilt, weight shift, and head position. My intent was to demonstrate this so we could move on and address adding the right hand. I have been working on getting to this point for 6 months and made a lot of progress. Please take another look in that light. I will implement the setup suggestion of course.
February 9, 2019
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Jeff, the first video in your review was off with your weight distribution, which caused you not to stack up the left side at impact. The second video was better with the weight and you were stacked on the left BUT had the flipped position. I need you to put the 2 swings together before I can move any further. You are doing a very good job, just keep taking your time and working on these small areas that I mention to make the quality better from 1 rep to the next.
February 11, 2019
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Jeffrey
Chris, Upon further review I agree with your analysis. The uploaded image shows impact for each of the two swings side by side. It is as you say above. I will work on it.
February 11, 2019
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Jeffrey
Uploaded image. Didn't work first time.
February 11, 2019
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Nicholas
Hi Chris. Thanks for the swing review. The comments I made about that swing I sent you were actually for the dtl video, but I accidentally sent the face on video first
January 10, 2019
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Nicholas. When you submit your next review, you can send in 2 videos per review. 1 face on, 1 down the line, just FYI. Hope you are doing great.
January 10, 2019
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Nicholas
Ya i tried to do that. I accidentally pushed the wrong button, and i was going into the movie theater so couldnt fix it until after.
January 10, 2019
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Daniel
When I bend from the hips with straight legs and then relax the knee it looks great in the mirror and holding a driver, but when I do it with a wedge in my hand, the club doesn't touch the ground. Should I bend the knees another inch or two to get down to the ground?
December 11, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Daniel. Unless you are a really tall individual. I would add a little more hinge from the hips to let the wedge reach the ground.
December 11, 2018
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Daniel
I'm only 6'2", so tall but not overly tall. So hinge a little more for a wedge and a bit less for a driver, but keep the same knee flex for all clubs?
December 12, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Daniel. Yes. Think of it like a counter balance. A little more hinge (butt back) to get bent over slightly more and relax the knees to keep weight over the ankle joints. Between the Driver and Wedge. You will just be a little taller with one, and shorter with the other.
December 12, 2018
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Daniel
Thank you!
December 12, 2018
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Eric
I think I have had a flying right elbow because of my hip immobility. My right arm pulls the lawn mower into a top of the backswing position. I am going to the range today, but I think it might be my set up. Two things to be careful of: (a) when you hinge forward you really need to make sure it truly is from the hips versus the waist, do it in the mirror, (b) probably the biggest thing? - when you feel tights lighten it is a softening of the knees, not a slight knee BEND, right? Make sense>
November 12, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Eric. Yes, a softening (not excessive knee bend) and hinging from the hips is crucial. However, for the flying trail arm. You must check you aren't pushing with the lead arm, or excessively folding the trail right off the ball.
November 12, 2018
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Ryan
Is this video supposed to be part of the main program? I didn't see it on my dashboard, and I had to search for it after I saw it referenced by an instructor in another video. I'm a little confused as to where to start, should it be in the "Rotary Swing University" or should I start in the main video lists?
August 16, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ryan. This is a supplemental video that is part of the main program. The 5 Step System is a jump start to a great swing without all the nuts and bolts explained. The University goes more in depth for people that like a ton of info and knowledge. Both will get you to the end goal.
August 17, 2018
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bradford
so what would be the next video to watch after this one to go to the next step.
June 29, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bradford. If you have mastered the setup. Start working on weight shift. If not, the 5 Minutes to the Perfect Setup Video.
June 29, 2018
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Eric
I have a bad habit. I started playing as a kid and always had a fade so I think I engrained this early. I always set up with my left hip open. I think it was a natural compensation for the fade. If i don’t catch it, it leads to a bad set up and it is hard to finish my backswing in a good elbow down position. Some video said to check your foot pressure. If a right handed golfer is on his right toe pad, the hips and knees are open and can be squared by bringing weight back toward the ankle of the right foot. Any other ideas on how to set up in a good square position with feet, knees, hips and shoulders parallel to the target line? Sometimes when I try to correct it in my stance I feel my body is torqued and it doesn’t feel right and I can spin in my downswing, which can lead to a very short Awful slice. If I don’t catch it I end up hitting a lot of pulls.
