Swing the Spine for Greater Leverage and Power in Your Golf Swing!

[@shug2795]

Probably THE best explanation of the sequencing/form I have ever seen!! I see all the amazing players do this but I could never break it down into "digestible" layman's segments as you have here! I play in 4 hours. I'm going to range first then trying this. I'm excited!! Thank you Sir!

[@gustavogarciaswengel8679]

After many "modern swing" golf lessons, my perennial backswing pitfall has been a flat swing and not turning back enough, especially now as a senior golfer. With a flat hip turn and flat feet, I'd take the clubhead inside, get stuck, chop at the ball, and not finish the downswing. With the pendulum swing, I can do a full shoulder turn back. It's what I was taught 60 years ago (it wasn't named pendulum, but both heels came off the ground.) So it's easy to return to my juvenile swing, my thought being right hip to 4 oclock on backswing, left hip to 8 oclock on downswing (facing 12 oclock.) The left shoulder naturally turns on plane, dips down to the right foot and makes the club go up on plane, not flat and inside. A must key is to consciously keep the top of the sternum fixed in space. The center of hipbone moves to right instep, then left instep. Before swinging, I set a slight bump towards the target to tilt the sternum to prevent closed shoulders and an over the top downswing. During the downswing, I extend the right arm to throw the club at the ball. Good stuff. Thanks.

[@sp40401]

Everyone should watch this video several times - not just once - then go to the range. I have a fairly low handicap but have always struggled with my hip turn. I never thought of the spine angle as an A-frame back and forth. WOW did this work for me today. It finally got me to the proper TILT and post-up on the left hip...and with the "Malaska tip" of the club - it was amazing. Everything was laser straight or a perfect draw. This will be my main video to watch every practice or game day.

[@robmccance]

Would love to but it's 18 minutes for a 3 minute concept.

[@rogeramore1685]

Well I have written you once or twice before but today I hit my first 250 Yard Drive I am 66 years old and having fun golfing as much as possible thank you for your classes thank you for your instructions they helped me a lot

[@davidmcnamara3243]

This is the perfect pivot. I throw the clubhead from the top, with the power of the upper arms. I only swing to P5 and then the arms stop. The " flexed" shaft then takes over and is thrown into orbit, pulling the arms with it. Instructors have said that the mind is in the hands, but when I throw from the top, my mind is in the connected upper arms and the hands and forearms are completely forgotten and totally relaxed.

[@Inmotion70]

I concur with this 'feeling'.

[@AGCampagna]

Finishing off with an explanation of the hip work really creates clarity.

[@Inmotion70]

Glad you got some benefit.

[@kenBard]

This video has launched a huge understanding to me for the application of Mike Austin swing.... I incorporated it a few days ago on the range and once I got the hang of it I began to "feel" the effortless power. My launch monitor showed the swing speed I had been working on (and I mean really work) getting my swing speed to 100 at 80% speed, and not pulling my shots left as I have been struggling with. I am still getting the swing "habit" developed but starting with getting the feel with short swings (symmetry) has helped me to apply this to my full swing, and when I apply it I am gaining yardage too. Thank you Steve!!!

[@ebitalian02767]

This feels WAY more athletic and way easier to get into the proper tilts then trying to turn around a steady axis spine. Thanks Steve.

[@z-man2343]

Great video. This was the one aspect of the backswing I have struggled with mightily, putting way too much emphasis on shifting weight to back leg and then having to work really hard (and inconsistently) on transferring back to the front. I watched this video, took some notes, and went straight to the range. Almost instantly, quite literally, I was hitting the most solid, straight and long ( for me anyway) shots, all through the bag. Steve has a real no nonsense way of displaying what a powerful and repeatable golf swing should look and feel like. As a 58 year old 8 hcp, I appreciate Steve's straightforward approach to the most important aspects of the game.

[@Inmotion70]

Thanks and Cheers!

[@KnucklesJohnny]

You do a great job of explaining complex concepts in a manner we can relate to Steve. I just started viewing your vids and the one little move that I am already benefitting from is the left heel lift and replant. It gets me to focus on weight transfer and the replant is a perfect way to make sure the downswing starts from the ground up. Thanks for this.

[@shug2795]

I'm using your tape and alignment stick drill to develop the proper swing form. It's coming but LOTS of work to do. I have already seen the benefits. Used an 8 iron yesterday then hit a few balls. I was shocked at how easy it suddenly seemed to hit balls more accurately. I rolled them out to ~150 yards but at 70 AND WHILE STILL PRACTISING/DEVELOPING....it's promising/exciting! I am in the local mean's league tomorrow but it's still too early to see a huge and consistent improvement at this stage. It's getting much better and therefore, more fun! Thanks again Sir!

