Jimmy Ballard / Golf Swing Fundamentals "Connection" with Rocco Mediate

When his book "How to Perfect Your Golf Swing" first came out back in 1981, Ballard was considered a radical. His whole concept of "Connection" and Right-Side Power was not accepted by very many in the golf community. Now, of course, in many ways he's actually considered pretty mainstream. Such is the constantly-changing world of golf instruction.
His contention was that the elbows should point down toward the ground all the way through the swing.
The reason Ballard's teachings may seem both self-evident and odd at the same time is simply because Ballard doesn't treat a golf swing as being different from any other athletic hitting motion.
Would you try to push a baseball bat or a tennis racket as far away from you as possible in order to get a bigger arc? Of course not! If you wanted more power, you'd try to get into the strongest position you could, not the most awkward.
Would you lean backward, away from the ball, to hit the ball hard with either one? Of course not! You'd move toward the ball.
Would you flap your elbows out sideways? Certainly not with the tennis racket; you'd keep your elbow pointed at the ground. And while you might set up to hit a baseball with your bent elbow out to the side, you'd probably pull it back down toward the ground during your swing.
Ballard applies the same logic to the golf swing. He keeps your arms and chest "connected" to create the strongest position; he keeps your spine vertical throughout the swing, so you can move into the ball; and he keeps your elbows pointed toward the ground throughout the swing, because that's how you deliver the most force with a sideways hit.
Besides the simplicity of the swing, Rocco Mediate also illustrated one of the big reasons I think Ballard deserves more attention. As bad as Rocco's back pain had been, the fact that Ballard's approach to the swing doesn't cause him pain is no small accomplishment.
If you keep your left arm in the "connected" position that Ballard talks about, you'll eliminate problems like "chicken wings" and also -- if you're a chronic slicer -- you'll find it easier to draw the ball. I know some players -- Vijay's notorious for it -- place something like a glove between their chest and forearm to make them maintain connection, but that doesn't really attack the problem.
If you can't stay connected during your swing, you're getting in the wrong position during your swing. That means you are doing one of two things (probably both):
1.) You're leaning backward, which tilts your shoulders away from the target
2.) You stop turning your shoulders at impact
Let me give you a simple drill that you can do inside this winter to help you learn what connection feels like. Get in front of a mirror, then take your setup and swing your "club" halfway back and then halfway through (9 to 3)... but keep your spine vertical the whole time (so your shoulders don't tilt) and turn your shoulders as close to 90° both ways as you can. Watch yourself in the mirror so you can be sure your spine is straight and your shoulders turn.
Your upper body and hips may move a bit more than usual (you're probably not used to this motion, after all), but it won't be a huge motion. Ballard said the hips move about six inches, but I bet you won't move that much after you get used to it. It feels like a bigger motion than it actually is.
If you have any questions regarding Jimmy Ballard, please ask!

[@fly1327]

I've broken 80 using all kinds of swings, this one being the easiest to repeat from full shots to short pitches, becoming my go-to even when messing with others in the past. If you want solid contact and accuracy, I can attest this approach works really well. Oh, and don't overlook how much kinder this is on your lower back, something I definitely know about.

[@RollYourRock]

Well said! Thanks for your comment.

[@clintpowell2489]

Jimmy Ballard is awesome! After seeing this clip, I read his book and started watching every video of his I could find.

[@RollYourRock]

His book is very difficult to find, especially a hardbound copy!

[@joevladovich2075]

I have utilized Jimmy Ballard philosophy of the golf swing for several a years particularly keeping the left elbow to the ground for the during the entire golf swing. “Thumbing a ride” which is how he described it in past videos I’ve seen of his. It just works!

[@RollYourRock]

Good to hear! Thanks for contributing to the comments here! - Cheers!🙂

[@RollYourRock]

Jimmy Ballard's teacher, Sam Byrd, was the first and only professional baseball player to have won PGA Tournaments (eleven professional wins overall). His understanding of "Connection" transcended to Golf. He always maintained the baseball swing and the golf swing we're identical, except for the plane you swung them on. Sam's roommate of many years with the New York Yankees was none other than the great Babe Ruth. Playing back up to the Babe was no easy feat and Sam learned everything he could. Ruth taught Sam to bat and his main exercise to practice his hitting mechanics was to take a handkerchief and put it under his lead armpit (for right handers, your lead arm is your left). When you hold the handkerchief under the lead armpit, it ties the arm and the socket to your left shoulder. Your left shoulder being your pec and lat muscles - the whole shoulder girdle.

[@bobseamann7253]

I’m a former Jimmy certified instructor. I love teaching this story. Well said. You see the mistakes in baseball too. Very few people understand this. 👍

[@RollYourRock]

@@bobseamann7253 Thanks, I appreciate your comment, especially coming from Ballard insider! Cheers!🙂

[@dom4639]

That is brilliant!

[@RollYourRock]

Hopefully, you'll find it helpful... Cheers!🙂

[@RollYourRock]

If you have further questions regarding Jimmy Ballard, ask away...

[@pipebliss]

Rocco always talks about Rick Smith... Is Jimmy or Rick his coach?

[@RollYourRock]

@@pipebliss Yes

[@pipebliss]

@@RollYourRock yes to which one?

