BEST Golf Swing Fix? - Pause in the Backswing - Golf Test Dummy

Stop Slicing? - Fix Over the Top - Golf Test Dummy
#stopslicing #overthetop #golftestdummy
Should you pause at the top of your swing? I have an over the top move to start the downswing, much like many of you out there. Taking a split second at the top of the backswing might help us get a better sequence in our golf swing. It might remedy quite a few things that plague us as golfers.
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[@bobmansfield1226]

Good subject well executed .You may not be a pro coach, as you have said before, but your complete honesty about trying to help mere mortals with problems you and many others find with the game of golf is truly respected. Thanks Chad and please keep these instructional videos coming. Stay Well.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Bob! Always honest, and I'm no pro. But even us regular guys can offer some valuable insight.

[@chrissnyder7968]

Spot on!!! And for me, hesitation at the top allows me to finally hit my fairway wood (3 Wood) consistently. The opposite of "pause" at the top is "bounce" at the top, feeling that if I can bounce/spring it from the top I will get more power. As you correctly point out, it is all about the timing and for me, bounce at the top KILLS my timing because I cannot control the bounce. The hesitation at the top is right up there as one of the most important aspects of a good swing timing for me. Nice to see someone cover this topic.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks so much Chris! Nice to have the hard work and time appreciated.

[@chrissnyder7968]

I just stumbled upon this yesterday at the range and started looking for videos that might address. this topic. I was so tired at the end of a 3 hr session, that I was "accidently" pausing/hesitating. It was like my brain finally had an opportunity to recalibrate in prep for the downswing. For the first time I FELT the transition. Watching a Hideki Matsuyama video now and I can really see what it means to transition from the top. Thanks for letting me rattle on ....

[@GolfTestDummy]

Hideki is a PRIME example of this in action. Absolutely.

[@troyroussell]

Your comments couldn’t have been more timely. Just came back to golf after an approximately 10 year hiatus. Wasn’t hitting the ball crisply and timing was just off in general. Tried this yesterday and OMG instant difference. Much tighter grouping, great distance, and no more hand vibration. Hope this continues to work for me. Great video!

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Troy, and I'm thrilled to hear it. At some point, any new thought or focus like this CAN start to fail. Just remember; It's not all of a sudden trash. Something else had to change. Even the best hit slumps, so stick with it.

[@irishgray812]

Great video, I started doing this with my swing and have seen a great improvement with accuracy and distance. To help my mind remember to take the pause I take breath when at top of swing. That split second helps.

[@GolfTestDummy]

That's so good to hear that other people like you are seeing and feeling that improvement from such a small change.

[@mickbarrett3498]

Great video again pal! I've implemented a short pause at the top of my back swing. Definitely increased the distance and quality of the strike. Definitely well worth taking the time work it in to the swing. As always, keep up the great work!

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Mick!

[@strongisland7015]

Yes sir!! Good stuff Chad, I read in the 100 top instructors book, they recommend to pause long enough like water is at the club head and to wait until it falls into your grip which would only take a second. I never really tried it but after seeing you have good results I’m def going to give it a shot! Thanks!

[@GolfTestDummy]

It's gonna look like it doesn't exist on camera, but in your mind, it needs to be very noticeable.

[@pigaman1]

Hey Chad A while back, I started making an effort to take the club back low and slow. This has been a help so far. What I started to realize after a while, that this was automatically adding a pause in my swing. It did not dawn on me until a playing buddy asked me why I was "hesitating" at the top? I had no answer because I wasn't aware that I was doing it. Maybe it's a feature not a bug. Lol.

[@GolfTestDummy]

And thats the thing; If you consciously make a change like that in the beginning, over time, it will become habit.

[@kirkabryan]

Looks like you have freed up your mind and your motion with that thought of pausing. Looks great.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Kirk! It ticks a lot of the boxes for me.

[@indrujrai6030]

Great content! Personally, the pause has been a game changer. There are days when it’s harder to implement the pause and need to exaggerate the feel. Never experienced the importance of tempo until this swing thought. Excellent tip!

