Toe Down
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Gabriel McKamey
4 months, 1 week ago
When I used to used to have access to a launch monitor I had extreme toe down at impact, obviously I was early releasing quite extremely. I am in a much better place now with my swing, but I still do see very skinny divots sometimes which tells me I am still doing it. I have done a lot of the release mechanic videos and have a strong understanding of the release even if I don't execute great. I believe I have a good impact window for long clubs, and an appropriate smaller one for short irons. but I am probably unhinging the wrists too early still.
Just curious if you have a fix for that so I can get a nice flatter lie angle at impact. I know the wrists are supposed to be fully extended after impact at about parallel, and probably shortly after impact for wedges. My only thought is to try to hold off a bit, but didn't know if there was another way to think about it.
Lastly, just so I am more certain I am understanding the proper release mechanics - it is an unhinge, basically straight down but with the forearm rotation which is what brings the club around to impact (and extension to lead the clubhead upwards). Which feels a bit awkward transitioning away from the hitting at the ball - but when I do get contact I get the nice compressed feeling and ball flight. Is that correct way to think about?
Thank you in advance for any help!
- Gabe
5 Replies
Tyler Ferrell
Coach
3 months, 4 weeks ago
Hi Gabe,
Your release description sounds accurate. I'd be curious to see it. Sometimes awkward feels are good, and sometimes awkward feels are an indicator that something isn't quite right. It takes checking in on video to figure out which scenario we're dealing with.
Many times, the toe down divot pattern is more driven by the shoulders and arms straightening too soon, rather than just looking at what the wrists are doing. Do you have a DTL video? It's hard to unhinge too much or too early if the other pieces are working. It might be easier to see what's actually causing your specific toe down pattern if we see it.
Happy Golfing,
Tyler
Replying to Tyler
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Gabriel McKamey
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Thanks Tyler, I always plan on posting a video but for some reason end up procrastinating it and never executing on setting up the tripod/camera and all of that. I think there is a self conscious aspect of sharing my swing too.
I have a follow up question after watching all of the hand path videos, one of which was my member question, very helpful still. It is still related to the release because I realize I stall at impact and am still swinging too much at the ball than through, despite awareness and training to do otherwise. I have good backswing rotation and downswing rotation up until impact I believe, in order to get the hands to swing naturally through impact I need to clear the left side. I have considerable weight transfer, and bracing practice to open up the hips, and even the ab crunch to connect that to the downswing, but I think I need a swing thought or feel to get the upperbody/torso past impact to keep the body rotating to help me get to a finish position.
For feels, I have experimented with the shoulder but I get spinning shoulders, I feel like using the left obliques gave me better results, then the chest kind of naturally extends through. It also feels for the shorter the club the more open the chest needs to be at impact to get the hands and club through without throwing. Does that sound right?
Also FYI your AI tool is amazing at finding the insights and content I am in need of.
Replying to Gabriel
Tyler Ferrell
Coach
2 months, 1 week ago
Hi Gabriel,
I get the barriers to posting a video. It's helpful for me, but no pressure. I'll still try to help based on descriptions.
If you hit a plateau on a skill (like not stalling), it usually reflects an unresolved barrier. One area that often gets overlooked is shoulder connection. Which it sounds like you're addressing with the "without throwing" comment.
PS - glad you're enjoying the AI tool, I think it's only going to get better, thanks for helping us test it!
Replying to Tyler
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Gabriel McKamey
2 months, 1 week ago
After writing that I actually went to the range and used my camera, need to get over that extra step of setting up a camera. 1 DTL and 1 FO, and a version of each at .2 and 1.00 speed.
I appreciate you taking a look a these, I think I am using 8 iron on these.
Your seminar on early extension gave me lots of food for thought, and clearly I early extend more than I thought from these videos.
Replying to Gabriel
Tyler Ferrell
Coach
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Hi Gabriel, Sorry for the delayed repsonse. We're making some changes on the back end and I missed this in the transition.
As far as your early extension and arm straightening timing, I would most likely start with follow through drills. you can see in the picture how much your position changes from backswing to downswing. I'd see if you need to feel more of the side bend in the hips, or head first.
Try this station at home or at the range. https://www.golfsmartacademy.com/golf-instruction/side-bend-visual
Happy Golfing,
Tyler
