I have been following David's teachings as far back as 2003 through video tapes. This time around, I am completely amazed by the A Swing. My rate of improvement is astonishing. Thanks David
well...don't knock it till you try it. I've been struggling to hit consistent shots and been looking for help anywhere. Online, lessons, books etc and they all are slight variations on similar ideas. So, after watching this video and the Golf digest 4 videos and gave it a go. A couple of net sessions and today on the course....bloody amazing!. I'm certainly one of the golfers who flips wrists on the backswing and through the ball. I can't remember hitting the ball ever without a fade or slice, today straight or gentle draws for 18 holes. 79 gross...67 nett...Radical, different but it works. Cheers guys.
I bought 3 copies of his book, 1 for reference on the course, 1 in a glass case for my future grandkids reference, and another backup copy. I seriously love the A swing it works for me!!
David you were here before the internet and you are here now giving us free advise thankyou dearheart.....you have a very nice rear eland lol...golf is the key to life the universe and everything....even if you don’t want to shoot 42 ..
I have had a traditional "single plane swing" for years, which has worked well for the most part. However, I'm a tinkerer and I bought the book a while back for fun. My overall swing has become more consistent with the "A" swing because I can re-route the club on the down swing more consistently. But what surprised me most is that I gained a club's worth of distance, and my body doesn't work as hard as it did before. I used to wrap my arms around my body and there was very little hinge action in my wrists, and I had to use an aggressive body turn to put any distance on the ball. I used to hit my 7 iron 160, and now it's in the 165 to 170 range with a higher ball flight. This has translated into shorter putts, and I've dropped my tournament handicap to single digits. It also gives me a reference point when my swing gets loose. Leadbetter says in his book and videos that hitting all the points of the A swing is not necessary, so there is plenty of room for individuality. Just my two cents worth...
I drank the cool aid on the A swing and it has been very good for me (read the book twice, saw all the videos, went to Leadbetter academy in Orlando). Advanced from 18 to 12 HC and still improving with about 3 strokes improvement attributed to the A-swing and 3 to short game improvements. The key points for me are the connected coil, keeping the club head outside the hands in the backswing, shallowing the club in transition into downswing and the neutral underhand release. If you are willing to put in the reps it is an integrated approach that will work as opposed to chasing every tip on RUclips. I like the way I can make on course corrections during a round to steady the ship.
Have been working on the A swing since June now as I decided this year to rebuild my swing. My teaching pro suggested it as I had a flat backswing and an over the top move. It has worked wonders for me. However to get the feeling of the backswing and keeping the club square with no rotation at first takes some courage. The A swing and a commitment to stay more behind the ball has really given me more confidence in my game. Continuing to work on it without playing at present as it has been a big change. Did play a sneaky nine holes in July to +1. My advice would be give it a go if you are stuck at a level and frustrated with your game.
I have for years been a golfer that had a tendency to take the club to the inside. I have for the last couple weeks worked on this. It does seem to help and when you hit it well it seem more effortlessly than my previous swing.
So Andy have you incorporated the A swing since David showed you it? Having played for almost 30 years and been down to low single figures. Having been struggling for many years with a straight pull or pull hook . I find that it makes absolute sense that by going back steeper keeping the clubhead outside your hands makes it almost automatic coming down shallower. Over the last few years consistency has been my problem as is 95 % of all golfers. This A swing has worked wonders as the last few times I have gone out and shot 78 76 which would never have happened in the past.
This is the best video you guys have brought out. I know its quite technical for all the high handicappers but this is what I love! Thanks for sharing!
Richard Gaule 100% agree. I started golfing about 8 months ago. I quickly found out it will be the most frustrating yet at the same time the funnest sport I have ever tried to play. Meandmygolf Pete and Rick have taught me a lot without actually ever talking to me. I take what they say and practice at range. I really like the chipping video, seeing out chipping and putting are the most important parts of the game, I tend to practice them the most.
This a swing takeaway thought totally fixed my backswing. Way inside and behind, and now actually on plane with the thought of taking it back a swing style.
This swing really changed my game. I bought the book but didn't give much attention to the new back swing. However recently I decided to follow the instructions a to z without thinking of my old swing. The results were unbelievable. Now its very rare I hit a bad shot.
I'm a big fan of David Ledbetter and was really glad to see you guys have him as a guest. Keep up the great work guys I'm in the 80's now and feel massive improvement from your videos
Interesting that after all the advice that Leadbetter gives on the A swing backswing that he then proceeds to use a more standard backswing when he swings (13:15)! His takeaway does not exhibit the "two track" motion, his club angle at halfway is is leaning leftwards and not matching his spine angle and subsequently there is no "flattening" of the plane in the downswing as the downswing plane matches that of the backswing! After all his selling of the A swing, the least you'd expect is that he does is correctly! I have been really interested in the A swing methodology and have used it to cure my excessively flat backswing due to left forearm rotation, similar to another person who's commented. Whilst I poke fun at Leadbetter, I must say that my iron ball striking has improved immensely as a result.
I think people are misunderstanding the target audience this swing seems to be aimed at. people who don't have as much time to play or practice and want some movements that seem quite simple to replicate once trained in. it's easier to distinguish exaggerated moves which this swing seems to involve. I found Mr Leadbetter a great personality and coach in this video and pepper dismissing him as a relic of the game etc have no clue. his instruction and coaching look top notch. I for one would be extremely appreciative of the experience. I don't think he once said this is THE definitive swing and is for every player? great video. Cheers lads from Oz.
I've tried this swing and tweaked it to match what's comfortable for me and the 2 tings I have noticed is that the swing helps in the two areas that I have most problems. it helps me get down on the ball and also helps me with follow through.
I started playing golf in July and broke 100 late last month primarily with the a swing. the only adjustment I'm playing with is allowing my right arm not pinch at the top to get more wind up with my arms and for my right elbow to move down with my hip to generate more speed. I have to admit though, the extra speed has been at the cost of consistency so far.
