Rushing Swings? How to Teach Your Brain to Stop It

"I rushed that shot", "Why do you keep rushing?", "Stop rushing d*****", "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" -- how many times have you said these to yourself? And does anything change?! Not usually...because just telling your brain doesn't actually make any difference.
BUT there are things you CAN do that approach the problem from a different angle. And in this video I list out four of them, including things you can do off the course, to train your brain and body on what TO DO (not what NOT to do).
Videos I mentioned in the video (how meta)
- • RARE footage of 16-yea...
- • The pure swing of Fred...
- • Fred Couples, Ernie El...
(And that early Michael Bolton/Lonely Island video if you're looking for it:
• Jack Sparrow (feat. Mi... )
Hope this is helpful! Please let me know with the like button, and drop me a comment with what you liked/what worked.
*If you're into improving your game, I highly recommend this book:*
Tiger's How I Play Golf: amzn.to/3KHalyD
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. Teaches you all the stuff you would have to spend years figuring out on the course, has tons of pictures and clear explanations, and stands the test of time (I've had my copy over 20 years, and everyone I've recommended it to, loves it).
Annnddd...here are a couple of my other videos that other folks have liked/found useful:
- Using smart golf to set a new personal best: • Does Smart Golf REALLY...
- How to suck less at par 3s: • Instant strokes gained...
- What's IN my bag: • This setup took me fro...
- What's NOT in my bag: • 3 things I TOOK OUT of...
(PS: some of the links listed are affiliate links so I might get a kickback from them, which I will then spend on golf balls that I will lose on the course and thus the circle of life continues)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:47 4: Monkey see, monkey do
02:52 3: Practice swings
04:21 2: Arriving at the ball
07:47 1: Backswing
10:08 Summary
________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO IS THIS GUY
Hey - I'm Manu, a full-time desk-jobber and part-time golfer living in the San Francisco Bay Area. After 23 YEARS of mindless hacking, I finally got my act together and dropped my handicap from ~12 to scratch.
What I learned is we waste a lot of time at the range, but there are SO MANY THINGS you can do to get big results IMMEDIATELY. And so I make videos to share what I've learned and help you make the journey WAY faster (and with less frustration). Hope this is helpful!
Want to chat about videos or business stuff? Drop me a line: [e-mail]

[@ericdehoff6693]

This video feels like it was directed at me specifically. These are all things I've thought about, worked on, recognized in my game. You did a great job putting them all in one place. Now just to learn to do them consistently.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Well you're 90% there coz you know the answers. You're not alone mate, we're all in that boat 😅 Let's make a pact that whoever masters it first gives the other one a cut from his first PGA tour win?!

[@crispyduck1706]

Feeling like the club is extremely heavy is a good swing thought

[@upbeatgolfer]

Love that! Thanks for the tip! 😃

[@rexoner2000]

Interesting concept 👍👍👍

[@questioneverythingHaid-gb4dc]

Good advice. After 48 years what finally worked for me was Joe Dante’s EBWB -early backward wrist break. I was hoping for something new but let’s face it, everything in the swing has been done sometime somewhere by someone during the 350 years or so of this game. Packaged differently, named, explained, felt differently but essentially the same. Though equipment has come a long way since featheries and hickory, the human body has not evolved much. Among the 12 good things EBWB can do for you this is no. 3: Gives you the feeling that you have plenty of time to go to the top and come down. Joe compliments my Mike Austin method as no other instructor does. Only found them 7 years ago and am very satisfied with finally “digging it out of the dirt” to suit my needs. Over a million ways to advance the ball per Homer Kelley. Hope you all find your cup of tea. Fairways and Greens! PenguinGolf

[@ashleymusgrave5069]

Excellent video. Thanks so much. First time I have seen it put this way - everything rings true and I will definitely be using this advice. Plus - love the way you deliver it - a breath of fresh air 🙏🏼👏🏼

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thank you! Glad you liked it, and really happy to have you here!

[@mattscheurman1616]

Another great video! I love your breakdown of the mental aspects of the game and how you tie it in to the physical aspects. The most underrated golf channel on KZbin. Keep up the great work!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks Matt! You are the best. Glad you liked this - it's definitely helped me not rush when I'm over the ball -- as long as I prime my mental game before/during the round 😅

[@nickperry18]

I think this is one of the single best videos I have seen on KZbin. Saved. Subscribed. Will repeatedly watch. Great stuff thanks so much.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Well this comment is the best! Thanks dude! I'm glad you liked it and thanks for the kind words. Excited to share more (hopefully) useful stuff!

[@adsr1982]

Dude what a video! Great tips Manu. Loved every bit of it!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks! Glad you liked it and thanks for telling me - it means a lot! 😃

[@bezraznizu]

I really dig the mental approach and general lighthearted approach to teaching. Subscribed!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Love it! (Attempted) hilarity is a must. Glad you joined the crew - great to have you here 😃

[@vonundzusas]

Great video. Love your sense of humor. Thank you!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome! Thank you! I'm going to print this out and show it to my wife every day. 😃

[@Gigity1107]

The first video of yours I've come across. I really liked the information and especially the delivery. Great stuff!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome, thank you! Really glad you liked it, and I hope it helps on the course!

