I like your simple one adjustment teaching where the message doesn't get lost in abunch of complicated golf mumbo jumbo that goes over our amateur recreational heads.This is what people learning on there own need.On a similar note I have noticed a lot of instructors exxagerate the move or even the correction they are trying to teach.I began to get much more out of online tips after coming to this realization.Good work
Thank you so much... It's like an Epiphany when you finally understand the proper role and drop of the club from the top of the back-swing. I used your advice went right out to the range and found my swing! Follow through and weight transfer all seemed effortless because of you! Keep us golfers taught, as we forget and muscle it instead.
This has a lot to do with angle of torso rotation, observed by shoulder plane. Most people are too flat, which causes the trailing arm to swing away from the torso. Steepen the shoulder plane, and the arms will swing more up and down. I've had trouble on short wedges with my right arm colliding with my right thigh enough to deflect the swing...getting a little too close and steep lol. Good observation and drill Zach Allen.
At some point I thought my clubs were heel heavy causing my hands to throw the club head outward as demonstrated. I like this drill and it's simple enough to practice in the living room. BTW, I like when teachers can explain something without tangents. TY Zach
This is the single most valuable tip I've seen. My ball striking improves dramatically when focusing on the hands low and close to the body. Thanks Zach.
Good stuff Zach! Lately I've tried consciously cocking my right elbow as I turn instead of just letting it get to 90 as part of the turn...seems to put me in a good position to transition and drop the elbow on plane. It just seems I get more effortless power on the downswing when I consciously cock the elbow.
Can you show us an example of this water bottle drill performed correctly with a driver swing? The reason I ask this is because I just watched the Rory Mcilroy Iron vs. Driver video in which you analyzed. Your analysis was to show that iron vs. driver swing are very different. Therefore, were you being too hard on Aaron Baddley or is the bottle drill suppose to have same result with the driver swing?
I love your student video examples. Keep them coming, svp. As for the student at 3:13, would you say that the reason for his right arm being quite disconnected from his right thigh (3:23) is because at address, the arms are further away from his body than they should be?
I tried this at the range today and my ball striking was much improved...taking it to the course tomorrow. Thanks Zach, your my favorite online instructor!
I concur with your philosophy. I certainly cured short-iron shanking on pitch shots by swinging through with a deliberate effort to have the hands pass through the ball while close to my thighs. I think this relates to your having the right arm pass close to the right thigh on the through swing. Question: can you see starting the downswing by dropping the right arm to the inside from the top? It seems to be working for me - at least for now.
Hey Zach! Would this help with an over the top sensation as well? Coming inside toward the pockets instead of outside the plane? Just trying to figure out how versatile this drill can be, it seems very useful. Thanks in advance!
Great tip Zach. When I'm relaxed I hit it best when the space hands-leg and hands-balls is less important. But in case of stress, when I'm less relax in hands and arms, I'm afraid of making a shank. I'm gonna try your bottle tip. thanks again Z. Rico
Best single peace of swing advise I have had for many years. Tried it out today on the DR, using PW, 7-iron and 3-rescue. Low, penetrating ball flight with more solid contact than ever. Will it stay? Will it work with driver?
Great Drill In Watson's book he talks about Byron Nelson saying how his right arm hit his right pocket when he was playing well. This drill will help me with control
Just tried this and my first take is it works great. Used a 6 iron and my fade is now gone and even a draw sometimes. First time I tried, the swing angle change caused me to hit with the heal but once I tried to hit it more off the toe it went very well. Thanks for posting.
I have never seen this drill before and can see how it would train the Rt elbow to get tucked-in. I'd like to see you address Charly yoo's post because I was wondering the same thing. Thanks in advance and good drill.
student at 3:50 looks similar to one of my students. I I think the forearm plane was important, but also some extension in the right arm or else the player must over bend to seek that forearm condition that you are describing here. Lastly, If a player is losing hip depth in the down swing would you still "prescribe" this drill Zach? Just curious..
Thanks for making and the sharing the video. A good drill to simplify impact, but dangerous as it could lead to a "high and behind" right elbow when crunching the water bottle.
