Mike Malaska and Margarita Ramos #4 -- The Tiny Difference Between On and Off

[@larrybeavens7580]

After watching a bunch of Mike’s videos trying to learn this move, the drill he does here with the club well above the ground is what did it for me. I do about 20 reps of this drill several times a day in the house, gradually lowering the club as I progress through the reps. When I play, I also do this drill as part of my pre-shot routine. That’s the way I got it...I’m 76, so it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks.

[@romnaviche]

What improvement did you see in distance/accuracy after you got it down?

[@brendanpittman3642]

I've been going through Mike's "M-system" for about a year now & I've actually gained distance with all clubs. It took me awhile to understand what "getting the club in front of you" actually meant & felt like, but once I had that "aha" moment things really started to click. My misses now aren't near as bad. @@romnaviche

[@IHave14U2C]

After spending years playing myself into utter (and painful) frustration due to horrible instruction that had me restricting my hip turn, pulling down with the handle, firing the hips, laying it off, extending toward the target, and all other sorts of manipulations, I watched this video and something clicked. I went to the range, practiced this simple motion over and over for about 15 minutes, set up, took a swing, giggled (and wept a little). I finally hit a golf ball properly for the first time in my entire life! Every great golfer I ever talked to said that the golf swing should not require a tremendous effort, but the more I practiced and the more I was "taught" the harder it became until my joints ached after every round. After a handful of swings with the club on a proper plane I could hit it crisply and repeatably while barely holding on to the club at all. It is truly unbelievable that this isn't standard instruction for nearly every golfer who struggles to put the club on a proper plane.

[@rangepro]

People teach, right , wrong or indifferent. Students learn, right wrong or indifferent! example= Billy is taught by DAD< dad is God , surely he knows and wouldn't teach me incorrectly. Billy is better then all growing up to a certain age. Then Billy for some reason realizes that what he WAS taught by Dad doesn't work at a higher level. uh oh!! What does Billy do with all that time he spent (approx 15 years) developing what GOD taught him? Jimmy Ballard said "IF I can change your mind I can change your golf swing" People's mind DO NOT want to be changed! The simplicity of understanding that you hit it with the club head instead of the HANDLE is too much for them to GRASP! The world is full of "ignorance" just try not to be Part of that world, I enjoyed your comment!

[@DTHUNDERDK]

Great comment. I feel and understand it.

[@keegancorey7750]

i guess im randomly asking but does anyone know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I somehow lost my account password. I love any tricks you can offer me

[@malachinikolai8390]

@Keegan Corey instablaster ;)

[@keegancorey7750]

@Malachi Nikolai i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@mikeyap9]

Thank You Mike. This made a huge impact on the way I swing the club. I can feel the shaft flex but not when I drag the handle. Yesterday I hit a 270 yard drive; I'm 5'5", 145 lbs and 60 years old. I'm the kind of player that loses his swing during a round of golf. Knowing the feel for on and off allowed me to recover faster yesterday. It made golf fun again. How I wish I've known this when I was just starting out 25 years ago.

[@chadgrossman182]

This is by far the best instruction I have ever seen. I am a former semi-pro player in hopes of resurrecting my swing. I have been struggling for 10 yrs since injuring my leg during the time period when I was playing tournament golf. My biggest problem has been a stuck position that no matter what I did, I couldn't get my old swing back (I call it golf amnesia). I'm 42 yrs old and have been playing for 37 yrs. I don't think anyone on this planet has studied, practiced, played and hit more golf balls than I have. With that said, coming too far inside and in a somewhat stuck position is very frustrating. It's even more frustrating when you don't realize that's the actual problem! That's what makes golf unique in general. Another major issue with studying swings is the fact that most of the swing is an illusion: what you see is not what you feel and what you feel and what's real are 2 totally different things. Thank you, Mike, for really putting something amazing out here for us. It truly is a game changer.

