3 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Changing My Golf Swing

[@bobreidy8665]

Mark, love your content and words of encouragement. I am 73 now and my swing is like a raffle, a winner ever now and again. But my 30hc reveals the truth. It's a long way from the 6 I was on as a teanager. Still love the game and still walk when I play 3 days a week. Keep up the informative content.

[@markanderson8006]

I’m 50 but watching your videos has given me belief that my best golf is still ahead of me. You and Bernhard Langer

[@michaelcoviello5567]

Working on making my inside out swing with my driver...has been reducing my awful slice. It has been a 4 year process. Starting to show results. HARD TO MAKE CHANGES WITH LIMITED TIME... but trying

[@justinstephenson9360]

I have taken a couple of years to change my swing. It is hard, you have to commit to the change and you have to accept that sometimes you have to take a step backwards in terms of performance in order to progress. What I found was that some changes I could understand and repeat consistently fairly quickly and they felt natural after a few hours of practice, but other changes were the opposite and even after a few months felt unnatural and difficult to repeat.

[@shep1582]

This video was personal to me as I experienced everything Mark said. I understand it's a business, but "it can be quick" comment from Coach Lockney, is so not believable. People need to understand you will get it, backslide, get better, get worse, finally get comfortable. Mirror work, attitude to enjoy the process & patience were my keys. Not easy but satisfying! This is you at your brilliant best Mark! Cheers!

[@StockholmNorra]

Thanks for a great channel and i have always struggle with getting the speed in the club. I have not understand how to do it. When you start change your swing i started to understand how you getting speed in the swing and more or less getting 20 meters more on the driver when i practis what you have explaine. Its working good at the range now but the hard part is to take it out to the golf course because you getting back to the old swing but the last rounds this year i hit the longsest drive ever and take more or less one club less if i compare what i did on the summer i even it was 10 degress here in sweden. I'm looking forward to next season because this year I've changed my swing to something new and better. Thx Mark for excellent channel and you explaine it so well.

[@DH-tp9ns]

I'm 58, fought the tennis elbow all season. I'm trying to hit the ball to hard due to the higher lofted irons. Time to go the route of the power bats as they say. I need to swing easier for the distance. The woods, no problem. You're right Mark, golf is a constant balance.

[@ajaytuk7416]

in my experience of 60+ playing years there are a handful of golfers I have known that changed their swing ( radically) successfully, or in your parlance we are a lazy ;-) The harsh reality for most amateurs playing for fun, is that your swing is your swing and it is generally more productive to make small adjustments ( with the help of a golf coach of course). Where I totally agree with you is the stretching and warming up - that comes for free and will make a big difference, even if you only do it for a couple of minutes waiting to tee off.

[@_Will919]

I was attempting to change my swing a year ago and decided "You know what? I'm 40 and I don't feel like practicing." I've accepted that I'm going to be a bogey golfer and shifted my focus to having fun on the course with friends.

[@leemzgoogle917]

I started taking lessons at age 60. I went from a 15 handicap to as low as a 3 in just 3 years, taking 10 lessons per year. About 20 of those lessons were on the backswing alone. Now, at age 65, I've slid back up to a 5 but I think it was well worth the effort, the money and the time. It's never too late to play the best golf of your life.

[@ESW206]

@@leemzgoogle917 agree. Lessons was a huge game changer for me just because feel is def not real

[@leemzgoogle917]

@@ESW206 Absolutely. I was shocked to find I was rotating the face open on the way back and my backswing, even with a wedge, was way passed parallel at the top.

[@stevenc9207]

@@leemzgoogle917 lessons are only good when you find a teacher that you sync with. When you have a bad teaching match, teaching actually can become counter productive and you can get worse. Just look at how different marks swing is from the past, if his teacher wasn't on board or synced with what he was doing, he would have a complete mess on his hands

[@leemzgoogle917]

@@stevenc9207 Yeah I don't disagree with that. I was lucky to find a teacher that I liked and trusted.

[@barryread3672]

Amazing timing on this video. I've been going through some changes in my swing to gain more power. As a 60 something I've had some aches and pains but have tried to push through them. Now I have a shoulder injury and can't play or practice until I heal. For anyone out there, listen to your body and go see a doctor if something doesn't feel right. Thanks for sharing.