[@Inmotion70]

Way to go! Thanks for the update.

[@LongNguyen-vb4ng]

Steve, this is the first time that someone explained weight shift and hip rotation to me like you have and it has done wonders for me. Thanks a bunch and I’m a believer and subscriber for life

[@LongNguyen-vb4ng]

Steve, what’s your email for golf lessons?

[@jjpac2011]

Thanks for the lesson. What I love about this is the sternum pretty much stays in place from beginning of swing to near impact. No issues of trying to get back to the ball yet getting a shift. Love the symmetry of it as well.

[@Inmotion70]

Yes this is kind of what it feels like. Thanks for watching!

[@waynewhiting4855]

You poi

[@joetroupe893]

Great demonstration, Steve.

[@shug2795]

Hey Steve, have you ever noticed the amount of travel you get from your left foot? You start with your left foot at ~12:00 then finish with it at 10:00. I've noticed this before because I tend to do this too but it's not constructive in my case. I do it because of a restricted range of motion (I'm 70), and an exaggerated TURN as opposed to a pivot. My guess is it's a by-product of the ground-force you derive.

[@thedrumman64]

Thanks for the great lesson. One thing that's awesome for me to see with your golf swing is that after raising your front heel, you plant it in a different place. That's what I do, which helps me really start my downswing and post my front leg, but I thought I was the only one in the world who did it and that it was 'wrong'. :-)

[@Inmotion70]

I don't think it's wrong per se, just a bit unique. In my case, it's not by design.

[@尤原輝]

What a wonderful instruction it is !

[@uomosapiens1951]

This + all the imagery of your other tips is terrific ✅ thanks Steve 👌🍻😉

[@chon_jung]

This really hits home with me because I cannot emulate the takeaway turn without feeling as though I can maintain balance throughout the swing

[@royrubin7259]

This is a masterpiece. I tried it and it works perfectly. Set up with a little left hip k and a left arm across the chest takeaway and then skip stones across the pond with the spine making the main move back controlling the arms and club. Butt lightly touches against the imaginary chair back rest with a 30% bend approximately, there is small butt movements back and forward, up and down. Then spine slides forward and around. If you can just let the Spine Take Charge, everything in the body moves in perfect sync!!! It should feel like you are hitting up on the ball but it won't for irons or fairway woods. It only feels up but in reality it hits ball and then takes turf. And up is good for driver. You'll hit fat first few tries and then suddenly, wham like a PRO!

[@Inmotion70]

Good description. Agree.

[@gustavomarks1913]

Another great video, Steve! Loved it!!

[@goldengate8287]

Thanks for taking the time to dial in on this aspect of the swing ... Fantastic and creative ... Love the "WOBBLE" analogy! #BEASTMODE with that 7 iron!! #wasthereeveryanydoubt

[@bondsofgolf]

Transformative lesson Steve, thank you!

[@Inmotion70]

Glad it helped!

[@flavforpar]

Absolutely amazing!!!!!

[@Peter-we8iw]

Very good video, Steve

[@roypiligian3495]

This is a great video. Seems like such a natural more free flowing body pivot and movement compared to other approaches. Anxious to put this into practice and see the results! Thank you, I’m really enjoying your content and what I’m learning about the Mike Austin principles/method.

[@blackie75]

It's funny, I was practicing this and ripping it at the range and the local pro told me I was reverse pivoting.....I just smirked and him and kept smoking em over and over and he walked away 🤣

[@jacobr4558]

Amazing visual! Thank you so much for this awesome information and the truly professional way you share these gems!

[@wilbursneeview1274]

This is a great lesson. So well done, and very much appreciated!

[@Inmotion70]

You're very welcome!

[@kevinshoemaker5466]

I have noticed you actually pick up your lead foot and lever your heal in and toes out on forward shift leading more to a foot stomp down. I have felt this the more I focus on back side flexion as I shift forward; it feels more like it gives me a split second longer to keep right arm back get a deeper throwing motion.(Fernando Valenzuela). Then the lead hip comes up, and allows the front side to extend and use the ground force thru the hitting zone. I actually feel more control of the club head with less tension during the release. Weird, different feels but WOW. On ball compression!

[@paultompkins6148]

Well done Steve. Lots of advantages as you say. I may have missed you saying it but one of the best advantages is the protection of the back. So may tour players are having back issues and I believe it because of the way many twist the spine.