[@kevinkitho]

Video is 8 years old but it’s a classic! I’ve only just picked up golf again the last 3 months after a 16 year lay off played at a reasonable level then (8hcp) until life, kids, career took priority…tried many things since starting again, hitting 1000’s of balls, drills, various KZbin videos promoting all this false shallowing, club face manipulation, rolling over… compensation swing which DOES work for me however consistency has been as reliable as which side of the bed I got out of. Between yourself and Peter Cowans swing concepts this is the exact exaggerated feel that has absolutely taken my golf to the next level, consistency, club head speed, angle of attack, shots are so pure! understanding exactly what LAG is finally for the first time in my life and how to hit it with the right hand hinge and rotational hips opposed to everything you see these days on social media, holding an ‘L’ wrist, pointing the butt of the club to target , manipulating/rolling hands over last minute… wow!! Thank you so much for your wisdom and experience! ❤

[@vimalmittal5603]

I wasted my entire 20 years learning wrong way. Thanks to Malaska.

[@mauricetrotman7836]

Had to watch the drill many times you don t get it the first time but when you do The game becomes a joy this guy can teach

[@THoard83]

BEST INSTRUCTOR OF THE GOLF SWING IN THE MODERN ERA.

[@davidyoung7470]

I started following Mike a month ago. This drill is awesome! Best instructor online by far !!

[@paulclarkson1778]

Paul here from Stubbington in England. I took up the game again towards the end of 2020 (stopped playing in 1978 when I played off 10), and although my ball striking has been improving it’s very inconsistent. I was hitting my usual mix of thins, tops, chunks, shanks and occasional OK strikes, when I remembered watching this video last night. Straight away I was hitting the ball out the centre of the club face, straight and high, even off the deck (which I’d been struggling with). Frankly, I’m kind of in shock, in a daze if you like. Thank you so much Mike. What a legend!

[@darkog8153]

Your videos are holy grail of golf teaching. After 20 years of hitting ball inconsistently and trying to implement all the wrong concepts you are mentioning, a month ago watched a video of David Duval explaining what he feels when he swings the club.Luckily for me somebody commented that's the way Mike Malaska is teaching. After watching your videos and few visits to driving range and implementing your concept I can finally control the ball on will and smash it time after time. What to say than Teacher of the century - Mike Malaska

[@amihanov]

Darko G I saw that Duval video on Golf channel, the one were he discovers a “bit of a release pattern”, also pointing out how strong the right hand gets when bowing rather than Rotating it through impact. Blew my mind too. I guess Mr. Malaska’s move is a good whole explanation to this whole thing

[@fullary]

It’s the best lesson video for my life. It periods all my worries on the tee. I appreciate your insight on golf.

[@westonkoehn8364]

Masterful approach to golf instruction. Mike explains the golf swing as being invisible, which couldn't be more true. The feel vs. real concept is manifested through his drills.

[@spycam56]

Great stuff!!! I am 62yo and I didnt start playing golf until I was in my mid 30's, no lessons ever. All those years I have been shooting in the low to mid 80"s using a lot of wrist and hands in my swing, I got away with it because I had always been fairly athletic, but I NEVER let the club swing, I always felt I needed to guide the ball since the head had to get back to square. Looking at this lesson and a previous lesson by Mike Malaska has now made my swing so much simpler, easier, and most of all CONSISTENT!!! Keep it up Mike....I could have been scoring in the 70's had I known this approach years ago, but it's never too late!!!

[@harizhaniz2036]

Thanks Mike! this is by far the best lesson. I couldnt be more consistence in my ball striking

[@leohoang5875]

For years I could not hit a driver as I would constantly top the ball, or if I did manage to hit into the air it would be a huge slice or snap hook, as a result I never even bothered putting a driver in my bag. After watching this video and trying it out on the range and then on the course I am hitting my drives with much more consistency. Standing over the ball with the driver in hand I feel much more confident in terms of what I have to do, I rehearse that action that he teaches a couple of times before I hit it and then let it rip. I think what Mike teaches so well is about feel which really resonates with me, before I was trying to emulate static positions in a golf swing , and that totally does not work when the swing happens so fast. Thanks Mike , you are the best !