I can honestly say as a +4 handicap that this type of move is very effective. I'm not saying + 4 to boast but to let people understand that swinging the golf club like this can take you to the next level. It certainly did me. Everyone just has to understand that there is more than one way to get the hands in club out backswing. I personally couldn't think of it as a coil even though it really is. I just think hands in club out with the left shoulder. then set it. It is a very very repeatable move. I always tell people you cant really do it wrong but you can always do it better. I recommend this type of move to anyone that's serious about getting better. Cheers!
OMG This is exactly how I swing my irons. This works for me and I find accuracy and consistency. If you are new like me Golfing for a few years. This is a good starting point.
What a great video from the master himself who has helped tour players become who they are today. I am open to all new techniques that will help me develop consistent golf shots. Yes is goes against the grain of all my lessons with MAMG and Piers but if we didn't try new ideas we all wouldn't have iPhones and would be playing golf with wooden clubs. I applaud you guys for trying to break the mould to give us all a chance of a better swing.
Jeff Baker Hi Jeff. David has many years more experience than us so you just have to listen and take what you can from it like always. Glad you enjoyed it and i am sure Piers will be working on your "V" plane Saturday.
This is a great video, I have been trying this swing myself, and it certainly easier for me, at my age and with my back injury, this is great. Mr Leadbetter is a good coach,
I found this video great and I love all these swing analysis videos. They have improved my game so much , I've only been playing golf a year and I'm off 23 thanks to these videos they stopped my slicing because I found out that I was coming across the ball causing it to go left to right and then I saw the video and started swinging more outward and I've been hitting them dead straight thanks guys keep it up 👌
What was impressive was that Leadbelly was able to look at a couple of swings from a pro with a "good" looking swing and suggest and demonstrate instant improvements (without looking at video, trackman etc).This was b4 he demonstrated the A swing which leadbelly stated was for mid to high handicappers with little time to practice.
Lydia Ko won the women's Canadian Open using the A Swing (8/23/15). I've been using the A Swing since late May 2015 with excellent results. I have used the ebook, and youtube videos - both on my tablet, for practice. If it looks weird, so does a Porsche 918.
Superb, I've been working principles of A swing for years because golf is a game of opposites thereby steep back swing shallow down swing.......bingo! When my backswing gets inside the line golf is a world of pain. But when I'm above the line and steep Is when I play my best and you can just rip it. The more technical advice may enable me to fine tune things
There's some good ideas in here. A lot of the power and pivot stuff is already what I'm doing naturally. I've always had great power and struggled with accuracy because of club face and poor strikes. This simplifies those arm positions and backswing. It's a simple approach which I'm able to see being controversial to some but the potential to help is there also by eliminating a lot of early mistakes and technical talk a lot of people understand. Good video as usual guys.
So where is this swing now? Have you gentleman implemented the swing with any of your students? It looks a mix of Jim Furyk's and Sergio Garcia's swing. Is Lydia Ko still using the swing? Thanks
Wow this was eye opening because I already do a lot of this with my swing. I built it mostly through feel, practice, golf digests (back before RUclips lol), and now RUclips. It's good to finally be able to "classify" my swing and be able to find instructional content catered to it 👍
Congratulations on your excellent work boys. Just a couple of observations. I could not use backswing mechanics that require a correction on the forward movement. Both plane and width are negatively effected using these ideas. Agree with David Leadbetter that it is not necessary to roll the hands-that returns to hickory shaft days; but his approach will also be creating a form of conscious hand activity. Overall this seems little different to the mistake David made in the early days with Nick Faldo when he was teaching pre-set. Keep up the good work Bill
+GolfArtStories Thanks for the comment. There are certain things that we do like in this but yes we would tend to agree that the less movement or manipulation to get on plane the better.
+Meandmygolf -Thanks for the candid, honest and pragmatic answer boys, just what I would expect from good teachers. I would be very interested to know your opinion on the importance of plane if we made a list. Where would you put it on a list of priorities? There is no doubting it's importance, but I personally feel it is overrated and gets too much coverage. For instance, I don't need to tell you guys that the most significant aspect affecting plane is the set-up. After that "you are either on plane or not" as Hank Haney say's. Unfortunately the various ways of finding plane (talking about good players here) are often seen as mistakes and replaced with irrelevant mechanics-almost like giving a Japanese motor the parts from a Volkswagen (as I live in Germany the less said about that the better). It may all be a good way to give yourself something to do on the range, but it wont help your game on the course. Look forward to your reply and keep up the excellent work please.
Been working on the A-swing since the book and the videos came out. Struggled with the downswing but I worked on the takeaway and I have found consistency of strike has really improved due to staying connected. Not for everyone but works for me. Keep up the great videos !!!
Hello it's the third time that I try to have an opinion from me and my golf about the MA swing and the A swing. I hopped you could take a look to the ideas of the MA after having tested the A and that your opinion could be interesting for my choice between classic, A and MA swing. You've always be clear and helpfull in your videos and now that a gourou give an opinion there are no comments. I m very sad...
Great video, gents. Must've been surreal for Andy having the iconic Leadbetter giving a critique of his swing (and his bum). I found David's advice on the backswing pivot interesting. He used to talk about starting with a lateral hip bump/shift, and talked of "moving off it" and getting your chest (shirt buttons) over your right thigh, and maintaining flex in your right thigh. He now seems to teach it more like some of the younger coaches like Andrew Rice and Martin Chuck who prescribe a more centred turn, no lateral movement, facilitated by a steeper shoulder and hip turn with a slight loss of right knee flex....all to make it easier to get back to the ball. I liked the drill he showed Andy which steepened his shoulder plane. I'll be trying this. Thanks guys, great stuff.
Lee (formerly Cahnt) Actually, one question on that pivot drill if i may......what's the significance or purpose of doing it with the hands running up and down the insides of the thighs rather than on the front of the thighs?
