Mike Austin's Distance Secret That He Never Revealed!

[@johncupps9658]

I've commented on your videos before Steve just an update. My driver used to be all over the place usually 230-250 and right. Started watching your videos over the winter and taking them to the range started hitting the ball 270 consistently. Quite a few rounds into the summer now, My drives are usually somewhere between 275 and 290, sometimes they roll out over 300 and I'm fairly accurate on placement and if I miss I miss left. 51 yes old And I can finally drive the golf ball. I cannot thank you enough!!

[@frankpugh68]

Steve, I took you suggestion and practiced this with a bucket of balls. It was slow at first, but I got the needed feeling and then it got much easier. I felt good about how I was hitting the ball, so I went and played 9 holes at the course across the street from the driving range. I shot a 38, 2 over par. On one hole I even hit my 3 wood about 240 yards, for me the 3 wood is my 200 yard club. I'm going to keep practicing this with my speed whoosh and many more buckets of balls. This was a great tip, thanks.

[@vektacular]

Hey Steve, just thought I would check in with you and wanted to let you know and thank you for it …..I hit one 308 exactly yesterday….it wasn’t all day long but one time….that means it is there…thanks for hearing me.

[@vektacular]

Oh, and it was a power cut shot.

[@Inmotion70]

Sweet! Now watch today's video to learn how to convert the birdie!

[@vektacular]

@@Inmotion70 will do!

[@willaponte397]

The old black and white demonstration that Mike austin did with the skeleton suit tells it all. I've steady it very closely. When you've tilted and turned to the top of your back swing the first thing he says he does is RAISE the right heel which in turns makes the left hip tilt towards the target which in turns gets you to post on the left leg, which raises the left shoulder, so the shoulders act like a wheel which brings the left arm with it like a spoke which will release the club for you. That's how it works for me. The first move I make once I'm fully coiled is to raise the right heel and get off the right foot and everything happens on it's own. Like automatically. You have to learn how to work your skeleton. It's the only thing you have to w ok R with in the first place. So Mike Austin explains it all.

[@williamearl1662]

I have watched some Mike Austin videos, but you explain things far better Steve. I am tall and reasonably supple, but hit the ball exactly nowhere. I will try some of your instruction and try and get more distance. Thanks.

[@johnathanwetherill456]

Great way of teaching that

[@louieatienza8762]

Mike Austin actually says this, that the hands work like a differential in a car. So if there were only a solid axle connecting the rear wheels, when making a turn, the tires would rub and hop against the pavement because the outside wheel is traveling farther than the inside. The differential allows the inner wheel to turn in reverse relative to the outside wheel.

[@markpoppe8681]

With your pivot point being mid grip, the action resembles the motion of a trebuchet. The counterweight moves away from the target, propelling the other end around the pivot and toward the target. The rope at the end the the arm creates the same lag and increasing the acceleration of the stone. I may have watched too many movies ☺

[@alanscott8067]

Awesome 👏 😎your clubhead was perfect at impact. Square to the arc. Proper weight shift cannot be underestimated. In my opinion your one of the best exam of a compound pivot I’ve seen. Imagine if you were 18 again with that flexibility🙈I could only imagine how far you crank it out there. Thanks Steve🤗

[@paso193]

Kind of a quirky swing tip….but, damn - did it ever work! Got the ball ‘out there’ for the first time ever! Thanks, mate! 👍👍

[@johnz.591]

Yep, > 10% more distance, but also more accuracy. So cool, thx!! Keep up the good work.

[@martinnilsson495]

Fascinating. Curious, are you working actively on incorporating more of this into your own regular swing? Thanks

[@bobmagna]

This is good instruction. Adding the Austin photo series (tremendous driver lag) and short video (body swing and 90° to 180°) helps a lot. I need distance but I add strokes with inaccurate drives. The dream is improving both.

[@kryschiou4449]

prattology is perhaps goat of the hit-it-straight-and-longer world! i tried, and i gloated. thx for sharing!

