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how long should you feel like youre pausing at the top for golf

by Dr. Deon Jacobs Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The idea is to slowly reach the top and pause for a second and in one motion let go into the downswing. This will help you get into the proper downswing positions without thinking about it.

Full Answer

Does the Golf Club pause at the top of the swing?

Didn't Nicklaus say that the club may pause at the top, but the swing isn't in a pause because the body is transitioning from the backswing to the downswing and stuff is moving even while the club appears to pause at the top? Yes @jomatty gave a pretty solid description.

Should you pause when you hit a golf ball?

This holds true for those who pause slightly, as well as those who do not. But for most golfers, a sequence of starting the lower body toward the target as the arms and club are still going back is a better option simply because they are less inclined to cast or come over it.

What does it feel like to take a pause?

The pause can feel like the fraction of a second when you reach the top of a swing at the playground. It’s like taking a bucket full of water and trying to swing it back and forth without letting any spill out. Things are balanced, timed well, and in sync.

Do pro level golfers pause during their backswing?

Not generally visible to the naked eye, but many pro level golfers have a definitive transition point as to where most average/above average golfers have tons of movement during the transition. Im fairly sure nearly every pro starts to unwind their hips before they complete their backswing, so in no sense is that a pause.. More sharing options...

Should I pause at top of golf swing?

4:296:18GOLF BACKSWING: Should You Pause At The Top? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay so thinking into the future just think about the time you're spending up at the top of yourMoreOkay so thinking into the future just think about the time you're spending up at the top of your back. Sign if you need a little more. Time then pause a little longer or hesitate a little longer.

Why is it so hard to stop coming over the top?

0:003:36The Golf Fix - Stop Coming Over the Top | Golf Channel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCall it a backswing for a reason because what we want to do when we're taking the club back is weMoreCall it a backswing for a reason because what we want to do when we're taking the club back is we want to make sure that we get our back to the target. Now once we've made this backswing.

How do you know if your coming over the top?

0:288:54Why You're Coming Over The Top In Your Golf Swing + How To Fix It!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what do I see is the main reason for this overuse of your body. Ok too much tension in your arms.MoreSo what do I see is the main reason for this overuse of your body. Ok too much tension in your arms. And you're not letting your arms swing. So the sequence of motion is a little off.

Which golfer pauses at the top?

Hideki Matsuyama'sWatching Hideki Matsuyama's golf swing, it's impossible not to notice. He sets up with textbook-perfect posture, takes the club away without much fanfare, and then when his golf swing reaches the top of his backswing, he pauses for what seems like an eternity.

Why can't I stop coming over the top golf?

One of the most common causes of the over-the-top move is when golfers fail to transfer their weight properly. This can lead to what's known as a reverse pivot where the weight stays on the left leg throughout the backswing and then shifts onto the right side coming down into impact.

How do you cure coming over the top in golf?

To stop coming over-the-top, you need to work on shallowing the golf club in the downswing. This involves developing a more relaxed, tensionless feeling at the top of the backswing. Using alignment sticks to direct club path can also offer real-time feedback as to whether your action is, in fact, over-the-top.

What causes coming over the top in golf?

Over the Top is perhaps the most common swing fault among high handicap golfers. It occurs due to an overuse of the upper body on the downswing. As a result the club will be thrown on the outside of the intended swing plane with the club head approaching the ball from outside to in.

Can over the top cause a hook?

Coming over the top is an error which occurs when you get to the top of the backswing. The next move is supposed to be powered by the lower half of the body and getting it wrong will mess up your swing plane, causing hooks, slices and other common swing issues.

Why do I slice with my driver but not my irons?

The main reason that a driver will slice, but not the irons, is the length of the club. With a golf driver being longer than a golf iron, it is much harder to square the club face and release the club at the proper time. Golfers of all ability levels struggle with this concept.

Is a pause at top of backswing good?