[@mikewalker1885]

I told you it worked didn't I 😀 just picture/imagine Freddie Couples, he has a gorgeous pause. Rhythm and timing cure many a swing flaw. I really like your side by side comparison, the exit out of the circle is well shown but also the time of swing from start to end shows the pause as the right swing is slightly behind the left one in the backswing yet it beats the "with pause swing" to the ball. Great stuff.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Eddie!! Yes sir.

[@billhill4929]

So weird that I watched this just now, I was at the range today and that’s exactly what I did stop at the top extending my left leg and my hips and wham I mean right down the middle unbelievable!

[@GolfTestDummy]

Haha, not all youtubers can be psychic, but hey....

[@chrismitchell5496]

oddly i couldn't see the pause... but i believe it. Shawn has one and i have tried before, may need to revisit... great stuff!

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Chris. Like I said, the feel for me was that I was up there longer, but in reality, a good pause feel equals the slightest hesitation.

[@nathanreynolds9434]

Great stuff man. This has quietly become my favorite subscription.....

[@GolfTestDummy]

Stop lying Nathan! Your long nose will get in the way of your swing.

[@alkershaw304]

What’s up GTD. Great stuff. The pause at the top helps me after the wheels have come off. That’s why I think. I’m gonna say the word, I’m gonna say the word “STILLNESS” I believe can help almost any high handicapper. Next month JVGA. Keep the videos coming. Good luck 2021.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Al. Stillness is the ultimate pause, lol.

[@Ipdex]

I've been struggling with my swing and recently simply started to 'try and feel the club at the top of the backswing' - Jesus.. I don't stop or pause at the top (and the top is quite short by the way) but I don't start down till I 'feel' I'm at the top - in other words - complete the backswing in temp. Man, it works like nothing I've ever tried before bar none.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Agreed. It just makes a huge difference and it's so simple. It fixes so many swing flaws.

[@petersiggaard1108]

thums up from Denmark

[@gregoryedwards8781]

this was totally me! Thanks for this

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks for the support Gregory!

[@gregoryedwards8781]

@@GolfTestDummy and I should say this IS me. I can finally put the towel behind the ball and get ball first contact. This was huge for me.

[@GolfTestDummy]

So happy to hear that this helped. 🙌

[@nukzmilson4710]

Interesting....

[@allenkeough2629]

Have you tried the JV swing with the pause at the top. Watched a lot of your jv videos and your misses seemed to be pushes or blocks which comes from early extension Maybe the pause would help you hit more consistently from the inside and get that baby draw. Keep up the good work, love the videos.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Allen, and no actually, I haven't tried that. That's a great idea and you're absolutely right. I haven't used the JV swing in a very long time.

[@Tm-eg2lx]

I didn't see a pause But it looked like you We're much less rushed and smoother when you started the downswing I'm giving it a go Fingers crossed 🤞 Still loving the video's 👍

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks T! Everybody is saying they don't see the pause, but that's what I was eluding to. I feel like I'm up there a full second, because I'm so used to having zero time to transition.

[@danorou4107]

Just moved to your area! What are some of your favorite local courses? Looking at memberships at piney point or tillery tradition.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Good deal. That's about 2 hours or a little more from where I'm at. Tillery Tradition is really nice. Good practice area and clubhouse also.

[@DavidBrown-rm6nz]

Chad, you are a student of the game without a doubt. Your studies take you in all sorts of directions. The pause at the top is a worthy element to consider but like most of such swing thoughts, it is mechanical and will probably become exaggerated or under exaggerated within a short time. Have you read W Timothy Gallways book “ The Inner Game of Golf” and/or “Tour Tempo” by John Novosel (videos possibly available). Both try to help the golfer prevent the hit instinct by giving the conscious mind something to occupy itself and encourage a more natural swing. Match this to having a clear task. Enjoying your vids and I like all the methods you have tried over the past year or so. I’m a big fan of Shawn Clement, Jim Venetos plus Moe Norman and Ron Sissons. All the best for growing the channel.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks for that David! I havent read that, but I can tell you that I've had that exact thought and conversation with several people. Good to know I'm not crazy, lol.

