Leadbetters A Swing

[Tcuthbert]

Ogy.
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[NoTalentLefty]

Just bought the book also. Will see where it leads. Have tried this before with the stack & tilt, swing surgeon, etc. swing surgeon only one that was easy to implement. Still a sceptic but what the h3ll...

[NoTalentLefty]

Love the A Swing grip. It keeps me from overpowering my top hand

[Martee]

Well I intended to give 'The A Swing' a go once I finished with June's club events. Now
I am kind of wondering, reading the forums comments gives me pause for concern.

I have read the articles, viewed the various videos and spent some time on Leadbetter's
A Swing site. Also I am now on my second reading of the book.

I find that a number of the traits of The A Swing are something I already do. I do think
that The A Swing being defined as an approach and that variations for individuals is
expected along with that absolute positions/alignments are limited only to impact makes
this a viable option for me to consider.

I have tried a few swing attempting to mimic the entire describe approach, the short and mid
irons seems to be easy to adapt too, the hybrids, fairway woods, and driver have not enjoyed
the success. But then this is probably a total of 21 balls on the range.

I hoping to hear more from those who are making The A Swing journey...

Keep the posts coming.

[gigemaggs99]

Question about the A Swing Grip?

I'm still plugging away with the A Swing, still loving it.

I don't seem to be sore at all after a round of golf, not like I was with a traditional swing. I do notice however, that my right hand will be sore after playing. The middle (larger) knuckles on my right hand of my middle and ring finger, will be sore when I finish playing. Similar to if I jammed them playing basketball, or they feel like they need to pop, but won't.

Has anyone else had this issue? Any tips?

I notice the grip promotes more of a right hand finger grip, but it sure does put the hurting on those 2 fingers for me.

Thanks for any tips.

[planeshifts]

Was watching the British Amateur final a couple of days ago on TV and the winner Romain Langasque looked like a poster child for this.

[scratch72]

If you stay connected and don't roll the face the handle will come inside with out intentional moving it inside correct?

[TMTGolf7]

[quote name='bph7' timestamp='1432524817' post='11621214']
[quote name='mattwood' timestamp='1432524522' post='11621188']
Why do I have a hard time believing that you are really interested and not looking for another opportunity to be negative. Must be a personality trait. The book has been out, what, a couple of weeks? Does your handicap drop significantly in that amount of time? Do your swing changes bring big of a change to your scores in that time? It seems that it just chides you that some people are really having some success with this since it seems to be your personal mission to denounce it.
[/quote]

You are reading way too much into this bro. Just asking a question. Multiple instructors on here lower handicaps by multiple strokes after a couple lessons, so based on some of the responses in this thread, I'd expect similar results. I'm just asking, I'd expect that many people have reduced their caps by a couple strokes, wouldn't you based on some of the responses? I hope people are getting better, I'd doesn't bother me at all, I'm just curious about what levels of succes we are talking about.
[/quote]

If david leadbetter showed up on these forums people like you would s*** your pants. The only reason instructors post of these forums is because they aren't successful not to be, they need the exposure.

[spider]

[quote name='TMTGolf7' timestamp='1435012714' post='11813606']
[quote name='bph7' timestamp='1432524817' post='11621214']
[quote name='mattwood' timestamp='1432524522' post='11621188']
Why do I have a hard time believing that you are really interested and not looking for another opportunity to be negative. Must be a personality trait. The book has been out, what, a couple of weeks? Does your handicap drop significantly in that amount of time? Do your swing changes bring big of a change to your scores in that time? It seems that it just chides you that some people are really having some success with this since it seems to be your personal mission to denounce it.
[/quote]

You are reading way too much into this bro. Just asking a question. Multiple instructors on here lower handicaps by multiple strokes after a couple lessons, so based on some of the responses in this thread, I'd expect similar results. I'm just asking, I'd expect that many people have reduced their caps by a couple strokes, wouldn't you based on some of the responses? I hope people are getting better, I'd doesn't bother me at all, I'm just curious about what levels of succes we are talking about.
[/quote]

If david leadbetter showed up on these forums people like you would s*** your pants. The only reason instructors post of these forums is because they aren't successful not to be, they need the exposure.
[/quote]

Wow welcome. If those "unsuccessful" WRX instructors post in this thread will you S*** your pants?

[SPIF]

[quote name='TMTGolf7' timestamp='1435012714' post='11813606']
If david leadbetter showed up on these forums people like you would s*** your pants. The only reason instructors post of these forums is because they aren't successful not to be, they need the exposure.
[/quote]

You're full of s***.

[Dave1978no10]

been messing with this swing, tried it on course last night, some really nice iron shots with it, but slicing driver,,,will give it some more time, love the feel with irons

[chershey]

Introducing the A Putt by David Leadbetter (sorry I was watching an lpga event and couldn't resist)

[hdcp0]

Just read book and tinkered with the swing at range....really puts me in a good position at top.