February 8, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Eric. It is a must to make sure that the weight is balanced over both ankles at setup. There aren't any quick fixes for your issue. But, I would practice a ton in front of a mirror with an alignment rod on the ground. Getting the movement patterned trained to setup square. So, you can visual see it and feel it.
February 9, 2018
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Eric
Thanks, working on my elbow positions at address. I think , based on instructor feedback, that it is created by too much tension and straight arm in my right arm at address. This brings my shoulder forward and forearms and leads to an open position. Make sense?
February 9, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Eric. If you externally rotate the arms at setup too hard and create excessive tension. You will tend to start protracting at the shoulders. Elbow pits pointed away and hanging neutrally from shoulder sockets. Not locked and immobile.
February 9, 2018
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lawrence
When should I put my hands on the club? If I put my right hand on the club before I tilt the axis will it cause the right shoulder to be rounded?
November 3, 2017
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Lawrence, No the shoulder should not be rounded. Grip the club in just the left hand and then make sure the right shoulder is in a neutral position with the arm hanging freely underneath it. Then reach across with the right arm to put the hand on the club while holding the shoulder in position. If you are broad shouldered or wider across the chest, you may allow for a small amount of rounding to the shoulder to get your hands on the club. Hope that helps.
November 3, 2017
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Ian
Is there another video, other than the 5 minutes to the perfect setup, or tip for presetting your hip tilt prior to addressing the ball? When I address the ball I come into the hitting are with both hands gripped on the club, then hinge from the hips just like a bow, and then bump my left hip towards the target to where I can see my pants zipper pointing straight (or diagonally) at my left ankle, and lastly bend my knees just slighty. In addition, while bumping my left hip towards the target I try and keep my head as still as possible when doing this but sometimes still find it difficult to maintain an even weight distribution. I figured if there was a way to preset the hip axis tilt, just as I do with the grip prior, the process of setting up would be more fluid.
August 10, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ian. Hip Bump/Tilt, How to Fix Reverse Pivot, 5 Mins to Setup and the Video above are the only ones talking about the setup position with added axis tilt. The more you practice having proper tilt it will become second nature. Myself and Chuck don't have to add it last because we already know we need it and have trained the position over and over. If you keep walking through your process as stated above. It will start to be a more natural position to start from or know before you reach the completion of setup.
August 10, 2017
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Ian
Thank you I figured as much. So I have been riguroulsy practicing it and it's starting to feel more comfortable. However, I can't seem to figure out how to prevent my left hip from collapsing at the top of my back swing. I'm concentrating on shifting my weight and performing the shoulder glide back to take the club back, but as soon as I get near the very top of my swing my left hip collapses. I've tried concentrating on keeping my left knee from moving behind the ball which seems to cause my hip to collapse resulting in long and across the plane at the top. Any suggestions on how to manage this?
August 14, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ian. I would work on some of the exercises in the RSA Core Video. You may need to allow for some more trail hip turn going back which will help you load better, but take some stress of that lead hip.
August 14, 2017
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Brandon
At setup should our lead elbow be facing the target?
May 31, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brandon. At setup the lead elbow pit will be facing away from the body. At impact the lead elbow will be facing the target.
May 31, 2017
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James
What do you think about axis tilt with chips?
May 25, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. There will be slight axis with the trail hand still be lower on the club.
May 25, 2017
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Dave
Hi Chris. On my review today you mentioned this and a second video related to turning body and arms at same rate that you would attach. i only got this one attached - any luck on the second one? Thanks dave
January 31, 2017
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
https://www.rotaryswing.com/golf-lessons-blog/do-you-want-better-tempo-in-your-golf-swing-like-the-pros/
February 2, 2017
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Tram
Is ur axis tilt method is used for any clubs. I read some golf books and also watch the video teaching from some instructor, it is recommends for driver set up to tilt the spine to get up to 70% at the right foot. They gives reason first as u indicate to accommodate the right hand lower than the left and another reason is there is no need to move the right leg to go to the top of the backswing, just turn the shoulders of the preset right leg. What kind of this 30%-70% axis tilt can impede the swing? Is ur method of axis tilt 50%-50% give more consistent swing? Thank u very much.