[@Inmotion70]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Letitbeism369]

Excellent video

[@TroyStevens430]

Yep. I think of this swing as essentially skipping stones on the water. Almost exactly the same body motion required. The flicking of the wrist is key to skipping stones properly.

[@e99783]

This makes sense and I haven’t tried it yet but I’m not sure about the timing of this type of release. I suppose I just need to find it by trial and error

[@djpoints]

Fascinating. And great looking swing. Has this handsy part of the swing become less common over the years? Maybe it's my imagination but swings look much more robotic nowadays. Which actually matches all of their boring personalities 😉...And is this handsy pivot thing what Couples does as well? My favorite swing of all.

[@JCFagley]

Steve - great video! It made me realize I was rotating my left shoulder blade behind me during the downswing, which prevented me from keeping my left arm attached to my left pec, which prevented me from applying the torque at the fulcrum point on the grip between my right and left hands at impact as you describe here. After a half hour practice session using your drill, I was much straighter and longer. It helped my short game too! Thanks!!!

[@maxcoomer1603]

Hey John this video is new to me haven’t work on it yet. I looked at Mike Austin, Jacob Bowden and Mike Dunaway. To me it looks like their left shoulder Blade is way back almost over right foot at the swing finish My first question was are left shoulder blade way back and torquing left arm and wrist against left comparable. From the videos of those long hitters they seem to be fine together Site on KZbin. Getmorepars Christina Richardson and Brian Manzella. Get the drunk off your back move. I haven’t tried in even practice yet. Just messing around the left arm stayed well connected until well after impact Feels like the upper left half of body arm and wrist are going backward while the right side passes under going forward. I did notice right hand snap while left torqued and possibly even more important the top of the spine became another pivot point Good livk

[@maxcoomer1603]

Sorry meant right hand passing under left with opposing torque

[@dennisbogus6037]

Mike is there a throwing of the knee towards the target is the pivot will that make you stand up too early I am confused a little bit thank you

[@rao4sos]

Whatever we're paying Pratt...it isn't enough. Best instruction on the planet.

[@Inmotion70]

Thank you Sir Rao. Cheers from this side of Studio City Golf Range.

[@chrisstevens2593]

Steve, thanks for the drill I the video. When do you start or allow for the crossover the hands during the downswing ? Thanks

[@Inmotion70]

@@chrisstevens2593 The forces start way back, but the crossover manifests after the arms are fully extended 30 inches past the ball.

[@RonaldTheriault-t6t]

Where in the downswing are you consciously attempting to add that hand motion in your swing?

[@CaribSurfKing1]

Your front foot heel slides back from setup to impact. Why not have that set initially

[@vektacular]

This was awesome and reassured me of a lot!!

[@georgehoward6371]

Thanks for reply

[@MrKillahippo]

And dod you do the same with the irons, or is that a different swing????

[@DunnGolfing]

On the up !! Awesome

[@ozziebrito4527]

Steve what product you sell would you recommend most for me to practice at home increase my speed

[@Inmotion70]

If you are a slower swinger I recommend the Speed Whoosh. If you have a short backswing, get a Power Coil Pro.

[@jamestown4867]

There’s that Shauger video with Jaacob where he talks about a string but didn’t mention a drill or a real image as a pole. Snapping a towel, cracking a whip and other images to achieve that phrase I keep in mind but never have fully grasped until now; “the butt end reverses direction through impact.” One immensely important thing I should know but after 40 years sometimes neglect is that the grip must not move, squirm, fudge at all from address to finish - to achieve that Hogan quality of being able to hit 10 or more full drives without re-gripping at all. From the tiniest 1/8 shots to mightiest of drives, it must not move at all. I tested my veteran bunch of buddies; most fudge a bit and no one could hit more than 3 drives without re-gripping. I’m conscious of Kelley’s 4 Power Accumulators, especially the three in the grip and along with the pole drill have never felt my right hand hit (throw) so hard into an extended straight right arm. John Jacobs said that was proof of good arm action. I find a good check for me is to grip it and flail the club around every which way and return to address. If it’s not square or has moved at all, the grip needs work. Thanks Steve, for the extra yards! And everyone’s telling me, “It didn’t look like you swung that hard.” Lovin’ it! PenguinGolf

[@jamestown4867]

PS. That left arm against the pec is that fourth Homer Kelley PA and it really does add another dimension of power perception and application when done as you say. Again thanks, Steve.