[@trebor5760]

Ah I thought this can actually cause issues with the hips and back because you can get excessive lower back tilt and so crush the lower vertebrae… 🤯

[@billyfromla1117]

One of your best lessons, thanks.

[@billyfromla1117]

This is better the fifth time I watched it. Gold.

[@appydaze9419]

Hey Steve, has Bryson been taking lessons from you ? he's absolutely pounding it ! Loft at impact 16 * Angle of attack + 5 * !! Spin Loft 11 * He's averaging 340

[@Inmotion70]

Hi Lauren! No...I would have had him looking much smoother and less effortful. ;) My buddy Eddie hit with him on the range and consistently smokes it 60 yards past him. And he's 50.

[@appydaze9419]

@@Inmotion70 Wow , you need to get him on one of your videos ?

[@Inmotion70]

@@appydaze9419 I don't like the effort he takes to produce that speed. It could look a lot smoother.

[@appydaze9419]

@@Inmotion70 I meant your buddy Eddie.

[@Inmotion70]

@@appydaze9419 It's a good idea. I might steal it.

[@markme3259]

...13:00 ...’it’s a shift AND a turn ...not a shift THEN a turn’....this is important because ‘timing’ is minimized on the transition...so this swing could easily be taught to novices ( and certainly, after seeing you swing , the advanced )...I think Steve this single video is almost a complete.blueprint for a system of instruction...one of the most detailed explanations on the web...do you have a ‘catchy’’ name for this swing....is you’re e book still available...in addition, really would like to see you record some videos where you swing your 7 iron at speeds below supersonic so it becomes somewhat more realistic for us 90 pounders...

[@Inmotion70]

Billy Casper called it a shift-turn. A lot of Austin students get this wrong.

[@davidjames3164]

I really enjoy your teaching and interpretation of Mike Austin methodology. Question are you straightening your right leg as Mike suggests. From the video it doesn't appear so but it has to in order to get the proper turn/sway? Thank you

[@Inmotion70]

Yes I am!

[@swingsearcher7536]

Very good illustration of the spine engine. Btw, Colin Montgomerie won 7 consecutive Order of Merit titles in Europe with a similar technique.

[@Inmotion70]

I wouldn't say I'm that similar to Colin Montgomerie. But yes I can see why the comparison.

[@swingsearcher7536]

@@Inmotion70 Sorry, my bad! Didn't mean that you or your swing is similar to Colins swing. Was more related to the spine movement. Almost steady 7th cervical vertebra ,while the the pelvis moves a lot laterally. Colin even does more of the pelvis movement in both directions than most professionals.

[@johnsmithers389]

Makes a lot of sense to me.

[@76MUTiger]

Question: At 13:18 on your slow motion downswing your hips seems to stop moving, having reached 45 degrees, and arms come blazing through. Do you do this on purpose or is the motion of the hip held back while the mass of the arms and club pull on it to accelerate? Is it a by-product of something else or is it trained?

[@marcussheldon9220]

Hi steve great video. Moving lateral to the right, I find it difficult to not put pressure on the outside of my right foot, any tips does it help by straightening my right leg?🏌️👍

[@Inmotion70]

The right knee should straighten but not lock. The right thigh needs to resist by attempting to rotate inward so that the weight does not get on the outside.

[@marcussheldon8717]

Hi Steve. I have been learning golf for just over 3 yrs now. And just realized that not only yourself all top professionals drop your head and it goes back as well coming into impact. I good sign of a great Stricker of the golf ball. Can you please comment, is this just a natural move. ???

[@raysmith6179]

can you explain the Wall drill that Austen explained to Mike Dunaway

[@Yalelax]

Thanks Steve. Is this the "compound pivot" that you and Mike Austin reference?

[@Inmotion70]

Yes!

[@jessehudson1318]

Watching your videos reminds me of how I used to hit the ball as a teenager when I felt more free and hit the ball farther. Question though, are you tending to hit the ball higher than tour players and have more dynamic loft at impact? It looks like there’s not a ton of forward shaft lean at impact just wondering.

[@Inmotion70]

Agree I have a bit less forward lean and I strike the ball shallower and higher than the average player on the PGA Tour, but still within 2 sigmas.

[@jessehudson1318]

@@Inmotion70 wow thanks for the quick reply! Is this a necessary implication of this swing or just the way you deliver it? I’ve been forcing a centered pivot/rotational swing and struggling with EE and high handle/weak distance. I tried this pivot and am pounding it.

[@C02045]

about as good as it gets!