[@drrob1963]

Years ago I played many times at my home club with a pro on the local Senior's rota. He played under par so easily - a joy to watch! He gave me advice just once, after a round. He suggested I change my temperamental slice into a draw. He gave me a free, five minute lesson and never mentioned it again. I found I could draw the ball almost straight away, but it felt weird. It took months and months of practise and play before it became a natural & reliable part of my game. It certainly worked, because this change dropped my handicap from 9 to 5, and I hit the ball so much better!

[@geraudcrowder3228]

Mark. I was working on a new swing for my irons and I improved dramatically. On the downside, I forgot how to hit my driver. In the past. My driver was my favorite club in the bag, but after my swing change. My driver became the worst club in the bag. I almost gave up on hitting my driver, until I say one of your vlog mentioning. You must get good at hitting your driver and not good at hitting your seven iron.

[@davehurley26]

Working on clearing hips at impact rotation ..keeping hands ahead at impact 😁⛳️

[@ThinkingMan482]

I've made a lot of swing changes over the last couple of years. I have not found it terribly difficult. There is a period of learning the new things but I dont find it takes that long for the new stuff to begin helping and feeling better, assuming it's a useful change. I think it makes a difference if you're being told you need to do something by a coach or whether you're working out some things for yourself. I have been making changes myself as I see things that are not working in my swing. I find it easier because I'm directing my own changes.

[@SolomonLi]

Great reminders! Gotta see how any new movements shake out with the different clubs. Swing changes are tough…I hate them but I also know if I want to get better and fun at work then this is the way got me. Thanks Mark!

[@lukejarrett1973]

Working on a few movements given to me by my coach. Constantly chasing feels up and down the bag- hybrids are giving me nightmares at the moment. For me at my age, warming up is super important. Just working drills and finding some strikes before a round-as well as the stretching and exercising- gives me more confidence to persevere during a round. I have also decided to focus on unfocussing from my swing changes and make sure l give myself time to practice the other skills-especially the ones that get me out of trouble! Had a average day on the fairways today, but putted 1.8 per hole- no 3 putts- which turned a bad score into an acceptable one.

[@papashuk26]

I worked hard to get down to a single digit but spent the season realizing I need to make more changes if I want to improve again. Just started and already the ego is taking a hit😂- I’ll get there

[@clientbuilding8737]

Mark it would be good to see a what’s in my bag video. I know you play zx4 which suprizes me for someone of your swing speed and skill set. I’m an older golfer using game improvement irons with a 8 handicap. I was considering going to a player distance iron. Would really like to hear your viewpoint on why you use the clubs you do. Please consider. Thx, Ric

[@chrisdrew6977]

Very relevant to me today gents 👍🏼 Really enjoyed your recent content also Tak, tak

[@joetato2227]

It takes 1500 repetitions to learn a movement pattern. It takes 4000-5000 to change one. 3 key ingredients believe in the change, patience and perseverance. Great vid!

[@mitchelmaley501]

I have currently been working on changing my swing with my coach and it’s going well. When this is more ingrained should we look at my clubs to make sure they are still best for the new swing? Loft/lie/length/shaft etc.?

[@Cornish_Maid]

I’ve changed my swing over the last 8 months, but I’ve got to be careful, as I’ve severe arthritis in both shoulders, so realistically at 65 with those ailments and others, I’m just glad to be able to still play.

[@LuckyChevy430]

I changed to a single-plane swing a couple of years ago. It felt really awkward when I started but I stuck with it and got the improved consistency I was looking for.

[@heahkl]

I am in my 60 and old swing just caused too much backaches. Switched to single plane swing and has been pain free and consistent in my ball striking. It works for me.

[@marke8006]

Biggest thing for me is don’t listen to ‘expert’ playing partners comments about your swing and just listen to the teaching professional at your course. And stick to the same one! We all swing differently due to individual body mechanics etc. I’m 53 with a 10.9 HC and don’t care about that too much, but I am focussing on consistent ball striking, after all I’m never going to make money from golf - just want to enjoy being out & playing as well as keeping active. Good video ⛳️🏌🏼‍♂️👍

[@davidmartin6862]

Trying to change an early extension and standing the club up on the downswing at the same time. Watched you for long enough to realise that one may be causing the other. 👍😀

[@ZiPolishHammer]

Swing rebuilds have an emotional trench. You'll reach an absolute nadir in the middle where you'll question why you even play the game, but when you come out the other side it's glorious.

[@larrysmith8002]

I also have recently started changing my golf swing dramatically to a more of a "stack and tilt" method to help with strike (fat shots mostly) and delivered loft issues. Been working on it hard since around the beginning of summer here in Virginia. Am noticing a more penetrating draw flight and strike has improved 100%. Wish I made the change years ago but had to finally decide to be "uncomfortable" for a while to be able to improve.