Zach... how about for the older, less flexible player who can't get his hands as deep as he once could? Is there some move that would allow him to utilize the vertical drop and get the club back on plane? Zach... I see so many older players struggle with this issue, myself included. Thank You, RYR
Zach, we hear so much about getting the trail elbow in front of the trail hip on the downswing. However, in these videos the trial elbow appears to be trailing the trail hip in the downswing. Can you please speak to this? Many thanks, Mark
So do you need to have the ball generally closer to you to do this well? I don't see how the hands and shaft can come in so near the body without doing so.
It is a new feeling and although a player can succeed in keeping the right arm close, there is still potential that it does not change the outcome of the ball flight. For someone who is use to having that much separation between right arm and body, what other compensations have to be made once a player starts to make that connection?
I agree with the need to have the hands closer to the thigh. I feel there is a possible conflict with keeping the hands closer to the thigh vs early extension of the hips which moves the hips/thigh toward the ball/hands. Move the hands closer to the thigh, not moving the hips/thigh toward the hands. Early extension is a major problem I have and it gets the thigh/hands closer but my hips are too close to the ball.
I like the idea of this "Right Arm" instruction, but i did not notice it implemented in your other videos, as in I don't see the right elbow/forearm coming close to the right hip very many times....especially on the videos regarding hitting the DRIVER.
I've always had dark scuff marks on my pants' right thigh from ticking it with the butt of the club - I've hit a lot of solid shots over the years, but a lot of shockers too - may have to work with Zach to sort it.
Zack, is the speed and the clubface alignment at address affecting the strike. Lacking of clubhead speed is the root cause of compensation. Rather then working on the form of the swing, we should work on the root issue, which is the basic physics of the swing. FORM FOLLOW function. Pls drop me a mail if you wish to have some details explaination. X-swing inventor KEN TO PGA GSEM
+pjenslin1 I was going to post something similar. No. With driver, the distance between your hands and body is longer. Every single tour player is same. On downswing in the first video of a tour player on the right, the hand position is above the swing plane and most driver swing that I've seen shows exactly same thing. I'm sure he used the clip just to make a point though.
Simple way to get a sense of where your forearms/hands are into impact. I cant stand getting trapped and flippy so would never do this. I personally am a thumper and need my right hand extension through impact. Be better off with my bag in front of me and balancing a club horizontal to the ground & 90* to my right thigh. as long as the grip end is the proper distance away from my thigh, then my right elbow and get out in front of the hip while avoiding hitting the balancing club. All while the hands stay close as you demonstrate.
Unless you have delved deep into the right arm throw, please do not judge this drill. If you have delved deep into the right arm throw release you also know that away from your body is inconsistent. I mean brutal. You might hit a great 8 iron and then shank a four iron. But if you practice this and start really throwing down and close to your body not only will you hit very accurate shots but all there is such effortless power. Don't knock til you try it. This coincides with Jim Hardy and the RIT release. But several others as well. But Zach Nails it and this was before Hardy's book on the RIT was released. Jim would tell you he did not invent that release, he just noticed how different players do it.
I think that is precisely what I am doing. I started getting lessons this year from top Iowa PGA teacher of the year, and he is a strong proponent of the right side of the body (especially right arm) during the swing. Anyway, after a few lessons and lots of playing midseason I was hitting the ball better than I ever had. But then, about a month ago, I started shanking some iron shots and moving the ball left to right when I had been hitting draws all year. After hacking for a month and watching some of my swnigs on camera -- it looks nearly the same as when I was playing great -- I am thinking it is mostly due to my hand path going further away from my body. I am excited to groove this drill and see if it cures my issues.
well then this drill wouldn't work. cant position the right elbow leading and in front of the hip with rub the water bottle. This drill is for the 100+ shooter who cant tell up from down and just wants to make contact & get the ball in the air. Cant imagine why a good ball-striker would ever do this and trap the trail arm pre-impact.
agreed... the right elbow definitely travels above the water bottle, AND no part of your arms/hands should ever touch the water bottle unless you're exaggerating the feel a few times. This is potentially a Trojan horse to getting your arms stuck. Tour players, even many elites, constantly work on untrapping that right elbow through impact.