[@mattbickham5635]

This video is amazing and amazingly simple. Everyone talks about what the body does during the swing, but nobody ever discusses what the club needs to be doing, and more importantly why. Just one time swinging the club with the tilting over vs the pulling across and you can tell what he is talking about.

[@mrlonaghen]

Mike you are legit a genius my swing has been struggling for a long time and saw this and went to the range today and I can already see a major improvement You are a unbelievable teacher man keep it up we need more teachers like you Genius man

[@casper7794]

Keeping the club above my hands was the feel I needed with my driver. Effortless distance. Thanks Mike! Warning, if you do this and still roll your forearms at impact you will hook the ball. Give it time.

[@lending99]

Very very cool!!...he talks about "pushing away from the ball" in some of his videos which I tried and it works awesome, but when you watch this vid and check out her legs towards the end of it she's automatically "pushing away" with this drill.....another gem, he's by far the easiest to understand!! Give him a couple years and he's gonna be highly sought after!! great job MIKE!! Love the channel

[@BamaPaul]

Jon Parker I agree Jon don't know why this not teach more. Been doing this a couple weeks hitting it great .

[@bigbee714]

This is very similar to what Jim Hardy teaches with RIT. This explains things in a different way and I found that your videos make what he teaches more clear. I believe I understood you more clearly and quickly because of what I already learned from Jim over the past 10 years. Kudos! This is wonderful.

[@frankfama8214]

Good point on the jh reference !

[@JungleLarry]

Mike's videos got me into the single digit handicaps. He's almost the only instructor I've come across who doesn't spend an inordinate amount of energy on teaching unnatural positions, and instead teaches feelings (which are different for all of us). I lost a little distance because I'm not trying to swing so damn hard all the time, but I score a whole hell of a lot better now.

[@franciscorojas934]

Gessssuuuusss Mike I have been watching hundreds of Videos ..and you just make it so easy ..and makes sense...great lesson thanks

[@jamesjackman9395]

That is a fantastic drill. No one has ever shown me that before, it's just so important. Thanks.

[@nghgkc6]

Tried this drill last night while watching Mike's videos. Took it to the range this morning and the drill makes the swing feel a lot flatter and effortless through the ball which is good. Like Mike said, the drill is just to give you the feeling you should get. The club actually gets down to the ball by itself! Thanks for your great instruction!!!

[@TheLiverpoolbeat]

Mike is the best teacher Ive come across.

[@yanksrule311]

Mike is the man.

[@wolfgangreich5520]

Oh man, i cańt believe that this Drill helped me of my misunderstanding because I always tried come more from the inside. Make this drill since three weeks and got a fluent swing. Hope i can keep it ... many thanks and my best regards from Austria

[@jamesthorn5750]

Fantastic drill! Thank you for DESCRIBING and SHOWING the two different "feels." One CORRECT and the One WRONG!

[@danielsteyn1796]

James Thorn .

[@VV-nd7pv]

Malaska is the best teacher out there👏💯👍 With his move you hit so easy compared to traditional stuck and catch up method. On the range, practice half swings at 0.25x speed. Just to feel it. Make no mistake, only a bit of pull the hands forward and you're done!!🤯 You're gonna stuck and catch it up. So pay attention!!! Once memorized the Malaska move, slowly go to normal speed but still just half swings. Easy solid 140yrds PW effortlessly. Just like that. Obs: practice with blade irons. You'll feel the solid contact even more👍💯

[@peterchlopecki557]

you are the most logical teacher on the web Mike, A BIG THX!!!

[@shrimboy7492]

All u fellow golfers.. For the driver and hybrid, its exactly the same swing. Here is how: get a 7 iron, go to the range and get that swing down. Once u have it, pick a tempo that is free of tension in ur arms/shoulders. Use that same tempo on the driver/hybrid. U will be surprised! Mike is 10000 percents correct!

[@sohosterable]

Ray Chau I know but most hybrids have a closed face

[@ThrowinBombs80]

@@sohosterable just open the face or get it adjusted lol

[@sohosterable]

I tried but opening the face is not the answer ;-) I do have a pro hybrid with a neutral face and it works well.

