Why amateur golfers can't create COMPRESSION (what they don't tell you golf tips)

[@AlexElliottGolf]

*This one is a cracker tonight! All around those scoring irons & long irons. You won’t realise the correlation between these TWO huge factors. If your looking forward to tonight’s video hit the thumbs up 👍🏼 button!*

[@sellnbrew1]

Your video was made for me. I strangle my clubs. My problem is I start off with correct grip pressure but by the time I get to my backswing I am hanging on for dear life. I can’t seem to break the habit. Any drills? I feel like I need to put thumbtacks in my grip so if I grip it too hard, I will hurt myself. lol

[@PIP-zf9yb]

This is why most amateurs shouldn't play a firmer ball. They can't compress the ball fully on good shots let alone mishits

[@lawrencesargent1392]

Alex I hate to inform you but you can't compress a golf ball. Air bubbles compress, rubber does not compress. It flows in two directions and acts like a solid in the third direction. Everything I know about the golf swing is because of HOMER KELLEY and the classic book he wrote THE GOLFING MACHINE. In my opinion the greatest contribution to golf instruction and the greatest contribution to golf.

[@jimthompson5309]

Alex, I have watched just about every video you have put out for the last year. This is by far for me the best golf tip you have put out. You are right nobody has ever put this kind of info out there. I have been working on a slower swing and trying to compress the ball. This tip opened a whole new world for me. the lighter grip coupled with a relaxed swing has worked a miracle. Thanks for all you do and keep the gold flowing.

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Glad to help thank you so much

[@bryang949]

This is brilliant. Tried it today at the range at and loosening my grip works!! My shot compression dramatically changed. The consistency dynamic is so significant too - I could hardly hit a bad ball - I guess this is because the club head is doing what it wants to do naturally - as opposed to being "artificially controlled". My hands feel as if they are wanting to fly out towards the target. I am excited!! Thank you Alex

[@alvor2762]

This was a bloody excellent piece of instruction, proving how the club head strikes the ball with that lag, and not with passive hands gripping tightly. A very good demonstration of how lag is created. Probably the best video I have seen on this subject. The video certainly answered many questions that I have had in my mined for a very long time. Full marks for this one and thanks for producing this.

[@rayhuckell7263]

That is a fantastic video Alex. 70 years ago I was a teaching professional at The Neville in Tunbridge Wells Kent. I am still teaching in Canada at the age of 87. The hardest thing to teach is the Hogan move of moving to left foot before completion of the backswing. Your video opens new possibilities which I will be giving to all my pupils. Believe this makes that move much easier. Love Your videos. Thanks very much. Ray

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Love this, and fantastic! I hope i can do the same!! All the best Ray!

[@waynesorensen7071]

Ray where are you teaching in Canada?

[@DasViking]

You were teaching golf 70 years ago at age 17? Sir, you are a LEGEND!

[@garyoshiro9874]

Alex, Thank you for explaining... "Creating COMPRESSION"and dumbing it down for golfers like me!

[@chriswernke4824]

Alex, thank you for the great video. I am a 13 handicapper and have always struggled with my grip pressure. Today, I decided to slow my swing, loosen up my grip and wrist pressure, and concentrate on creating lag. My new swing felt strange during the entire round, but I stayed with it. I usually score around 85, but today I scored 74. I have not shot this score in about 30 years! My other buddies I played with asked what I did differently. I tried to explain it, but until now I have never been able to effectively produce lag with a light-pressure grip/wrist. Thanks again for assisting me in having such a great golf day. I only hope I can continue to reproduce the results. Best regards, Chris.

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Brilliant work chris 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@kybalion848]

I was a 25 handicap, after changing my grip I'm not on the PGA tour, playing under the name of Scottie Scheffler

[@jerrythomas9041]

The best explanation on "real" lag that i've heard. Can't wait to introduce this into my swing.

[@wallybrockett-w9s]

Alex, I have been watching your videos and with out a doubt your tips translate to the golf course immediately. Thank you very much. I am hitting further and consistently.

[@Remorce]

I spent 2-3 weeks practicing short partial swing chips after I hurt my elbow recently. Once it was healed up I couldn't create the speed or control that I once had. After watching this video, I realized that I was gripping my clubs just as hard as I do doing a short chip stroke when trying to eliminate motion in my wrists. I don't know how it happened, but at some point it just overwrote my concept of how to hold the rest of the clubs. This video saved my game, honestly. I had just gotten so used to always holding it that way for a few weeks and forgot the normal way to hold/swing. Such a dumb reason to have suffered for the months after. Wish I saw it sooner.