[@randyvelder949]

Animal lol looks very solid and powerful

[@j1238066]

I use the pause by saying in my head "Up Down, Up Down " 4 or 5 times then swinging it's like turning your swing into 2 parts up then down, keeps me in sync

[@garyvale8347]

I also have a practice net and hit my irons almost daily...I just recently discovered that counting " one " at the top of my backswing helps stop me rushing my downswing and I can drop the club into the slot nicely , sometimes hitting some very solid shots......not sure if I should actually try this on the course just yet, as I sometimes will still hit the ball poorly..... .......thoughts?.....thanks

[@GolfTestDummy]

The pause at the top has never been a bad idea for me personally. It's just like anything else, in my opinion, though. It should be a means to an end, and it shouldn't be such a focus, that your brain loses sight of the task at hand.

[@jamarllj]

This is similar to Hideki Matsuyama. His pause is a bit longer. I have tried this and it really seems to work. Great content as usual!

[@GolfTestDummy]

Yes! Hideki. Great example of that perfect pause.

[@cklam8722]

Hi Chad. ? Congratulation. You found it! From my humble 25 years golfing experience, allow me to offer some of my thoughts. The real thing is - that "Pause", I would like to define it as a fraction of a second preparing for your left hip to lead the down swing. As much so, that "Pause" is to eliminate the impulse to pull the club down by just using your hands. Again, that "Pause" is set to have all parts of your body to swing cohesively with your lower body, especially your legs driving for power. Check out Justin Thomas. One of the few straightest hitter in PGA. He does that "Pause" at the top, and he also jumps up from the ground on the tee box. But not so much with his iron shots hitting down to compress the ball.

[@GolfTestDummy]

I've watched JT swing a lot. He really gets a great transition and change of direction.

[@wormburner7237]

I have the same problem. Have you concluded that the pause is the remedy for the steep downswing? I guess you still can whack at it even if you make the pause. Do you also make your arms more passive due to the pause or how to you go about it.

[@GolfTestDummy]

With Shawn's approach, the pause is almost an inevitability. It's natural when you are using momentum like a toss or throw.

[@N4865G]

Does it apply to JVGA golf swing, too? Thanks

[@GolfTestDummy]

I would imagine so. Might even enhance it.

[@v4du]

Quite a few years ago a pro named Mike Wine came up with a 3 second drill. He would have you stop halfway back, stop at the top and then swing through. It worked surprisingly well.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Awesome stuff. I'll see if I can find some info.

[@v4du]

@@GolfTestDummy it might be hard to get more info. He did a video that was marketed somewhere (it might have been pre golf channel) called 3 seconds to better golf that I got on VHS.

[@joeditzelgolf8305]

I've heard it called Freezers, too. Good comment.

[@safetyfy007]

Great analysis. Do you still try and stay closed at address?

[@GolfTestDummy]

I think I've done that for most of my time golfing naturally.

[@cadarnell1]

Was there an instructor that gave you the pause at the top swing thought? Great video !!

[@GolfTestDummy]

For this video; No. But of course there are a few that talk about the pause at the top. For me here, I'd certainly heard of it, but hadn't really tried it for myself.

[@cadarnell1]

I’ve seen Shawn Clement a bit and It looks like he pauses. I just wondered if maybe he said something to you about it. Nevertheless i will be working on this swing thought soon. I am committed to being able to hit the ball better even if i don’t score as well. The very bad fat shot plagues me and causes me mental stress on the course. Thanks for all your work here. Much appreciated!

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks CA and best of luck to you. Stay tuned!

[@kevinjones340]

I stumbled across your video also after watching Shawn Clement talk the same, making strides…. #CabarrusCountyStrong

[@GolfTestDummy]

Haha! Small world! That's awesome.

[@Tsloane]

Did you bring this swing thought to the course? I find it worked well for me on the range, but on the course, I found it more difficult

[@GolfTestDummy]

Everything, in my experience, is always tougher on course. I did take this out and it works absolutely brilliantly, as long as you can calm yourself and focus mentally, while in the context of playing a round with consequences and distractions. It is certainly difficult in the beginning, but will get better in time with diligence.

