Malaska Golf // Tech Series: Understanding Ground Forces in Your Golf Swing with BodiTrak

How you put force into the ground throughout your golf swing can determine how consistent you are and how much power you put into the ball. Using a BodiTrak mat or other force plate monitor is key to understanding this.
This is a great conversation with Ryan Groves. His understanding of the golf swing and how players throughout history have played is awesome. He's truly a student of the game.
Don't just play golf. Understand it.
Become a member at malaskagolf.com and follow The M-System to develop the skills you need to become a complete player.

[@massagegarage9261]

Thank you for actually explaining this technology and how to use it. So many sales people throw the technology in front of golfers, try to sell it to you but spend very little time actually explaining how to use it to improve (perhaps because most of these sales people don't understand it themselves.)

[@drewmorg.]

Guys - there are a lot of swing instructors on KZbin and they all offer something but Mike has completely transformed my game by studying his videos. He put the "feeling" of the swing into my right hand through concepts and simple drills. After about a week of implementing and watching his videos I went from trying to _CRANK_ my muscle into that ball and generally hitting it thin and fat, topping the ball, etc to hitting buttery smooth shots. BY FAR the best I have ever hit the ball it was like I was a different player and I was. Concepts that work best for me: 1) Understanding of the L to L creating momentum and the feeling you need in your right hand on the backswing and transition 2) Swinging INSIDE THE BALL!!! NOT AT IT 3) Loose shoulder sockets BIG DIFFERENCE

[@magnuscroify]

Malaska is the ONLY instructor I listen to and for good reason. He doesn't miss the forest for the trees as far as the golf swing. It's an ATHLETIC motion and not a series of still shots and positions. I could write a dissertations on how good his teaching style is, but I think you all know this already.

[@victorpang2409]

Hi Mike&Ryan, this is an outstanding video explaining the ground force and balance. I just love all the biomechanical theory behind the golf swing. I enjoyed it very very much! Didnt fast forward a bit and watch it thru. Thanks a lot and hope more to come!

[@TonyCallaway]

Yes ! Nothing in this game is new! But… those who only want to get profit of this game has changed the same working old things into new terminology , to make it harder to fallow and to apply it to get the best results in the shortest time. Thanks to guys like Malaska now the golf swing make sense and not those all tips that makes you feel incapable of doing. Thanks Mike!

[@gregsharpe5272]

I thoroughly enjoy what you’re bringing to my golfing life. Your teaching…and disposition…and desire to simplify is a breathe of fresh air. If I could, I would find a way to spend time with you as a student…in the flesh. Thanks for your channel. Greg

[@Sokko13]

Holy crap! This advice was a complete game changer for me. This gives me a repeatable set up “feel” that allows me to get a fluid, natural swing! Ball going longer and straighter than ever before. Took me about half a bucket to get used to it. I could even weaken my “please don’t slice” super strong grip. I think I’m going to have to subscribe to your lessons page. Thanks Mike!

[@traviscraven4934]

Really good video. Just re-discovered this feel after years of losing it due to golf instruction having me focus in relation to the top. My positions “looked” great but I couldn’t understand why my club speed was off by 20 mph. Hopefully others find this video saving years of grief.

[@stryker2828]

This is such a gem! Will be watching this over and over again. Thanks Mike and Ryan.

[@otomotom1879]

15:01 to 15:43 is essential and pure gold. Once you have figure it out/crafted the pathway mechanics of your arms and hands at takeaway backswing and downswing, what he says is a must!! In practice it does exactly as he says and you create so much power and time to generate club head speed to hit EFFORTLESSLY farther like the pro's. It's incredible how it works. That's real golf.

[@stevetobin4487]

Mike: "Can i use that?" LOL! Thanks, Mike for this coaching, and ALL of your coaching. You guys have an obvious chemistry that works...

[@al1356]

Mike this video has transformed my game, played after watching and was 1 over gross for the front 9. Finished 9 over through 18 but the ball strike was on another level. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@thomasholt9202]

Great instruction. Helps brings -- concepts - together == understanding. Tom from Holly Springs, NC

[@talhajuneja1323]

Very informative and of direct relevance to just about any golf swing, thankyou.