[@seth1455]

Somewhere in the Austin teaching, I remember the lead arm pinned to the chest as the no 7 position ( an imaginary line across the shoulders is the top of the 7 and the lead arm is the down part of the 7) Can't remember if it was Dunaway or Shauger who talked about it.

[@jamestown4867]

Dunaway with Mike is where I saw the 7 deal. I apply Austin and a bit of Joe Dante. Dante’s COAM (conservation of angular motion) is pretty much the same concept except Dante says to maintain the distance from the clubhead at the top to the left shoulder. I tried Steve’s pole image (without a real pole) and I’m carrying 10-15 more.

[@jamestown4867]

Update 11/30/21. For the first time in 45+ years of golfing I hit honest 300 yard drives. The first I thought was a fluke but more kept coming. At the range it looks like 260+ carry and monitor says 103-112 mph. The MA method works.

[@georgehoward6371]

Steve, I’m confused. I like back up handle to quicken club head. How does this mesh with starting release immediately out of transition and your video on handle path exit high and left on down swing. These don’t synch up for me during transition and down swing. What am I missing.

[@Inmotion70]

Probably need more pivot and clear of the hips and the chest around the corner. Google Young John Daly Impact.

[@danielsweet937]

Hello Sir, great videos.. may I ask what type driver your hitting and the shaft. Thanks

[@jackhadland864]

Really enjoy your tutorials Steve, I have noticed that you use a full finger grip.l have been playing around with full finger and overlap ,l find my swing speed is slightly slower with full finger but more accurate .What are your thoughts ?

[@Inmotion70]

Only do it when demonstrating motions. Not sure why.

[@anthonylennen4067]

When I’m hitting my driver well it feels like my left hip is actually going back on my downswing similar to this left foot sliding back.

[@worldwide1873]

same feeling applies for irons? Correct?

[@85Afuller]

Awesome video. May I ask what kind of driver are you using?

[@Inmotion70]

Geek DCT with a House of Forged Shaft.

[@85Afuller]

@@Inmotion70 can you share where you can buy this kind of driver? The geek website seems a little outdated and there isn't a lot of info out there that I can find.

[@85Afuller]

@@Inmotion70 there are literally no reviews on KZbin of geek drivers. I'm deep into your videos but gotta know why you choose to hit this driver over a name brand. You post a ton of videos on how to swing but maybe I'm missing the ones where you honestly talk about your equipment choices.

[@karenrichard2544]

I guess I’m confused when this motion starts and how the heck do you get back to the ball????? The slow motion did not show anything helpful for me. Maybe do it like you did your step by step video you did for slicers? Please and thank you!

[@vincej9352]

is this drill for all clubs or just the driver?

[@frankfama8214]

Steve, do you advocate more of the stable release (later Austin) or the rollover. Thanks, FF.

[@Inmotion70]

There's no just thing as a stable release. The forearms must roll after the flap is finished.

[@CaribSurfKing1]

To do this move you have to have very strong and pain free elbow and forearm and left hand grip muscles. Tennis elbow on your lead elbow is a real injury risk unless you have trained or have natural strength. Remeber most right handed golfers are right handed and have naturally weak and un-coordinated left arms, left elbows and left forearms. This is why most golfers are not good at golf. They cast with all their coordinated more powerful right arms as thats what they have used all their lives for most physical activity

[@stanmans]

Oi'm not sure if you’ve been asked before but I will. What brand of clubs do you use and the specs? ie: shaft flex, loft, lie, etc.?