[@steveperry1344]

steve, so i'm finding with this action my arms are going more vertical and upright which is good for me because i tend to get way too inside which can lead to a block coming down. it feels good cause i'm swinging more on line.

[@Inmotion70]

Interesting. I'd have to see it to comment.

[@teddythodo3302]

I would like to come visit you because I have such a tendency to slide anyway, and I feel like you can probably tune and tweak certain things in my swing to really get me to utilize my hip slide better. I live in Whittier California how much would 1 lesson be ?

[@blacklight4460]

Great swings! Great control of your CG. 8:30 Did you ever throw the discus?

[@Inmotion70]

I did learn to throw the discus in order to pass a track and field skills test in college. Threw the damn thing almost 150 feet and the instructor failed me.

[@timholsworth316]

Really makes sense! Well described!

[@trippjones7489]

Good stuff Steve!! Quick question are you tilted at address ??

[@Inmotion70]

Yes and yes

[@johnt697]

Steve, have you ever thought about qualifying for the World Long Drive ?

[@Inmotion70]

I'm about 40 yards behind competitors even in the 50 and older class - which doesn't get to compete at worlds anymore. I've played with a few world champions before...and my best is 60 yards behind them.

[@michaeldandrea3998]

Thank You, makes Sense@@

[@pioutch86]

Steve, I noticed you adress the ball in the heel of the club. I believe Mike AUstin would instead advocate adressing a little bit in the toe of the club to compensate for the extension of the arms during the downswing . Can you elaborate on this ?

[@RiseUp1000]

This is another way of explaining the compound pivot, correct (without ever using that term)?

[@luisjuarez1200]

Steve, in the downswing are you feeling a running feel/pressure with your right foot, ankle, calve, and quad? Or Is it just an unweighting move of the right side?

[@Inmotion70]

I feel a step down.

[@luisjuarez1200]

Thank you, I remember Austin saying in one his his videos that he also pushed his right knee forward like he was going to knee someone in family jewels. Just wondering where the pressure is coming from to turn the right side of the body on the downswing.

[@m3toz4]

@@luisjuarez1200 True MA said that, but I think you want the power is transition up to the body then arms not to the knee so I am not sure how that technique generate the power to the golf swing.

[@luisjuarez1200]

Hung Phan thank you, I was referring to how you are getting on to your left foot and how it appears that the right foot an knee seem to be moving in a running position and the turning of the right side of body after the shift of weight to the left post.

[@m3toz4]

@@luisjuarez1200 It is like left and right side work together. Left leg step down AND AROUND then up. OR squat like Sam Snead to turn. In the real swing you hardly see the squat in his swing, but it still there. The right leg can push to help the AROUND motion while you squat.

[@m3toz4]

hi Steve, your technique of turning is more rely on the momentum of the hip move, but not much using the back leg to push to turn.

[@Inmotion70]

Although there's no doubt that the back leg is pushing, I'm only aware of the stepping down and clawing over of the left thigh using the muscles on the inside.

[@robertnelson2719]

It would be refreshing for once to see a golf instructor discuss timing (sequencing). There seems to be too little attention on where your club and body should be at various stages of the swing. Power and direction are absolutely dependent upon being in the correct position at impact with a club face square to your line. That should be good for a lesson or two, don’t you think?

[@Inmotion70]

Good idea Robert! Cheers!

[@demzunoplayer]

Backswing spine points through the right knee. Downswing spine points through the left knee. Correct?

[@georgewalker03]

Yes

[@jimmac6367]

If I could just take a chair out on the golf course with me, I think my game would improve a lot! Great video instruction BTW. Thanks.

[@Inmotion70]

Drill it until you don't need it. Exaggerate it.

[@michaelnewell5422]

198 yds carry with a 7 iron on the trackman. I’m listening

[@12496k]

💯

[@tonefingerz7117]

I think if u wud exhail on the follow thru instead of hold ypur breath their would be less tension and 3 more mph. Jusf like when u exhail on jumping hovh or bench pressing. Exhail lile brice lee to create more power. Holding the breath has to creat more tension.

[@Inmotion70]

I might try that!

[@tonefingerz7117]

@@Inmotion70 😂 it may very well shrprise u with atleast 2 or e more mph better rythm and tempo and definitly less tension in body. Think if u jump off a ta le u cannot not exhail. Its how u save ur self if your choking cuz air is pushed out when ur feet hit the floor. And def lesss tension in body when we exhail even during a punch or a throw or kick. For more power. Maybe just exhail the word " 375" when you swing hahaa

[@tonefingerz7117]

@@Inmotion70 and i agree with your technique. I hit the bal way better when i loco motion naturally like u described. And when i say 2 on backswing and 75 on the follow thru it makes me not thing a conscious effort and i def notice less tension. But it only goes 260. When i dont its like 245. Cool to see an experiment of swing speeds doing different types of exhails 😂

[@johnlyons3607]

The vertical line doesn't seems to be all that straight at the bottom!