[@16pennynails]

The athletic motion in golf, the recentering of weight before the backswing is complete. AMG has tons of videos on this, the old Gravity Golf videos with David Lee goes into great discussion about this move he called a counterfall, I'm glad to see this being taught here on this great chanel! Unfortunately this move wasn't being taught twenty, twenty five years ago so now it's trying to undo bad movements , which I believe is harder then learning fresh...if that makes any sense.

[@stevetobin4487]

Mike: "You"re not very good...you probably shouldn't be trusting what you think you're feeling..." LOL!!! Now that is hilarious!... and it's funny because it's true!

[@jdub5107]

I used to have a free flowing golf swing when I was younger cause I grew up playing baseball as well, even had a golf scholarship to CSUN. Unfortunately I got into the whole natural golf fad, trying to swing like Moe Norman back in the late 90's early 2000's. I was obsessed with trying to hit the ball dead straight and it screwed my natural golf swing up ironically. Now I have so much unwanted tension in my golf swing I don't even enjoy hitting golf balls anymore. Thanks for all the great info Mike!

[@Gabriel88Yu]

Very informative and enlightening! Both of you do a great job.

[@marcmarini6365]

More Mike Malaska wisdom, best instruction on KZbin.

[@marcmarini6365]

Yeah Todd , my opinion Mike is the best. I've taken lessons when I was younger by local PGA professionals and looking alot of what they taught was wrong It was the so called modern swing and now it seems like they are abandoning it. I like what Mike teaches seems more to be what your body does naturally .

[@randymahony8157]

As an X ball player I understand completely and you straighten out my swing.

[@rafaelherrera129]

very interesting information, now I understand ground forces and how to apply them in my golf swing, thanks.

[@OSP_Nonchalant]

Amazing insight. finally feel like I have at least somewhat of an understanding pressure. THANK YOU

[@howrdhill4700]

Man Mike this is one of your best. Thanks for all you do. I am drunk on your Kool-Aid. Keep it up.

[@jimmystewart58]

Great stuff. It now makes a lot more sense to me now. I tried swinging my club like a tennis racket and bingo! Thanks

[@MrLeftyno1]

This is a great video, well done Mike, for me I like to think of cracking a long bull whip , as you change direction before the whip tip is anywhere near its top position.

[@levifontaine1923]

The BEST Instruction anyone will ever need

[@js_golf_cours6217]

the same things being the best for anyone in instruction doesn't exist

[@GolfAfter50]

Such great info as always here on this channel! Thanks so much Mike! I bought one of the Leaderboard training aides when it came out around 2006 and work with it every day -- it's really too bad they stopped making them, but it really helps ingrain a lot of the ideas mentioned here in this great demonstration and discussion. Love the channel.

[@Screamer1954]

Excellent video Mike - very helpful.

[@jaymiller5949]

Mike, Could you elaborate more on the left leg pushing the left hip back out of the way. I know it's hard to explain a feeling. You did say; don't straighten the leg; and that is what I was going to do until you said not to do that. Right now, I'm making the mistake of only trying to move my left hip back without the rest of the swing. I was looking for how that works with the rest of the swing. I'm about a 10 -14 handicap at my course in Oceanside, CA, El Camino; but I know I swing wrong because my back is hurting and I'm not consistent. Any help is appreciated.

[@stevetobin4487]

hey Jay! Hi buddy. I'm in Escondido, CA, right next door to you. Mike and his guests are really good, right? Just keep trying ideas when you have time to practice. but when you play, just have fun, buddy!

[@brentirving7209]

How do you explain Matsuyama?

[@lloydglloydg1788]

Great information-Easy for Ex ball players to understand and appy/ Malaska- Every video is informative--L

[@accridelich7369]

Maybe what Sam Byrd got across to Henny Bogan was pointing the butt of the handle of the bat at the catcher at the top of the backswing (ie no hesitation). Watch Mike Trout & Bryce Harper. When you bump the left hip forward to start the shoulders/arms/club to give the barrel of the bat its velocity through the strike zone; that's when the left leg straightens & further increases the acceleration. My swing key predictors [at the top of the backswing] to a successful shot are the same as BH's: 1. Lead shoulder touching the chin. 2. Butt of the club pointing at the catcher BEFORE the hip bump. BH likened this to pulling-an-arrow-out-of-the-quiver, but the handle must point down to the catcher & not upwards. BH used to hang out with Ted Williams as well. They both served in WW2 about the same time. What do you think they talked about ?

