Jimmy Ballard

[garyt]

> @ggpro said:

>

> > JB will also do a remote swing analysis. At some point I want a remote or in-person analysis/lesson from a top-notch Ballard instructor, any one with a sharp eye. I've been digging It out on my own. This way makes me feel best about myself and I've made great progress (but it's been slow!). But at some point I am going to be out of ideas and I'll need expert help to improve.

>

> If you want to send me a video of your swing I’d be glad to look at it

>

>

> I'd definitely take you up on that. Maybe I'll just post it here and everyboy can chime in.

>

 

 

[garyt]

Bump

[Ayersjj]

 

 

SET-UP

-Feet with the driver should be atleast shoulder width apart.

 

-The right foot is turned in; the left foot is flared out 45*, but keep the hips square.

 

-A straight back at address promotes a level, less around swing. Drill: put the club behind the ball, then look at your caddy in front of you while taking your stance, then lower the eyes to ball (gets rid of the hunched look)! Weight lifters position for posture.

 

-My a** should feel under me like I holding something heavy. Sticking the butt out kills the legs.

 

-In the grip, both hands oppose each other in a neutral position.

 

-The ball is a few inches inside the left heel for full shots.

 

-The chin should be up, and the chest high.

 

-The shoulders should be level at address with the left arm connected (short left arm at address).

 

-The left arm points down at a address, not at the target.

 

-The right arm should be above my left at address, not tucked under.

 

-Both knees are braced in at address.

 

-At address, the arms form a triangle with the butt end pointed at the middle of the chest bone.

 

-Measure to the ball at address by hovering the club just above the grass.

 

 

 

BACKSWING

-On the backswing there is a loading of the weight into the inside of right foot and leg. Get the right hip to the wall, instead of moving away from the wall.

 

-Coil the left shoulder behind the ball. Turning the right foot in towards the target helps keeps the right leg braced.

 

-The left arm should be bent and feel short the entire swing.

 

-The thumbs both feel like they are under the shaft at the top of the swing.

 

-The club works straight back (not around) with no forearm rotation. The triangle formed by the arms remains intact with the butt end still pointing at the chest bone.

 

-No angles set or cocking of the wrists and the toe should be down at the top of the backswing.

 

-The left hip and left shoulder all get behind an imaginary line drawn up from the ball.

 

-Maintain a short left arm on the backswing (connection).

 

-The right shoulder works up, not around.

 

-The right wrist is flatter, not cupped. This helps keep the club in front of the body the entire swing.

 

-The left heel comes up, and the left knee points behind the ball.

 

-Keep the same amount of flex in my right knee from address to the top of the backswing.

 

 

 

DOWNSWING

-The right side stays high at the start of the downswing. Split grip practice swings to help get this feel.

 

-The hips and shoulders work level through impact with the eyes releasing to the target (aka. Annika, who Jimmy thinks has the most sound swing in golf!)

 

-If the head stays down and still through impact, there will be a hang back in your finish...REVERSE C!

 

-The only cocking in the swing "feels" like it is done by the elbows, not the wrists.

 

-Both elbows "feel" like they point down to the ground on the backswing, downswing, and when you finish.

 

-The left thumb and elbow work like you're "thumbing a ride" through impact. Don't get separation between the arms, this leads to a blocked position.

 

-The elbows should finsih close together with a full body release. For good measure this can be exaggerated when making practice swings.

 

-Finish with the right shoulder where the left shoulder was. The weight should finish on the left toes, not the heel which leads to spinning out.

 

-The finish mirrors the backswing.

 

-The weight finishes on the left toes. When you go to your toe you’re not going to hook it, it will help you to swing down the line!

 

-In the finish, the shoulders, eyes, and hips are all level and the player should finish at full height with the club in front of the body and no weight on the right foot.

 

-Feel light in the right side at the finish.

 

 

 

 

 

November 9, 2017

 

 

 

-Turn my right foot in to help me load my right side back to the wall with no sway.

 

-Stand more with my a** under me at address.

 

-Feel like the right side stays high on the downswing. Make two split hand practice swings before each shot to get this feel.

 

-Work on feeling like I am maintaining my levels, especially on the downswing.

 

 

 

December 1, 2017

 

 

 

-Feel like I am hitting a knock down.

 

-Both elbows point down and spring the shaft while keeping the right side high.

 

 

 

December 19, 2017

 

 

 

-Don't let the left knee lock on the through swing, instead keep the flex in my left knee and finish with the weight on my left toe.

 

-Work on holding my balance until the ball lands.

 

-Practice with two alignment rods 6 feet in front and 2 feet apart and hit balls through them like they are a doorway. This drill gets the right side high and the upper body on top at impact and through the ball.

 

-Widen my stance a little more and flare my left foot out about 45*, but don't let the flared foot open my hips too much. Pinch my knees in and grip the ground with my legs.

 

 

 

March 14, 2018

 

 

 

-Let the eyes release to the target faster on the downswing.

[Ayersjj]

You have to “Dig it out of the dirt” find your own feels and swing within Ballards fundamentals.

 

The above post is from Speedster notes with Jimmy Ballard. I found them as I was looking thru notes on my phone but couldnt find them on this blog anymore. I hope it can help some folks because its all good Ballard stuff.

 

Happy Swinging

Ayersjj

[Ayersjj]

 

[Boise59]

> @Ayersjj said:

>

>

 

Rocco looks like he's taking a dump lol!

[Ayersjj]

hes suppose to b pinching the dime not dumping but hey hes playn the tour we arent . That is about as humanly possibly u can release a club was my first thought for he likes to sling it right

> @ggpro said:

> > @Ayersjj said:

> >

> >

>

> Rocco looks like he's taking a dump lol!