[@digalittledeeper]

Well done! Very helpful!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@txnerd940]

This video is what I needed. I've struggled for years with swinging too hard. Your video has some great tips - I especially like the swing thought of being calm. Thanks!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome, glad you found it helpful! 😃

[@sinisterkc]

Amazing to see your passion come to life here buddy! Congrats Manu.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks dude! It's pretty awesome having your buddies find the videos in the wild 😃

[@andymincer2127]

I needed this! Thanks.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for telling me!

[@briandjmb]

Great content! Thank you. Keep on in that same spirit please!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Ha you got it! And thank you for the kind words! Glad you liked it 😃

[@parsonsprod]

I absolutely LOVE this lesson and u do a beautiful (and upbeat) job of breaking it down into 4 easy to follow steps. Totally RIGHT ON in your thinking and as u said every golfer struggles with this

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks for the kind words, and I'm glad you liked it!

[@jeffblazey7802]

This is great coaching and thanks. I especially like the vicarious learning part as I find I do that a lot. Yeah, I watch Ernie and Fred but I also chronically watch the relaxed swings of female pros too as, a group, they are soooo relaxed in their routines and swings. Thanks!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Totally! I think as amateurs we can learn a lot more from the LPGA golfers because of the perfect technique and incredible timing/tempo etc. I love the "chronically watch" comment! Personally I do that with Nelly Korda's swings on the range - it's part of my warmup mental priming. Glad you liked it and thanks for letting me know!

[@MStar10]

Wow, great simple and practical tips! When I slow down - all goes well in my game! Thank you

[@upbeatgolfer]

My pleasure! Glad you found it helpful! I hope it works for you on the course :)

[@andrewsheridan4489]

You have a great sense of humor, you’re affable, and your advice is spot-on. Most importantly you can make fun of yourself (1992 VHS camcorder). Thanks for being different.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Well this comment is delightful - thank you!!! Glad you liked it and welcome to the crew! There are dozens of us! 😃

[@toddwmac]

Thanks Manu, terrific tips/reminders that I don't think we hear enough of. Subbed and liked. On the topic of rushing after a bad shot, I got a great tip years ago that said. "Your penance for making a bad shot, is a 25% power reduction in the next shot." Pretty much like clockwork, things would get better. Looking forward to digging into your content.

[@upbeatgolfer]

That is a great point! Doesn't really seem like "penance" when it fixes your next shot though 😃 Maybe it's more of a reward?!

[@dr.baliwas3168]

Your content is always so awesome!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Ha thank you! Now that you know all the secrets, no strokes next time we play 😃

[@davidoreilly4641]

Thanks for the great video buddy. Great tips. Went out and bought the Tiger book - looking forward to starting that tonight. Keep up the great work.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thank you! Glad you liked it! And really great to hear you got the Tiger book. I have two copies 😃 I find it really useful to really think about technique across all different kinds of shots -- it's too easy to get caught up in whatever swing thing I'm working on and forget about the basics of the shot, and this book is a great compendium + reminder. Would love to hear what you think!

[@pablocurat1122]

Great and concrete 4 tips, many thanks!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Woohoo! Thanks mate - glad you liked them!

[@Oldblokefromtipton]

Loved how everything was broken down and explained, will give it a go next time out👍🏻

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome (and thank you)! Would love to hear how it goes!

[@richards5910]

Some great advice there, thank you. 👍

[@upbeatgolfer]

Glad you like it!

[@Harpoon9]

Good video my man, much needed and never heard of or seen anyone make a video like this and it’s all true from the mental side. Look forward to what else u dial in to.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks dude! Yeah I'm pretty excited to see too :D Seriously though, I do think the mental side of things and these tiny tweaks about what you think about *before* you hit the shot are legit game-changing - they've def worked for me. Glad you liked this!

[@jamesmc81]

nice take. yes, you certainly cant execute good rhythm if you're not relaxed. If you wanna hit piss missiles you gotta be zen.

[@upbeatgolfer]

😂

[@jamesmc81]

@@upbeatgolfer it's quite the paradox, isn't it. Namaste mfers I outdrove your ass. I don't make the rules.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Namaste 🤣

[@nicpaolo7940]

This is it!! Keep these coming

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks! You got it!

[@mfluentz1378]

Thank you for this vid! This content helped me hit more flushed and straighter shots out on the course earlier this morning! It was the "finish the backswing" that did it for me 🙌🙌 Appreciate you!! 🤟 #subscribed

[@upbeatgolfer]

Whaaaat! That is awesome - instant results FTW! So glad to hear that and thanks for sharing. So great to have you here 😃

[@yatesdew]

Your channel is my new favorite and I sent it to friends and my Dad. Cheers and thanks! I do not want a refund. 🤣

[@upbeatgolfer]

Hahaha love it! Brb gonna go spend that refund budget on some new Jordans 😃

[@mkaush]

Great video… I liked the word calm golf instead of slow golf. I like what you said about think golf, feel golf, play golf boxes. I will try and add that to my routine along with some of the other tips you mentioned.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Glad you liked it! "Calm" was super helpful for me too, because no one wants to be slow 😅 And actually the next video (I'm editing it right now) is about more info on the think/feel/play boxes, so hopefully you'll find that useful too!

[@thecount1001]

agreed, it's a great cue.