Yes, mostly for guys who draw the ball, however those who hit a fade mostly do not have as much trouble with the elbow...since the hands are further from the body. I think the key is ball placement...depending on whether you want a fade or a draw. For me, the fade is the most consistent shot. I also can hit a good straight shot with the short irons.
slicer or hooker doesn't matter as I constantly see slicers stuck in the same elbow "positions" as hookers. Both result in a release pattern that is too difficult to repeat. SO- The greater the separation from the right elbow to the front of the hip - the more complicated the release pattern is with the hands/wrists. Doesnt matter what position the forearms are in if the elbow is out of wack>, they can crunch the shit out of the bottle and the ball can slice 50 yards as easily as it hooks 50yards. BTW Slicers internally rotate the right shoulder and arm (in effort to square the club-face) but all this does is drive the elbow AWAY and BACKWARSD from the hip ...which steepens the shaft.... demands a early right hand flexion flip.....on and on. Trying to figure out the golf swing is a never ending bitch isnt it! nobody has or ever will "Get it"
This is a great video, well explained, but, in fairness the problems with the student at about 2.56 and the one that follows are. Student 1 has no flexibility, rises up dramatically and comes down with a bent right arm. Student 2. has poor flexibility, only does a half swing and has a strange figure 8 movement. which are the reasons why their arms move away from their bodies. The problem with the arms being too far out is being caused by other problems. My observation anyway?
this is good.......and it doesn't apply to everyone. consider moe norman his hands are so far out in front of his body, but he hits it pure. point taken: club returns to something close to original plane line of the shaft.
comparing stensen with a middle iron to baddley with a driver???? what a load of tosh? toe or heel shots are usually caused by poor spine angle/ posture if you are hitting heel shots your angle is too shallow. toe shots spine angle too great. this is due to centrifugal force it aint rocket science
the amateur in the green shirt...his major problem is not his elbow bud but his up and down movement of his body...just look at his head. he is all over the place
Different club comparison is fine. The arm will still work down towards the water bottle with a driver, but the club is flatter, so the elbow would work down towards it rather than the forearm as seen in the irons.
this drill is bad. tried it and had me hitting off the toe really bad. you basically have to crowd the ball in order to do this and don't have any room for arms to go through.
This was great, thanks, been searching for "butch harmon golf swing philosophy" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Penamillorn Peerless Prevalence - (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? It is an awesome exclusive product for discovering how to learn an effective golf swing method minus the hard work. Ive heard some amazing things about it and my friend got great results with it.
After reading through these golf swing secrets “kaha shocking guide” (Google it) and practicing the drills as I read, I went out and shot a 73. I hit 13 of 18 greens in regulation. On the other Five holes, I missed the green by an average 5 to 10 yards. Since 9 is my handicap, I never shoot 73s. It`s been actually a long time since I made a great round.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
I like your simple one adjustment teaching where the message doesn't get lost in abunch of complicated golf mumbo jumbo that goes over our amateur recreational heads.This is what people learning on there own need.On a similar note I have noticed a lot of instructors exxagerate the move or even the correction they are trying to teach.I began to get much more out of online tips after coming to this realization.Good work
Thank you so much... It's like an Epiphany when you finally understand the proper role and drop of the club from the top of the back-swing. I used your advice went right out to the range and found my swing! Follow through and weight transfer all seemed effortless because of you! Keep us golfers taught, as we forget and muscle it instead.
This has a lot to do with angle of torso rotation, observed by shoulder plane. Most people are too flat, which causes the trailing arm to swing away from the torso. Steepen the shoulder plane, and the arms will swing more up and down. I've had trouble on short wedges with my right arm colliding with my right thigh enough to deflect the swing...getting a little too close and steep lol.
Good observation and drill Zach Allen.
At some point I thought my clubs were heel heavy causing my hands to throw the club head outward as demonstrated. I like this drill and it's simple enough to practice in the living room.
BTW, I like when teachers can explain something without tangents. TY Zach
This is the single most valuable tip I've seen. My ball striking improves dramatically when focusing on the hands low and close to the body.
Thanks Zach.
Really like your teaching. Cannot wait to practice this drill on the range. Has been raining the past few days. Cheers.