Lee (formerly Cahnt) Hi Lee. Thanks for the comment. Yes it was surreal and a great experience that not many people get so I feel lucky. We love learning and Leadbetter has been around and seen a lot so you have to listen to what he has to say.He still promotes a good lateral move though in the down swing. he mentioned that talking to him. As for the pivot drill, we don't see any reason why your hands can be on your thighs.
I would be very interested to know if Andy continued to work on this technique. The slow motion side by side swings in the video did show improvements. Thanks.
+Meandmygolf Would you agree that matching your spine angle at p3 seems a little extreme? Not sure any of his best students are even that steep. Lydia is getting there but still staying mostly vertical. Getting it vertical and then shallowing isn't really revolutionary either, although it is something I've been trying to work on in the off season.
This is incredible. Most golfers slice, so with Andy if all you did was change his grip to a little stronger and overall better face conditions and maybe add right bend early in transition you could facilitate better face control, less stall, flip and get more compression. It isn’t that DL approach won’t work, it can with a lot of matching up, the issue is for the majority of players with a chronic slice, why not understand their reaction to the club face and start there instead of having to manually insert extra steps.
I was training with my swingbyte device the other day and managed to get from coming 2-4degree out to in to 4-7 degree in to out. How? Applying the "make the loop" move which inevitably leads you to take the club away in a closed manner. Also in order to make the loop your hands need to be loose which is good. I've taken bits of the A swing and was able to dial in to something that is a better swing than before. This to me is what golf teaching is about. What I don't get however is the release David is talking about. I compensate an open clubface by closing my left hand on top of the backswing. Can you elaborate on the feel of that release Andy?
Great video! Love watching Leadbetter's instructional vids. Looks like I could have a crack at the 'A swing' It appears it could help people with an over the top swing like me.
I'm sure David is a well respected coach and worked with some of the best players over the years. But I can't see many tour pro's and teaching pro's changing to the A swing. I have learned a lot from you guy's over the past couple of years and I'm not changing a thing, please keep on doing what you do best thanks.
hi all, such negative feed back I bought the book did the drills hit balls... for about a month it was hard but now I'm getting results ,it is easier for me to understand the moves. I'm definitely hitting stronger, straighter and have lost my slice if your happy with your golf you wouldn't want to change! I wasn't and am glad I did in the book david says that you can incorporate the basic elements into your own swing if it works for you. most people don't like change...fine...but try it if you believe you can inprove . I live in Australia over 60 and have a ga handicap of 23.5
Interesting how divided the responses to this are! My own experience with the swing has been positive. I read the book when it came out and while I definitely haven't adopted it fully, it did force me into some extreme feels the final broke me of an overly flat backswing with a lot of clockwise forearm rotation. Like immediately corrected that and I'm hitting the ball the best I have in years...I almost see it as like a drill really
Great video and I like this technique, leadbetter is still one of the best out there. I have tried this and it is brilliant, it feels strange at first but the results will win you over.
Most interesting to note that at about 13:16 to 13:17 in the video, David, in his backswing does not follow his teaching. Instead, he does a traditional backswing.; the shaft is not straight up and down or even tilted the way he proposes, rather back along conventional teachings. It is very hard to see- I videoed it with a camera and then did a slow motion to see it.
Piers and Andy having seen this Leadbetter method up close do you think it would be a good choice for the not so fit and flexible player like me because i really do have a lot of trouble swinging in the conventional way due to lack of flexibilty etc. Would appreciate your thoughts if possible. Thanks in adavance, big fan!
I think if you did a follow up vid explaining how the A Swing path is the opposite of what you often see ie too far in on the backswing then a cast OTT, then a lot of people could learn from it. I think this method helps raise awareness of path and how it feels more than a blueprint for "the only swing". We all need to play as naturally as we can and how our body defines us.
Piers - Andy. Thanks for putting out the video. You guys are awesome. Before I even try something like that swing thought feeling video, and make any change. I feel more comfortable in what i have been educating my self on your videos. Keep up the great work. Guys. Still love the smurf look and don't let it go.
I was sceptical at first but three months I will say this about the a swing...its really easy to do and very easy to get back in rhythm when your swing goes off the rails...the only real issue I have is using the technique when pitching the ball from 30-100yrds but overall I would say don't knock until you try it
I would love to know if after 1 year of Andy being told these things, if he has implemented them and if they have worked? I'm seeing consistently with Hogan, Gacia, Sadlowski, Stenson, all have this aggressive angle downwards with the down swing, same as what David is showing here.
I played around with the A swing when it was first introduced with great fanfare and it worked really well, then it faded away and so did I. I just found your site and it rekindled my interest, so what happened to this swing. Is anyone out there still using it? and does the release with the right hand shoot the ball too high?
Does this apply to the driver also? I always see him doing instruction with irons seems like with a longer club that you're trying to hit up on would require a little different configuration
Yes, I've used this for several seasons, driving gives me a lower penetrating flight, with lots of roll out on landing, and I'm long for a 69 year old, as long as I've ever been in my 45 years golfing
Could you guys do a video on the release that Leadbetter is talking about in the video. I've been struggling with that lately and there is so many different approaches out there. Which one is the right way of releasing the club? You guys talk a lot about "catching the rain drop", but he seems to disagree here. What is the correct way?
Hey Andy are you going to continue to use this swing or parts of it? I bought the book the book when it first came out and am using parts of it and it helps
John Rollins Hi John. I will be implementing elements of the swing yes. That's what we suggest people to do from this. they don't have to remodel their swing. Take what you can from this and see what can help you.
Although it's not for everybody I highly recommend the "A" swing, it's nothing new actually and I've been doing the so called "A" swing for nearly 20 years. Leadbetter didn't even invent the "A" swing but he really put it into the mainstream by teaching it. Give it a try and you'll never go back to your old swing.
