GOLF: Why Amateur Golfers Can't Hit Driver Farther (BACKSWING)

[@mclaugka]

All the comments on chest extension and keeping the head centered are great. I think you can make a big turn without letting the elbows spread and the arms get too deep behind you - I’ve been working with the smart ball per your recent video and it really helps you feel the stretch

[@CogornoGolf]

👊Thanks for watching, Kevin!

[@ForeverCello]

This instruction definitely deals with a problem I have always struggled with from day one and that is not having a FULL backswing. The half backswing I have is sooooo ingrained and habitual that it is near impossible to change it when I try and make a full backswing. I am looking forward (if it ever stops raining!) to trying the one-arm drill. Thank you Eric for another great instructional video.

[@CogornoGolf]

Our pleasure! Hope this one helps my friend!

[@leftyduffer]

I've been stuck in short backswing land for a year or 2. Other than Jon Rahm it's really hard to generate enough clubhead speed on a short range of motion. Dr. Kwon also has a great drill (stage 3) that is helping me open up backswing bigger.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope this one helps, Mike!

[@amichaels-v3]

Great session. I love your coaching style, Eric. And I too am a big fan of the one arm motion, that's my preferred method of warm-up / stretching. I am most-definitely going to sign up for a few of your online lessons. Can't wait to see how awesome you are coaching 1:1 / Remotely.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you for your support, Aaron! Awesome! We look forward to seeing you in the community!👊

[@johnherman3261]

Every golfer wants to hit the ball further. I’m closing in on seventy with old football injuries and arthritis. I like to think of my swing as a controlled swing to keep the ball in the fairway. I hit the ball from 230 to 250 yards. Yes I could try to gain the extra ten to fifteen yards but for me it’s not worth what I would be giving up. Love the video Eric, you’re the best.

[@CogornoGolf]

:) Thank you, John!

[@safetyscrewmarket]

250 is all you need with a great short game. I drive it 280 from the blues and am normally in the range 135 or below to the green on par 4s. The distance compensates for my avg short game. 🙂

[@pohoresky]

Cool thought to focus on getting butt of club as far away from ball target line as possible by moving hands up and back at top of backswing for extra length and power.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for watching, Harold!

[@jasonpereira5693]

Good information, drills and swing thoughts. I'm going to work on this throughout the winter months.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Jason! Hope it serves you well!

[@edwardbrown6245]

Very great video for me now I see the difference and the one arm drill ..thanks

[@CogornoGolf]

Our pleasure, Edward! Glad this one helped!

[@sigmagolfers]

Great video, I will try the one hand drill more. I know I don't extend enough, I'm afraid to take my eye off the ball...or come off centered.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you! To help with your extension and rotation...allow your head to rotate to your trail side near the top of the backswing (like you are turning your head to look at something 2 feet behind the ball). Your eyes are able to stay on the ball simply by moving in their sockets from there. Use video feedback on every swing and start short and slow! :) Hope this helps!

[@robertprevost732]

I feel that this video conflicts with a previous video, "JT fixed my swing in 15 minutes," where the lesson was on not overturning one's hips. In that video, the suggestion was to use a one piece backswing until your hips were about 45 degrees turned and then, leaving your hip turn where it is, complete your turn using the shoulders. That previous video made a significant difference in my swing because it keeps me from overturning my hips, which made it difficult to get back open at impact. I understand that previous video was about iron play and this was about improving distance with a driver. Still, that right-hand only drill encourages a hip turn that is really excessive, or so it seems to me. Should you turn your hips more than 45 degrees in order to get more distance? McIlroy is so flexible, he can turn 45 degrees with his hips and still get the butt of the club behind his head. That doesn't seem attainable for those of us who are less flexible and don't have the time to work on getting to McIlroy's flexibility.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Robert! I would look to combine the concepts from both videos to maximize your ability to turn and create depth of the arms, hands, and club. Your ability to turn while you extend is increased. In other words...if you stay bent over/in flexion, you can't turn. The body has a limited capacity to turn while in flexion, both on the backswing and the downswing. SO MANY golfers mistake this difficulty for a lack of flexibility. Straightening the trail leg can double the amount your hips rotate (your hips turning to about 45* on the backswing is a good checkpoint), and more hip turn means more shoulder turn. Hope this is helpful and thanks for watching!