[@dalereid6952]

Once upon a time I had a good golf swing, 25 years ago I went to one of the first golf simulators and came out of there completely destroyed. Last year I went and had a club fitting and of course adjustments where made to my swing, thank God. Now at 68, I am about 18 months into completely rebuilding my swing it has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. The good news is there has been varying degrees of success and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[@TheBooze13]

I’ve changed my swing this season to gain a more traditional / repeatable swing and I’ve added 10 strokes to my scores. It’s been great

[@adambrown5894]

Extra practice. Smart.

[@papab3272]

Three years ago I developed a Kevin Na full swing yip where I couldn't take the club back. The only option was to completely rebuild a new swing. I'm not sure it will be mentioned but without having your videos and KZbin in general I can't imagine how much harder it would have been!

[@tigertim9232]

The other thing to remember on the aches and pain side is that while you are changing the movement pattern. You may be only able to maintain the new movement for 12/13/14 holes at the start because you'll fatigue(new pattern may use muscles that haven't worked like that in a while) then the old pattern creeps back in. It may take 5-10 rounds before you can maintain closer to that new movement across all 18. Tip I have is try to maintain a go to shot that once you feel you have fatigued then switch to it to get you home, not fancy but gets the ball in play. Does take a bit of self awareness though while in the middle of your golf thoughts to realise. Also ensure your fueling the body with a bit extra, maybe throw in some high sugar (crunchie) to nibble on over last few holes to get you home.

[@GolfQuestChannel]

Good tips Tiger Tim.

[@Zacharydderrick]

Best tip I know for making changes. First rehearse the old thing that you want to get rid of, and then rehearse the new thing that you want to do. Do this before every shot. Range or course. Until you feel like you don't need to rehearse the change anymore. And then keep rehearsing the change. Nothing helps you get to the new pattern better than remembering what the old pattern was and feeling it.

[@montegustafson5142]

I will be 77 in a couple of days and I have been playing since I was about 12. Over the years I have not lost any distance (due to technology!) but I have developed three major keys, which I occasionally get to teach others. 1: Get a good and proper grip to learn how to control the club. 2. Learn proper footwork to create a good swing rhythm. 3. Keep the head reasonably still (and head UP, not down) to promote a good upper body turn. The right swing changes will come when a player learns how to use his/her body correctly (and puts in the practice to "get it").

[@jamesbrown6372]

I’m working on my driver. It hasn’t performed all season. My handicap has gone in the wrong direction, I’ve struggled to get off the tee. My iron play has improved and my putting has too (according to stats). I just need to get confident with my driver again.

[@ozzie_golf1157]

Where did that tee shot go at the end! Lost ball that! 🤷🏻 I’m just changing my driver swing, irons are still ok but off balance a bit with driver! Always work in progress. 🤙🏻

[@lpagliacco]

After not playing for 10+ years, I tried on and off for the past two summers, and got back to where I was before, where I'd get a really reliable draw but without much distance. Now I'm working on de-lofting/compressing iron shots & increasing ball speed, but it's quite hard.

[@robh1791]

Going from strong grip to more neutral with some bow in lead wrist. Also (and a real challenge) get a full turn in through swing - less lateral.

[@samsessions9154]

I'm working on consistency with my wedges...hitting the back of the ball. Also...putting my ego aside. I FEEL like I should hit my Lob wedge 85 yds, and I do, SOMETIMES. But I try to hit it anytime I get an 80 to 90 yd shot, but it rarely gets there.

[@mikeb3835]

After 25 years of swinging like a wild man, which may be partially responsible for my lumbar spinal fusion surgery a few years back, I finally figured out that my sequencing was all off. After just one range session dedicated to sequencing, I can see a huge improvement, especially when it comes to stress on my body.

[@brianfischer4482]

I've never had a conventional swing, but course management, reasonable hand/eye coordination and an ok short game got me down to single figures. Sadly, I've just had to have a total wrist fusion of my left wrist. Goodbye to any cupping or flexing during the swing. Definitely going to need to adapt! Any suggestions (don't say take up a different pass time 😕)

[@thombendtsen399]

I’m working on “knife in the groin drill” from Jim Hardy

[@bga9388]

Every time you play or practice; first goal is to refind the swing. If not found, no worries. But after 3 times bad swing; it's time to change. The intervention can be anything yet always starts with keen analysis.