It sets up the perfect storm for gravity to take over on the downswing and maximum speed unleashed into the ball. Those who pause are also known to be strategists on the golf course. They like to pick away at their targets and hit the ball relatively straight with very little curvature.

How do you swing like Matsuyama?

12:5414:12HOW TO SET UP YOUR GOLF SWING LIKE HIDEKI MATSUYAMA ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then you see him really shifting nicely from behind into that forward side and now that forwardMoreAnd then you see him really shifting nicely from behind into that forward side and now that forward side is keeping him behind the ball. As he's releasing through the ball and toward the target.

What happens when you don't finish your backswing?

What happens if you don't get all the way there? It puts the bottom of your swing arc farther back, probably behind the ball. Unless you make some other compensation in your swing, you're going to mis-hit the shot.

Who is the golf analyst who paused at the top of his swing?

I recently heard Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee talking about all the great players who have paused at the top of their swing. He named Bob Murphy, Jay Haas, Byron Nelson and a few others. Of course now we have Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama, who do this same thing.

Why do golfers do the downswing?

Great players have great sequencing. It’s part of what makes them great. They initiate the downswing from the ground up. This holds true for those who pause slightly, as well as those who do not. But for most golfers, a sequence of starting the lower body toward the target as the arms and club are still going back is a better option simply because they are less inclined to cast or come over it.

How do slicers react to the flight of the golf ball?

We all react to the flight of the golf ball. Slicers swing left, those who hook swing right (right-handers), and so on. Swinging away from your trouble shot is a very natural impulse, and cannot be corrected unless the undesired ball flight goes away. The list is long, and every teacher has a bag of tricks to stop certain poor outcomes. You as the player need to access your own list.

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How to do a wedge golf swing?

Now hold it directly in front of you, with your upper arms relaxed at your side and your elbows bent so your forearms are parallel to the floor and right in front of your chest. The club should be vertical, so that you are looking right at your right thumbnail (for right-handers). Now, keep your eyes focused on your right thumbnail and your upper arms close to your chest, rotate your upper body to move your hands and the club back and forth, starting about a foot in either direction. You want to feel like nothing is moving but your body core. As you continue to rotate back and through, lengthen the range of motion until you are making nearly a full shoulder turn. But always make sure that your hands are right in front of your sternum throughout the range of motion.

How to fix a weak grip on a golf ball?

You can always modify it later. If you are hitting fat or thin shots, try an extreme adjustment in your posture. You can always modify it later.

How to make a big number in golf?

The classic example is water bordering one side and a wide open area on the other. The only way to make a big number in this case is to hit the ball in the water. Just knowing how to hit the ball deliberately away from trouble is a great advantage — but again, it takes knowledge of impact, what causes what in your swing.

Why do people pause in golf?

The main purpose of a pause is to load weight and power that starts from the beginning of the golf swing. It sets up the perfect storm for gravity to take over on the downswing and maximum speed unleashed into the ball. Those who pause are also known to be strategists on the golf course. They like to pick away at their targets and hit the ball relatively straight with very little curvature. It’s also common to see those that pause to have amazing balance throughout their swing.

Why do golfers pause at the top of their swing?

Most golfers that pause at the top of the swing have been doing it since they started playing and have had years of experience with it under pressure. They have gained enormous confidence and changing it would create a disaster or at the very least a long term commitment.

What does pause at the top of the back swing mean?

Pausing at the top of the back swing can be viewed upon as both positive and negative. Currently Hideki Matsuyama has a distinct pause at the top of his backswing and he’s ranked inside the top 10 on the Official World Golf Rankings. Recreational golfers develop a pause that sometimes disrupts their timing where it actually hurts instead ...

How to do a downswing in golf?

What we want to do is get into our golf set up with our driver. A slightly narrow stance is ideal. Next we want to slowly take the club away and at the top pause for a count of 2. Then take a small step toward the target with your left foot (right foot for left handed golfers) initiating the downswing. You should notice an increase in speed and a more fluid motion from downswing to follow through. This drill will help you sequence your swing and keep you in good rhythm while generating more power.