With my old swing I was always a little quick and often stuck to inside.

So far this new move is working. Slower backswing and transition.

Taking it to the course today to see if it holds up!!!

[Jersey golfer]

[quote name='hdcp0' timestamp='1435413074' post='11844180']
Just read book and tinkered with the swing at range....really puts me in a good position at top.

With my old swing I was always a little quick and often stuck to inside.

So far this new move is working. Slower backswing and transition.

Taking it to the course today to see if it holds up!!!
[/quote]

Curious, how easy was it to implement on the course?

[barryw710]

[quote name='Jersey golfer' timestamp='1435444151' post='11846326']
[quote name='hdcp0' timestamp='1435413074' post='11844180']
Just read book and tinkered with the swing at range....really puts me in a good position at top.

With my old swing I was always a little quick and often stuck to inside.

So far this new move is working. Slower backswing and transition.

Taking it to the course today to see if it holds up!!!
[/quote]

Curious, how easy was it to implement on the course?
[/quote]
It feels a little funky at first. Takes a while to get it smoothed out. But this is the most fun i have had playing golf .. ever. Have not hit a slice in a month. Was 1 under on back nine earlier on in the week. Consistently breaking 80. If you are looking for simplicity and consistency I would say go for it. I am a convert. Its not a gimmick even if some of the trolls on this website beat up on it. It works !!

[aust1nkk]

[quote name='dodger' timestamp='1430239613' post='11458863']
Before this gets out of hand, look at the facts. 1. Monte is correct, he said there is no magic move and there is'nt one. 2. David Leadbetter pioneered modern teaching and has a lot of responsibility for golf instructors making the money they make. 3. The A swing is a marketing concept, but the pattern is a valid one. 4. He works with Lydia Ko, who is arguably the best golfer on the planet. In her last fifty tournaments, she has won seven, had 29 top tens and made the cut in all 50. Finally, any pattern that is different in some respects deserves attention. It likely won't work for everyone but there are a lot of crappy golfers out there that would do better trying anything different than what they are doing now. Interested in hearing how this pattern helped the author of the topic. Author of the topic, Monte said absolutely nothing that was untrue, nor did he criticize Lead. Back to original programming?
[/quote]

She didnt use the A-swing in all those tournaments.

[lyate]

I must say that I am genuinely taken aback by the vitriole directed at David Leadbetter in this, and companion threads! Here's my own two cents! I had the great privilege of having a 3 hour session with David Leadbetter (part of a charity auction package won by my spouse and given to me as an anniversary gift), about five years ago; then only having played golf for a very short time. My swing and my swing thoughts were a mess. On the day of that session, I was a nervous wreck, thinking that I was in over my head, and doubting that the folks at the Leadbetter Academy would provide much empathy. Instead, when I arrived early morning for my 3 hour session, I was warmly greeted by Sean Hogan who put me through a series of warm-ups and an evaluation. About a half hour later, I was introduced to David. David patiently covered the fundamentals with me, grip, alignment, etc, moving to basic swing sequence. At all times during that sesson I was of the opinion that David Leadbetter (and Sean) were genuinely interested in making even this beginner into a better golfer - and they did! My 3 hour session with David lasted over 4 hours; and my golf game permanently improved - supplemented by the Leadbetter swing setter, instructional books and dvd's, all of value!

Now, along comes the "A swing." I do find the grip and backswing different from that which I was taught at Championsgate. And, I do remember David telling me that I had to settle on just one swing, and to stop the "paralysis, through analysis", spawned by watching, listening, and reading The Four Magic Moves, Jim Hardy, Shawn Clement, Michael Breed, [i]et al.[/i]

Nevertheless, I am now tempted to give the A swing a try; this, because I know David to be genuinely concerned with advancing the skills of [u]every[/u] golfer, not just tour pros!

One final anecdote from my session with Leadbetter! As you stroll through his practice complex, there appears on the wall of the entranceway, the Sharpie signatures of just about every major name in golf over the past 40 years, wtih Greg Norman's at the top, Nick Faldo, Nick Price, Ernie Els - and on and on. Looking at David, I remarked that I had a Sharpie with me and would be happy to sign on my way out - that was the only trepidation I saw in David that whole session!

Clearly, I'm a believer!

[TexasTee]

[quote name='lyate' timestamp='1435923771' post='11881036']
I must say that I am genuinely taken aback by the vitriole directed at David Leadbetter in this, and companion threads! ...
[/quote]

The internet breeds the anonymous nature of this contempt. You can't hold anyone accountable for their statements. Reminds me of the old cartoon that showed two dogs at the computer, one saying to the other..."on the internet, no one knows you are a dog."