[@craigclemans966]

At 67 years old, I'm trying to be more consistent and hit the ball well. Distance isn't the biggest thing now. Also trying to get rid of the out to in swing. Can't hit the baby draw yet, but I am trying.

[@stephenhoy7286]

Jack Nicklaus never moved ball position, thoughts.

[@paulwilliams2638]

My first golf instruction book was by Jack Nicklaus, he played all his clubs with a ball position just inside his left heel if i remember correctly. And i think Ben Hogan was the same, and then they changed the width of stance for each club. I did read that Jack positioned the ball that way because he was wary of overdrawing the ball, so positioning the ball further forward helped him eliminate the left side of the course and encouraged him to play the fade which he preferred.

[@chrispearce9224]

I have worked on my game more this year than ever before. The game has improved leaps and bounds and I have worked in many good moves into the swing. But for every improvement I make, there is some type of movement I will lose...and it happens all of a sudden out of nowhere. The most recent debacle; I changed from a baseball grip to the interlock grip. Gained at LEAST 20-yards on most irons and increased the gap between the clubs. The 7-iron went from my 150 club to 170-175-ish. My 3-iron went from 190 to 220-ish. PW went from 115 to 130-135-ish. The ball 'fizzes' off the club face. This was all great for about 3 weeks and 5 rounds of golf. Dropped from 14-hdcp to about 8-hdcp. Buuuuut...all of a sudden the shanks developed in my short irons. I didn't think much of it at first but things got bad. I can't full swing 9-iron, PW, 50°, or 54° now. So things like that. Earlier this summer I was able to shape shots with any club I wanted for about two weeks and 4 rounds worth of play. Then, out of nowhere, started chunking everything except driver. Which then lead to thinning (skulling) a lot of shots. I keep telling myself that the pros are constantly changing or modifying things and they never get it sorted out. So that's how I keep my mind at ease. LOL. Keep having fun and keep working on the game when possible.

[@chrispearce9224]

I take it all back. Went to the range earlier. Tried hitting different parts of the club face like Mark suggested in a much older video (Please stop shanking your golf shots). Then realized I was not rotating properly in my backswing...and now I'm back to hitting pure again.

[@cxnels2]

Just wondering if Mark actually found that drive at the end of the video given all the fog. If so, I'm impressed!

[@bryanthompson1524]

Right now I'm trying to supinate my trailing elbow in more than just having it fall down, and now I'm battling over hooking and having the club too far inside when I get too quick with my back swing. It's awful trying trying to find that middle ground. I feel like Helen Keller trying to safely ride a bike across railroad tracks.

[@mrmalteser24]

Thinking hard about changing swing as I have a bad slice of the tee. I've always over compensated for it then I hit it blooming straight. Lol

[@brianellis5146]

I don't know about other people, but I found major changes easier to install rather than the little ones. Major changes come with a major feel change, so it's easier to make sure you're actually moving as you think you are. With the minor ones, well, my brain was like "yeah mate we're doing it" and the video evidence was like nope! And also, as you are moving muscle memory, there is this point between the two settings where both feel wrong. That's the hard point, because it's normally here that derailments occur leading to capitulation.

[@jimmahT]

Thanks Mark

[@russellpartridge4615]

3rd point is exactly what I'm experiencing as I write this 🤣🤣🤣🤣 great video as normal 👍👍

[@royclose946]

Well done mark 👏 👍

[@danottmer5284]

Struggled with Driver to the point of Yips on the Tee Box - Went to a PGA Pro for lessons and yes lets work on the irons to fix your Driver - No, doesn’t work went to another Pro and she sorted it out - but working so hard on the Driver effected the rest of my clubs - Golf is Hard Mate!

[@timwemyss742]

I'm trying to decrease loft and increase strike and compression with my irons and my 'woods'.. such a hilarious and difficult challenge.