Sure wish you guys could/would come to the States. You're looking at a guy here who has absolutely no consistency in his swing. I have taken some lessons. I'm like when you take a car to the mechanic, I work just fine while I'm there, but back on the course I'm hitting them every which way. love your videos, and any tips you can provide would be great
Hi Just watched this video and found it very interesting!! I personally think the idea of this swing can only help the average golfer especially those who suffer from over the top faults like myself I've just been watching highlights from todays golf and watching rory mcilroys swing it looks like he swings in a similar way to this method especially creating the "v" plane is my amateur eye correct if so its proof it works well hahaha Cheers
seems to me as a high handicapper as a wider variant of figure of 8 swing mechanics.looks like it requires greater timing to square club at impact? john
+Teppo Einari THIS WHOLE CONCEPT IS STOLEN FROM MARTIN AYERS!!!! There is an Australian guy who has also worked with Martin and Elkington who has been doing this for MUCH LONGER than Leadbetter !!!!!
After watching this video , I immediately think of Ryan Moore. This is just how he takes the club back. Did he invent the 'A swing' first. His swing looks text book A swing. What do you think. Looking at slow mo's of Ryan I doubt if most golfers could get near it.
I really loved DL’s original work it was truly groundbreaking in those days. He backed his original concepts up with deep research into Ben Hogan, & then wrote a book based around this research and a series of videos. His work with Faldo was fantastic in the day. I can’t help feeling the A Swing was more a marketing gimmick, mixed up with experimentation. The flap style release is the Mike Malaska / maybe a bit of Mike Austin approach. It looks like you could do your self an injury trying this method. But I realise it works for some folk. I can’t help feeling that by removing the arm rotation you also remove one of the power sources in the golf swing. DL was always more concerned with accuracy versus power. Faldo was so successful in the90’s but then Tiger turned up in 95 and that era was gone. David Leadbetter remains one of the most famous coaches in golf, just hope David has moved back closer to his original mission & methods.
This is very good advice he just makes it confusing. In laymen terms you want to have a one piece take away (hips and arms move together) with an early wrist cock bring the club up thru your shoulder. At the top of the swing you want to move your lower body first. You can never hit the ball too late.... If you want to learn this swing check out Christo Garcia's My Swing Evolution on RUclips. ALL of this is age old information and promotes the greatest leverage on the ball possible. (Classical Swing) A Draggers swing NOT a Flippers (of the club head thru impact)
I am going to close my eyes and try to forget I ever saw this swing. Andy is waaaay better than myself or most here and the struggles he had with this swing were real! I don't know that is the weirdest looking (maybe technically great) swing I have seen in a long while. Jordan and Rory and Jason look nothing like this. Not that any of us could compare to them!
Leadbetters A swing is an adaptation for the average golfer struggling with consistency. It reduces the input variables needed to make a great shot. If youre talented enough to game a traditional swing as well as Andy then by all means stick with the status quo. If the traditional swing isn't working for you then maybe you should consider an Alternative Swing.
I have been following David's teachings as far back as 2003 through video tapes. This time around, I am completely amazed by the A Swing. My rate of improvement is astonishing. Thanks David
well...don't knock it till you try it. I've been struggling to hit consistent shots and been looking for help anywhere. Online, lessons, books etc and they all are slight variations on similar ideas. So, after watching this video and the Golf digest 4 videos and gave it a go. A couple of net sessions and today on the course....bloody amazing!. I'm certainly one of the golfers who flips wrists on the backswing and through the ball. I can't remember hitting the ball ever without a fade or slice, today straight or gentle draws for 18 holes. 79 gross...67 nett...Radical, different but it works. Cheers guys.
I bought 3 copies of his book, 1 for reference on the course, 1 in a glass case for my future grandkids reference, and another backup copy. I seriously love the A swing it works for me!!
+crosswire7777 Glad you like it.
David you were here before the internet and you are here now giving us free advise thankyou dearheart.....you have a very nice rear eland lol...golf is the key to life the universe and everything....even if you don’t want to shoot 42 ..
I have had a traditional "single plane swing" for years, which has worked well for the most part. However, I'm a tinkerer and I bought the book a while back for fun. My overall swing has become more consistent with the "A" swing because I can re-route the club on the down swing more consistently. But what surprised me most is that I gained a club's worth of distance, and my body doesn't work as hard as it did before. I used to wrap my arms around my body and there was very little hinge action in my wrists, and I had to use an aggressive body turn to put any distance on the ball. I used to hit my 7 iron 160, and now it's in the 165 to 170 range with a higher ball flight. This has translated into shorter putts, and I've dropped my tournament handicap to single digits. It also gives me a reference point when my swing gets loose. Leadbetter says in his book and videos that hitting all the points of the A swing is not necessary, so there is plenty of room for individuality. Just my two cents worth...
I drank the cool aid on the A swing and it has been very good for me (read the book twice, saw all the videos, went to Leadbetter academy in Orlando). Advanced from 18 to 12 HC and still improving with about 3 strokes improvement attributed to the A-swing and 3 to short game improvements. The key points for me are the connected coil, keeping the club head outside the hands in the backswing, shallowing the club in transition into downswing and the neutral underhand release. If you are willing to put in the reps it is an integrated approach that will work as opposed to chasing every tip on RUclips. I like the way I can make on course corrections during a round to steady the ship.
Well you really did go all in, I like it! I would love to attend the ledbetter academy!
Have been working on the A swing since June now as I decided this year to rebuild my swing.
My teaching pro suggested it as I had a flat backswing and an over the top move.
It has worked wonders for me. However to get the feeling of the backswing and keeping the club square with no rotation at first takes some courage. The A swing and a commitment to stay more behind the ball has really given me more confidence in my game. Continuing to work on it without playing at present as it has been a big change. Did play a sneaky nine holes in July to +1. My advice would be give it a go if you are stuck at a level and frustrated with your game.
