Game is out of wack, so should I S&T

ZealousGolfer · July 21, 2007

I recently came back from a month long period away from home and away from my sticks. After a very highly disappointing range session, my game is totally out of wack. I mean, I have absolutely no feel for the club. Thus, my swing produces numerous hooks, slices, and everything in between.

Unfortunately, when I left, I was playing some of the best golf of my career (which was good considering I have a golf team tryout in August). Now, I'm not sure I can get back to shooting in the 70's in time.

Since my swing has disintegrated, I was considering switching to the S&T. I feel as though I could pick it up quickly since I have few "habits" in my swing right now.

How would you recommend I go about making the change to the S&T? Any pointers, drills, etc. that would help?

Thanks,

JP

mat562 · July 21, 2007

I wouldnt, in short.

Making fundamental changes (like going to the stack and tilt swing) isn't the best way forward in my opinion. It will also take a long time to ingain and, if you're not hitting the ball well anyway, it will involve major work to get any sort of progress.

I'd get out and have a lesson from a teacher you trust, since a break can lead to errors in the fundamentals creeping in, which can have major effects on your game, feel, and obviously confidence. Something small can have massive repercussions and lead to all sorts of follow-on problems in the swing.

If you've had a lay off it's natural to be rusty and lose the feel of the club. I speak from experience, after ill health took me out of the game (as a 1 handicapper) for a couple of years. I came back and couldn't hit a straight shot with a 7 iron and my clubs felt like lead ingots to me. I almost gave up as it was so discouraging, but I now play reasonably again after a lot of practice and attention to the fundamentals.

If you were a decent player before, hitting the ball never really leaves you. Just work at it. But don't look to get a new car because you've got a puncture.

Just my opinion. Good luck!

ZealousGolfer · July 21, 2007

I just gave the S&T a shot, so here is a video of my swing from down-the-line:

Any suggestions?

jimbonecrusher · July 21, 2007

I wouldn't consider changing to the Stack and Tilt, just because of the hype that is surrounding it. If you already have a good body turn, and clear the hips really well and hard, then by all means try it. I happened to have taken only one part of the stack and tilt and incorporated it into my golf swing and it has helped me. I too the first part of the swing and focused on transferring less of my weight to my right side. I keep more of my weight centered and focus on keeping the base of my neck centered over the bottom of my spine. This has allowed me to turn my lower body more and also become a lot more consistant. It has helped me hit the ball a lot straighter and I also don't block as many shots right. The added bonus is the distance that I have gained. I have picked up about 5-10 yards across the board. I have seen lots of gain from these changes, but I think that my swing fundamentals were well suited to the minor changes that I made. I did not take the entire concept and put it to work, as I didn't think that I needed to.

If you have a strong swing with good fundamentals, then don't change a thing. Get a lesson from a pro and see what tips they can give you. Also focus on the short game, as that is what will help you keep the scores low when not striking the ball at your premium.

smatts · July 21, 2007

Any suggestions?

I'd suggest to try and get back to your original swing. If you were shooting 70's with a swing I wouldn't try something completely different. It is easier to relearn something you were doing well then try something completely new I believe.

leekgolf · July 21, 2007

In looking at your swing, it's very good and I would look at a few things. You have a flip through impact that makes your swing very dependant on perfect timing. That's what causes your chicken wing on the follow through. Work very hard on getting a flat left wrist through impact.

ZealousGolfer · July 21, 2007

Yeah, I definitely agree. I think, probably from practice, I had the move down pretty well before my trip. However, I think that might be why I am hitting the ball poorly. Even with the S&T, I still am drawing or hooking the ball pretty hard.

Any idea on what I can do to correct the problem?

ZealousGolfer · July 21, 2007

In case anyone wants to check this out, here is my swing face-on with S&T sorta in there:

Enjoy!

JP

leekgolf · July 21, 2007

Yeah, I definitely agree. I think, probably from practice, I had the move down pretty well before my trip. However, I think that might be why I am hitting the ball poorly. Even with the S&T, I still am drawing or hooking the ball pretty hard.

Any idea on what I can do to correct the problem?