[@malcolmparker2243]

Hi Mike just watched this video and Ryan mentioned that you guys sell the Boditrak along with tuition on how to us it can i please have some info on this loved the video, it was a great introduction to the boditrak and how move weight and balance throughout the swing

[@renewedding9412]

Thanks!

[@MalaskaGolf]

Thank you @renewedding9412. Appreciate your support!

[@DerrickMertl]

Mike. Question. Something I just learned that goes opposite of what I’ve taught for years. I’ve taught path is where ball starts and face is ball curve. Now I’m being told by Robogolf and another tour pro, face is start and path is curve. They say this is what the numbers in trackman indicate and they are now teaching. This is news to me and want your opinion. Thx

[@colinwhite2724]

Rocket booster concept is interesting.

[@tombeach1262]

Well I never knew why Jack Nicklaus lifted his left heel off the ground on the backswing until now. Thanks guys for an enlightening discussion. The old weight shift drill is also an excellent way to help with this movement, but I now make sure most of my weight is toward my back heel at shaft level to the ground and by the time I reach the apex my weight is nearly completely on my left leg. If you read this please let me know if I'm on the right path (pun intended).

[@georgiamay4045]

Mike... thank you for the info ... everyone tells me I have a noticeable pause at the top as I change my direction ..and maybe what I needed to do the whole time was make this "earlier" transition to keep the motion fluid.

[@MalaskaGolf]

One of the biggest problems in a golf swing comes because the ball is still. The problem is not that the ball is still but we can then stop in positions that should be created by motion. Having a task that there is a top has killed many players including myself. So do not swing to the top stop then go. Let the position called the top to happen because the club was going in one direction then it changed and went the other. And by the way, your body starts going forward way before that ever happens. Just like throwing a ball or hitting a baseball. As your arms go back you start forward. Or like hitting a forehand in tennis. The reason it is easy in those sports is that the ball is moving so you are also.

[@whenmullet2674]

Don't tell Hideki Matsuyama, lol. Jack's book was named "Golf My Way" for a reason. He was very clear is wasn't golf your way. Just sayin'.

[@jimsarlanis2214]

Very interesting discussion. Thanks

[@joetroupe893]

Great lesson ... thanx

[@ranmangolf]

Great stuff! Thanks Mike!!!

[@danielwenderlich3438]

Best explanation!

[@LeeTrevinoFans]

10:18 Set up on the trail side....Mr. Trevino was a rear post guy!

[@indawgswetrust]

Mike, in trying to decide/feel where I should begin my "separation" for the downswing to achieve this opening up (at about 36:00 or so), it occurs to me that many of us have many different swings, and because of that, there may not be one exact recipe for when to begin this move. Do you possibly have videos that show different types of swings and when to start the move? Myself, I'm not terribly flexible, and even with a deep trail hip move away from the ball at the start, my club never gets past 1:00 o'clock (looking at me head on). Club parallel at the top, ha!! Good for those folks who can do this, it'll never happen with me. I've struggled with separation, and when I try it, all it winds up giving me are thin shots that go nowhere. I've watched a lot of your videos but haven't quite come across this yet. Anyway, thanks. Love your channel!

[@mtarlo215]

Bout to get busy on the local Dr Scholls machine.

[@johncreet1254]

One word for this video - brilliant!

[@tedvann9679]

Assuming weight distribution is correct with more weight moving to front leg near top of backswing, what could cause the “dumping” during the downswing? Does the trail knee go towards the ball or does it rotate more towards the front knee?

[@philwilkinson2924]

This leaves me with questions... Do I turn left knee towards target which adds pressure to front foot as I start backswing?... I feel a stretch when I do think this at home... Will try it on the range the next time I'm there... Mr Malasky... I hope my understanding is correct?...