[@vanbalzup6481]

Great tips. There's so much that can help golfers that 99% of golfers have never even thought about. For me, yoga and golf walk hand in hand. First, like you said comes breathing. Most importantly, breath through your nose only when at the ball, reducing oxygen intake. In through the nose, hold, then out through the mouth. Lower that heart rate, eliminate thoughts from the mind. Golf should be played in a meditative state of bliss, or as Chubbs would say, in your happy place. Look around at how beautiful everything on the course is. The colours, the trees, the water, the sky, the smell, the sounds. There's no reason to be angry ever when playing golf. Patience and routine are the virtues to follow. Training the brain to run on autopilot in a calm state of focus is the goal. Even if it doesn't improve your score, it will improve your enjoyment of the game and turn those 18 holes from a potential hell of frustration into the heaven of zen you can escape to from our busy lives.

[@upbeatgolfer]

1000%. Man I feel zen just reading that comment of yours 😃 I do agree wholeheartedly though. My main cues on the course are to breathe, and walk tall. I also have a reset routine (which I've mentioned in some other videos so sorry if I'm repeating what you already know) that I use when shots don't work out as planned - and a big part of it is watching the wind in the trees or the squirrels/ducks run around at my local course (we have a LOT of squirrels). The external focus takes a lot of the pressure off (of how well I'm hitting a ball with a stick, yes I know), and also gets the attention out of my head which is key. Thanks again for your comment - what a great note!

[@vanbalzup6481]

@@upbeatgolfer Thank you very much! We get flocks of green parakeets and Bonelli eagles amongst the corks and palms here on the south coast of Spain. Every time it’s just a joy to set foot on the course.

[@upbeatgolfer]

That sounds amazing. Like a wildlife park at the golf course!

[@jefffletcher7335]

Subscribed. Great video. I feel like I rush because I can’t wait to see what’s gonna happen!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Ha yes me too! It's so hard to be patient and let the swing complete itself before looking up 😅

[@mem30075]

Good points....especially stay calm after a bad shot 👍

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks! Calm is key, also saves money on club repair 😅

[@RayDickinson-if8sl]

Great ideas! I shot a really good score today following these suggestions- especially driver but also wedges- Thank-you!

[@upbeatgolfer]

YES!!! That is awesome! And thanks for telling me/us! Anything specific that stuck out?

[@drewvan19]

Awesome video! Let’s see this seasons (updated) what’s in the bag!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Ha you got it! It's in the works!

[@drewvan19]

@@upbeatgolfer can’t wait!

[@MarkLiversedge]

Love this, love the humour. Subscribed !

[@upbeatgolfer]

Glad you liked it! Welcome to the crew! 😃

[@davidboddy4207]

Brilliant in every way, thank you, just had a lesson yesterday and this is what we were working on.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thank you! Glad you liked it! Would love to hear how it goes for you.

[@davidboddy4207]

@@upbeatgolfer Thanks, I'll come back next week after I've done a few short after work practice sessions this week and played next Wed, fingers crossed.

[@wreckim]

This is just awesome. BTW, F.Couples at the Shell's WWof Golf...he swings so smoothly, and pretty much on every shot, he mumbles, 'get down ball'...it's just amazing. Great lesson TUG. Subscribed.

[@robertrichardson7371]

Super video. I find imaging Ernie Els swing very helpful.All of your tips are useful. Thanks

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks! Ernie Els IS kind of amazing right? So much power from such a smooth swing...

[@GeoffGrant2010]

Very helpful! Good repetition!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome - glad you liked it!

[@mikex3909]

Coming back to the game just now after a long break. After chasing positions and sequencing for the first five or six visits to the range, this was a refreshing, much needed change for me. "Finish the backswing" and "monkey see, monkey do" helped a lot. Probably the best I've hit the ball since 2016 or so. Thanks Manu. I have no idea what your background is professionally, but your communication and presentation skills are top notch. And thanks for the Tempo Town reference. I'm Vijay's age and could watch him and Ernie swing all day.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Well this comment made my day - thanks so much for that Mike! Glad you found it helpful. I totally understand the "chasing positions" feeling, did that for a long time until I figured out I don't practice enough to perfect those and could get to a better spot with feels and some mental work. I'm excited to hear how your journey goes, and what works for you! Great to have you join the crew 😃

[@rackum44]

I subbed thanks for talking about something that no instructors really do on KZbin.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome! Glad you liked it! Lmk if you have any other topics that you wish folks talked about and I'll make something up (jk - I'll see if we can find something 😃).

[@neerajbhalla1]

Super helpful tips to the number 1 shot killer for me. Thanks man..

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome, great to hear it! You're welcome, and great to have you here!

[@frankmartin1638]

Really fun and clean demonstration

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@cy_yakfishing3358]

Great tips! Definitely implementing these from here on out. My friends and I picked up the game a couple years ago, and I definitely feel like I’m rushing because I’m usually the guy trying to keep everyone’s pace of play reasonable. Any tips on how to get my friends to pick up their pace without coming off as pushy or uptight? No one wants to be “that guy”.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks - glad you liked it! And that is definitely one of the more dodgy situations on the course! I've been in that boat (I've also been the slow one), and it's hard standing up to your friends (to paraphrase Dumbledore). The thing I've found useful is to not make it personal, so I say things like "oh shoot, we're falling behind, how about we play ready golf for the next few shots to catch up?", or "man I hope a ranger doesn't show up, we've fallen behind". And if those don't work, I start walking faster. Sometimes none of that works though (specifically I've had this happen in tournaments where you get penalized for slow play), and I'm learning (very slowly!) to let it go and just enjoy the extra time to plan my shots better. And also that it's not my sole responsibility to keep the group on pace, so while I will try, I also don't have to stress out about it. Hope this is helpful - would love to hear what you land on; always open to adding more artful phrases to my repertoire 😃

[@alphapiglet1]

Great vid and I love your swing.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome, thank you! So great to have you here!