[@lesszabo5625]

Awesome info, Alex. When I purchased a new set of clubs 3yrs ago, I was again having trouble hitting my long irons. Until one day at the range, I realized that I was choking my irons to death. That's when I started to adjust the grip pressure, but your video here puts it into a much better perspective. Thanks for another great video.

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Thanks so much, I hope this helps you!

[@HamuelTheGrey]

Same here. They werent wrong when saying "hold it like a baby bird"

[@rayhuckell7263]

Alex,just found this GREAT video of Yours. I am teaching all of My students to move left before completion of the backswing. All the great players do this and all great teachers encourage the same thing. John Jacobs, Hogan etc. It is NOT the easiest thing to do for amateurs so Your video is priceless for those trying to accomplish this move. Thanks for a such a great video.Ray

[@Brando256]

This video is confirmation! I just had a lesson 1 day ago and the pro advised me to loosen my grip a lot. LOL! My grip was probably an 8 out of 10 but now that I am focusing on loosening it a bit it feels a bit weird but I'm starting to see a bit of draw more than my usual fade which is not necessarily bad. Thanks Alex!!! Fantastic lesson!

[@dannylad1600]

I remember this was an absolute game changer for me. At first I didn't realise just how firm I was gripping the club, then one day I just tried gripping it with about a quarter of the pressure I'd normally grip the club, and then reduced the pressure even less than that and straight away was puring the irons. There's a bit of a psychological hurdle to overcome when it comes to changing certain swing habits.

[@oreoten8283]

This is one of the best videos I've seen explaining compressing the golf ball. The whole objective is to load the club and doing so is done by holding your hands back and building torque with your hips. Great video. 6hdp here.

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Glad it helped

[@MikeCrook-hv9qp]

Great video! The hips move the shoulder girdle. The shoulder girdle moves the arms. The arms move the wrists. The wrists move the handle of the golf club. The chain reaction from start to finish is the golf swing and is why pro-players can hit the ball a great distance but look like they're hardly using any effort to do so.

[@MidHandicapGolf]

This one video has had the biggest impact on my game after watching KZbin for 15 years, more people should know about how letting the club whip through is what creates the lag and compression people are chasing 👏👏👏

[@AlexElliottGolf]

love this thank you!!

[@reece8539]

If you haven’t mastered the golf swing after 15 years then it’s safe to say your a terrible golfer

[@tillmasterflash]

Great video again. Took your "driver head a few inches away from the ball' tip straight to course and it worked amazingly well! Cheers mate!!!

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Thank you! Love to hear that tips are helping

[@machoman5172]

I would consider this perhaps the most important tip in golf. I lost my swing once and I didn't know how to get it back. Eventually realized I was off on the backswing to frontswing transition. Man do I ever appreciate that sublime feeling of weightlessness now.

[@Pearmain2009]

As a newbie to golf thisxsummer I still have much to learn around my swing. I thoughtvI had relaxed my grip enough but this video has shown me something no one has told me. Definitely trying that out this weekend.

[@sheilasmith5323]

This is what I’m missing in my swing so thanks for this explanation!😁

[@toddwmac]

Thanks Akex...great stuff as always. On thing this video also shows is that the mental image of our club head path being a circle is inaccurate and (I believe) impacts an amateur's ability to get good and consistent pressure. While so many instructors talk about the swing being a circle (showing a hula hoop for example), it is actually more like an oval with its long axis down range. The oval path is formed as we move our torso towards the target. The image many of us had in our heads of trying to create a true circle contributes to a player's tendency to try to stay centered and as a result raise the torso and or cast the hands. Your video makes it obvious that bringing the grip past the ball 1st, lets the oval form naturally as we move towards the target and open our chest. This imagery, and your reminders on grip pressure made all the difference. Thank ypu!

[@maxamillion-td3im]

..Thank you Alex. When I feel not OK, (tired, stressed, pressured) it is exactly that "lag" effect that makes me '..not trust my swing-feeling.'. It gives me a doubt feeling.

[@TigerMarine62]

To most of us, when we hear compress the ball, we stiffen up and try to hammer the ball, which in effect makes us much less likely to compress anything. You make this so simple a caveman could do it.