I have for years been a golfer that had a tendency to take the club to the inside. I have for the last couple weeks worked on this. It does seem to help and when you hit it well it seem more effortlessly than my previous swing.
So Andy have you incorporated the A swing since David showed you it? Having played for almost 30 years and been down to low single figures. Having been struggling for many years with a straight pull or pull hook . I find that it makes absolute sense that by going back steeper keeping the clubhead outside your hands makes it almost automatic coming down shallower. Over the last few years consistency has been my problem as is 95 % of all golfers. This A swing has worked wonders as the last few times I have gone out and shot 78 76 which would never have happened in the past.
This is the best video you guys have brought out. I know its quite technical for all the high handicappers but this is what I love! Thanks for sharing!
Richard Gaule Glad you enjoyed it Richard.
Richard Gaule 100% agree. I started golfing about 8 months ago. I quickly found out it will be the most frustrating yet at the same time the funnest sport I have ever tried to play. Meandmygolf Pete and Rick have taught me a lot without actually ever talking to me. I take what they say and practice at range. I really like the chipping video, seeing out chipping and putting are the most important parts of the game, I tend to practice them the most.
This a swing takeaway thought totally fixed my backswing. Way inside and behind, and now actually on plane with the thought of taking it back a swing style.
This swing really changed my game. I bought the book but didn't give much attention to the new back swing. However recently I decided to follow the instructions a to z without thinking of my old swing. The results were unbelievable. Now its very rare I hit a bad shot.
I'm a big fan of David Ledbetter and was really glad to see you guys have him as a guest. Keep up the great work guys I'm in the 80's now and feel massive improvement from your videos
snakedoc514 Yes it was great to have him on our channel. Glad we are helping.
Great video. Interesting release move. Thanks guys for getting David to come out and show this.
Interesting that after all the advice that Leadbetter gives on the A swing backswing that he then proceeds to use a more standard backswing when he swings (13:15)! His takeaway does not exhibit the "two track" motion, his club angle at halfway is is leaning leftwards and not matching his spine angle and subsequently there is no "flattening" of the plane in the downswing as the downswing plane matches that of the backswing! After all his selling of the A swing, the least you'd expect is that he does is correctly!
I have been really interested in the A swing methodology and have used it to cure my excessively flat backswing due to left forearm rotation, similar to another person who's commented. Whilst I poke fun at Leadbetter, I must say that my iron ball striking has improved immensely as a result.
Really interesting video, great to get see how it works and adapt some of it for my coaching. Thanks guys
Matt Fryer Golf Thanks Matt. An interesting concept and great to meet the man himself. Hope all is good with you!
He is indeed. All good thanks just trying to work towards getting a channel as half as good as yours!
Would love to see a video on the A swing with the driver. Also, is the A swing modified when "pitching?" Thanks.
Did you ever find out your answer from someone or did you do it yourself and find a result?
I think people are misunderstanding the target audience this swing seems to be aimed at. people who don't have as much time to play or practice and want some movements that seem quite simple to replicate once trained in. it's easier to distinguish exaggerated moves which this swing seems to involve. I found Mr Leadbetter a great personality and coach in this video and pepper dismissing him as a relic of the game etc have no clue. his instruction and coaching look top notch. I for one would be extremely appreciative of the experience. I don't think he once said this is THE definitive swing and is for every player? great video. Cheers lads from Oz.
people*
Not sure I agree with all the content in this video, but thumbs up to you all, its the best video you have ever made. Congratulations.
Thanks David & guys!
Mike Malaska also talks about this in his teachings. What you feel like you're doing and what you're really doing are totally different.
I've tried this swing and tweaked it to match what's comfortable for me and the 2 tings I have noticed is that the swing helps in the two areas that I have most problems. it helps me get down on the ball and also helps me with follow through.
Superb teacher D Leadbetter. Thank you so much for uploading this wonderful video. I really appreciate it
this approach to a more consistant backswing is the best I've ever seen...after trying this, I feel it is very helpful,
I started playing golf in July and broke 100 late last month primarily with the a swing. the only adjustment I'm playing with is allowing my right arm not pinch at the top to get more wind up with my arms and for my right elbow to move down with my hip to generate more speed. I have to admit though, the extra speed has been at the cost of consistency so far.
I can honestly say as a +4 handicap that this type of move is very effective. I'm not saying + 4 to boast but to let people understand that swinging the golf club like this can take you to the next level. It certainly did me. Everyone just has to understand that there is more than one way to get the hands in club out backswing. I personally couldn't think of it as a coil even though it really is. I just think hands in club out with the left shoulder. then set it. It is a very very repeatable move. I always tell people you cant really do it wrong but you can always do it better. I recommend this type of move to anyone that's serious about getting better. Cheers!
OMG This is exactly how I swing my irons. This works for me and I find accuracy and consistency. If you are new like me Golfing for a few years. This is a good starting point.
What a great video from the master himself who has helped tour players become who they are today. I am open to all new techniques that will help me develop consistent golf shots. Yes is goes against the grain of all my lessons with MAMG and Piers but if we didn't try new ideas we all wouldn't have iPhones and would be playing golf with wooden clubs.
I applaud you guys for trying to break the mould to give us all a chance of a better swing.
Jeff Baker Hi Jeff. David has many years more experience than us so you just have to listen and take what you can from it like always. Glad you enjoyed it and i am sure Piers will be working on your "V" plane Saturday.
This is a great video, I have been trying this swing myself, and it certainly easier for me, at my age and with my back injury, this is great. Mr Leadbetter is a good coach,
I found this video great and I love all these swing analysis videos. They have improved my game so much , I've only been playing golf a year and I'm off 23 thanks to these videos they stopped my slicing because I found out that I was coming across the ball causing it to go left to right and then I saw the video and started swinging more outward and I've been hitting them dead straight thanks guys keep it up 👌
Thomas Greham Great work Thomas. Glad to help.