[@stevesynan1471]

Just discovered your channel. Great content, great instruction. Thank you.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome, thank you! Great to have you here! 😃

[@kevinaugust3388]

Nice video....I also started to focus on a pause at the top of my swing. I get the the top of my swing and count to 2 before starting the downswing.

[@upbeatgolfer]

That's a great point! I did worry about getting stuck in Hideki/Cam Young mode with the pause, but apparently that pause drill is the key. For me it definitely helps me make sure I get my weight to my trail leg so I'm not going through the transition too quickly. Thanks for bringing this up!

[@rexoner2000]

Great Video. I started in 2020 And took a lesson that summer my coach said the key to a good swing is dependent on Timing Tempo and Balance (I will never forget that) But on a skill level it was completely meaningless until now. I like how delayed the learning processes is at times, I can never get board at this rate. Took 4 years for a proper grip to make sense now Tempo has it’s place 🤦‍♂️

[@alcc4964]

You have my attention. Great video! And yes, you are funny too

[@upbeatgolfer]

Haha thank you! Glad you liked it! And thanks for the comment about being funny - I printed that out and show it to my wife constantly 😃

[@user-jv4qk7uf6y]

I have had this problem as well. I have learned the slow practice Swing has helped me tremendously in slowing my brain/swing down.

[@upbeatgolfer]

It's so interesting how that works. You'd think that a full speed swing to replicate the shot would be best, but apparently not 😅

[@johnatchley9754]

All good advice, especially the one on finishing the backswing. A key aspect of that is not rushing or short cutting the transition to the downswing regardless of whether you are taking a full swing or trying to hit a half or three quarter swing, as when forced to use a longer iron to keep a shot under overhanging branches. I’ve been playing for over 60 years and still find that it is so easy to forget this when you are distracted by other thoughts or tired. It can wreck any shot, from driver to fairway wood to approach iron to chip, making you hit fat or top the ball, because just as you say your movement is now thrown out of sequence. It means in most cases just pausing a bit at the end of the backswing to allow the momentum of the club head to slow down so it can be reversed smoothly into forward momentum in the downswing. You don’t need to come to a full stop like a few pros do, just get the brain to think or remember to pause briefly.

[@upbeatgolfer]

100% agreed. Just enough to load everything up so it be released fully! It's interesting how hard it is to do though, especially when the mind is busy with other things 😅

[@alanscott8067]

Excellent focus point. Tempo is a product of relaxation, readiness and trust. Relaxed allows the double pendulum to operate unhindered. Readiness allows you to properly transition from back swing into downswing naturally. Trust allows you your preparation created from address to the top of your swing to unfold without conscious effort to hit the ball. Leave your hands and arms relaxed from the top. Shift your weight and allow your turn to happen as a consequence. All angles will release smoothly.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Love the way you phrased that. Thanks! And glad you liked the video!

[@AndrewCCabral]

Great video and I enjoyed the comic relief-cookie!!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Haha that was my favorite part too (well it was a tie between that and Michael Bolton). Annnnd now I have the "I did it for the cookie" song in my head. What a great night! 😃

[@mpperfidy]

Excellent video; instantly liked & subscribed.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome, thank you! Welcome to the crew! 😃

[@ElvisCorvette]

First time viewer and subscribed. Spot on! I was wondering when someone would lay down the swing basics which is more useful than a lot of other confusing videos (one says do this, the other says don't do this. LOL). I've used Freddie Couples for many years and the 5.5.5. swing thought before hitting. I came up with the swing thought many years ago. I say 5.5.5 before I start my swing...I've been playing for over 60 years and just turned 72. I still hit the ball a pretty good distance. My Driver average carry is 235 yards. 1 to 10...The first 5 means grip pressure (results in smooth take away), second 5 means back swing speed (helps complete the back swing) , third 5 means coming down on the forward swing (helps to complete the swing)...Everything falls in place. Keep up the great information flow. Big thumbs up.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Glad you liked it! And thanks for sharing your 5-5-5 model - I like how it covers the whole swing, and I'm going to try it next time on the range. Thank you!

[@dlangegoogle]

Great points. Another pro comparison - watch them walk. Their pace is consistent and rather slow. While we ride a lot we do still walk to our ball. Maybe try to cut the rushing there also. Another - keep a 'song in your head' hopefully not a heavy metal banger - but something calmer and consistent in its rhythm. Nice job on the whole video. Fun but great points.

[@upbeatgolfer]

1000% on both points! That's a great point about carts vs walking - the change in rhythm between riding definitely affects how we approach the ball and the general tempo in our head -- everything is relative, so trying to slow down from 120% to 80% is harder than slowing from 100% to 80% (like when you get off a highway and have to slow down, it feels like a crawl). I think a similar issue happens when we're walking but we're going uphill vs flat/downhill because the heart rate is elevated so it feels like we're walking faster... And also re: the song! I've shot some great rounds when I had a song in my head. The key is to embrace it vs. fighting it. Personally I like to pick a song I really like and just listen to it on repeat as I arrive at the golf course and on the putting green. It's worked wonders! (I change it every month or two) There's more in how pros (and regular folks) walk and how it affects the game. I'm actually working on a video about it right now which will be out soon! (Edit: pressed save too soon)

[@johndunlap1291]

Very helpful info. 🙈

[@upbeatgolfer]

Glad you think so! And great to have you here!