[@alangilmour7576]

amazing advice alex cheers, i tried this today and was hitting my irons much better 🔥

[@jjflash1645]

Great tip when hitting off the fairway. I imagine you would have to grip tighter if you were in higher or thicker grass (like I am usually in) to keep you club from turning or getting caught.

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Great point! For sure in thicker grass yes!

[@scottsliger3606]

That's not what he was teaching. so what's your point that you're a lousy golfer ?

[@jjflash1645]

@@scottsliger3606 So what’s your point that your a great golfer? When will I see you on a pro tour?

[@douglasscovil3447]

alex is totally right about using a looser grip, and i wish he would have also talked about the importance of having loose/relaxed wrists and arms. slowing down the downswing is also important because it facilitates loose and relaxed wrists/arms. all this being said, it is extremely difficult for some people to get their bodies to swing with loose and relaxed wrists/arms, it took me over a year to condition my body to do this, but it was worth it because now my arms no longer hurt when i play golf or go to the driving range (along with greater distance and accuracy).

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Thanks for tuning in i hope it helps

[@russellnz06]

Thanks mate, really appreciate this one. Word for word. This lag feel/approach combined with adding in a bit more hip-turn worked wonders for me. Proper flushing it consistently and naturally 🤯 💯

[@AlexElliottGolf]

No problem 👍

[@mnaps2385]

I've seen 1000 compression videos. This was a really easy to digest instructional take.

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Thanks so much!

[@steveperry1344]

i've never been able to do this with the loose wrists so i've always held on kinda tight. so this explains why i can only hit a 7iron about 140yds and a driver 220yds on the fly and maybe just getting arm speed and the flex of the shaft. it seems if i swing with softer grip i flip too much but i'm gonna try it in practice.

[@engine4632]

excellent video mate, great work

[@kaycejay2168]

One of the best tips I've ever come across. Cheers.

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Predilus]

That's what I do, adjust grip pressure. For me especially if I get to the back 9 my grip gets weaker as my backoffice-fingers are tiring. Keep the grip pressure constant. Do not let the clubhead go back too far back around and keep lesser shaft angle to the lead arm. If you go down this creates a nice lag without even thinking about it. You'll create more distance with less swinging. Nice and crisp like john rahm!

[@bjm1711]

Very interesting to watch the slow motion creation of lag but even more interesting to see the amount of “bend” in the shaft as the club head “overtakes” the shaft near the bottom of the swing.

[@Bergerac82]

That’s rolling shutter effect. It’s an artifact of digital video recording. The club shaft does not bend in that way in reality.

[@davidbarnard1409]

Compressing a ball requires : Staying centered ie rotating around a fixed pivot Correct timing of weight shift on the down swing Staying connected ie having a more compact swing, using a towel under ur arms will help with this.

[@kenbrown2808]

I'll have to pay attention. I think I may already be doing that. I'm starting to get to a point of selecting higher lofted clubs than when I first started playing, because I'm hitting further.

[@flimflama9333]

Awesome clip.. But that part where you fatted the ground then stepped on it as the cakera zoomed was also very slick 😉

[@scottsliger3606]

I like your swing thoughts and the way you explained it. you kept it simple

[@donwilson1307]

Thanks Alex, look forward to hearing from you at the Ryder Cup. Should be fun

[@claytonkerr2445]

Thanks for making this video! My game has been struggling lately. I went to the range today and tried these drills that you shared. They made such a difference! It was like everything smoothed out and my contact was great! These are definitely drills that I will continue to use. Thanks again!

[@geoff114]

Great video Alex but you should have mentioned the hip movement that starts the downswing which creates the speed for the lag.

[@chrisl7511]

The grip pressure is everything in chipping/pitching. Light grip hits it high and soft, strong pressure keeps it low and rolling. Assuming consistent strike

[@ariffzainal2602]

I'm taking this to the range. Thanks Alex!

[@patts6153]

Bryson use a 11/10 Brilliant video makes me think about my grip pressure

[@beaublomeley6407]

Thanks for this video Alex, I will be adding this drill to my golf swing this weekend 😊

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Fantastic! Let me know how you get on with this

[@beaublomeley6407]

@@AlexElliottGolf I definitely will 🏌‍♂️

[@johnrogers6616]

Really well explained thank you

[@JulianCross-wk2cq]

Fantastic video alex

[@jimmurphy834]

I use the word pinch. Pinch the ball between the ground and the clubhead.