What was impressive was that Leadbelly was able to look at a couple of swings from a pro with a "good" looking swing and suggest and demonstrate instant improvements (without looking at video, trackman etc).This was b4 he demonstrated the A swing which leadbelly stated was for mid to high handicappers with little time to practice.
Lydia Ko won the women's Canadian Open using the A Swing (8/23/15). I've been using the A Swing since late May 2015 with excellent results. I have used the ebook, and youtube videos - both on my tablet, for practice. If it looks weird, so does a Porsche 918.
Superb, I've been working principles of A swing for years because golf is a game of opposites thereby steep back swing shallow down swing.......bingo! When my backswing gets inside the line golf is a world of pain. But when I'm above the line and steep Is when I play my best and you can just rip it. The more technical advice may enable me to fine tune things
There's some good ideas in here. A lot of the power and pivot stuff is already what I'm doing naturally. I've always had great power and struggled with accuracy because of club face and poor strikes. This simplifies those arm positions and backswing. It's a simple approach which I'm able to see being controversial to some but the potential to help is there also by eliminating a lot of early mistakes and technical talk a lot of people understand. Good video as usual guys.
*misunderstand... typo
So where is this swing now? Have you gentleman implemented the swing with any of your students? It looks a mix of Jim Furyk's and Sergio Garcia's swing. Is Lydia Ko still using the swing?
Thanks
Wow this was eye opening because I already do a lot of this with my swing. I built it mostly through feel, practice, golf digests (back before RUclips lol), and now RUclips. It's good to finally be able to "classify" my swing and be able to find instructional content catered to it 👍
Best golf video on RUclips I've seen yet
Congratulations on your excellent work boys.
Just a couple of observations.
I could not use backswing mechanics that require a correction on the forward movement. Both plane and width are negatively effected using these ideas.
Agree with David Leadbetter that it is not necessary to roll the hands-that returns to hickory shaft days; but his approach will also be creating a form of conscious hand activity.
Overall this seems little different to the mistake David made in the early days with Nick Faldo when he was teaching pre-set.
Keep up the good work
Bill
+GolfArtStories Thanks for the comment. There are certain things that we do like in this but yes we would tend to agree that the less movement or manipulation to get on plane the better.
+Meandmygolf -Thanks for the candid, honest and pragmatic answer boys, just what I would expect from good teachers.
I would be very interested to know your opinion on the importance of plane if we made a list. Where would you put it on a list of priorities?
There is no doubting it's importance, but I personally feel it is overrated and gets too much coverage. For instance, I don't need to tell you guys that the most significant aspect affecting plane is the set-up. After that "you are either on plane or not" as Hank Haney say's.
Unfortunately the various ways of finding plane (talking about good players here) are often seen as mistakes and replaced with irrelevant mechanics-almost like giving a Japanese motor the parts from a Volkswagen (as I live in Germany the less said about that the better). It may all be a good way to give yourself something to do on the range, but it wont help your game on the course.
Look forward to your reply and keep up the excellent work please.
Been working on the A-swing since the book and the videos came out. Struggled with the downswing but I worked on the takeaway and I have found consistency of strike has really improved due to staying connected. Not for everyone but works for me. Keep up the great videos !!!
graham stirrst Glad you've found it useful Graham.
Andy, would see a video of your thoughts on the swing and how it felt to be coached by Leadbetter.
tried this..n so far im getting a better contact with my iron..but still wip for me...
thank u so much for sharing this.
Go A Swing! It is great and you guys explain it perfect in just 20 minutes. I was failure now I feel like I have hope to just enjoy hitting the ball.
Hello
it's the third time that I try to have an opinion from me and my golf about the MA swing and the A swing.
I hopped you could take a look to the ideas of the MA after having tested the A and that your opinion could be interesting for my choice between classic, A and MA swing.
You've always be clear and helpfull in your videos and now that a gourou give an opinion there are no comments.
I m very sad...
Great video, gents. Must've been surreal for Andy having the iconic Leadbetter giving a critique of his swing (and his bum).
I found David's advice on the backswing pivot interesting. He used to talk about starting with a lateral hip bump/shift, and talked of "moving off it" and getting your chest (shirt buttons) over your right thigh, and maintaining flex in your right thigh.
He now seems to teach it more like some of the younger coaches like Andrew Rice and Martin Chuck who prescribe a more centred turn, no lateral movement, facilitated by a steeper shoulder and hip turn with a slight loss of right knee flex....all to make it easier to get back to the ball.
I liked the drill he showed Andy which steepened his shoulder plane. I'll be trying this.
Thanks guys, great stuff.
Lee (formerly Cahnt) Actually, one question on that pivot drill if i may......what's the significance or purpose of doing it with the hands running up and down the insides of the thighs rather than on the front of the thighs?
Lee (formerly Cahnt) Hi Lee. Thanks for the comment. Yes it was surreal and a great experience that not many people get so I feel lucky. We love learning and Leadbetter has been around and seen a lot so you have to listen to what he has to say.He still promotes a good lateral move though in the down swing. he mentioned that talking to him. As for the pivot drill, we don't see any reason why your hands can be on your thighs.
How does the Leadbetter A Swing work with the Driver? Is it the same principal or does it only work with your irons? Thanks
Chad Rieder i got hes book, says it will work with all clubs, except the putter :) Just change the ball position....
I would be very interested to know if Andy continued to work on this technique. The slow motion side by side swings in the video did show improvements. Thanks.
+Connor M Hill Hi Connor. Haven't had much time to practice and would't go "full" A swing but certainly elements.
+Meandmygolf Would you agree that matching your spine angle at p3 seems a little extreme? Not sure any of his best students are even that steep. Lydia is getting there but still staying mostly vertical. Getting it vertical and then shallowing isn't really revolutionary either, although it is something I've been trying to work on in the off season.