[@Inmotion70]

In this video, Geek DCT head 7.8 degree with a House of Forged Jamie Shaft X flex.

[@briannavarro1437]

Does this technique go down to my irons as well?

[@seanb9530]

Hi Steve I was trying what i think was this action with shorter chip shots and was getting great spin presumably as it creates faster clubhead speed. Would chipping be a good way to practise it?

[@Inmotion70]

hmm I would imagine you'd want your chipping to be simpler.

[@seanb9530]

I was trying it on shorter shots (like when in the first cut just off the green) where i get frightened of swinging too hard by pushing back with the left hand and under with the right. Maybe need to rethink. Thanks for the reply.

[@maxcoomer1603]

That’s what Dan Shauger teaches but I could never do it consistently It’s like trying to break a lug free when you change a tire. Right arm hand pushing while left arm pulls in opposite direction The right arm and and hand pivot around the left.

[@Inmotion70]

Like a hockey slap shot.

[@Greenballed]

Similar to what Mike Malaska teaches.

[@frankfama8214]

And to what the jim hardy people do: left arm down, right arm across.

[@nextbounce1724]

Steve, how is your post-impact arm-twisting consistent with Mike Austin’s teaching with only a rope for his leading arm?

[@Inmotion70]

Hmmm...should be the same.

[@bernardsamson2365]

“The only pull force that should be acting on the handle is from the rotation of the torso.” That is the cornerstone of his teaching. It would be great if Steve commented on the teaching of Jim Venetos. What is he doing if not pulling the handle with his emphasis on body stillness? Confusing, isn’t it?

[@Inmotion70]

In effect there are many sources of pull force on the handle during the downswing. But we try to make the torso rotation the primary one.

[@stevereade4858]

Mike and I were friends at the last five years of his life. Keep secrets? That wasn't Mike; he was the quintessential showman, and teacher. Despite being 90+ and bed-ridden, he had his full and very powerful mental faculties. He was always willing to share his knowledge. I had studied kinesiology ... he authored the first PhD thesis on the kinesiology of golf. So, we had interesting talks on the kinesiology of golf. Sadly, his manuscript is lost. Mike was frustrated when he gave what he thought were simple moves and instructions - yet his students couldn't grasp. Up until his strokes, he would show the "moves" with simple instructions. Mentally, Mike functioned at a level few approach. Anyway, the "secret move" that "Mike took to the grave" is covered quite thoroughly in the "Austinology" DVDs, although I couldn't cite which volume. Nonetheless, he specifically demonstrated the pivot in five warm-up chip shots, starting with a (very difficult) wrist-only chip, then proceeding to a 1/4 swing, 1/2 swing, 2/3's and 3/4.

[@Inmotion70]

That's awesome stuff! Showman is a very good word. In this video I cover a topic that Mike did but never did describe in any of his videos....aside from calling it supple quickness. Did you attend the celebration of life? Did you meet my friend Dennis?

[@waltknockit]

Not sure about this - perception doesn’t seem to line up with the video? Steve, your swing slow mo shows a flat slightly raised wrist at impact. Does your Austin advise go against the principle of conservation of angular momentum? In other words the longer you hold the angle the faster the snap provided the hinge (grip and wrist) do not impinge or slow the cracking of the whip.

[@Inmotion70]

"The longer you hold the angle". The force to release starts at the top so 'holding the angle' is an illusion.

[@openminded1923]

What driver you using??

[@Inmotion70]

Geek DCT.

[@boudieskate]

Steve love ur stuff but one comment on pinning left arm to chest. Jamie Sandlowski who pound for pound is longest has it off the chest. Got to be something to that

[@Inmotion70]

Yeah Jamie pulls.

[@davidmcnamara3243]

This is the real deal. Debunks all that T*M nonsense.

[@mitchy7051]

for all the doubters and nay sayers - although steve does't go into full detail - Jacobs 3D validates this "Secret" that ultra elite drivers of the ball possess this is literally the great separator from the guys that consistently stay in the top 50 and the guys who struggle and miss 50%+ of their cuts - the question now is how can a handicap golfer incorporate this move?