Check out "CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER FLIPPER"

(How Ben Doyle taught me to have the Flattest Left Wrist in Golf)

brianmanzella.com

Diesel · July 21, 2007

your conventional swing is out of whack, so try a whole new swing... yeah makes perfect sense to me...

sarcasm meter should be going off, cause i laid it on THICK...

ZealousGolfer · July 22, 2007

Sorry Disiel, but in defense of my own rationality: I had essentially forgot my old swing, so I felt the time was right if I did want to make a change. Before my trip, I had considered making the switch, so the time seemed right since the old swing wasn't feeling so good.

Plus, from my understanding, the switch to a stack and tilt swing isn't that hard. I tried it and gained some distance, but still struggle with the hard draw. I suppose it doesn't really matter what swing I'm making if the wrist action is still overly active.

Diesel · July 22, 2007

from teh vid you posted, i don't think you're familiar with everything involved with the S&T... i'd stick to your original swing and just get back to basics...

i see no reason to try something alltogether different if you were a 70's golfer a short time ago...

MisterMizzy · July 22, 2007

I'd get a lesson before changing/trying anything new. It's possible that an instructor could spot the minor things that are keeping you from being where you were.

djbehr · July 31, 2007

Let me offer an opinion from someone who did switch to S&T. On only the SECOND day of using this swing, I shot the best score of my life. I hit 3 irons from more than 150 yards out inside 3 feet. I was a 14.2 HC before that 80 and became a 13.3 immediately afterwards.

My point is, if it's a swing that I can adjust to THAT quickly, there may be something to it. Why not try it for a week or two (or maybe even a couple of days)? If I may, I'd like to just quote my two posts from another blog.

Another person sold! I went to the driving range and hit 60 balls with it. I hadn't hit my irons that crisply in 16 years, maybe ever. It looks like I picked up five or so yards in length too.

I also played nine holes with it. I felt like a college level golfer out there. On a par 3, I banged my 4 iron to about 5 feet from 200 yards out. I don't think I've ever hit the green on that hole.

I expect I'll drop my HC 4 to 5 strokes in the next couple of months. w00t!

Also, I didn't have much trouble with the driver. I kind of created an amalgam (sp?) of the ST swing and my current one. For me, I just made sure that my backswing kept my right elbow close to the ribcage and my take away was a bit more inside. I hit a ton of drives with a slight draw. It was beautiful.

Unfortunately I had a slight muscle pull between my shoulder blades before I started but I was hitting the ball so well that I went out and played nine holes. Despite the pain, I was hitting the ball so well I continued. However, at this point I'll be out for a couple of weeks. I can hardly move now. :beach:

2nd post about this swing.

On my second day of using this swing I shot an 80. And let me be clear: I was hurt for two weeks and didn't hit one stinking ball in that time. Unbelievable. I hit 3 or 4 irons over 150 yards inside 3 feet. The best one was my approach shot, into a stiff wind on a long hard par 4 (hardest hole on the course). I knocked a 4 iron 187 yards to 2 and a half feet. Tap-in birdie. This swing is EASY.

I've been playing just 2 months after taking 16 years off, and I think my HC back then was about a 13.

WARNING: I think I was over exaggerating everything in the swing and it caused me back pain. I was making too big a shoulder turn, and instead of flattening a can I was trying to flatten a diamond or something.

Woods? I've decided to stick with the my prior, modern swing. I have too high a launch angle and too much spin off of my driver anyway and don't want to make it worse. I'm just adding the "right elbow to the ribcage" take-away to take it back more inside.

I look forward to breaking 75 by the end or the year! w00t! I plan on bringing my 13 HC (it includes scores from not having played for 16 years) down to 6 or so by then.

spearfish · July 31, 2007

Stuff this S&T!!!

The best players in the world aren't using this method, so why bother with it.

The best way to refine your swing is to take your current swing and work with a coach to nut out all the problems and further develop it. You weren't shooting in the 70's for no reason at all.

Get on the range, do some video analysis and take it from there... If you've lost the feel for the game. I suggest go and play 9 holes with 3 clubs.. 4 iron, 8 iron and putter.. This will get you playing different shots with the incorrect club and will start to develop your sense and feel again.

my $0.02 worth.