This is incredible. Most golfers slice, so with Andy if all you did was change his grip to a little stronger and overall better face conditions and maybe add right bend early in transition you could facilitate better face control, less stall, flip and get more compression. It isn’t that DL approach won’t work, it can with a lot of matching up, the issue is for the majority of players with a chronic slice, why not understand their reaction to the club face and start there instead of having to manually insert extra steps.
I was training with my swingbyte device the other day and managed to get from coming 2-4degree out to in to 4-7 degree in to out. How? Applying the "make the loop" move which inevitably leads you to take the club away in a closed manner. Also in order to make the loop your hands need to be loose which is good. I've taken bits of the A swing and was able to dial in to something that is a better swing than before. This to me is what golf teaching is about. What I don't get however is the release David is talking about. I compensate an open clubface by closing my left hand on top of the backswing. Can you elaborate on the feel of that release Andy?
I agree. I feel like his method might be encourage some golfers to flick their wrists or try and scoop the ball in order to get that release.
I've been A-Swinging since his book came out. I'm more consistent and hit it longer with less effort. What's not to like?
Great video! Love watching Leadbetter's instructional vids. Looks like I could have a crack at the 'A swing' It appears it could help people with an over the top swing like me.
I own the book. I got it after watching your last video on the A swing and it has helped me a lot.
***** Great Joseph. Hope all is going well.
Loved it. really nice to hear from the man himself. Love your videos, but this was a wee bit special.
+David Cullen Thanks David.
I'm sure David is a well respected coach and worked with some of the best players over the years. But I can't see many tour pro's and teaching pro's changing to the A swing. I have learned a lot from you guy's over the past couple of years and I'm not changing a thing, please keep on doing what you do best thanks.
Hi Andy looking forward to my first A swing lesson tomorrow! are you ready now?
Malcolm Green Hi Malc. Yes looking forward to working on it tomorrow with you. Ready to rock and roll.
Thanks so much for the help!
hi all, such negative feed back
I bought the book did the drills hit balls... for about a month it was hard but now I'm getting results ,it is easier for me to understand the moves. I'm definitely hitting stronger, straighter and have lost my slice if your happy with your golf you wouldn't want to change! I wasn't and am glad I did in the book david says that you can incorporate the basic elements into your own swing if it works for you.
most people don't like change...fine...but try it if you believe you can inprove .
I live in Australia over 60 and have a ga handicap of 23.5
RICHARD ROBERTSON there is always people that have to complain, no matter what :)
+Anders Berglund This is so true and most of the people have one thing in common they never try anything about outside their very narrow window.
Interesting how divided the responses to this are! My own experience with the swing has been positive. I read the book when it came out and while I definitely haven't adopted it fully, it did force me into some extreme feels the final broke me of an overly flat backswing with a lot of clockwise forearm rotation. Like immediately corrected that and I'm hitting the ball the best I have in years...I almost see it as like a drill really
Sorry for the autocorrect typos, hopefully that all makes sense!
Great video and I like this technique, leadbetter is still one of the best out there. I have tried this and it is brilliant, it feels strange at first but the results will win you over.
+Matt Baker Glad this is working for you Matt.
Super video really enjoyed it. And I really like the final shot, just looked sweeter.
Ready to try this today.
So in 5 years he will release another book endorsing a more traditional swing?
Curious, when you take it back closed like that, do your hands feel tense and tight?
Most interesting to note that at about 13:16 to 13:17 in the video, David, in his backswing
does not follow his teaching. Instead, he does a traditional backswing.; the shaft is not
straight up and down or even tilted the way he proposes, rather back along conventional
teachings. It is very hard to see- I videoed it with a camera and then did a slow motion to see it.
Piers and Andy having seen this Leadbetter method up close do you think it would be a good choice for the not so fit and flexible player like me because i really do have a lot of trouble swinging in the conventional way due to lack of flexibilty etc. Would appreciate your thoughts if possible. Thanks in adavance, big fan!
I think if you did a follow up vid explaining how the A Swing path is the opposite of what you often see ie too far in on the backswing then a cast OTT, then a lot of people could learn from it. I think this method helps raise awareness of path and how it feels more than a blueprint for "the only swing". We all need to play as naturally as we can and how our body defines us.
Piers - Andy. Thanks for putting out the video. You guys are awesome. Before I even try something like that swing thought feeling video, and make any change. I feel more comfortable in what i have been educating my self on your videos. Keep up the great work. Guys. Still love the smurf look and don't let it go.
+Gaetano Licari Thanks! ha ha. Me and My Golf Blue:))
I was sceptical at first but three months I will say this about the a swing...its really easy to do and very easy to get back in rhythm when your swing goes off the rails...the only real issue I have is using the technique when pitching the ball from 30-100yrds but overall I would say don't knock until you try it
jkee1718 Glad you have had some success with it.
In terms of the anatomy of a golf swing, how do you compare this with what is taught by RotarySwing.com Golf Instruction?
I would love to know if after 1 year of Andy being told these things, if he has implemented them and if they have worked? I'm seeing consistently with Hogan, Gacia, Sadlowski, Stenson, all have this aggressive angle downwards with the down swing, same as what David is showing here.
I played around with the A swing when it was first introduced with great fanfare and it worked really well, then it faded away and so did I. I just found your site and it rekindled my interest, so what happened to this swing. Is anyone out there still using it? and does the release with the right hand shoot the ball too high?
Does this apply to the driver also? I always see him doing instruction with irons seems like with a longer club that you're trying to hit up on would require a little different configuration
Yes, I've used this for several seasons, driving gives me a lower penetrating flight, with lots of roll out on landing, and I'm long for a 69 year old, as long as I've ever been in my 45 years golfing
Could you guys do a video on the release that Leadbetter is talking about in the video. I've been struggling with that lately and there is so many different approaches out there. Which one is the right way of releasing the club? You guys talk a lot about "catching the rain drop", but he seems to disagree here. What is the correct way?