January 23, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tram. Being how the trail hand is always lower on the club. You need some amount of axis tilt to adequately turn properly going back and get to a proper impact position. With the driver, some players add more tilt to increase launch angle and catch the ball at a different time in their swing (Driver Launch Angle Video). And, with some short game shots you necessarily don't add too much tilt because you might be working on staying stacked on the lead side. Negating or have 0 axis tilt would be detrimental to the full swing. Take a look at Importance of Axis Tilt.
January 24, 2017
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T David
Great video! I marked it as my favorites to keep watching it every week to ensure my setup gets on track. Does the axis tilt move back away from the ball on the backswing? Does the angle of tilt ever change throughout the backswing and downswing? Love this site... The best thing for understanding the golf swing.
September 18, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dave. Glad you like the video and appreciate the compliments. The tilt should remain the same on the backswing. Secondary tilt will increase slightly into impact, but you don't want to try to manually add more.
September 19, 2016
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Loran
Is this the hip bump and buttocks or just the hip bone joint? When I set up my stance, I feel my right leg light as a feather and my right leg as the anchor crane? Is this feeling correct?
July 26, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. Same hip bump as in the other videos. It would be hard to solely move the hip bone and the buttocks not follow. The weight should be balanced 50/50. Either leg should feel the same tension and/or weight bearing. The hip socket or trail hip can feel like your pivot point with the leg being anchored to the ground.
July 28, 2016
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Dominique
Hi Chris, swing review schedulded on the 27th of july ! I have new video from yesterday. My set up position is dramaticly poor. My pleasure to hear your comments after the 27th (talk slowly because I m french) Have a great day !
July 25, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Sounds good. Make sure you put in your notes that you want me to play extremely close attention to your setup and the issues you have mentioned thus far.
July 25, 2016
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Dominique
With the video of my swing, in front at the set up, my left knee always point out to the left and not in front. Doest it mean my hips have an opened position ? In the same time, from the right side, my shoulders are closed and the clubhead point more to the right. I struggle very much with my set up which kills a good swing. Also i feel a big difference with or without the club that my body is able do do.
July 24, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Leclerc, Do you have your left splayed out at address or is it square to the target line? You might be setting up with a lead foot splayed out and too much axis tilt at address. We need to take a look at this. Are you due for a swing review by chance?
July 25, 2016
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Eric
I'd love a professional to answer this for you from Rotary. In my experience I had the same problem. It is like you are twisted, shoulder pointing right and hip pointing left. If your hip is open your knees won't be pointing straight down the target line. What helped me with the shoulders was to do the hip bend properly. You can take a club and put it at the base of your spin holding the clubhead with one hand and the grip by your head with another. Now do a bend keeping your back straight and the back of your head touching the grip, your but will stick out. Now your arms hang and your shoulder should be straight. Checking my foot pressure helped the hips. Get an alignment rod and put it through your belt loops and look in the mirror. Even with a great posture setup you will probably see in the mirror that you are open. Adjust the pressure from the front of your trail foot to under your ankle and you will see the rod align square (and your front knee). I have struggled with the open hip thing for a long time. A lot of hard pulls and some slices with the driver. They say on this site that most injury occurs on the downswing, but with this unintentional open hip, you really can't get to the elbow pointed down position (always out a bit). I tried to force the elbow pointed down position (in the box), not knowing I had the open hips, and I hurt my trail shoulder joint. Hope this helps. This website is amazing, but you can get a little lost. I went to a pro and he dealt with symptoms. He said I wasn't getting over my trail side leg in the backswing. Well, that was because my stance was too wide and I wasn't bending with a straight back, so locking up my vertebrae. Eric
July 24, 2016
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Eric
This video was very helpful for me. I've incorporated all of the rotary swing into my game and I get compliments on my swing all the time (I'd be a great before and after). However, I do periodical pull to the left. One thing I brought forward from my old swing was open hips (maybe a compensation from years of slicing). I've tried putting a club across my waist at set up and other things, but I usually end up opening the hips. Your comment about focusing on the feet, weight on the trail front part of the foot is really a great check. I know do this and make sure I have even weight under my ankles and it causes me to square my hips. Thanks!!!! Eric
July 23, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Awesome to hear Eric and glad you enjoyed the video.