[@Tsloane]

@@GolfTestDummy thanks. It’s something I’ve considered committing to over winter and hopefully being natural by next summer because I do feel I hit the ball much better when I get used to it

[@charlesbadgero4454]

Another gem…..… Tommy Armour always mentioned “the pause” in his teaching. If you don’t know who he is, google his name. He had quite a resume.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Oh yes, I've watched and read some Tommy Armour stuff. The Silver Scot.

[@dlovull1]

If you look at professional swings they start the downswing with their lower body before the club has reached its top which results in significant lag which helps create the speed they can achieve. Fred couples is a perfect example of this technique. Problem is you better be very flexible and in good shape or you can hurt yourself. The term for this type of swing is a snap release.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Absolutely. And for me, and the overwhelming majority of us, all that dynamic, super-athlete torque could put us in the hurt locker, or, in the very least, give us some bad golf.

[@dlovull1]

@@GolfTestDummy I should have said somewhat in good shape it’s just a shift of weight to your front foot. Otherwise just put your club at the top of backswing and stop then swing down.

[@toobad41]

I did not see a pause but if you feel it, it must be there. I use the number one hundred and one. I say one hundred slowly on the backswing and then say to myself one at he top which then initiates the downswing and the hips with everything moving at the same time.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thats a great thought. Might try that Rene.

[@joeditzelgolf8305]

Same here. On my own swing videos, it's the same. If I try to pause, it feels like an eternity. When I look at the video: Where's the pause? lol

[@alanmartins6349]

Lee Comeaux says otherwise and he's one of the best ball strikers I've ever seen along with Dalton MCcrary another great ball striker.

[@GolfTestDummy]

I cant argue with Lee's ability. I've spoken about him in video before, and he's a legend. I wish I had half of his skill, but no way am I, or most of us, even close, lol.

[@alanmartins6349]

@@GolfTestDummy Trust me I understand your pain impossible to swing like him, lol.

[@natmcintosh6698]

Interesting gtd. But the over the top thing is hard for me to understand. Just hanging on to the right hand wrist hinge will fix all that till everything gets going. Looks like your throwing it away pretty quick maybe that pause is helping you load and hold it a little longer.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thats possibly one of the things the pause may help. The transition and redirecting being rushed from the top means that the sequencing can go awry. With a slight hesitation, it could help some people to create a proper load, without throwing it away too quick.

[@natmcintosh6698]

@@GolfTestDummy check it out the wrist releasing the elbow has got to go with it. You can throw the club behind you holding the wrist hinge and see what happens.

[@natmcintosh6698]

Check out Eric Corgono golf utube. Ran into it yesterday. Trail arm internal external rotation about 3 years ago and his recent video about stacking the elbow and wrist and throwing the arm across the chest. There you will find your answers to the backswing and downswing. The difference between rerouting and 1 plane and how to really compress a golf ball with the stack.

[@GolfTestDummy]

I've watched a bunch of Eric's stuff in the past, but the stack sounds like something of his I havent seen. I'll look. Russell Heritage is another big elbow drive guy as well.

[@bayougolf7524]

Chad It is a strange feeling “trying “ to pause at the top ...to stop the action before the beginning of the reaction we really have to engage our onboard computer to make this happen but with practice it’s not that hard and surprisingly beneficial to the reaction part of the golf swing The pause at the top can also get us to slow down where we should be doing anyway (for some) to get all the tumblers into place at the bottom of the swing Those last 3 strikes were on the money 👏👏👏👏 Good subject matter ...I’ve gotten away from it and shame on me

[@GolfTestDummy]

Always tough trying to reprogram the machine.

[@bobmansfield1226]

So nice to have Steve of Bayou Golf watching your videos and commenting on them. Another totally honest man trying to help other golfers.

[@alanmartins6349]

PS, you have to look at Michael Brodrick mind blowing

[@GolfTestDummy]

I've watched a lot of his stuff, and mentioned him in the second episode of Sunday's at 3 with GTD.

[@brotherderek]

Keep working on it, because the pause was very minimal. Maybe a bit more might be awesome.