 

 

[torbill]

> @ggpro said:

>

> > JB will also do a remote swing analysis. At some point I want a remote or in-person analysis/lesson from a top-notch Ballard instructor, any one with a sharp eye. I've been digging It out on my own. This way makes me feel best about myself and I've made great progress (but it's been slow!). But at some point I am going to be out of ideas and I'll need expert help to improve.

>

> If you want to send me a video of your swing I’d be glad to look at it

>

>

>

>

 

ggpro, maybe I can do you one better. Good chance that we will be passing through the SF area in mid-September and I could have you give me a lesson. What are you near?

 

 

[Boise59]

I’m in Danville, 45 minutes east of SFO

[garyt]

So I just got a Right Angle 2. Holy cow am I inflexible! No way I can see me making a swing with this thing on even set at full!

[torbill]

> @ggpro said:

> I’m in Danville, 45 minutes east of SFO

 

This might work. We’ll have our plans sorted out by about the end of this month. Could you send me your location so that I can give it to my navigator?

[Puttersaurus Rex]

After 6-7 months of practicing what I have taken from this thread, I am playing better than ever. I still have a long way to go, but it is nice to find some swing thoughts that "click" for me. Slowing down my swing, and working on tempo has also helped. I try to think of the following:

 

-Proper balanced stance, head up

-Grip mostly with left pinky, and right index and thumb (for right handed). Weaker than what I typically did.

-Elbows down, and left arm connected to torso

-Hover ball just above ground, and imagine hitting the lower front side of the ball

-Wide/slow takeaway, shoulder turns up and the arms form the triangle

-Fire from ground up, then release through the target line

-Balanced finish

 

I still have a long way to go, but the improvement in consistency is making this game fun again!

[connected86]

My teenaged son is just getting started with golf. I'm interested in introducing him to JB's ideas. Anyone know of any good instructors for this in the Philadelphia area?

[Ayersjj]

> @connected86 said:

> My teenaged son is just getting started with golf. I'm interested in introducing him to JB's ideas. Anyone know of any good instructors for this in the Philadelphia area?

 

I would send tapes directly to JB

 

 

 

[dougkpga1]

I met Jimmy at an Australian PGA Teaching Summit 2000. Changed my game and teaching tremendously for the last 20 years. Now also teaching my son Jimmy's way from the start.

Just wondering what happened to the youtube video of the Ballard Flick debate?

Cheers from the Gold Coast Australia

 

 

[torbill]

Not sure. They come and go. Probably copyright problems. There is a good one up now, where he discusses his seven common denominators.

[Ayersjj]

Speedster has it on his youtube channel

DJ Morris

[Ayersjj]

Keeping ur back facing target at start of downswing and letting arms drop is total crap

 

[Ayersjj]

I noticed Butch Harmon is now taking lessons from Gankas for his pull hook with irons.

[dodger]

thank goodness that's the reason for the lesson, I thought it was to sell magazines.

[Ayersjj]

Snipe hook

 

 

[golftech]

I’m considering switching back to JB’s teaching this year. I worked with both Ballard and Sam Byrd as a kid and was a very natural, powerful, consistent way to play. Always felt I was loading, then unloading with full release of body, left arm folding, right arm extending and covering the ball with the toe of club. Getting older now, swing slowing down and hoping springing the shaft, pinching the dime feel gets some of the speed back.

[Ayersjj]

Welcome back @golftech I found myself in the same predicament 30 years go. Ballard book is the best out there imo.

[Ayersjj]

What I have found with JB. The key downsing move priority is to swing ontop of the ball to cover. The rt hip is up and left elbow down. Many leave JB method because they think they need lag Or think its too much OTT . The method doesnt work if u are going to mix fundamentals. For example what teacher tells you to feel ontop of the ball with a high right shoulder? Havent found one in 30 years. JB strikers all “cover” the ball which is an allusive fundamental for many.

[golftech]

Yeah, need to pull his book out.

[golfer07840]

As far as I can tell, there isn't one PGA pro swinging with Jimmy's method. I wonder why? (Rocco aside, but he has deviated too).

[Ayersjj]

I think u may be correct. One of the things JB wants from his students is for them to be able to go do it by themselves. I believe he about the only guy of all the teachers Haney, Foley, Harmon, Smith that doesnt run around with a ball and chain on his student filming them whenever they miss a green or hook a shot. Its very evident still in all his players his teaching. I cant tell you who hes working with now, but to his benefit hes had some health issues and I believe hes mid 70s in age. Take notice too Butch Harmon just quit teaching and took a lesson from Gankas for his pull hook. U wont see Jimmy Ballard asking for anyones advice. As he has said, he got it right the first time, why try to improve it.

Just because a player from his stall doesnt credit him doesnt mean he didnt impact a life long players fundamentals. If Sutton isnt all Ballard I dont know what is .....

https://www.golfchannel.com/video/golf-channels-swing-360-wrap-around-camera-technology

 

[golfer07840]

Sutton is way beyond his prime. I'm talking about top 100 players caliber.

Even finding a Ballard instructor these days is like Indiana Jones going off and finding some artifact in the South American jungle.

[Ayersjj]

@golfer07840 cant help ya bud. Call JB and ask him. I guarantee he’ll improve u from 16 handicap tho. Good luck
[img]https://s3.amazonaws.com/golfwrxforums/uploads/993/C08SEX1LV2NJ.jpeg[/img]

[golfer07840]

Been there and done that. Driving the ball with that method I was never comfortable with. Loved how it felt with short irons and wedges however.