July 25, 2016
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Michael
Chris, Great review. Thank you for the explanation and comparative video. I will work hard on trying to fix. Michael
July 23, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Micheal. Glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful. Now get to work on making the setup perfect.
July 25, 2016
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Brent
Whether you're doing this drill with or without the club, is getting your hands inside the chin line a symptom of rounded shoulders?
June 20, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brent. It could be rounding at the shoulders, or hinging forward too much from the hips.
June 21, 2016
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Zach
I am having a really tough time with getting my set up correct. My swing analysis showed I need more room between my hands and my body, however when I create that space I feel my weight move from below my ankle where it should be to more on my toes. I've watched every video and have thought myself into confusion and frustration.
June 20, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Zach. Brent below had some good advice. Also, take a look at the video How Far to Stand from the Ball and Swing Faults Caused by Poor Setup.
June 21, 2016
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Brent
Hi Zach, I'm not an RST instructor but I've been working through this for a few days. Once I got the first part of this drill correct, I noticed that my hands were inside the chin line (like you described). Once I focused on staying in the rectangle with the shoulders/lats (i.e. get in the box), my arms naturally hung further away from my body. Something to try while you wait on a response.
June 20, 2016
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jerry
The set up tips you reviewed in your video allows me to set up square to the target, eliminating an open set up that reduces power in my golf swing. Now, the task is to be able to remember to us the tips in my set up on the golf course.
June 7, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jerry. I'm glad you liked the video. Get squared up on the course!
June 8, 2016
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Lance
Hi Chris. This is really the most concise video on setup/posture to review on the site. Thanks.
June 3, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Lance! Glad you enjoyed the video!!!!
June 3, 2016
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Ray
Craig, Thanks for the review. I have no idea how I'm going to lose the rounded shoulders. I'm doing Perfect Posture drills, etc., but my shoulders get pulled forward when I address the ball. Will work on this 90% of the time as I know for a fact that in those rare instances when my shoulders are back, the ball striking goes up 3-4 levels. I have 5 years to start shooting my age as I just turned 61.
June 1, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Ray, Chris Tyler here, I am the one that completed your most recent swing review. Take your time getting the posture perfect. If you are used to being rounded in the shoulders and from your thoracic spine up, then it will take some time to get it into a more neutral position. When you hinge forward, gravity will try to pull your shoulders into a rounded position as I think I discuss in this video. If you have access to a foam roller (google it), that may be helpful in your quest to making you posture much better and allow you to rotate more fully in the swing. Good luck and looking forward to working with you more in the future.
June 1, 2016
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Ray
Sorry Chris, I knew that you did the review. I'm getting old. I found an old Leadbetter drill to setting up and it ensures that that thoracic spine is straightened. I'm going to drill at least 50 times a day with my eyes open and closed. I have old pics of me and great posture. I'll get it right and will be ready for the next video. Thanks for your help.
June 2, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
haha no worries at all Ray. Glad to help and looking forward to seeing your new and improved setup position.
June 2, 2016
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Cullen
When you say "head still", are you trying to resist tilting it with the spine?
May 18, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Cullen. The head will still move. However, you want it to move because of the tilt. Not force the head back with weight to create the tilt. It will move very slightly.
May 19, 2016
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Christian
I really feel I can get into the box well when standing upright, depressing my shoulders slightly feels good in that position. After bending from the hips, should I feel that same depression as I start to let my arms hang softly?
May 17, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Christian. You should still feel the shoulders relaxed and retracted into place. Probably, not as much of a pull down when you hang the arms in front of the body.