[@fontking1a]

"A stick, a ball and hand-eye coordination". Can you imagine a carpenter worrying about how he uses his 20 oz. framing hammer or his 16 oz. roofing hammer and whether he's 12" from the nail or 12.5" from the nail and whether he's hammering horizontally or vertically? Can you imagine Bobby Jones or Sam Snead worrying about their hip position as they start their downswing? Just because during these times we've got all this "high tech" equipment doesn't mean there is a new, better way to hit a golf ball. You might consider Annika Sorenstam for a moment and her very simple, elegant swing. Her shots never left the the pin. She didn't worry about any new moves at all. She did however, build up her body and gained distance which is fine. You guys are great and I love watching these videos but golf isn't as complicated as you think. I would urge you both to consider that "if something hurts", don't do it because it shouldn't hurt at all. The skill of a golfer is knowing how to hit a shot he's never practiced. Once you figure out how to do that, you can hit the shots you do practice all day long and never miss. Bubba Watson's mega-hook at 18 with a wedge to win The Masters and any one of a hundred of Tiger Woods recovery shots were not anything they practiced. They know golf is "a stick, a ball and hand-eye coordination" and not a bunch of perfect positions to recreate in 1.2 seconds. Keep up the great videos. Once you fully understand what I'm saying, your golf games will drastically improve.

[@oliveradami199]

excellent points there mate. cheers (from a 58 y old....)

[@mufc778]

this is where im lucky as i change it with every shot

[@Dreyno]

I’ve always used a knife and fork the “wrong” way around. By the time I realised I was doing it wrong I couldn’t be arsed changing.

[@ohiomoto]

I miss Buggie Time!!

[@gtflyer]

Weak at 50 ? Try changing swing movements at 74 with scoliosis and arthritis in your back. And to top it off I've lost over 30 pounds of muscle mass. None the less, I work hard on my game and it show according to friends at the golf course. Keep at it young un..

[@billglab9044]

Fun stuff

[@guybrown1865]

I changed my grip, it felt strange, now the other way does.

[@Powder148]

There are coaches that don’t teach how to hit a driver? That’s bizarre to me because you get loads of confidence if you hit fairways, on a tee making it easier to hit than other clubs and once you get it dialed it’s so much fun to smash a drive down the middle. Guess they don’t want to have fun!

[@bobbywickes8937]

Such a shame about that fog, that is such a special part of the course.

[@maamold]

I wish I knew my gut would get in the way more with my new swing

[@pmportella]

i change my swing every 4 m0nths :), no joke really. even the driver whihc is a club i actually hit well, i change it.

[@gunnarjinx]

STRETCHING will help with everything in golf .... elbow problems too.... stretch the wrists and shoulders and one be good very very fast.... make sure u can bend all over.... knees to maximum and all sorts ... had all the pain and got it all solved with geniuses at work.... trust me ... ;))))

[@shep1582]

I want to share so much about my process, but no one will read it. LOL! Also, I am not hating Coach Lockney's "quick for some" comment, but being realistic with people and explaining that's it's almost impossible to learn ANYTHING in life immediately is the recipe for sustained change, not quick fix.

[@alcw625]

made a major swing change to the driver....took me two months but now it's gone from a liability to a real weapon....now if I could only putt🤣

[@Erictheking66]

I've managed to get from 4 to plus 1 over the past 4 years. I'm 45 now and I'm playing with people knocking it 30+ yards past me so I was thinking of trying to gain speed this winter but thanks to this video I've decided to knock that idea on the head as I've never liked hard work 🤪

[@Powder148]

I open my stance more these days, older I get the less rotate the body

[@Chris-yj1zg]

My misses holds a knife and folk the wrong way round... let's see what takes longer to change, my swing or her cutlery holding 🤣

[@easyswing007]

You wait until you boys get into your sixties you're going to feel every ache and pain when you get up in the morning. Get out the Tylenol

[@PapaPedro1000]

I think the notion of changing a golf swing suggests there is some form of consistency for a change to actually be evident. I play off 8 and know my swing is slightly different most swings. IMO building a repeatable swing is the hardest part of golf if you’ve achieved it, don’t change it. Learn to work with the pros and cons.

[@howardstory1391]

Good video but I wish it was in English….😊

[@zittyrrrs7082]

I had 6 lessons when I started in the 70s and then 6 more when I started again in the mid 90s . A driver lesson? The pros would rather have stoned me...🤯

[@DavidCollie1]

change my swing every time I swing...

[@joelafives]

Golf is hard

[@brianminhinnick8277]

it is frustrating

[@MC-nb6jx]

I got to two handicap without much practice. To improve from there I’d need to practice and work on certain things.. I couldn’t be arsed, I much prefer playing “fun” golf with my mates rather than practicing sooo much to improve.. For me (I’ve won often enough name in gold) it wouldn’t be enjoyable, so I play now to enjoy and enjoy the crack👍🏻👍🏻😁😁

[@paulmichaels3655]

The tin man needs his oil

[@paulmichaels3655]

1st

[@garethjamesjones123]

😴