Philippe Michalk Great point phillippe. Catch the raindrops is a great drill. A video on this release would be worth it. We will have a chat about it.
Love the video! My only question is, with the new release on the hands... would that decrees,stay the same, or incress club head speed or distance?
+John Taft That is a good question. As yet to try this out so unfortunately can't comment on this.
Hey Andy are you going to continue to use this swing or parts of it? I bought the book the book when it first came out and am using parts of it and it helps
John Rollins Hi John. I will be implementing elements of the swing yes. That's what we suggest people to do from this. they don't have to remodel their swing. Take what you can from this and see what can help you.
Meandmygolf It will be interesting to see after a while if there's any difference in your ball flight or yardage
does this swing work equally well for every club from driver to wedge?
Although it's not for everybody I highly recommend the "A" swing, it's nothing new actually and I've been doing the so called "A" swing for nearly 20 years. Leadbetter didn't even invent the "A" swing but he really put it into the mainstream by teaching it. Give it a try and you'll never go back to your old swing.
Sure wish you guys could/would come to the States. You're looking at a guy here who has absolutely no consistency in his swing. I have taken some lessons. I'm like when you take a car to the mechanic, I work just fine while I'm there, but back on the course I'm hitting them every which way. love your videos, and any tips you can provide would be great
IDK about this video cause it breaks away from having a nice sing plane, But I do really like the Piston action Drill.
Hi
Just watched this video and found it very interesting!! I personally think the idea of this swing can only help the average golfer especially those who suffer from over the top faults like myself
I've just been watching highlights from todays golf and watching rory mcilroys swing it looks like he swings in a similar way to this method especially creating the "v" plane is my amateur eye correct if so its proof it works well hahaha
Cheers
thanks so much I'm 13 and I made my varsity golf team
Jared Sanders Great Jared.
Nice video, interesting. Although I'm not a Leadbetter fan. Was a Faldo fan though
Matthew Collins Thanks Matthew. It is certainly interesting to see what it is all about.
I tried the a swing and it works
Tai Chi by Leadbetter!!!! He's so insightful.
wauuuu.. man.. exelente my idol .. DAVI .congratulation.. my Friends.
Really interesting video. Like how Leadbetter gets stuck in and starts moulding Andy into positions.
Coochicoo Yes it did feel different as well.
awesome lesson👍
seems to me as a high handicapper as a wider variant of figure of 8 swing mechanics.looks like it requires greater timing to square club at impact?
john
The hitch forces the proper mechanics.
5:14 reminds me of something Martin Ayers talks about in secret golf videos.
+Teppo Einari
THIS WHOLE CONCEPT IS STOLEN FROM MARTIN AYERS!!!!
There is an Australian guy who has also worked with Martin and Elkington who has been doing this for MUCH LONGER than Leadbetter !!!!!
Didn't you have an earlier video about the "A" swing that showed it required a closed stance? I can't find it now, so maybe I've lost my mind!
John White There is a link in the video at the start but yes a closed stance is encouraged by David.
Meandmygolf Thanks. Sorry, Im ooooooooold!
Was David encouraging a flipping motion at 13 minutes, with the whole throwing the ball release?
Thomas Waters Yes post impact Thomas
Belle leçon de golf !
After watching this video , I immediately think of Ryan Moore. This is just how he takes the club back. Did he invent the 'A swing' first. His swing looks text book A swing. What do you think. Looking at slow mo's of Ryan I doubt if most golfers could get near it.
Great Video!
Where can I get that short club? Help indoors and not destroy my ceilings
How did you boys rate a boomerang I can’t find one anywhere. This concept is a true revelation.
I really loved DL’s original work it was truly groundbreaking in those days. He backed his original concepts up with deep research into Ben Hogan, & then wrote a book based around this research and a series of videos. His work with Faldo was fantastic in the day. I can’t help feeling the A Swing was more a marketing gimmick, mixed up with experimentation.
The flap style release is the Mike Malaska / maybe a bit of Mike Austin approach. It looks like you could do your self an injury trying this method. But I realise it works for some folk.
I can’t help feeling that by removing the arm rotation you also remove one of the power sources in the golf swing. DL was always more concerned with accuracy versus power. Faldo was so successful in the90’s but then Tiger turned up in 95 and that era was gone. David Leadbetter remains one of the most famous coaches in golf, just hope David has moved back closer to his original mission & methods.
I tried this today when I got it right I hit my irons solid and one club further,cant wait to try tomorrow
Hi, David said in the video that this was a method that gave positive results for golfers at every level of play. What's your take on that?
This is very good advice he just makes it confusing. In laymen terms you want to have a one piece take away (hips and arms move together) with an early wrist cock bring the club up thru your shoulder. At the top of the swing you want to move your lower body first. You can never hit the ball too late.... If you want to learn this swing check out Christo Garcia's My Swing Evolution on RUclips. ALL of this is age old information and promotes the greatest leverage on the ball possible. (Classical Swing) A Draggers swing NOT a Flippers (of the club head thru impact)
It looks to me like from the top of the swing, the club actually makes a loop somewhat like Furik. (sp)
+Mike Rodrick Smiliar to Furyk but much lower Arm plane.
I am going to close my eyes and try to forget I ever saw this swing. Andy is waaaay better than myself or most here and the struggles he had with this swing were real! I don't know that is the weirdest looking (maybe technically great) swing I have seen in a long while. Jordan and Rory and Jason look nothing like this. Not that any of us could compare to them!
Leadbetters A swing is an adaptation for the average golfer struggling with consistency. It reduces the input variables needed to make a great shot. If youre talented enough to game a traditional swing as well as Andy then by all means stick with the status quo. If the traditional swing isn't working for you then maybe you should consider an Alternative Swing.
Insane pools off the deepend