May 17, 2016
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Michael
Craig really enjoyed your comments from my last swing review. Your explanation above is easy to follow. One thing that I sense is that when I put in the axis tilt as the last component my weight shifts enough to my front foot that I can feel it. Am I correct that since you pointed out that I was preloading my front foot that this is a habit that I am going to have to be extremely conscious of. Any tips or thoughts that I might employ to try to overcome that habit.
May 12, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Michael. I'm glad you enjoyed the review. Just make sure you don't over do the hip bump and tilt. If you find yourself shifting a lot of weight with the bump you are moving it too far. Slight bump and tilt. If you still get the sensation. Maintain position and rock back to 50/50 balance.
May 12, 2016
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Michael
Got it thanks
May 12, 2016
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joe
small point with square shift of hips forward to produce axis tilt hands arm triangle moves forward if keep relation of club to arms constant, effect is for hands to be just behind the club and ball Found that this is actually desireable. Solid, fast, swing and contact A collegue insists that the hands must be pressed forward. Looks good, doesnt work for me. When i watch pros i percieve that their hands are at or behind the ball. never in front Your confirmation appreciated Jr
May 6, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Joe. The club should be vertical at setup. The hands will be inline or a tad behind. We don't recommend or want to forward press the hands ahead at setup.
May 6, 2016
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Jason
It is okay after addressing the ball with appropriate amount of hip flexion (bend)---> to elevate (shoulder flex) the arms up and down a couple of times--> then return them to the ball?--> this seems to help me perhaps start with my arms /shoulders to be little more protracted so that I do not slam down on the earth and hit it fat (perhaps by doing this I must have more effectively "premeasured" and accounted for the base of my swing arc) at address
April 21, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jason. If you use the feeling to help take out tension and/or get the shoulders placed in the box properly. I wouldn't see why not. However, watch to make sure you don't maintain a shoulder shrug before you start to take the club back. It would be really hard to pre-measure and then try to match it performing a dynamic move into the strike.
April 21, 2016
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Jason
I meant the arm flexion part. is that okay? didn't consider shoulder shrug for a second as a tension breaker. that's a good idea.
April 21, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jason. Just to make sure I have the sequence down. All you are doing from the setup position is raising the arms to match the proper trail arm motion and then bringing it back to the ground to give yourself the feeling of where you need to get? Or, leaving the trail arm slightly bent in the position and presetting it?
April 21, 2016
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Jason
the first one
April 21, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Sounds okay to me.
April 21, 2016
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Larry
What do you do if you are to inflexible to turn the shoulder 90 degrees. I am lucky to get past a 45 degree turn(from lower back problems)?
April 3, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Larry. Take a look at the How to Maintain Club Head Speed as You Get Older Video. If you can't reach 90 degrees with the shoulders. We will use more elevation and wrist angles to help you achieve optimum speed. You don't want to force rotation more than you are physically able to achieve.
April 4, 2016
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Larry
Thanks that is great! Maybe you need a section on How to Maintain Club Head Speed as You Get Older and Decrepit, LOL
April 4, 2016
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Greg
Hi Craig, I am so thankful for all you guys. Can you please clarify for me the relative position of the hands at setup - in relationship to the line of buttons on my shirt. If the palms of my hands were glued to each other without the club would the top of the palms be directly under the row of buttons, this to me would be no forward or rearward press ... is this correct?
March 23, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Greg. Yes, the goal would be not to have excessive forward press or rear press. Ideally vertical at setup as you described with the sternum. Thanks for the compliments of our site!
March 24, 2016
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Rob
I have been studying my swing/setup on video in comparison to the RST instructors. I have noticed that my hands are typically higher and further away from my body when compared to the instructors. This seems to cause a much steeper shaft angle at address. (I also have trouble with a steep shaft angle in the downswing). Is there a guide to where my hands should be at address? Rob
March 8, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Rob. You want the shoulder joint, elbow joint and base of hands all inline. You can see a demonstration of this in the Dustin Johnson - Setup for Consistency Video.