[@MPerski]

Two more things: 1. Take a DEEP BREATH and 2. PAUSE at the top of the swing (on the order of “finish your back swing”) Good stuff 👍🏻

[@upbeatgolfer]

Love it! Breathing is definitely THE key. The pause at the tops of the swing is an interesting one because it feels different to everyone, e.g. Cam Young vs. Matt Fitzpatrick

[@paul5589]

Thank you. 👍

[@upbeatgolfer]

My pleasure! Glad you liked it :)

[@bougie_kenny]

This is a great video. When I try to slow down my tempo, I cast more. It’s like my wrists become impatient and become insubordinate to my thoughts.

[@upbeatgolfer]

I know that feeling! In case it helps: I don't know your swing at all, but for me the reason I was casting was that "slower tempo" actually slowed down/stopped my lower body, so my wrists were trying to save me by casting the club. What worked for me was making sure I finished my backswing (whatever it needed to be for that shot) and still moving aggressively through the ball = making sure my lower body still drove the shot. Would love to hear what you think of this!

[@coastsidescience]

Awesome vid. Thanks! I used to play Fred Couples on repeat for tempo. Helped a ton. If I can humbly suggest one more with longer shots; driver down through long irons: pretend like you're only hitting it 100 yards. Pick a 100 yard target on the fairway in line with your goal. With my driver it slows me down and makes the pace much better while retaining distance and accuracy.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Glad you liked it! And great suggestion! I did that in the past with great results, will bring it back into the rotation. Thanks!

[@nicklakin1709]

Thanks for the great video - Reminded me of what I need to get back to doing. Many years ago when I was starting to golf, I taped Larry Mize’s golf swing at the Masters. Beautiful, smooth swing. I watched that video, probably hundreds of times, and did my best to copy him. Years later when I was golfing with the pro of our local Country Club, after one of my tee shots he said: “Ooooooh! You put the Ooooooh in Smooooth!” I need to get back to doing that. Now that I am 71, and don’t hit it as far as I used to, I find myself swinging harder and harder to get more distance. Thank goodness for you and the internet - now I don’t have to find that old tape or a VHS player 😂! I have already looked up Larry Mize’s golf swing🏌️‍♂️and WILL be playing (like him) later today.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Love that! And thanks for this awesome comment! I love that story, and I'm excited to hear how your round went today. It's kind of amazing how quickly our minds learn from watching things right? And you *just gave me a GREAT idea (while I was typing this!): what if we expanded the videos we're watching to create a repertoire for the main shots we'll encounter on the course (drive, normal iron shot, knockdown, greenside bunker, etc.)? And then watched the one for the next shot coming up before hitting it? Might be an interesting experiment. Thanks again (and for this idea)!

[@nicklakin1709]

Before heading to the course, I hit some balls into my practice net - trying to get that “Larry Mize” silky smooth swing. It was a very crappy day for golf - cold, windy and then rainy. I didn’t score well (several three putts, bad chips and a couple balls in the ponds). However, I was hitting some very good drives and iron shots when I remembered to “swing like Larry”. I am VERY excited to get out there on a nice day and slow my swing down. THANK YOU!

[@JaredMize9]

I am also very partial to Uncle Larry’s swing….. He has told me to slow down many times.

[@upbeatgolfer]

@nicklakin1709 That's great! Who cares about the short game misses on a tough day when you're striping the long shots! Congrats and I'm excited to hear how it goes on the good days 😃

[@upbeatgolfer]

@JaredMize9 wait are you serious?! That is awesome!

[@antap]

Yeah I like the osmosis from watching a great player. Tiger, Norman, Nicklaus all had that slow draw away; I think it gives the arms a head start so their legs/hips don't get active too early. Here are couple of "Magic Move" "Anchors" that worked for me in competitions for years including years and personal best scores of 5 and 6 under par (best now in -7). 1. Focus on your back instep throughout the swing (or something else); this has the effect of you being anchored and not out of control. 2. Another one I used for years including when I shot -6 was "see the shaft coming down"; translation: on the transition I am looking for the shaft - if your mind, body and shaft are in sync, by definition, you are in control of your swing (you know where the club is). You can still swing fast but you not out of control and out of the slot coming down. 3. "Wait" at the top works well and key to 3/4 and half shots - swing-wait-swing. That said.... I think the more one-plane you are, and perhaps, more perfect your mechanics, the less you have to wait - if at all. Of course you still have to complete your backswing. You still need to "know what YOUR best swing feels like" (I say "know the swing you are going to make before you make it"). For example, Hogan or Nick Price are simply "reacting" (action reaction) or unwinding. Scheffler has a pure rhythm - you can see him fully swing back, then his big transition into the downswing. I heard Elkington (pure swing) say he thinks of it as a 100m swimming race where he must "touch" the end after 50m then touch the end of the pool at the end of the second 50m - so he has two ends to his swing - with a transition in-between. Cheers

[@davewatkinson4484]

Finishing the back swing. What is your pointer you use to know you have fully rotated/completed the back swing before transitioning please?

[@upbeatgolfer]

Great question! For me personally it's a weight shift thing: I want to feel that I've loaded up my right (trail) foot, and I can then release the power as I transition to my left side on the downswing. I've found that my shoulder turn is kind of automatic now, but this weight shift is super important because otherwise I can end up sliding into my left side, instead of turning, and then much destruction follows 😅 Hope this helps! Happy to explain more if you'd like!