[@chillyerbeans3756]

Sheesh it makes perfect sense! So if as I am, a left handed playing right handed, I need to practice backhands instead of forehands to improve the sequence right?

[@roadfert]

As a former tennis instructor I believe that would work for you since the weight shift is essentially the same.

[@benallen8396]

Good stuff here 👍

[@LightningDogg]

In my youth I knew how to relax my arms and naturally transfer my weight for better bat speed. I figured out on my own how to relax my arm and naturally transfer my weight on a throw from the outfield to maximize ball speed. So how come when I have a golf club in my hands my IQ drops to the number on my club???

[@MalaskaGolf]

LightningDogg It is probably because of your grip. So when you do what you did in baseball and the club runs into the ball the face is off. So then you have to make compensations and get in the way of that speed that you developed to square the face. Check your grip.

[@LightningDogg]

@@MalaskaGolf Thanks for the reply Mike. I have been working on my grip based on some of your videos I first saw a few months ago. I feel like my problem is related to tension in my arms. Even though I know I need to relax and let the swing flow, I just seem to revert back to "hitting" at the ball and not swinging the club. Thus my IQ comment....some of my problem is between my ears. I'll go back and review grip. Thanks.

[@johnoxley1946]

Was extremely interested when you were talking about the lead foot stepping back behind you. This is a problem I've had for the 47 years I've been playing this game and I've never been able to rectify it. Unfortunately I'm not a big hitter like the ones that were referenced. I'm now a 70 year old who struggles to hit his driver 200 yards, and I step away on all my woods, hybrids and mid to long irons. Now I did get a little bit confused with this video, because it seems that at setup you were getting your balance more towards your heels and in the heels throughout your swing. In one of your other videos you say to be properly balanced your balance should be more towards the balls of your feet. So which is correct? Now here's the other thing, when I'm at the range practising I do not step away off my lead foot, only when I'm on the course. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated as to the best way to stop the stepping away. Not to worried about distance, but would love to at least rectify the stepping away problem. I'm sure if I can fix that then I can get my handicap from 23 back down to 8 where it was 9 years ago.

[@golfwolf525]

Great video

[@pauldavis9303]

Very informative as always. Can you put in a link for the product? You’ve help me so much. Thx.

[@robsaxepga]

What's a good drill for this? I'm thinking feet together then step the lead foot toward the target in the first move away might work...

[@ocat1979]

Greg Norman, probably the best driver of the ball ever always advocated having more weight in the heels at setup, but somehow we ended up with this weight on the balls of the feet nonsense. Shark could smash his driver long and accurate because his balance allowed him to

[@rayfarrell9482]

Do you need a lot of lighting? Thinking of putting this in my garage and wondering if I’ll need more lights.

[@trevorlane8977]

something to work on while in lockdown

[@frankb1928]

Good stuff

[@MrBigspendn]

Is there a short version.

[@willpollard4983]

could have been 15 minutes if Mike would stop butting in

[@MC-vv7us]

Thanks for that exceptional video. I have a question, if i can sequence the correct balance and pressure into the right foot, and moving of pressure back to the left foot does the length of backswing matter? ie: a full 90 degree shoulder turn and club shaft parallel to the ground. Im 68 and still love my golf, but flexibility wont allow me to do that. thanks so much. Mike in the UK.

[@MalaskaGolf]

Length of the backswing in one sense does not matter. That is how far back or high your arms swing. But making a full turn is important. I work with a lot of over 50 players including myself. I play from a more closed stance than I did years ago. Plus I let my right leg straighten a bit. Not to totally straight but close. That lets me move my right hip back farther and make a bigger shoulder turn. Close your stance and let your right leg straighten a bit. Just go back and watch Bobby Jones or Hogan or Sam Snead watch their right legs. They straighten out.

[@MC-vv7us]

@@MalaskaGolf Thanks a lot. Im going to work on that In my garden net.

[@pdub2762]

Wow

[@garryhulgan5267]

very smart man

[@maeu59]

I don’t see Mike changing pressure at all before the backswing finishes.