[@ThrowinBombs80]

@@sohosterable it works virtually 100% of the time when I do it. Make sure you're opening the face and THEN taking your grip. Taking your grip before opening the face will cause a slew of issues.

[@sohosterable]

I will give it a try...good tip! Thanks

[@tommorgan9744]

Great teaching, best I’ve see or got a lessen. Wish I had that money back.

[@luckymanla]

dammit Malaska.. why couldn''t you post this 10yrs ago!!! great drill, seriously helped - thank you!

[@kelyoung1521]

No Rosalita would have been too young.

[@jscal100]

You are the best teacher. Thank you so much, it is really make me feel good with my swing now.

[@ajh21313]

Your an amazing teacher Mike!

[@MrOracleman]

You are the best Mike👍👍👍

[@Costigs01]

Swear to god i went to the range today using this feeling (after having a dreadful round yesterday!) And its the first time in a long time that my swing felt effortless, balls rocketed off the face of my irons (and accurately!) And my driver went straight 90% of the time. Thats unheard of for me!

[@skyshooter2010]

I tried the drill for the first time today on the Drving Range and I'm thrilled. My first ball with the swing was an easy mini draw and it was repeatable. Best of all, it works with any club, especially the driver. This is how golf is really fun!

[@John-wg1jh]

you sound exactly like me!

[@edbleackley8444]

This is a great lesson, unfortunately it has taken me a long time to comprehend. Comments have been made 7 years ago and as recently as 10 days ago, which is an indication that the instruction is timeless. I was caught up in the drag the handle and let the club head drop behind the hands methodology, which makes it very difficult to have a great ball striking day and very easy to have a very poor ball striking day. I could not figure out why until I realized there is an angle between the arms and club at address, as well as, at impact, which means I cannot let the club drop behind the hands and drag the handle. If I do the hands and arms raise and they are on the same plane as the club, the face is open and depending on timing, all hell can be demonstrated on every shot. The efficiency of the release is promoted along with consistency when using Mike's instruction, it is amazing.

[@philippoxenius7366]

Thank you so much. You make so much sense, and golf is starting to feel nice again.

[@jackgarland4080]

Great drill! Began using the drill two days ago. Amazing: effortless power and ball goes straight. I could actually feel the club rotate when hands come down. One big key for me, however, is that I make a good backswing--like he talks about: keeping club in front on backswing as well. If I take club inside too much on backswing, then you find yourself "catching up" at the start of the downswing.

[@scotthenshall4537]

This is absolute gold 🥇.

[@shrimboy7492]

I finally found the correct data. Thank you so much Mike! Correct data --> get good results!

[@randybrown4576]

Ray Chau

[@blue24563]

Thanks Mike. I took this feel to the range for the last couple of weeks. Played a match today against a 7 handicap who played below his handicap. I shot 5 over in very wet conditions but with 3 double bogeys (2 on easy par 5s) thanks to poor chipping and putting. Could have very easily been level par. I’ll keep working on it

[@barrybr1]

Wow. It has to be said Margarita is an awesome student, she 'got it' and demonstrated the difference perfectly

[@DerrickMertl]

Very similar to what I teach my students. I teach to swing the club with your forearms and when you come down in transition your forearms and elbows go down not out. And don’t let the club head drop behind. To many videos these days trying to get people shallowing and most folks getting stuck and flipping. Good video here

[@127notout]

Thanks Mike for your invaluable teaching. After nearly fifty years of hacking round golf courses and not really able to take in this 'killer tip' or that 'marvelous cure' from myriad maestros I feel I can now start to play golf. I think the secret is your one on one coaching which is far easier to understand. In other words learning from mistakes and the solution. Tomorrow I won't just 'turn up' at the course but approach the task like a breath of fresh air with hope and less frustration. Thanks again.

[@sergiosotelo8262]

mate this is great good teacher ,my game is going great since i had a look at mr malaska videos

[@thomasfraser9072]

Absolutely correct! No catching up is ever needed in a golf swing. The simple swing thought I think of now while making a swing is to make sure my hands and wrist are at the exact placement and distant from my body at impact as I had them at set up. And yes; the momentum of the club head carries me through to the finish.