[@user-pg5xt4bq4w]

My best shots have been tic tock tic, bing bang boom, thinking about sitting on the couch watching TV, lately that hasn’t happened needed this thanks man

[@upbeatgolfer]

So glad to hear that! Glad you found this helpful, and thanks for telling me dude!

[@ronlerner1]

Solids advice!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks dude!

[@scottchristie7945]

Subscribed! Really enjoyed this video! Really great tips along with some good humour! Keep up the good work! 👍......what was the think box,feel box,play box thing you mentioned????

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks! Brb I'm going to show my wife the part about the good humor 😁 Great catch on the think/feel/play box piece -- it's one way to break down the pre-shot routine, and coincidentally it's my next video which will be out in a few days (editing now). It's one of the best things I've learned that's helped me overthink less over the ball, and be more confident on the course (+ get down to scratch). If you'd like to know more about it asap, I learned about the concept from a book called "Be a Player" by Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson, and there's also a Rick Shiels video about it ("the perfect golf pre shot routine"). I used what I learned from those two and simplified it a bit to get to a more streamlined + repeatable routine (IMHO of course). Would love to hear what you think!

[@scottchristie7945]

@@upbeatgolfer yeh I watched a quick video of Annika Sorenstam,that was think then do box,really cool idea! I’ll wait for and look forward to your video tho! Cheers

[@upbeatgolfer]

Sweet. Coming soon!

[@nightwolf2666]

I just found your channel, love this video...been struggling with being too "quick". How do I overcome nerves around other golfers? I'm an 18 handicap who plays with guys that are all below 10, and I get so embarrassed when I play with them and hit a bad shot. Sometimes my hands shake when I am putting, which I assume is because I am afraid of failure....help!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Great, great question dude! I had a few thoughts so I made a video about it! Check it out and lmk what you think! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKioeKieibGDmNk

[@simonmackness403]

Popped up on my suggestions and now subscribed. Love the cool, calm advice. My worst rush is when you've been moaning for 4 holes about the slow guys in front, then suddenly they say - 'play through' and you go tee up and hit really quick and shank it into a forest... then they are behind you moaning how slow you are.

[@bobcrawley3580]

Happened yesterday and almost ended with blood on the green.

[@upbeatgolfer]

@simonmackness403 Haha isn't it funny how that happens! Maybe we need to change that to "can we please play through and can you all please turn around while we hit?" 😅 Glad you liked the video and welcome to the crew!

[@upbeatgolfer]

@bobcrawley3580 Yikes. To be fair it's expected - c'mon we're out here trying to hit balls off grass with sticks - have some respect! 😃

[@GolfQuestChannel]

Thanks for the video - nice tips! Out of curiosity are you left handed? I'm always looking out for instructors who are lead hand dominant like myself.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Interesting! I am not left-handed but I am left-eye dominant if that helps! (Probably doesn't) Have you checked out any of Phil Mickelson's content? He's right handed playing lefty I think. Glad you liked the video, and thanks for letting me know!

[@mikemccarthy1398]

Great video...just subscribed👍

[@upbeatgolfer]

Awesome, glad you liked it! And great to have you here!

[@michaelmacpherson5790]

As you start your downswing do you intentionally add speed to your hands or do you let the speed build up as a result of pressure shifts and body rotation. Some pros advocate intentionally accelerating the hands fast as the downswing starts but I find it difficult to have a smooth tempo if I try intentionally accelerating my hands early.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Hmm great question! Personally I don't think about adding speed to my hands, it just kind of builds up automatically as I swing through. I've found that I don't do as well when I'm trying to move a specific body part, vs. executing a specific action - e.g. it's harder for me to feel like I'm keeping my left arm connected, vs. holding a glove in my left armpit throughout the swing. So I don't focus on my arms coming down per se. My goal in the downswing is to line everything up at impact. In the past I thought I had slow hips so I would "fire" them hard but that actually caused more problems. I found that slowing them down by thinking of "lining everything up when I hit the ball" was the answer. I learned that from the first 2 min of this video from Butch Harmon - he explains it so well with Tiger's swing as an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2TbmqKXosiMeas. I kid you not, I still watch those 2 min 3-4x EVERY TIME I'm starting a range session - they just resonate with my brain. One thing you could try to figure out the sequencing that works for you is to throw a sidearm pitch or skip a stone and notice the order your body moves in. Then copy that with a club to see what feels you notice and want to use as your cues. Personally I prefer not to add speed with the hands because the majority of the power is created by the big muscles, but I don't know your swing and maybe you DO need to add a bit of speed with your hands. In case it helps, there are three things I try to do during the downswing: 1. Feel like my arms are firm like Butch mentions in the video (not rigid and not loose). I achieve this by feeling like I have a strong stance at setup (no one can push me over), and moving the club with some amount of control vs. loosey goosey (via a firm grip, not tight). 2. Shift my weight and lower body forward, but keep my head still. To do this I think of the feeling of skipping a stone. For me, getting my head past the ball (to the left) in the downswing causes a lot of issues so I focus on this a lot. 2. Line everything up at impact. This means hips, weight, arms, club, head etc. For me this happens when I have a good tempo and I don't get ahead of myself trying to hit the ball hard. Ironically I hit the ball farther when I do this vs. when I try to hit the ball hard. Thanks for reading my essay! Hope it's helpful, and lmk how it goes!