[@ST-xg3gy]

Love Steve's "angular momentum"! Makes sense!

[@CogornoGolf]

:) Appreciate you watching!

[@peter2qg]

Looking forward to trying this out.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it helps, Peter! Thanks for watching!

[@creamabdul-jabbar6722]

Working out you’re right is a good thing to incorporate

[@johnrodgers6049]

Needs to be longer in the backswing, but not “fake” long. No folding of the arms to get pretend depth. Need the shoulder turn.

[@CogornoGolf]

100%! We need to retain good arm and wrist structures while maximizing our extension and turn👍

[@MyweathernetreportsBlogspot]

Please feature a 68 year old man, 20 handicapper maximizing his swing using these… like me. 👍🏻

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey John! Thank you for watching! You may enjoy checking out this video for more tips: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpOxnnudZsZneq8 Let us know if you have any questions!

[@zuke447]

Great Video, looking forward to the downswing piece!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Zuke! Here is the follow-up video! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXu3lHpnfKeLgLM

[@onesipwonder]

When your right arm around, club head way passed your head, is that mean over swing?

[@CogornoGolf]

Not an overswing, just a full backswing turn👊

[@kevinjo5339]

Hi Eric, love you videos, could you also make examples half swing tour drivers like Tony Finau or Jon Rahm. What do you think their secret to hit so far? Because I am not flexible like Rory that my back swing is so limited. Thanks.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Kevin! Thanks! The reality there is TALENT and SPEED. They would both hit it FARTHER if their swing was longer (there are som videos of Tony doing this) but since they can hit it SO FAR with a normal length swing.......like ridiculously far....they are afforded the luxury of shorter swing for more control and STILL hit it far enough

[@hizzyson]

Straight to the point. Great video.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you, Daniel!

[@NFiltr8Red]

One thing I have learned and teach others, different strokes for different folks. Not everyone can swing a club like you, nor will they. A good instructor should teach consistency but gradually implement proper movement without hurting their students. You can’t slam dunk a basketball, you can’t teach that if the person isn’t physically capable. Better to teach them to make 3’s all day. Mathematically if you break down a golf course, 175-190 yard drive and 90-120 pitches is all you need to hit par on every hole! Play the game to have fun and once you achieved that, birdies will come.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate you watching my friend!

[@jmack619]

The closed stance helps ?

[@CogornoGolf]

Yes! Pulling the trail foot back a good 2-3 in and flaring it outwards 20* or so can help with getting more turn and swinging from in to out. Appreciate you watching!

[@janclaussen2504]

Tolles Video, bis auf die Reklame!! Scgade

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for your feedback, Jan!

[@rizzo777777]

What is usually going wrong when you do the right shoulder move but it makes you lean toward ball too much?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey there! Hard to say without seeing your swing on video...but it could be as simple as you needing to feel more pressure into your trail heel. Ensure you are straightening your trail leg on the backswing to feel some pressure into that trail heel to start👍

[@marc-andresabourin9394]

"Even though my golf shots reach a relatively good distance, they are always very high, which penalizes my overall distance. Is there a solution to this?" Thank you

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Marc! I'd be able to help you best if I could see your swing! Send swing videos to CogornoGolf.com so we can analyze and fix for ya👊

[@moosehook]

I will give this a shot. I am getting older and find with my shorter swing, it takes a lot of forearm strength to hit it my 275 yds average now. Can I incorporate the lengthening part in my irons? I know the set up will be different.

[@CogornoGolf]

100% you can! Yes!

[@steviek6484]

Honestly my first thought when watching this video is that for me this looks like a back/neck injury waiting to happen. Just trying to make basic swing changes at 75% this past 6 months I have hurt my back and neck several times and had to take breaks. Like the guy said maybe I need to do Pilates or yoga or something. Putting my body in these odd positions and probably incorrectly as I learn has not been kind

[@jimgold5582]

You should try finding a stretch Zone Studio near you

[@CogornoGolf]

Haha I hear ya...all good Stevie! Thanks for watching

[@rteach1]