[@jasonkelley6185]

Source?

[@jayhamilton2915]

Good job turning the power off on the pole :)

[@Inmotion70]

Right? Phew that was close.

[@hodgod1056]

Isn't this straight from the straight shooting golf guru Dalton McCrary?

[@Inmotion70]

Except Mike was doing it in 1946.

[@hodgod1056]

@@Inmotion70 Fair point

[@roniwankovitsch]

Use your wrists to throw the club at the target?

[@Inmotion70]

Novel idea huh

[@davidmcnamara3243]

Pure switting protocol. This is the REAL DEAL!!!!

[@jamesnielsen2291]

Yay

[@hendarasmara8521]

I still figure out why my driver shot distance is short (less than 200 M)

[@jamese1116]

swing faster its not rocket science lol

[@SethKash]

The absolute worst thing that ever happened to my golf game was late release, lag, take the hands out of it and use the bigger muscles. An unnecessary shank and anti-shank existence when playing. Now? I just don’t care to even think about holding to the last second. Done with it. Much more fun when applying athletic moves instead of staged crap.

[@christophercirocco8611]

Mamma Mia. Nice

[@markking3779]

👍👍👍

[@demzunoplayer]

That dog will hunt!

[@NonnyStrikes]

Best way to put this....for people to actually understand... Practice SLOW. I mean mind numbingly slow. If you can't do it slow, you can't do it with GO.

[@Inmotion70]

Excellent comment sir.

[@NonnyStrikes]

@@Inmotion70 It's crazy what happens when you do things extremely slow. If I would have taken this seriously when it was said to me a long time ago... things would have been different in my path of life.

[@Inmotion70]

@@NonnyStrikes Me too!

[@NonnyStrikes]

@@Inmotion70 Still a great feeling to watch people get it! That lightbulb moment is priceless. Cheers to you, and good luck in your future to you and yours.

[@lutzchoco1]

Confusion....

[@jeffreyanderson5106]

Why don’t you just say don’t pull the club.... oh you did

[@demzunoplayer]

Old driver?

[@Vee-Hive]

So Mike Austin devoted all that time to teaching but kept back a secret from all those people he wanted to help get better? Interesting.

[@Inmotion70]

No I don't think he kept it back. I just don't think he ever considered it.

[@bonjovi7120]

Well said. This guy Steve is such a clown

[@bonjovi7120]

Sorry who was Mike Austin and what mystique did he have? I have never heard anyone refer to Mike Austin during live TV golf commentary

[@Inmotion70]

Perennial Top 10 golf teacher in all golf publications, Guiness world record 515 yard drive in the 1974 National Senior Open. First teacher to use kinesiology.

[@bonjovi7120]

@@Inmotion70 I personally never heard of this golf teacher. Any famous PGA pros he taught? He sucked as a golfer. Won less than $4000 on tour🤣🤣🤣

[@joej2435]

Sounds like a bunch of mularkey to me but I'll try it. Hogan said the hands do nothing consciously during the swing (In other words don't get handsy - rely on the big muscles for consistency). Trevino, Vijay Sing, Dustin Johnson, Ben Hogan et al moved the club thru impact with their hips not by using some funny, manufactured move with their forearms or hands. Yes the forearms rotate naturally during the swing but you needn't force the rotation. Don't fall for the nonsense this guy is promulgating in this vid..

[@jeffreyanderson5106]

Lol

[@geemac979]

Both drills make a lot of sense Steve. I read another comment where someone mentioned you use the Baseball Grip and I noticed it as well. It looks like it's working great for you. I'll give it a try when practising ‘The Flap’🏌️‍♂️👍

[@bobmagna]

This is good instruction. Adding the Austin photo series (tremendous driver lag) and short video (body swing and 90° to 180°) helps a lot. I need distance but I add strokes with inaccurate drives. The dream is improving both.