Good stuff Zach! Lately I've tried consciously cocking my right elbow as I turn instead of just letting it get to 90 as part of the turn...seems to put me in a good position to transition and drop the elbow on plane. It just seems I get more effortless power on the downswing when I consciously cock the elbow.
Can you show us an example of this water bottle drill performed correctly with a driver swing? The reason I ask this is because I just watched the Rory Mcilroy Iron vs. Driver video in which you analyzed. Your analysis was to show that iron vs. driver swing are very different. Therefore, were you being too hard on Aaron Baddley or is the bottle drill suppose to have same result with the driver swing?
I love your student video examples. Keep them coming, svp. As for the student at 3:13, would you say that the reason for his right arm being quite disconnected from his right thigh (3:23) is because at address, the arms are further away from his body than they should be?
great!! Been trying this move but the use of the plastic bottle for additional feedback just genius. Will try this.
I tried this at the range today and my ball striking was much improved...taking it to the course tomorrow. Thanks Zach, your my favorite online instructor!
I concur with your philosophy. I certainly cured short-iron shanking on pitch shots by swinging through with a deliberate effort to have the hands pass through the ball while close to my thighs. I think this relates to your having the right arm pass close to the right thigh on the through swing.
Question: can you see starting the downswing by dropping the right arm to the inside from the top? It seems to be working for me - at least for now.
Hey Zach! Would this help with an over the top sensation as well? Coming inside toward the pockets instead of outside the plane? Just trying to figure out how versatile this drill can be, it seems very useful. Thanks in advance!
Great tip Zach. When I'm relaxed I hit it best when the space hands-leg and hands-balls is less important. But in case of stress, when I'm less relax in hands and arms, I'm afraid of making a shank. I'm gonna try your bottle tip. thanks again Z. Rico
Best single peace of swing advise I have had for many years. Tried it out today on the DR, using PW, 7-iron and 3-rescue. Low, penetrating ball flight with more solid contact than ever. Will it stay? Will it work with driver?
Great Drill In Watson's book he talks about Byron Nelson saying how his right arm hit his right pocket when he was playing well. This drill will help me with control
This is one of my biggest problems. Thanks Zach!!!
Just tried this and my first take is it works great. Used a 6 iron and my fade is now gone and even a draw sometimes. First time I tried, the swing angle change caused me to hit with the heal but once I tried to hit it more off the toe it went very well. Thanks for posting.
Great tip! Congratulations on SoCal PGA Teacher of the Year award.
I have never seen this drill before and can see how it would train the Rt elbow to get tucked-in. I'd like to see you address Charly yoo's post because I was wondering the same thing. Thanks in advance and good drill.
Despite all the cool new stuff in golf instruction, this old school tip is still the best out there.
Zach, this is very good information. Thank you so much. Would the same apply to the driver? Thank you kindly.
student at 3:50 looks similar to one of my students. I I think the forearm plane was important, but also some extension in the right arm or else the player must over bend to seek that forearm condition that you are describing here. Lastly, If a player is losing hip depth in the down swing would you still "prescribe" this drill Zach? Just curious..
Thanks for making and the sharing the video. A good drill to simplify impact, but dangerous as it could lead to a "high and behind" right elbow when crunching the water bottle.
Good one! The one issue I have w keeping hands and arms so close to thigh is sometimes a case of the shanks.
Zach... how about for the older, less flexible player who can't get his hands as deep as he once could? Is there some move that would allow him to utilize the vertical drop and get the club back on plane?
Zach... I see so many older players struggle with this issue, myself included.
Thank You,
RYR
Zach... I'd be very grateful if you could respond.
Thanks,
RYR
Sam snead
You’re a great coach Zach
One of the greatest tips on getting back on plane..
Zach, we hear so much about getting the trail elbow in front of the trail hip on the downswing. However, in these videos the trial elbow appears to be trailing the trail hip in the downswing. Can you please speak to this? Many thanks, Mark
Can't thank you enough for this. A real eureka moment when I tried it
So do you need to have the ball generally closer to you to do this well? I don't see how the hands and shaft can come in so near the body without doing so.