[@michaelmacpherson5790]

@@upbeatgolfer Thanks for taking the time to answer my question in such detail. I agree with everything you say, particularly that the swing is an athletic movement and its best to think of it in its entirety rather than component parts. I certainly would never think about when to speed up my arm to deliver a hard side arm pitch, I would simply deliver a hard side arm pitch! Another useful image is how would you move your body to hit a home run off a pitch delivered low and inside. Full powerful golf swings move the body in a similar fashion. Like an earlier comment, move your body imagining that the club is a heavy object, in this case a baseball bat. This helps the body self organize to move the club fast and efficiently.

[@laulakh]

Dont know how my youtube algorithm knew i needed this ... but I totally needed this 😅

[@upbeatgolfer]

Haha they're watching us on the golf course 😅 Glad you liked it and thanks for telling me!

[@jbponzi1]

Totally get the rushing to the ball. I work hard to slow down and calm down. Doesn't help being pushed by the course marshal's.

[@upbeatgolfer]

100%. Especially when you're keeping pace, right?! Personally I've decided that I'm happy to move real quick between shots (I tell myself it helps my fitness!) but when I get to the ball I'm going to slow down to ensure I hit a great shot in that moment - which will help with pace of play because I won't have to hit a recovery shot after 😃

[@joannelam7521]

Wow Manu, are you sure you didn’t make this video just for me? 😂 not only are you laugh out loud funny and original, I love your refreshing take on all the crap that goes on in our brains that kill our enjoyment. We don’t need to watch more technique videos. We all need to work on the mental side! Thank you for your brilliance. You are my new favourite golf KZbinr!!!! Ps where is that tempo app that you referred to?

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks Joanne - your comment made my day! I'm so glad you liked the video and that it resonates 😃 100% agreed on the mental game piece - I spent years hitting giant buckets and got so much more progress from a little mental game work. Plus it makes the rounds more fun, or at least useful when the scores are terrible! Re: the tempo app, I tried using a metronome personally, but it didn't work for me because I was too focused on that. So I just watch other folks' swings. Another commenter mentioned the Tour Tempo app, and they have some info on their website (tourtempo.com). The main thing I remember is that the ideal tempo is 3:1, but I'm not an expert in this space. Personally I think the right tempo is a) whatever makes you feel good, and b) whatever gets you to make a good backswing (shoulder + hip turn + weight shift). We're not pros and we don't work out all the time so we might not have the stability to support the moves they do, so copying them is not always the answer. Just my 2c - but would love to hear what works for you! Thanks again, and welcome to the crew! 🙂

[@JIMMYS1180]

Do those shoes have glitter sparkles?

[@Golfingwithvince]

this is fantastic. im just going to watch this video before i play lol

[@upbeatgolfer]

Ha awesome! Tell me if it works!!!

[@majscrap2629]

Good tips. I swing like someone is going to shoot me if I take another second longer. I really liked the slow practice swing. I try to replicate. which, of course, doesn't happen!

[@upbeatgolfer]

Hahahaha why do you think the slow practice swing doesn't get replicated?

[@alexrowson5698]

Excellent golf instruction. I like to watch the top woman players swing also like Lydia Ko or Rose Zhang. They have beautiful tempos when they swing🏌🏻‍♀️. Good advice to watch swings on video of great players before playing a round of golf, really does help mentally 👍. Thx for the video 🙋‍♂️

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thank you! Glad you liked it! Totally agree on the LPGA swings too, they have such perfect technique so it's an extra bonus along with the tempo.

[@Blue_Dun]

Some excellent reminders. Glad KZbin suggested it. I needed it. Entertaining too😁

[@upbeatgolfer]

Haha love it! Glad you enjoyed it, and hope to see you again :)

[@philkwasinski4637]

Suggestion make a video on how to practice effectively

[@upbeatgolfer]

GREAT CALL. I will do that, thanks for the rec!

[@nickperry18]

Complete the backswing. No idea why, but it’s all clicked just from that single comment. Combined with the other stuff in this video it is pure visual genius.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Love it! Funny how some random phrase puts all the pieces into place. Let us know how it goes on the course!

[@soiseven]

P. Harrington full speed practice swing.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Great point! He's definitely been going for the long drives recently. Thanks for the heads up!

[@jamesmc81]

the tour tempo app is amazing. the audio cue is so good. i put it on my earbuds at the range. you get to choose different tempos. different tempos suit different swings and folks. Cheat code: 18/6(Rahm - Lightning), 21/7(Tiger/Rory/Hogan/Scott/Norman - probably most common these days) 24/8(Veejay/Couples/Els) Dont confuse smooth rhythm (Els, Couples, Veejay ect) with slow. Those boys are half way down the fairway eating a PB&J sando before most Ams have got to the top of their back swing 😁

[@upbeatgolfer]

Haha your PBJ comment cracked me up! That is super cool - I will check it out, thanks for sharing! And great to see the standard 3:1 ratio of backswing to downswing is consistent across the greats, so our 90/30 swings are on the right track 😅

[@jamesmc81]

@@upbeatgolfer apologies, it will make sense on the app. The PGA pro who made the app has a great Instagram by the same name. All those pros mentioned are all 3:1 ratios with slightly different speeds. 18/6 in the case of Rahm means 18fps:6fps on a 30fps video. Rahm: shorter swing therefore backswing takes a fraction less time and because the club doesn't go back as far he get it to the ball quicker, but still 3:1. Els: longer swing so therefore backswing takes a fraction longer and downswing takes a fraction longer. But Els is still fast AF! Rahm is like a gunshot however. It's subtle difference and both roughly reach the same club head spead at impact (this explains the lack of huge difference in distance between the two players). Really makes you think what suits different players. As tiger got bulkier and less mobile his swing got shorter and his tempo changed as a result. I like a shorter back swing and faster tempo cus im not that mobile, but I'm strong enough to transition the club with a short and fast back swing.