[@GolfTestDummy]

Absolutely. Since I have never allowed my transition to develop at all, the slightest pause is a good thing.

[@solskivenrt7516]

Stopp slicing? Swing the Weedon Way 👍

[@GolfTestDummy]

I'll check that one out. Haven't heard of it.

[@solskivenrt7516]

Yeah, do that. For me it is not naccessary to do it that exstream - a little less do fine for me 😊 Greatings from 🇳🇴 Norway

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks for the info! Great to hear from the other side of the world.

[@swardmusic]

u need to hit up colinn McCarthy golf for some lessons man. watch his live vids on IG too

[@brianmoss9399]

This is the same path Charles Barkley went down with his swing! And you do not want to end up like Sir Charles!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@GolfTestDummy]

Haha, yeah there is always the risk I end up in a bad spot.

[@wotseeschops]

Great video... 👍 Do you think one mans holy grail is another mans banana skin... ? It seems you could try out new methods for eternity... ! 😉 Still, while the world's in lockdown why not... Really enjoy the videos... 👍

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Kenneth. And absolutely, yes. What works for one, could be a disaster for another. I've heard the term "matched up" a few times from different coaches. The idea makes perfect sense.

[@wotseeschops]

@@GolfTestDummy I'm waiting for the day when you find a method and say 'yeah that's for me'... and then I can copy it, play brilliant golf, attract loads of women, grow my hair back, put my socks on without groaning and all will be well with the world... ! 😉

[@GolfTestDummy]

Hahahaha, man if I could grow my hair back..... I'm hoping one day I will have that revelation. That I've found the one.

[@thomasfraser9072]

The early extensions and the flip is a flop. Over the top is simply when we loose our golf posture. Re routing the golf club is controlling the golf swing and is a no no as you have to give up control to gain control Trying to hit the golf ball is bad. What did that poor ball ever do to you? No real pause is needed. The backswing and downswing at the top of the best swings occurs exactly at the same time. Your pause video worked better for you because your head stayed down on the ground slightly longer at the impact zone then the no pause video. Cheers

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks for the tips Thomas!

[@thomasfraser9072]

@@GolfTestDummy thanks. For me personally since I unlocked my wrists feeling the weight of the club head moving back and forth my swing has become more real to me then ever before. I now simply swing my club head back and forth with the weight and mass of my hands placed on the handle of the club to counter balance the weight of the head of the club. At the top of my swing, I can only sense the weight of the head of the club bending my trail hand even more now then before. I believe this is the ‘ pauses’ you are now feeling that allows your hands and entire body to do the ‘real swinging of the club head yourself until 4 inches post impact when the weight and the momentum of the club head takes over your entire body to finish your swing for you. The fact Is we never see our body doing what it needs to do; but for years we listen to professional teachers as they confuse us more, telling us what to do with the various parts of our body we never see. A good swing is already inside all our body; but the only possible thing we can see is the blurring action of the club head 4 inches past the ball. Hence I do what I call ‘The Straight Big Blur Golf Swing.’ I hope I explained myself well.Cheers

[@mslu62]

Cool video. Please stop the technical terminology. Call it what it is flipping goat humping. Don't feel bad these faults plague millions of golfers including myself. In my opinion the pause does two things . It allows the lower body to start the downswing and it allows the upper trail arm to go external in the downswing thus shallowing the club. Anytime you pull the hands down or let them come out you will be steep guaranteed. If the trail elbow and only the trail elbow moves toward the ball line you will shallow the club. By pausing at the top and starting the downswing with the lower body this happens automatically without thinking about it. Hey it works for that Hideki Matsuyama guy and could work for many others. Finding something that works is great but understanding why it works is even greater. Did you pay for that haircut ?

[@GolfTestDummy]

Thanks Mike. I think.... lol. To be fair; Using the term "early extension" is probably just as much technical terminology as "upper trail arm" and "elbow going external". But we agree on the pause having positive side effects for sure. The haircut has been in place since about 1996, and I haven't paid for it in over 2 decades, lol. I always do it myself. My hair started leaving early on, and no way was I going with a combover.

[@swardmusic]

do u pause when u throw a ball? swing a bat? kick a ball????