Very nice golf tip
It is a new feeling and although a player can succeed in keeping the right arm close, there is still potential that it does not change the outcome of the ball flight. For someone who is use to having that much separation between right arm and body, what other compensations have to be made once a player starts to make that connection?
I agree with the need to have the hands closer to the thigh. I feel there is a possible conflict with keeping the hands closer to the thigh vs early extension of the hips which moves the hips/thigh toward the ball/hands. Move the hands closer to the thigh, not moving the hips/thigh toward the hands. Early extension is a major problem I have and it gets the thigh/hands closer but my hips are too close to the ball.
I like the idea of this "Right Arm" instruction, but i did not notice it implemented in your other videos, as in I don't see the right elbow/forearm coming close to the right hip very many times....especially on the videos regarding hitting the DRIVER.
Good drill but wouln't you hit the water bottle as wel with an early extension of the hips even if the arms are further away from the body?
Love this Drill
What a great tip! Thanks
Nice video Zach, I'd like to see more on this subject. Golf Channel needs to pick you up.
Gona try it. thanks a lot for sharing. cheers.
Excellent idea.
Great video!!
I've always had dark scuff marks on my pants' right thigh from ticking it with the butt of the club - I've hit a lot of solid shots over the years, but a lot of shockers too - may have to work with Zach to sort it.
Great tip. Thanks!
is the distance your hand different with iron and driver?
Excelente idea...
Zack, is the speed and the clubface alignment at address affecting the strike. Lacking of clubhead speed is the root cause of compensation. Rather then working on the form of the swing, we should work on the root issue, which is the basic physics of the swing. FORM FOLLOW function. Pls drop me a mail if you wish to have some details explaination. X-swing inventor KEN TO PGA GSEM
Does it depend on the players height? A short person has to stand farther away?
The kid you said shanked the ball at 3:51 he hit it off the toe it looks like. That’s very different fix than a shank
thank you !!
could not thank you guys enough.
I
Truly Excellent!
Great tip!
Nice idea, but why would you compare Stenson's iron with Baddeley's driver.
Same concept.
Does the same apply for playing a driver?
+pjenslin1 I was going to post something similar. No. With driver, the distance between your hands and body is longer. Every single tour player is same. On downswing in the first video of a tour player on the right, the hand position is above the swing plane and most driver swing that I've seen shows exactly same thing. I'm sure he used the clip just to make a point though.
hi zach im a short golfer, and my hands are out in front of me, so i cannot return to this position, any advice.
fradaja your height has nothing to do with it. Don't extend your arms at setup. Get your clubs fitted and swing like everyone else.
Brilliant
Good stuff !
Simple way to get a sense of where your forearms/hands are into impact. I cant stand getting trapped and flippy so would never do this. I personally am a thumper and need my right hand extension through impact. Be better off with my bag in front of me and balancing a club horizontal to the ground & 90* to my right thigh. as long as the grip end is the proper distance away from my thigh, then my right elbow and get out in front of the hip while avoiding hitting the balancing club. All while the hands stay close as you demonstrate.
good video...
two words Moe Norman !
I know Moe's swing works but I dont like the straight push he hits
Great share here
There is a good how to break 80 golf guide with training tips on www.golfjig.com
Execellent...!
Unless you have delved deep into the right arm throw, please do not judge this drill. If you have delved deep into the right arm throw release you also know that away from your body is inconsistent. I mean brutal. You might hit a great 8 iron and then shank a four iron. But if you practice this and start really throwing down and close to your body not only will you hit very accurate shots but all there is such effortless power. Don't knock til you try it. This coincides with Jim Hardy and the RIT release. But several others as well. But Zach Nails it and this was before Hardy's book on the RIT was released. Jim would tell you he did not invent that release, he just noticed how different players do it.
I think that is precisely what I am doing. I started getting lessons this year from top Iowa PGA teacher of the year, and he is a strong proponent of the right side of the body (especially right arm) during the swing. Anyway, after a few lessons and lots of playing midseason I was hitting the ball better than I ever had. But then, about a month ago, I started shanking some iron shots and moving the ball left to right when I had been hitting draws all year. After hacking for a month and watching some of my swnigs on camera -- it looks nearly the same as when I was playing great -- I am thinking it is mostly due to my hand path going further away from my body. I am excited to groove this drill and see if it cures my issues.