When I try to get the club head closer to the target, I can’t keep my left arms straight and I “jackknife” the club. I also am more likely to come OTT. Any thoughts? I am 74 years old, if that is significant.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hard to say in regards the details/specifics without seeing your swing on video. Make sure you are extending your trail leg, hips, and spine on the way back to unlock your ability to rotate. Hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@Whatsthisallaboutthen]

Great swing buddy. Do you have to work on flexibility to achive this? When i look back at my swing it looks like half a swing

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Marty! Working on your mobility/flexibility can only help your game, but the key here is to maximize these pieces in your swing so you can maximize what's available to YOU :) Ensure you are extending your body...think belt buckle and shirt buttons to the sky on your backswing. This will unlock your ability to turn and therefore, unlock your ability to create nice depth AND a longer swing length. Hope this helps!

[@timgunner2874]

Always need to work on this...I'm so amped to get to the ball, I sometimes forget to finish my turn....btw...what was the Bill Belichick comment around 11:51???

[@ianh8396]

Nice Video Eric, I know my question has nothing to do with this Video but what should the grip presure be with driver? cheers from Munich Germany.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Ian! Here are three videos where I discuss grip pressure concepts that I think will really help👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6DNnaKklLGDeskfeature=shared kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIKVl4mFrZulm5ofeature=shared kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpyQnI2MhJJ1obcfeature=shared Hope this helps!

[@ianh8396]

@@CogornoGolf thanks Eric, just watched the videos and will be on the range tomorrow 👍

[@bklounge_golf]

If this doesn’t get the distance I know I should already have with the big 🐶 then I’m afraid nothing will 😢 I carry my 7 iron consistently between 180-185 but somehow average 245-260 with my driver. It’s very frustrating 🤪🤦‍♂️🏌️‍♂️

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope this video serves you well my friend!

[@johnzell30]

I’m always confused about adding length and extension with the driver while also trying to maintain my posture. In other words, as my forward bend tilts in the back swing along with added length should my rib cage stay the same length as it was at address? Or should I only do that with my irons … Does that make sense? Hope all is well buddy!

[@CogornoGolf]

You want to EXTEND (chest up) in the back swing....... you off set that (maintain posture) with SIDE BEND It would be OK to go UP a bit with driver (ball is on a tee vs on ground with irons)

[@creamabdul-jabbar6722]

Idk, I honestly think it’s where you are at in your game. I don’t think 12 or higher handicap should worry as much about body turn. I mean Jon rahm tony finau I know they’re the outliers. I’ve even seen a higher handicap get more distance learning a simple punch shot off the tee, ie from a less severe shot shape. I feel like this is more for a guy that’s almost scratch and have maxed out their potential in a correct manner. Good concept just depends where you are.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate your feedback my friend and thank you for watching!👊

[@hbyrdut]

I know you pulled your right foot back for the drill but why not keep it their when hitting balls?

[@CogornoGolf]

You definitely can! Pulling the trail foot back a good 2-3 in and flaring it outwards 20* or so can help with getting more turn and swinging from in to out. Thank you for watching!

[@mrynwa832]

Rahm and Finau would disagree. Two of the big hitters on tour

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey! Well.....not quite.... They would both hit it FARTHER if their swing was longer (there are som videos of Tony doing this) but since they can hit it SO FAR with a normal length swing.......like ridiculously far....they are afforded the luxury of shorter swing for more control and STILL hit it far enough. they don't hit if far BECAUSE their swings are shorter......they do it despite that!

[@spakuloid]

What should 99% of golfers do to extend their backswing? Put down the golf clubs. Go join Yoga class. You can one arm backswing all day and night, but if you can't turn in position farther than you already do and still see the ball correctly when you put that lead arm on the club - nothing will matter. Mobility is the issue.

[@mikewilliams1479]

Amen. Preach and repost. Also hit the gym or do some moderate strength exercises as a warm up

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate your feedback! Yoga and working with a trainer at the gym can only help👍 Most golfers who struggle with creating depth and a long enough swing often mistake that difficulty for a lack of flexibility, when it's typically just a case of not performing the correct body motions (the body staying in flexion instead of extending for example). Thank you for watching the channel!

[@spakuloid]

@@CogornoGolf Anyone can turn back like a pro past 90* if they never have to actually see the ball. Test it. Measure it. Tell people to turn but let them move their heads off the ball. Now tell them to actually have to see the ball. It's lack of mobility - neck and torso for most people beyond beginners.