March 8, 2016
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Ken
I am going to play this video repeatedly, daily, and especially when on the range, until I master the setup posture demonstrated here. I believe I fight rounding my shoulders and keeping my weight sufficiently on my heels (I tend to get up on my toes), so this video is a clear aid in correcting that. Thanks for your continuing excellence.
February 17, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ken. Thanks Ken. Get that setup down. One of the simple things in the swing we have total control over. Makes a big difference in the end.
February 17, 2016
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Jeff
Chris Tyler, I am trying to find a recent video in which you were covering a setup change that Paula Creamer (if I remember correctly) had made. You did a side by side view of a before and now and It contained a down the line view in which you drew lines depleting where certain parts of the body should be. I have looked high and low for it, but no luck. Please point me in the right direction. Thanks, BTW I did see a Paula Creamer video, but it wasn't the one I am looking for.
February 11, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Jeff -- The recent Creamer video is in the blog. Here is the link... https://www.rotaryswing.com/golf-lessons-blog/the-4-keys-to-perfect-setup-learn-from-paula-creamers-swing-changes/
February 12, 2016
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Jeff
Thanks Chris, for the response. Found it. Also, I just got finished watching "fixing your setup". I noticed that you seemed to have put on some weight (as in muscle mass) compared to your earlier videos. True, or maybe it's the orange pants....LOL
February 12, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
My pleasure. I am definitely putting on weight but not sure it's coming in the form of muscle hahahah.
February 12, 2016
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Louis
excellent and very clear "résumé" !
February 2, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Louis. Thanks for the compliments.
February 2, 2016
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Paul
When you address the ball should your abs be engaged slightly? I also have a bit of a s posture in my lower back.
January 12, 2016
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Paul- Yes your abs should be engaged! To get rid of the S posture you are going to want to pull the belly button in towards the spine engaging your abs and that will help with your S posture! Best of Luck
January 13, 2016
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Troy
In the ideal set up position, should you be able to draw straight line from the lead ankle to the hips and shoulder with everything lined up against this? Or, should the hips and shoulders be slightly titled away from this line?
December 17, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Troy. At impact you will have everything in a straight line stacked over the ankle joint. At setup the hip and shoulder will be inside the line.
December 17, 2015
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William
Yet another fantastic video Chris - I reckon hip bump/axis tilt is absolutely critical in the static/address position of the golf swing. Speaking for myself, without this tiny bump/shift there is no way I can achieve a 'stacked' left side. Thanks, William
December 8, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks for the post William. Chris does do a great job on his videos. Axis tilt is very important.
December 8, 2015
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Romain
I'm struggling to get my weight over my ankles. When I hinge from the hips and bring my torso towards the ball, the weight naturally goes towards the balls of my feet. How can you keep your weight towards the ankles when being over the ball?
November 23, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Romain. It takes a little practice, but shouldn't be too hard to over come. You might be bending too much from the waist and/or adding too much knee flexion. Take a look at the Finding True Balance Video, Hinge From the Hips, and the Golf Posture Video. Start straight up and down. Then, only a slight bend and flex from the knees.
November 23, 2015
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Cavan
Hi Steve M - My latest review of yours was the first using the performance review center. The resulting recommendation indicated the three areas I need to most critically address are setup (red), weight shift (red), and takeaway (yellow). What are the specific faults within these three areas that I need to focus on? I've been a fairly diligent devotee of RST since June (getting 2 reviews per month with targeted practice in between). At this point I thought I had been green lighted to be practicing my downswing under the assumption that I had at least integrated the RST setup and the takeaway principles, and to some degree, the weight shift. I have no problem backing up and fine tuning these areas, I just don't know what I'm doing 'wrong' in terms of RST so any specifics would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.
November 8, 2015
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Cavan- From what I remember in your setup you were to hinged from the hips-not a whole lot just a little bit that can lead to other faults and injury (which is something we dont want). I believe that I wanted you to feel like your standing taller with the torso at address and that will definetly help your takeaway with more rotation and width for a very clean takeaway. Also feel the weight over the ankle or on top of the foot at setup into the top of the backswing for good balance and safety in the knees.