[@johnharrington6122]

Thomas Fraser ,yea! That’s it! I just hit balls first w/ a split grip , then normal, feeling the same motion and get the hands and club filling the same space at impact as at setup!

[@migbgold3191]

Such a great and easy video to replicate as a pre-swing move. All those freakin years of doing pumps and handle pulls -- this makes all the sense in the world and lets the club face do what it's supposed to do! As a former hockey and baseball player, this is the missing piece of the puzzle. I have been playing for 30 years and have played in mid to low single digits, but never could get it down to a scratch -- largely because if my swing was not "grooved" I was in scramble city every other round.

[@haodongli8672]

best tip ever, it changed my game

[@ronniereacts1580]

Amazing how close the baseball and golf swings is...When the bat head or club head falls behind you we call it bat drag...Drag = bad because you can never catch up or hit the inside pitch properly! But if the butt of the bat works first and the bat head stay up and back this is called bat leg which is good and produces great bat speed. I fell into club-head behind you and hip fire and destroyed my swing for a bit...Thanks for this...over exaggeration is great for learning like this and when you are loose and swinging full speed the club just falls into the proper place. takes time, but it does.

[@eddieelfakir5189]

Thank u for this great video, would u consider this being similar to the pump drill? When I do the pump drill 3x and then take the shot, seems like it’s crisp. Then of course my problem is when I get too comfortable I ignore the pump drill and then shank the shot.

[@davidwakhu5812]

Perfect teaching

[@adamhazelwood5282]

This lesson is the key for me. Lower hands, feeling like the toe of the club is pointing up at impact. I get lower ball flight better compression, more consistency, and dead straight ball flight. It only took two years for me to understand the video!

[@alanmartins6349]

Best explanation of a golf swing ever.

[@usersrule]

Mike is good. Fixed my over the top move, and outside to in path with one drill.

[@samuelbm87]

As an over the topper I feel like this is my enabler video and I'll revert back to my old ways by referencing this and where you put the clubhead in relation to the plane on the way down 🥴

[@jeffbehringer1262]

Best drill I’ve ever seen.

[@davidhenryandthemysterons3220]

That is a FANTASTIC drill,

[@jimmycarlsson6414]

Tipping the club out or standing the club up or releasing the club from the top (whatever phrase you would like to use) is probably the best golf drill ever if you really understand it - it makes the swing so effortless, so crisp ball contact and a penetrating ball fligth as you simply compress the ball...

[@vimalmittal5603]

I need to buy book on this so I will not forget this swing.

[@howiekarasick3892]

Keep the club above the hands that is HUGE

[@orlandotaylor7315]

Awesome vid .this is what a pro showed me the other day . ive had 9 lessons but no one showed me this. but i can do it slow motion but have trouble doing it at real speed. cheers Orlando

[@UselessDuckCompany]

This is confusing to someone who has an "over the top" fault, but I'm going to try it

[@truthful2877]

This really makes sense. Thank you!

[@treboreimaj3274]

Your right elbow position looks way off on the downswing. I thought it should lead and be below the left elbow. Can you explain?

[@jacktilou1107]

Nicklaus or Michelson swing. Will that drill works with that type of swing, or do we have to do some adjustments to make it work for that type of swing?

[@anon8095]

This is fantastic, thanks.

[@ReSourceEnergetics]

That was beautiful. Thanks from Alan.

[@samandollie1]

I will try this tomorrow. I think I finally realize what Jack meant when he said you can never release the club to early!

[@gerardlongobardi7890]

Hey Mike, I am really enjoying your videos. My question is that I notice you always use two alignment rods....one to the target as an extension from the ball. The second....is this the hand path from your perspective? I notice that it does not appear to be an alignment aid for the feet or stance.

[@Rd-bi7vr]

Nicklaus,Woods,Sergio and many others were taught this method of leading with hands.But most modern instructors teach a body pivor driven swing which is harder.