[@Mikebull888]

Very nicely explained, think I've got it

[@paulg1358]

Hey Alex, a fellow utuber who has @ same # of followers states tight grip pressure is the answer. I usually apply medium and tried to strangle irons with hands recently. Haha doesn't seem to work. I will follow your advice here at range 1st tomorrow, then local course day after that. Added note: noticed at the end u swept that 4 iron with no divot. That's my usual iron type shot.

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Great, hope it works for you$

[@w1redrage]

does this work for woods and driver?

[@harrywright5133]

Excellent video

[@markspence5288]

This bloke is so underrated when it comes to instructions and training. It’s a travesty how Rick shields has so many followers pushing out his shite. A 64’ wedge yesterday.

[@AlexElliottGolf]

I really appreciate that Mark, thank you!!

[@ernieprobert5396]

Alex do you do this with driver too another brilliant video by the way

[@peterodonnell3399]

You are the BEST Alex , thanks

[@AlexElliottGolf]

I appreciate that!

[@patrickscantland2185]

thx mate great lesson on the grip wow

[@JimEngland-i9b]

This now has me having to recalibrate all my irons due to increased distance. Thanks A Lot Alex! 😂

[@yihan206]

Compressing the ball is easy if you keep your club head parallel to your back and you just go back halfway and let your hands and actually go through and relax like you did you can compress the ball all the time it’s not hard the problem is some people learn how to compress the ball with a short iron but men and long they have trouble because they change your swing and they also tried to compress the driver which you should hit up on the driver for me. I compress the ball with short and long. My swings are same even with the driver I just play it more up in my stance.

[@alancleaver1393]

I have now watched many of your posts, and enjoyed all of them, and tried a few, they do work. I have a question, you are a pro golfer so you have a consistent swing, I am a 71 year old senior golfer playing of a HI 13.2, my swing speed is around 73-75 mph. All the posts I have watched, not only you but all pro's, do not mention swing speed. why?

[@clarkbrown5367]

Thanks Alex

[@cgc3952]

Great lesson Alex.thank you

[@wazone100]

Very interesting !

[@kevettmickle6064]

Thanks for sharing I am not sure why I hold the club so tight, that’s why we wear a glove lol

[@berylwright3301]

Excellent video, well explained

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Glad you liked it

[@royclose946]

Well done alex try that myself 😊

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Thank you Roy!!

[@batfink274]

One thing, and I'd think the most important thing that never seems to be addressed in golf tutorials is strength. I'd say the number one reason most people struggle at golf is because they're not strong enough. To hit a ball well, and far, not only do you need reasonably good equipment, a good swing, good mental strength and be able to visualise the shot you want to play, but you need to be strong. Most golfers watching thee videos are golfers who don't work out consistently or practice consistently so they don't have the muscles and ligaments in their hands, wrists, forearms, lats, core, shoulders, legs, calves and feet strong enough to swing like the pros who do.

[@codydavis3219]

I finally get it

[@Islanddweller18]

Alex , I’ve been a low ball player forever with my lower lofted irons and fairway woods as well as driver . Can you explain why this happens? I’m losing distance . Thx

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Hi Dave! Are you closing the face during the backswing? This could be an issue that causes a lower ball flight

[@Islanddweller18]

@@AlexElliottGolf That could be the reason. I’ll check thru your videos to see if there’s anything regarding the takeaway. Thank you sir

[@fredlee7898]

Alex does the weight of the shaft matter? In other words, does a stiffer shaft cause lag to be more difficult to achieve? Thanks

[@gcoffey223]

Fiending to play. Wont be back home for a few more weeks

[@supinderbabra7068]

You are NOT a top 50 coach! You are the NO 1 COACH on youtube! Last night in Toronto during my Men's league I shot 1 under for the front 9 (we mainly score the front nine). I have never done this ever in 15 years golfing. I didn't have a perfect round but there were shots (chips), putts, lagged shots which were perfectly executed from all your lessons! I walked off achieving more than my target (even par from 9) and now I have a goal of trying to improve putting to try to hit even lower on the front 9. To date I've used (Driver, Woods, Iron and short games (older videos - even though I would love to see new ones) and putting videos). Its been superb and what finished me off was holding the club (pause) at the top after you replied back to another post. THANK YOU MY FRIEND. Look forward to the next videos!