[@Inmotion70]

Can you elaborate John?

[@johnlyons3607]

@@Inmotion70 Mate , it was a tongue in cheek remark how the line had a bend in it around your tummy area ! BTW, love your Channel and videos!

[@Inmotion70]

@@johnlyons3607 Try my GF's chicken enchiladas sometime and see what your waist looks like! Cheers!

[@johnlyons3607]

@@Inmotion70 Very Droll Steve. Hope to see you down here in Australia one day. Thanks for your good work!

[@Inmotion70]

@@johnlyons3607 Cheers mate, stay well! In the mean time I'm gonna work on the belly fat.

[@johnblaha5692]

At the beginning of the video I thought it was going to say but most of us only have one spine

[@Inmotion70]

Some people don't have one at all!

[@maxdre]

Doesn't look exactly 'effortless.' You're laying into it. Is it safe for the spine? I'm going to try this tho.

[@Inmotion70]

Feels effortless.

[@maxdre]

@@Inmotion70 thanks Steve. I tried this today but i kept hitting fat or pulled hard left. Do you have more instructions on this somewhere?

[@Inmotion70]

@@maxdre You must be neglecting the turn of the torso. Just the shift alone will not get your low point in front of the ball. The toe will close and you will fat hook it. Turn as your shift.

[@maxdre]

@@Inmotion70 that in lies the issue for me. The right shoulder taking over causing me to come over the top. So the torso not the shoulders eh?

[@Inmotion70]

@@maxdre If you are posting the left hip correctly you should have a side bend that drops the right shoulder UNDER, and upon turning puts you in a rock skip position. See the tilt of my spine in the thumbnail.

[@supplehons4662]

The only thing better than this video would be you doing it in Mike Austin's skeleton suit!

[@Inmotion70]

HA!

[@graysonkovar9473]

I always hit it like 2 feet fat when I do this

[@Inmotion70]

Don't forget to turn the chest!

[@graysonkovar9473]

@@Inmotion70 thank you!

[@jackbisson9226]

This is Money! $$$

[@jackbisson9226]

I have only been doing this on the downswing. I hope this gives me more MPH when I try on my next driving range session.

[@nickgreenwood8405]

thjnk you need a biggger shirt steve lol

[@Inmotion70]

I think I need a smaller body Nick! ha

[@petercrocitto7383]

Seems like to many moving parts to synchronize at the same time to make your swing work

[@Inmotion70]

Can you point to someone good who has very few moving parts?

[@petercrocitto7383]

Steve Pratt Golf ok 2/6 Terry Bradley and Mike Malaska just to name two, then there is Eric Meichtry, and of course Milo Lines again just to name a few

[@Inmotion70]

@@petercrocitto7383 OK what parts are they not moving?

[@paultompkins6148]

Peter Crocitto there are always many moving parts within an athletic motion. The interesting point is how many moving parts happen without thought. Action and reaction. I would strongly recommend that everyone has an open mind to this. Start with the pivot, get that motion right and then fine tune. The pivot takes a little time but isn’t that much more of a movement that you make when you walk. You mention mike malaska, like some of his stuff especially putting but his swing has moving parts especially the movement at left arm parallel on the way down. Each to their own and whatever works but the “ malaska move” is more difficult in my option than just a walking movement.

[@paultompkins6148]

Bob C Don’t get me wrong. I think Mike Malaska is very good especially short game. I also like much of his info on the swing. It’s the “tipping of the club” on the way down that doesn’t resonate with me. Pivot as Steve shows and then step and throw the club was great for me. As I say though MM video on chipping is the best on the internet IMO.

[@jeffepperson99]

👍👍😃

[@jodauth3319]

Steve, looks a bit like Colin Montgomery.

[@alg7096]

Oh man come on ya cant leave Bubba off your list. He has to be doing some very of what youre talking about

[@factual6591]

Doesn't work for everyone. This method really encourages unwanted sway, and robs you of rotational speed and power.

[@Inmotion70]

Rotational power only occurs because of vertical ground forces...now how are you going to create those?

[@Rick-tf4dl]

Hey I like to have a 90 lb woman do that to me🤣