Woaw thanks
Yes, right elbow should be tight to body at impact just in front of the hip....its the hub of the wheel.
well then this drill wouldn't work. cant position the right elbow leading and in front of the hip with rub the water bottle. This drill is for the 100+ shooter who cant tell up from down and just wants to make contact & get the ball in the air. Cant imagine why a good ball-striker would ever do this and trap the trail arm pre-impact.
No problem for this drill..the right elbow should be above the water bottle.
agreed... the right elbow definitely travels above the water bottle, AND no part of your arms/hands should ever touch the water bottle unless you're exaggerating the feel a few times. This is potentially a Trojan horse to getting your arms stuck. Tour players, even many elites, constantly work on untrapping that right elbow through impact.
Yes, mostly for guys who draw the ball, however those who hit a fade mostly do not have as much trouble with the elbow...since the hands are further from the body. I think the key is ball placement...depending on whether you want a fade or a draw. For me, the fade is the most consistent shot. I also can hit a good straight shot with the short irons.
slicer or hooker doesn't matter as I constantly see slicers stuck in the same elbow "positions" as hookers. Both result in a release pattern that is too difficult to repeat. SO- The greater the separation from the right elbow to the front of the hip - the more complicated the release pattern is with the hands/wrists. Doesnt matter what position the forearms are in if the elbow is out of wack>, they can crunch the shit out of the bottle and the ball can slice 50 yards as easily as it hooks 50yards.
BTW Slicers internally rotate the right shoulder and arm (in effort to square the club-face) but all this does is drive the elbow AWAY and BACKWARSD from the hip ...which steepens the shaft.... demands a early right hand flexion flip.....on and on. Trying to figure out the golf swing is a never ending bitch isnt it! nobody has or ever will "Get it"
better postures at address would help all these golfers and their ball striking!
Hmmmmm......... May have to try this.
This is a great video, well explained, but, in fairness the problems with the student at about 2.56 and the one that follows are. Student 1 has no flexibility, rises up dramatically and comes down with a bent right arm. Student 2. has poor flexibility, only does a half swing and has a strange figure 8 movement. which are the reasons why their arms move away from their bodies. The problem with the arms being too far out is being caused by other problems. My observation anyway?
Nice one Zach...I would call it the T-Rex drill....
Primo se me habia olvidado que ahora eres golfista.
Hi
this is good.......and it doesn't apply to everyone. consider moe norman his hands are so far out in front of his body, but he hits it pure.
point taken: club returns to something close to original plane line of the shaft.
Is that a water bottle in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?!
Just kidding-- awesome drill and concept!
This is an okay drill but, an easy mental drill is to remind yourself to just keep your hands under your chin at impact.
Bad comparison driver vs iron
comparing stensen with a middle iron to baddley with a driver???? what a load of tosh? toe or heel shots are usually caused by poor spine angle/ posture if you are hitting heel shots your angle is too shallow. toe shots spine angle too great. this is due to centrifugal force it aint rocket science
the amateur in the green shirt...his major problem is not his elbow bud but his up and down movement of his body...just look at his head. he is all over the place
Best compare same clubs next time.
Different club comparison is fine. The arm will still work down towards the water bottle with a driver, but the club is flatter, so the elbow would work down towards it rather than the forearm as seen in the irons.
same club comparison is better
this drill is bad. tried it and had me hitting off the toe really bad. you basically have to crowd the ball in order to do this and don't have any room for arms to go through.
Is your swing improving? Is there a drill that has worked better?
This was great, thanks, been searching for "butch harmon golf swing philosophy" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Penamillorn Peerless Prevalence - (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? It is an awesome exclusive product for discovering how to learn an effective golf swing method minus the hard work. Ive heard some amazing things about it and my friend got great results with it.
After reading through these golf swing secrets “kaha shocking guide” (Google it) and practicing the drills as I read, I went out and shot a 73. I hit 13 of 18 greens in regulation. On the other Five holes, I missed the green by an average 5 to 10 yards. Since 9 is my handicap, I never shoot 73s. It`s been actually a long time since I made a great round.
This doesn't work for fat guys.