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Wow that’s so kind of you, I’m so grateful for this, can’t wait to continue to help you 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@mikebrown9493]

Alex. Can you show us how to get out of fairway bunkers with distance. Thanks Mike Brown

[@jackwest5295]

Use a 5 HYBRID

[@kneez1183]

Interesting...

[@drfpalmer]

Great video as always Alex. When I do that I actually feel the handle coming off of my fingers a bit at the top of the backswing before it regains contact in the downswing...like it was weightless for a moment. That OK?

[@normandpaul6272]

Maybe because you are going too far back?

[@johnbethel9725]

Nice, !!!!

[@simoncampbell3590]

Damnnn I love this

[@alargeflatwhite]

Great tip, Alex - how would you adapt this with a driver?

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Alllow the ball position to make that change - you would also place the alignment stick ahead of the ball not behind the ball

[@davec8730]

alex why are clubs faces NOT delofted during production?

[@Mr.McCullough]

Went from averaging 200 to 219 with my 4iron using this tip

[@cuzisaidso4985]

My course has very dry ground and is really hard to where if you try and take any ground after hitting the ball you are going to feel it. hurts the wrists. What do you do in those cases? I have a tendency to just scalp the ball and make a mess of the shot because of it....been in a little drought here...

[@cchapar]

This seemed to be more of a lesson on lag than compression, or are they the same thing? I’m good at lag, often hold the angle too long and top it. Can you clarify lag vs compression?

[@HaroldLee-j6f]

How do you get rid of too many swing thoughts

[@lamacorra1]

Alex, I want to measure the yards I hit a ball, I see that you use your iPad. Could you please advise if it is only an app or your ball has a chip. I practice with a net at my garden, what should I use?? 😅😅😅

[@AlexElliottGolf]

No it’s app only! 🙌🏼

[@Chaz1724]

Here I was thinking I was like Tiger Woods bcuz I never take a divot. Turns out I’m just a scooper 😂

[@hed_sh0tz__638]

Imo.. compression is mostly only important for long irons.. being a scooper w the 9 iron and all your wedges are just fine.. Tiger also said quit watching f#*king KZbin 😂😂

[@Chaz1724]

@@hed_sh0tz__638 where did u hear Tiger say that? Oh right, KZbin!

[@MrAyeno3bad]

Alex when I do this I leave the face miles open, I have a neutral/strong grip but if I get any lag I slice it massively. Any thoughts?

[@normandpaul6272]

Turn your body

[@kenbrudenell921]

Another good drill to create lag, is to lift the thumb off and it also eases grip pressure. Relax the arms too🏌️‍♂️

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Absolutely!

[@jon4715]

incredible lesson, thank you

[@stevemcvay2220]

How do you like those cobra king tours?

[@AlexElliottGolf]

Yess i like!

[@eileencornell625]

What bothers me about this is, if the low point of your swing is ahead of the ball doesn't that mean that your clubface will be slightly open at impact sending the ball out to the right? This is what happens to me when I hit with "lag"!

[@krusher74]

you need to turn your body to get it back straight.

[@themaninthemirror7262]

Short clubs start middle back

[@DASH1ful]

that is not how a player compresses the ball. if we have zero grip pressure and zero hand action we will have zero control. but, if we have zero grip pressure, at address, and control the club with the heel pad in the takeaway we will have maximum control. heel pad control effects grip pressure, in the fingers. so, to have a grip pressure of 5, at address, and at the end of the backswing, is to preclude any heel pad control in the takeaway. and, heel pad control is essential to compressing the ball.

[@trailerpark948]

heel pad in the hand?

[@DASH1ful]

@trailerpark948 yes, the digiti minimi and the area around the extensor digiti minimi extensor. Extensor extension is essential in the takeaway.

[@JoseChavez-vk7wx]

Roy Punete

[@Nordic_Sky]

Because they are not on plane and not lagging it. Next video!

[@kidpoker007]

Looks like the club is bowing forward prior to hitting the ball

[@philfen2972]

Why the jump cut just before you show the yardage 😂😂😂

[@larryspeed5582]

😅 On

[@gcoffey223]

Less is more

[@JonathanPajakLensCulture]

Okay but hitting it off a tee is sooooo much easier

[@kainalueqz]

I think you need to compress your audio in your video 😅

[@EannMcCullough]

Hmm. Put that stick 2 inches behind the ball, and get that ball off that tee.