[Jersey golfer]

[quote name='barryw710' timestamp='1435446663' post='11846526']
[quote name='Jersey golfer' timestamp='1435444151' post='11846326']
[quote name='hdcp0' timestamp='1435413074' post='11844180']
Just read book and tinkered with the swing at range....really puts me in a good position at top.

With my old swing I was always a little quick and often stuck to inside.

So far this new move is working. Slower backswing and transition.

Taking it to the course today to see if it holds up!!!
[/quote]

Curious, how easy was it to implement on the course?
[/quote]
It feels a little funky at first. Takes a while to get it smoothed out. But this is the most fun i have had playing golf .. ever. Have not hit a slice in a month. Was 1 under on back nine earlier on in the week. Consistently breaking 80. If you are looking for simplicity and consistency I would say go for it. I am a convert. Its not a gimmick even if some of the trolls on this website beat up on it. It works !!
[/quote]

It has been a couple of weeks. How is the A Swing holding up? Any difficulties utilizing it with woods?

[SuperPunch]

I've moved on because of the difficulties with the woods, and my chipping seemed affected, but I will say that some of the feels from the A Swing when it went well definitely has helped.

[NoTalentLefty]

Still love the grip.

[Denny71]

Between this and the Zipper away drill. I choose this all day long

[Randombloke]

I bought the book a month or so ago. Reading through it I was struck by how much of the "A" swing was actually part of Leadbetter's teaching method from the 90's.

For about five years years in the mid-late 90's I was coached on-off by Dennis Sheehy who was Lead's European Director of Instruction at Sand Moor GC in Leeds, Wyke Ridge and Garforth Driving Range before he moved Stateside. He worked extensively with Lead as Faldo remodelled his swing.

I certainly recall (and have video of) being taught to start the swing by pushing the left shoulder down, an early wrist set taking the club back fairly vertically, and to feel the shallowing out of the the plane at the start of the downswing. It was pretty much the Nick Price move. A short backswing with very connected arms worked well on the range but I always fought a disconnect at the top and an overswing based upon the desire to hit the ball as far as I could.

The other thing was the release of the club and shaft angle through the ball was the same angle as the backswing of the A Swing is now, i.e / not \.

It certainly worked as I came down from 15 to 8 pretty rapidly before I started to get the chipping yips which caused me to quit the game for nearly 12 years.

Back to the present and I started again and purely by chance my backswing featured club head outside the hands, clubface echoing the spine angle, more vertical backswing plane. No overswing as I am now 53 not 37.
My ball striking improved before I got in my own way and started scooping and bottoming out behind the ball.

Using the A swing model I am back to hitting my irons well, higher, longer and with better control. I like the feeling of being very connected and a short, compact swing.

Time will tell. I don't like all of it as I like a more conventional top of the backswing position, don't want to mess with my neutral grip and I go to see my club pro.

Thjat said, certainly with irons it seems to work. My GC2 numbers have improved, I am hitting the ball further with less sidespin, more ballspeed and better launch angles. I now have a soft draw rather than a push fade.

For chipping/pitching I prefer to ignore the A swing and be a bit more natural and less forced.

I also incorporate some of the A swing for the driver but not all of it because I worry I might come in a bit steeply.It also strikes me that there is an element of stack and tilt about it.

Just my experience.

For all the Leadbetter haters, I also like the philosophy of Monte Scheinblum, he talks a lot of sense about synchronisation and arm swing. His short game video is excellent.

[scratch72]

The A swing doesn't seem to get much love here. Had a hard time finding this thread. Anyway does anyone know if DL wants the arms to just go along for the ride on the down swing or are they active?

[NTKT10]

[quote name='hdcp0' timestamp='1435413074' post='11844180']
Just read book and tinkered with the swing at range....really puts me in a good position at top.

With my old swing I was always a little quick and often stuck to inside.

So far this new move is working. Slower backswing and transition.

Taking it to the course today to see if it holds up!!!
[/quote]

You were already scratch with your old swing, maybe all you needed was the intention to slow down your backswing and transition to get a little more synched up. Best of luck to becoming an even better player than you already are.

[Millbrook]

Video of 2 English coaches discussing the A swing for those who are interested;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6akWVwovRQ&feature=youtu.be

[A.G.Blade]

They do an excellent job explaining it. I've a much clearer understanding now

[Coldnorth]

I went through what Monte was describing in terms of the right shoulder and EE not with the A swing but simply trying to shallow more and come from the inside. It took me about six months to develop a bad move and about a year and several lessons with a local pro to get my shoulders working properly again. The thing I hated is that it would show up in pressure situations like a tight driving hole. I bounced many balls off rooftops until I finally got it fixed.

[Slothead]

great topic, glad it's here. getting some new clubs and this book later and a new start, just in time too. i was thinking about online or private for lessons but this looks like a swing with some consistency built in it and easy to learn. nice to see he even did videos here.

[QuigleyDU]

I say do whatever makes the game more fun for you.