November 8, 2015
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Cavan
Thanks Steve. Yes I remember that from an earlier review. Didn't know that was still an issue. I'll make to sure to ask have it checked on my next review. In the meantime, what should I be looking on video from a DTL perspective to check whether I'm hinging too much?
November 8, 2015
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Look for the center of your shoulder from a DTL video to be in a vertical line with the toes. The very front part of the shoulders will be a few inches in front/outside of the toes. Hope that helps.
November 9, 2015
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Chad
Question: how do you insure proper alignment of shoulders, hips and knees with the target line. I do not see the railroad tracks that many instructors talk about. When I think I am aligned and hit a a great shot into the woods or out of bounds my playing partners claim that I am aimed there. When I hit a bad shot that slices or duck hooks they say I am mis aligned. There has to be a number of ways to figure out alignment that I have not thought of. Help.
September 11, 2015
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Greg
Hi Chad, One thing I do that will help with club face alignment - I have as my identification marker a Cross in permanent marker and when I tee the ball I take aim and put the ball on the tee pointing one line to my target. This gives me the other line to compare club face angle. The ball marker cost less than $10. Let me know if this helps you out a little on the tee. Greg
March 13, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Chad. Take a look at the How to Aim Video.
September 11, 2015
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sambhu
I thought axis tilt happens first and then we hinge .. The speaker referenced axis tilt at the beginning and then at the last part referenced it again .. Confusing !
September 9, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Sam. You will want to hinge and then add a little tilt. 5 Minutes to a Perfect Setup Video.
September 10, 2015
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Jason
do the arms (triceps) sit on top of or on the sides the pecs at address?
September 9, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jason. You will have more awareness of connection on the sides versus sitting directly on top.
September 9, 2015
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Jason
combining with right elbow pit video, do you move right elbow at address posture to make sure it is pointing away from you? any left elbow pit active thoughts at address?
August 31, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jason. The goal is to have the elbow pits pointed away at address. Not locked and/or too externally rotated. The Golf Grip and Being Out of the Box and the Gorilla Grip will help you with some visuals. Relaxed and pointed away.
August 31, 2015
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Chan
Chris, Awesome video! I feel that I got the setup down, but I caught one thing you said that made an improvement for me. It was the part about the left hand just inside the left leg that helped my setup. My hand was more toward center, so I made the adjustment. Thanks alot and keep the videos coming!!
August 29, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Chan. Glad you liked the video and learned some new tricks!
August 31, 2015
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William
Excellent video. One thing that isn't addressed is the position of the head. Should we be looking directly at the ball or should the chin be up so we see the ball out of the bottom of our eyes. I've done it the latter way to be able to allow my left shoulder to pass under my chin on the backswing.
August 29, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey William, so glad to hear that you enjoyed the video! It is important to keep the spine as neutral as possible when addressing the ball and not allow any sort drastic curvature to happen. Curvature will start to happen when chin starts to move down into the chest. If you are looking out of the bottom of the eyes, you may want to increase the spine angle just a bit.
August 29, 2015
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William
To increase the spine angle does that mean to lower the head a little?
August 29, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
It means stick your butt out just a bit further and put your chest more over the ball.
August 30, 2015
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vince
The explanation and example of axis tilt with proper weight distribution was excellent. All of the videos are good and many are great, but there are few videos which I consider so critical that I add them to my favorites list - this is one.
August 28, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Vince!!! Very glad to help shed some light on some common areas of fault. Keep working at it!!!
August 29, 2015
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Ray
Great stuff! Subtle but significant details of which I was unaware. Can't wait to try them out.
August 28, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Ray! Glad to hear that you found this video useful.
August 29, 2015
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jamie
This is a good video. My question is how do you make the weight shift to start the swing without negating the axis tilt hip bump? I know there is a simple answer but it's a puzzle to me. Seems like I bump left hip forward then right hip back. Should the axis tilt hip bump put the trail side in the position to start the turn?