[@AldoScotia]

English instructor has been teaching this for a while,- zen golf mechanic

[@MalaskaGolf]

Scott I was first introduced to this in the early 80s in California at a place called Centenella. It was or is a recherche lab. The reality of all you are hearing today. It is not new. Just more accessible. No one has come up with anything new. Just different ways to explain. The reason there is not much new. Is because the human body has not changed since golf was invented. So the body can only do so many movement patterns within its design. So you can only go so far. The other Ground forces are also not new. They have been around since the beginning of time. How these forces we are surrounded with act and react to each other and how the body uses them is really the key. If there is one.

[@spencertaylor6330]

Like the technology. Wasted on most. Pressure moves rather than mass. You've got to be special to move mass and be consistent. Love the way Mike teaches. He probably had to sit in a dark room after this.

[@mattzens9111]

Mike, I noticed when you're explaining with your hands, right hand specifically, your hand is open. It stuck out initially. I'm assuming you envision your right hand as the clubface. It looked so natural and probably a sub conscious feeling for you. Is that a sub conscious feeling or something you have worked on?

[@johngolden8549]

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT JACK NICKLESS’S “ROLLING YOUR ANKLES” PRACTICE TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE FOOT WORK AND BALANCE❓

[@PeterKennedyMD]

Peter Kennedy. This is great stuff...far more relevant than trying to copy Bull Moose Crawford's hand position at the top. Recall, I'm the guy w/ the p.o.w. neuropathy. Might it be a tool I could use? I'm closer to having a swing that's fit to print somewhere, but my instability and difficulty just walking on grass...but that's another matter. pk

[@lesliewoodcock5880]

Mike, build a pressure plate for the glutes and change this game for the world.

[@EEE-vw4kc]

Same for driver?

[@bradleystuart8608]

👏👏👏

[@radiantonion8615]

it's Ben Hogan's action.

[@jackgriggs805]

All this seems to lead to stack and tilt? Why aren’t there more tour players doing it? Sure looks like that’s what Ben Hogan was doing.

[@chicosarod]

Pat your head and rub your tummy concept for transition when I have to think about it but once I get better I do both without thought.

[@prestonbonner2456]

I've never heard anyone say that other sports motions won't work in golf.

[@MalaskaGolf]

Only most of my career teachers told me that I should not play baseball and or tennis it would ruin my golf swing. There is an entire discussion on why that is or isn't. But many people that are tennis players are told by their teachers not to play golf. I also have had a lot of baseball players tell me that their coaches do not want them playing golf it will hurt their baseball swings. I had that told to me also. But it was interesting. When I was young I would stop on the way home from baseball practice and go straight to the first tee. I had no range. So tee it up and hit it. I had no problem doing it. I also had no problem playing golf. Then going straight to baseball practice and standing up and nailing the first pitch. But that changed as I took golf lessons and I was introduced to what ended up hurting my career. The Golf swing and the golf arm action with all the forearm rotation. Yes, then they no longer crossed over. At least the hand and arm action. So the ball went sideways in one sport and I hit nothing but grounders in the other until I adjusted.

[@prestonbonner2456]

@@MalaskaGolf oh I agree with you completely. Great video!

[@eddienosewicz]

When trying to correlate golf swing with another sport or swing movement. Please keep in mind, especially today's world. Students find it difficult. Why because they never have done or they would say I didn't play sports as a professional to relate. I find it embarrassing for some . Because they were never taught to throw a ball as we did as kids. Keep it mind when you keep on repeating so much. Eddie nozz

[@Rd-bi7vr]

The guy in the blue shirt is talking the moddern nonsense of driving weight into the ground. Rotation of hips deep going back (right hip) is key. Rotating in a barrel is the imagery....

[@jfvezina3458]

Sounds like dechambeau…

[@favorite3424]

Usually Mike is very good but this is confusing. This video gets a thumbs down. This guy saying you are getting data in "real time" is bogus. Nothing is real time because u have to swing and THEN see the data after the swing. I have to unhear this video. Too confusing.

[@Rd-bi7vr]

Sadly golf instruction is like home improvement industry....no written body pf knowledge so everyone is an expert...

[@looks4stuff121]

wish the teacher in the blue shirt would just go away. the old guy keeps that right elbow pinned reminds me of Hogan.