[@RollYourRock]

@@pipebliss Rocco works with both. Cheers!🙂

[@RollYourRock]

@@Dentalcoverage4u Thanks for the update! 🙂

[@bjmgolf3651]

Great video and information. Are there other avenues to see some of Jimmy’s instructional videos? I tried looking for a website of his and it seems to not be active. Thanks and keep up the great work !

[@RollYourRock]

Try searching Amazon and eBay for "Jimmy Ballard golf." - If I remember correctly, the videos he produced were all VHS. - Jimmy's one and only book is excellent and has everything in it that he teaches.

[@bjmgolf3651]

@@RollYourRock Thank you for the reply and I subscribed to your channel. Appreciate it and wondered if you worked with Jimmy in any capacity by chance?

[@RollYourRock]

@@bjmgolf3651 Sadly, no. - I'm located in the opposite corner of the US. from Jimmy.

[@Quattro46]

Just discovered your channel and subscribed. It appears Jimmy doesn’t stress the need to maintain a straight left arm in the backswing.

[@RollYourRock]

Welcome to the channel... yes, keeping your left arm straight is another favorite tip shared between high handicap golfers. People are drawn to this idea because they see players like Tiger Woods keeping their left arm pretty much straight during the backswing. The real point is that it’s much easier to maintain connection between your left arm and your left shoulder/peck, by allowing some arm bend during the backswing. Rather than chasing a swing that looks pretty, it is far better to pursue an efficient and repeatable golf swing. In this case, allowing your left arm to bend a bit in the backswing shouldn’t be seen as a swing flaw. Allowing some left arm bend allows you to complete your backswing and load into your right side, which are fundamental to Jimmy Ballard’s golf swing philosophy. - Cheers!🙂

[@markl577]

Maaan that is one impressive hairpiece! 👌

[@RollYourRock]

Are you spreading "fake news"?

[@markl577]

@@RollYourRock 😂👍

[@ronowens504]

How can I contact Mr. Ballard? Thanks!

[@RollYourRock]

Key Largo, Florida / Phone: [phone]

[@dansullivan448]

hes up in stewart now.@@RollYourRock

[@darrenhadden1037]

Now how do I get distance after things are tidy and connected tossing sacs of potatoes?

[@RollYourRock]

Maybe some of those SuperSpeed swing-speed shafts? I just happen to have a mint set if you're interested…

[@darrenhadden1037]

@@RollYourRock I guess weight shift and turn quicker? Arms and hands can't be trusted... confused 🤔 i will let you know thanks my friend.

[@RollYourRock]

@@darrenhadden1037 The hands are like a couple of untrained sheep dogs... given the opportunity, they'll eat the herd...

[@darrenhadden1037]

@@RollYourRock lmao 😂 golf can be confusing sometimes. I would love Rocco make another video on distance after learn the basics he teaches.

[@RollYourRock]

@@darrenhadden1037 yeah, I always enjoy listening to Rocco...

[@thomassteeley9734]

Really wanted to hear what Rocco had to say gave up about 2/3 in.

[@RollYourRock]

If you have questions regarding Ballard's teachings, perhaps I can help you...

[@financiallyfreetrading2841]

I could use help.

[@washredskin887]

Idk about this when you have to hit a driver.. But I like some of Jimmy's stuff but not all of it.

[@RollYourRock]

Different clubs require different setups and swings...

[@johnhaime6412]

This is nonsense. Everything JB says Hogan Nicklaus and others did - they did not do. The did not have have a big movement behind the ball. Today’s tech proves everything this guy teaches isn’t right. He’s a preacher and marketer.

[@RollYourRock]

John, thanks very much for sharing your thoughts.

[@RobertJohanssonRBImGuy]

Ballard never knew what he did and talked about, he never truly understood of the connection.

[@RollYourRock]

Robert, how could you possibly know that?

[@RobertJohanssonRBImGuy]

@@RollYourRock Oh, some research and testing...and finding out how it works really.

[@RollYourRock]

@@RobertJohanssonRBImGuy What are your thoughts on "connection"?

[@dansullivan448]

jimmys resume speaks for itself. i had the great fortune to watch jimmy teach for an entire winter. no name dropping here but boy did i see him teach some of the greats and make them better. case closed.

[@mclare60]

Have you actually taken a lesson from Ballard?

[@billymac29]

Gears proves evrything he teaches is incorrect

[@RollYourRock]

I would love it if you could be more specific... Thx🙂

[@billymac29]

@@RollYourRock gears shows the best players have a re-centering move in the backswing. They do not load their weight on their right side at the top of the swing. The hips do not work the way Ballard describes. They stay away from the ball throughout the swing. Weight move earlier to the left side than Ballard teaches. There is no drive off the right leg or side to start the down swing, it is a more of a fall into the left side. The head does not move as much as Ballard states. Head movement is very minimal if at all.

[@RollYourRock]

@@billymac29 Excellent post! - thank you very much for taking the time!👍🙂

[@davebaker7503]

@@billymac29 this is the correct answer. I started off a long time ago down the Ballard rabbit hole. I could never hit a driver with this swing. A few years ago decided to look for more modern teaching, like AMG and Monte Scheinblum.. now I'm on the verge of breaking 80 consistently.

[@billymac29]

@@SeriousSensations I know more than most, however, what is it that you suggest is incorrect?