Why Your Practice Swing and Real Swing Aren't the Same

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Why are my practice swings so different from my real swings? This age old question has eluded an answer - until now! Learn why your practice swing isn't the same and how to fix it!

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Robert
On the backswing do you stop the backswing as soon as the buttons on the shirt stop moving?
March 16, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Robert. The backswing is completed when you have a full shoulder turn. If the arms start to swing freely on their own. You will notice the buttons stop moving, but that doesn't mean you have completed a proper turn.
March 17, 2019
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Chris
So after all my reps, watching video, I went out to play and did quite poorly on the front 9 but improved on back 9- I’m sure this has happened before was is rs advice for this situation?
February 9, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Chris. It's quite common that you were probably stuck between old and new movement patterns. The best way to figure this out is to have someone film the on course movement, so you know what items you need to hit home with the most.
February 9, 2019
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Chris
The million dollar question after watching and repping all rst videos etc I’m now playing my first round in a few days - so how do we take this to the course?
February 6, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Chris. Correct reps and you can do it perfectly without thought? That's the first thing to check. Secondly, the goal when first going to the course isn't score and ball striking. It's making the proper move. It will take time for your brain to automatically choose the new movement pattern. It will want to revert back to what it is comfortable with. Pick at least one item you struggled with, or really had to focus hard on when making the swing change. Your goal should be to make that move come hell or high water anytime you make the swing. This way your brain can start to process this is what you are trying to accomplish. Forget about the ball as much as possible and focus on correct movements.
February 6, 2019
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Drew
Hello, I have this same issue. My practice swing feels and looks great, but in my real swing I do all sorts of different things. My question relates to "eating my veggies first" Is there a balance between doing a lot of practice swings vs hitting golf balls that will help make this transition easier? Or put another way, if I would just focus on practice swings for a couple of months to really ingrain it at all speeds before going to the range and hitting balls, would this lead to better results? Is there an optimal balance between practice swings and hitting balls? Thanks!
January 21, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Drew. Ideally, you would spend enough time with practice swings and increasing the pace to where the mechanics/swing is correct without thinking about it. Then, gradually add the ball back. Figure out where you falter and hone in more time with those specific issues. You need to challenge yourself along the way to see how progress is coming. But, in the initial it's about ironing out reps, proper motion and feel.
January 21, 2019
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Blake
For me, real vs. practice is also because my brain fights the idea that I can hit the ball with my hands ahead of the ball. It wants me to line up the club, my hands and the ball in a vertical line where very early on I can see the clubface descending into the ball. Am I alone? Also - even when I release from trail thigh, my club seems to catch up to my hands too quickly. Does this mean I haven’t turned my knuckles down to the ground enough?
December 18, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Blake. You are in the minority of what your brain wants to see at impact, but not uncommon. If the club is catching up too quickly you released early by thumb push, or over active trail hand.
December 18, 2018
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Christopher
“I’m gonna make you eat you’re veggies first”! Pure Gold! - Love it Chuck. Keep telling us what we need to hear!! Are you coming to the UK to do a clinic? Keep on swinging! Chris
October 25, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Chris. Right now we don't have any scheduled in the UK. But, you never know. Always a possibility with the amount of requests we get. Glad you liked the video.
October 25, 2018
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Alex
Rotaryswing roadshow to Las Vegas, please!
October 25, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Alex. Roadshow is up to our members. Fill out the information on the link below to make it happen. https://rotaryswing.com/free-golf-lessons
October 25, 2018
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Jeffrey
This concept really makes me understand the dynamics and sequencing of the golf swing. As I've gotten older in spite of a small fortune in lessons, golf videos and endless practice my game has not improved. This has really impressed and invigorated me.
October 24, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jeffrey. Awesome. Thanks for the post.
October 24, 2018
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Peter
Great video. Your point about trusting the big muscles is absolutely essential. I have noticed that delaying the shoulders, arms and wrists produces better distance and consistency. Too much effort too soon seems to me to be the hallmark of the high handicapper( speaking as one ).
October 24, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Peter. Very true. Firing from the wrong place at the wrong time and with lots of effort is essentially the high handicappers downfall.
October 24, 2018
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey guys, I've been through the 5 step process at least twice, including doing 3000-5000 reps on each movement and I even started stacking movements to be more fluid. With that being said I still have a major flaw of what everyone calls a "looptie loop" at the top of my backswibac. I play about 1 to 2 rounds per week and am concluding that maybe I should go 3 or 4 months without taking any full swings until I've not only mastered the moves (which I can do in my sleep at half speed) but have trained my body to forget the flaws that seem to keep appearing every time I play. After 3 years of working on this, should I try that or is there another way that I can't seem to find? Maybe play a round but commit to only swinging half speed? Thanks for the input as I'm 100% in on RST benefits
October 24, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Chris. Exactly. If you can perform the moves properly in a practice swing (no loopy change, maintaining tilt, etc..). And, can with a decent amount of pace. Not full rip, but moderate. Then, you need to challenge yourself to make that change outside. Next time you go to the range figure out what pace you can make the swing at being done properly. It may be a very slow one to start, but gauge where you are. Repeat, and gradually build up until you can at a moderate pace. Then, challenge yourself on the course with a box of pinnacles to make the move on the golf course without any care as to the ball flight until you can convert the swing.
October 24, 2018
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James
Great video Chuck. Now all I got to do is get my wife to think about this concept and she is going to have a great golf swing because she already has great tempo but currently does too much with her arms and hands, especially at the point the direction of swing changes, i.e. at the top she starts her downswing with her hands and arms and not with her lead hip.
October 24, 2018
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Chuck
Thanks James. It's extremely common. Get her working on leading the downswing with her weight shift and she'll learn she can relax her arms and hands.
October 24, 2018

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