[@eagledetection4451]

This 6 min clip is worth $$$$$

[@myroseaccount]

If Mike had been my coach at 12 years old I might not have become an accountant

[@steveperry1344]

mike, tried this yesterday at range and presto, i think this is what i've been searching for. a little more time will tell. our season is over in n.e. but i have heated range to go to. where were ya 20 yrs. ago. thnx much, steve

[@jesslynyap2010]

U gets solid n more consistent shots tks Mike

[@edmoreno6926]

This drill really changed and improved my iron game!! Power and flight is night and day, My fairway woods are much improved as well. My challenge is the driver swing. I am sure it is my set up... My driver is poping up or the miss is a pull hook?

[@BamaPaul]

Ed Moreno I had same issue but stripped it now.Feel like you coming more from the inside with your weight going back toward your heels in ds.

[@rickstevens9628]

Mike, could you call the tee by the right foot (ala you and Joe Nichols) and a vertical line up from that a pivot point of the wrist/hands? May I look at it that way?

[@a09138168112005]

dammit Malaska.. why couldn''t you post this 20yrs ago!!! ha ha ha , thank you!

[@jsant24]

I tried this drill today at the range and I couldn’t believe how effortless the club swung through the path. I was shocked at how easily and effortlessly I was hitting the ball. Thank you for these awesome videos.

[@gilbertoherrera1492]

Agree with others...great philosophy! It explains many of the things I felt were right a long time ago...ima get technical now...I found that, on the way down, getting the shaft out in front of my right clavicle (I'm right handed) then protracting my right shoulder girdle allows me to get my hands in proper position at impact (k position). This thought replaced the dreaded SLIDE...additionally I laterally (externally) rotated the left Glenohumeral joint through the ball while maintaining spine angle and this allowed me to keep supple wrists and grip pressure which really felt like NO hands at all (this replaced the dreaded FLIP)!!! Oh don't forget to keep your butt on the wall (no goat humping otherwise it won't work!!!). A quick point I think protracting the right shoulder girdle before getting the shaft in front of the right clavicle(this is for righties) on the way down is JUST AS BAD as dragging the handle...in other words, both cause club to get behind, loss of posture and the flip SAVE!

[@gunalannalliah7302]

Wow what a great lesson.Tq very much

[@MrMikeRodriguez]

Swinging this way feels great. And good contact sounds. But it seems like it is a really steepening move. Can’t understand how it is supposed to get very shallow with the tipping forward. Nothing really throws it backwards very hard when starting it down this way.

[@davidstevens3934]

Dennis Pugh was my favourite instructor but i think Mike Malaska is even better.

[@phillipbrown8571]

Wasted money for the last 25 years by being coached the wrong way. At last I have a pro at home that teaches them malaska way and what a difference in my ball striking

[@NocyMusic]

Best golf teacher

[@Ktc99999-b]

swing thought: on the downswing, feels like you re jabbing your groin with the handle.

[@brettkim0303]

darn !this is amazing drill i never had!!

[@crimn]

Ok the shaft gets to your right shoulder then in front of your chest. Do that same drill but put the club on the ground, not above your hands in the air.

[@nogrowth3305]

This is the essence of golf swing mechanics

[@joecontreras3175]

Hello, what's the best way to practice and get the "best feeling"?

[@paulws6340]

Please can we see some more of Margarita..she is terrific. Mikes ok as well 😜

[@joesmith389]

This is opposite of GG. Both interesting. I’m going to try this and see if it cures my block/pushes.

[@absbica31]

yea Mike and George definitely have two opposing philosophies to the golf swing. Mike definitely keeps things cleaner and simpler, IMHO. Doesn't make George's wrong...just his approach is harder for me to 'get' from an execution and feel perspective.

[@per-eriknorrman5666]

This is what Leadbetter now teach with his A-swing. Am I right?

[@1978Aminogrp]

wow this is great video

[@elias-di3bi]

Hello Mike, does this move not lead to over the top ?

[@povrtsux1]

EXCELLENT! THANKS!

[@christophchristopher4020]

wow, this is really crazy looks awesome

[@mjp431982]

what about a Gary player shaft swallow at the top?... this looks like the opposite