[@markschwieterman2296]

I do yoga once a week and it has helped me out in my golf game as well I also hit the gym once a week in the winter or more

[@flippperboy]

There should be warm ups before playing. And you need at least 30 minutes to get stretched out. I feel this is a good video for reference.

[@HannesFar]

Look at Rahms swing,not so far.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hi Stefan! He would hit it FARTHER if his swing was longer...but since he can hit it SO FAR with a normal length swing.......like ridiculously far....he is afforded the luxury of a shorter swing for more control and STILL hits it far enough. Thanks for watching!

[@lyonnes]

I realize you are trying to make monies , however I am really passing by these vids of yours due to all the advertising & flogging of products you are doing. Also , its the speed & body weight thru the ball that gives you the distance , lotsa short swings have massive distance , Jon Rahm comes to mind , all a longer backswing will do is give you a tad more time on the downswing to get in the position you want to be in pre impact , not going to add any more speed unless you do so !!! I call BULL

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the feedback John---I appreciate and value all of your thoughts. As you mentioned its a balancing act for us with the products/promos, etc. It cost a decent amount to produce all of these videos for free for you all which Im sure you can understand. As for the Jon Rahm...or Tony Finau They would both hit it FARTHER if their swing was longer (there are som videos of Tony doing this) but since they can hit it SO FAR with a normal length swing.......like ridiculously far....they are afforded the luxury of shorter swing for more control and STILL hit it far enough Hope you have a great holiday season and I appreciate you watching!

[@billhaas598]

That’s all good and well, but how many of your subscribers can rotate to the degree that Rory does. I’m 69 years old and can’t rotate near that. Why don’t you produce a video that is more appropriate to the average golfer, let alone a senior golfer, for Gods sake! I’ll probably never hear a response on your end though. And it’s not like I don’t appreciate you or your videos, but this one was over the edge for the average golfer.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate your feedback, Bill! Most golfers who struggle with creating depth and a long enough swing often mistake that difficulty for a lack of flexibility, when it's typically just a case of not performing the correct body motions (the body staying in flexion instead of extending for example). You may enjoy this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpOxnnudZsZneq8 Thank you for watching!

[@mrgolfdogs]

Like your video and will try it. But how does a guy like Rohm hit the ball so far.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Robert! He would hit it FARTHER if his swing was longer...but since he can hit it SO FAR with a normal length swing.......like ridiculously far....he is afforded the luxury of a shorter swing for more control and STILL hits it far enough :)

[@mrgolfdogs]

That makes sense thank you. Like I said I will work on the one arm drill to a extend my backswing. My driver is the only club I have lost a lot of distance. I’m 71 single digit handy cap still hit my wedge 120 -130 my 7 iron 165 to 170 5 iron 190 to 195. I don’t play the front tees but I have lost 40 plus yards with the driver and it is driving me nuts . No pun intended. Will definitely try your drill maybe I can get some of distance back . Will follow your site .Thanks

[@naashuman5503]

John Rahm proves you guys wrong. My backswing is more around and flatter plane also way shorter yet I bom it! 280 yards easy!

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate you watching, Naas!

[@naashuman5503]

@Eric Cogorno Golf Thanks for the great 👍🏻 content Eric 👌🏻 I never miss a upload.

[@isidrobarajas2745]

John Rahm at the age of like 13 had a coach that encouraged a shorter back swing. He also played a sport called jai alai which explains the power he can generate with his wrist being so bowed… a longer back swing is proven to help with distance. Much love. 🏌🏽

[@naashuman5503]

@Isidro Barajas Shorter back swing works for me in two ways: 1. Stops me from coming over the top preventing me slicing the ball. 2. Engages my bigger muscles working from the ground up. That in turn helps me create enormous leverage even if my back swing is shorter.

[@CogornoGolf]

They would both hit it FARTHER if their swing was longer (there are som videos of Tony doing this) but since they can hit it SO FAR with a normal length swing.......like ridiculously far....they are afforded the luxury of shorter swing for more control and STILL hit it far enough they dont hit it far BECAUSE of the short backswing....they hit it far DESPITE of it