[@upbeatgolfer]

This is super useful and interesting - I checked out the website and it makes a lot of sense. I'll try out the app too. One interesting thing I read about Rahm (from an interview with him on Golf.com) is that he preloads his weight on the right side at address, so he doesn't have to move it back and then through, which I imagine allows him to swing so fast. That makes me think that to change your tempo you probably also want to check out your setup too. I just checked out the article again, the whole thing is magic. golf.com/news/jon-rahms-secret-to-powerful-drives-put-the-big-muscles-to-work/

[@jamesmc81]

@@upbeatgolfer glad you liked tour tempo. It's great info. Yeah I guess with Rahm: he's moving the club back such a short distance and fast in his backswing, he simply doesn't have time to get his weight to the lead side in a conventional way. I know I had to start my swing more lead when I shortened it for that reason. Kinda like stack and tilt.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Interesting. And does that still let you clear your left hip alright? I've heard there's a school of thought from Australia about keeping your weight on the left side throughout the swing - I haven't tried it but a friend of mine switched to it completely and loves it.

[@stefski5853]

Gold! 🎉❤

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks! Glad you liked it! 😃

[@devonshire56]

Thanks, this was great because you broke down the subtle technique of why and how pros have learned to incorporate all of these important aspects of getting prepared to hit a good golf shot instead of the many pitfalls rushing to hit bad shots.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks! Glad you liked it! Yeah it's interesting to see how pros already have so much of this baked into their routines and standard way of going about things. And we spend all our time trying to copy their swings 😅

[@davidkraithman9443]

Thanks, I am sure that the golfing world has been waiting for this video.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks - glad you like it! Seems like it's resonating with folks so far 😃

[@jonevens5133]

Where did ya get the towels on your bag??

[@upbeatgolfer]

They're dope right?! I got mine from Lake Merced Golf Club (a buddy is a member). They're made by Detroit Dye House. If you google it there are some options on Ebay (but a bit expensive). Lmk if you find a better option for tie dye towels!

[@donkboys]

Good points and instructions, but bro’, what’s with the clown shoes?

[@upbeatgolfer]

Well I filmed this en route to my job at the circus 😃 Ha I think they're fun - metallic green Jordan golf shoes make me feel even more upbeat. There's more where these came from! Glad you liked the vid and great to have you here!

[@krismarch3718]

Awesome!!!! I just say Tempo Tempo Tempo and that usually works

[@upbeatgolfer]

That's awesome! For me, I used to say tempo but then it would get superseded by some other swing thought I had, so I found I had to come up with non-spoken solutions. And here we are!

[@atb2003]

The afterthought comment is what made it for me…”It’s calibrated right otherwise I am going to have to fix something next time I am out playing” lol

[@upbeatgolfer]

Haha I was getting progressively more nervous 😅

[@zanevillaincru]

Great advice, well presented. Your feet are below the ball. Do you choke up every shot? Why not stand on a mat to bring your feet up? Having said that, you hit it great. 😁

[@upbeatgolfer]

Thanks - glad you liked the video! You're the first person to have noticed the elevated mat - great observation! I do wish it was level with the floor, but this is a shared simulator that I use once in a while to film videos, not actually to practice (I do that outdoors on grass, or mats that are level 😅) so this doesn't bother me too much. FWIW the mat isn't too bad, though I probably should be hitting more draws from that setup...

[@CruceEntertainment]

Lots of time on the range beating that tempo into the brain

[@upbeatgolfer]

Haha right?! In case it helps -- one thing that's helped me a lot personally is changing that phrase from "beating that tempo" to "reminding my brain of the tempo that works best". It's a small change but it kind of takes the pressure and "fight" out of it, since my brain is on my side even when it's rushing. I found my brain is a lot more open to change when I'm "reminding" or "teaching" vs. "beating", "battling" etc. Would love to hear what you think of that - always good to hear about other folks' experiences!

[@aliasErEf]

Having shoes like yours it’s guarantee I would stop my swing just to admire these a few seconds more…😅

[@upbeatgolfer]

Right?! I save like 3-4 shots a round because of the dopamine hits from every time I look at them 😁

[@Beamishross]

Wow I was going to say Fred Couples. I feel validated

[@upbeatgolfer]

Hahaha validation!!! 😃

[@tc1739]

A trick that works for me is to take one more club than I need for the distance and that seems to slow my tempo

[@upbeatgolfer]

Great call! I often do the same but sometimes I end up decelerating on the downswing because I'm afraid of going too far, so I have to remind myself to not do that 😅

[@daviddrake8019]

Spieth hit that shot onto the clubhouse roof and his ball landed in the rain gutter..but at least he took his time 😊

[@upbeatgolfer]

Hahahahaha true dat. But who knows where it might have gone if he DIDN'T take his time...!

[@vilhelm_sweden2438]

I need this advice.

[@upbeatgolfer]

Ha many of us do! I hope this was helpful!

[@nickperry18]

Deffo will.