August 28, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Jamie, glad you hear you liked the video. When you make the 1 inch shift to the right, you will lose just a bit of the axis tilt that you started with that the address. That is why we want you to set up with enough so that you don't allow the spine to start to lean towards the target at the top of the backswing.
August 29, 2015
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Jay
You said to have the back of knees over the center of the ankles. Does this apply to all clubs? The shorter the club the harder I find that to be possible.
August 27, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Jay, yes that is correct, it is the same for all clubs. You would just need to increase the spine angle just a bit to accommodate for the shorter clubs and vice versa for the longer clubs.
August 28, 2015
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joseph
Great video Chris. This is exactly what you beat me up over during our 1-on-1 lesson about a month ago! It has helped. I would suggest that the other video regarding axis tilt be updated. At face value it leads those of us lost in the wilderness to over compensate and get into the bad position that Chris describes. Regarding the use of "guys" in a below post, I concur that it shouldn't be used. You can still be engaging and friendly without using it. Ever thought about using a student as a prop? I for one have a huge repertoire of flaws.
August 27, 2015
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joseph
The video I was referring to was the one by Clay Ballard. The one by Chuck (which I saw for the first time) is spot on to what you said.
August 28, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Joseph and I will be more mindful of the term "guys" in the videos from here on out. We have thought about using students for props, it is just difficult to coordinate the time to do so. If anyone wants to be in a video as an example, they are more than welcome to let me know this and we can make it happen.
August 28, 2015
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Thomas
I wouldn't mind being an example of how to do everything perfectly, LOL. Or maybe the opposite?
August 31, 2015
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Jeffrey
Just what I needed. I was having questions about hand position and the amount of hip slide or bump. Couldn't find it in other videos. This video answered those questions. Thanks.
August 27, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Glad you got the answers you needed Jeffrey!
August 28, 2015
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Jason
should we close our shoulders at address or make it feel like our chest is pointing slightly to the right of the ball such that when viewed from behind, down the line, you can see the left forearm contour outline just visible above the right forearm?
August 27, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Jason, you want the shoulders and hips to be square at address. A lot of times, students setup very right side dominant which tends to open the shoulders just a fraction, so getting setup properly may "feel" closed to some.
August 28, 2015
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Robert
So now, if I work on and eliminate set up issues, Chris, do you have a self-check point or reference for the angle of the shoulders and a feeling of where they should be as they turn away and at the top of the swing? Unless you have a full length mirror or reflection, it is often hard to determine this angle as viewed from behind the player down the target line. I think I can get a bit too flat with my shoulders without me being fully aware of it. It seems to creep into my swing unless I'm paying particular attention to it.
August 27, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Robert, we want the shoulders to rotate perpendicular to the spine the entire time. You will need to use a camera to be able to check this. If you are focused on pulling your trail shoulder blade towards your spine, and using your trail side obliques, chances are that you will be rotating around the axis properly. However, you WILL need to check this on camera or have us take a look at it in the swing reviews.
August 28, 2015
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Sean
Great video Chris, keep up the good work!
August 27, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks very much Sean!
August 27, 2015
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john
Chris does a great job. He would add to his presentation by not using "guys" so much. I happen to be one but I assume there may be others watching that might not be. Only a suggestion
August 27, 2015
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Sean
I personally don't have a problem with this word, since it's pretty common for people to say this and mean inclusively women as well. The English language sadly doesn't provide an easy way to refer to a mixed gender group that sounds natural/normal in modern speech ('guys and gals' is just long and awkward to say every time... 'people' sounds derogatory..). Just think about the word 'mankind'.. pretty inherently misogynistic but that's what we have to work with. Guys is similar - to me, anyway. Too bad we're not all in the South then we could just say y'all and be done with it
August 27, 2015
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Robert
Well said, Sean. I'm fine with "guys" for Sean's reasons above, as well. Moreover, I've heard women on many occasions refer to themselves as "guys". Yeah, the English language is not perfect. Great job, Chris!
August 27, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Robert!
August 28, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Noted. Will work on that for the future.
August 27, 2015

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