How to stabilize your hips in golf?

As you progress into your backswing make sure the weight is loading into the inside of the right foot (left foot for left handed golfers). This loading into the foot will help to stabilize the hip and lower body. Next, you will pause at the top and feel how the weight is loaded into your right side. After a couple seconds, you will begin the ...

What is the worst thing to happen in a golf swing?

The worst thing to have happen in a golf swing is to create opposite momentum. Think of the gas pedal in your car. If you were clipping along on the highway and took your foot off the gas you would notice a gradual slow down.

Why is it important to not pump your arms on the downswing?

If we’re practicing a pause at the top, it’s important that we don’t pump the arms on the downswing. This will decrease all the winding up and separation between upper body and lower body. Many golfers when practicing the transition from backswing to downswing will attempt to pump their arms to feel the proper position.

What does pause feel like?

The pause can feel like the fraction of a second when you reach the top of a swing at the playground. It’s like taking a bucket full of water and trying to swing it back and forth without letting any spill out.

Who is the best example of pause in golf swing?

Byron Nelson was one of the best examples of the distinct pause in the golf swing. Take a look, it’s a thing of beauty. You can see the club floating for a very brief moment. If you go out to any golf course over the weekend you will notice that the swings have what I would describe as a “violent” transition.

What is the Right Golf Swing Transition?

Let’s get back to the idea of golf swing transition. If you watch many professional golfers you’ll notice that they have beautiful timing in their swing, and some of them will have a brief pause at the top. Some players’ pauses are extremely quick, and others seem to take forever, but it’s there.

What is the transition in golf swing?

One part of the golf swing that I’ve seen many players struggle with (including myself) is their transition. The small amount of time that separates your backswing from your downswing can be crucial in determining the success of your shot.

How to drill on the range?

If you feel that you are someone who struggles with these issues, an easy drill you can try on the range is simply to exaggerate a pause. You can start with short shots with your wedges and work your way up to a full swing.

Why don't players finish their backswing?

Many players don’t even finish their backswing, which can be the result of nerves and a desire to smash the ball.

Is it easier to play golf with a smooth swing?

There are always exceptions to any rule, especially when it comes to golf swings, but having a smooth, balanced swing certainly makes it easier to be a successful golfer.

Who has no distinguishable pause at the top of the backswing?

On the other hand, guys like Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, Mark Wilson, Ricky Fowler, Sergio Garcia have no distinguishable pause at the top. The top of the backswing flows seamlessly into the downswing.

Where do you put the club on a golf swing?

These golfers “place (d) the club” at the top of the backswing which allows it to ease to a stop. It allows the golfer an extra fraction of a second to gather and stabilize the arms, hands, and shaft before starting down.

Do you have to stop before changing direction in golf?

Now, with either type of move the club must come to a stop before it changes direction! But visually to the observer and physically to the golfer, the pause or no pause techniques are very different. In one group, the change of direction is lightning fast, in the other it is more deliberate.

When skiing well, I was always balanced and in position before executing my next turn?

It was the pause in between turns that set up the next movement; that weightless moment when unweighting from the next turn allows one to redirect the skis down the fall line , build angles, and oppose those angles with countering.

Is gathering at the top good?

Gathering at the top does many good things.... we all know the gross feeling of getting quick at the top with a terrible result, sometimes we think we have to hurry if we want to hit it a little harder, then your buddy goes "you got quick at the top" and you say "yeah it was crappy"

Is tapping into momentum and inertia good?

Tapping into momentum and inertia is a good thing not just in the downswing but the backswing as well.

Is transition tempo good for Asian golfers?

Yeah, he incorporated that change early last year. I like it a lot. Just wonder how long it'll take him to feel really good with it. Transition tempo is like the top thing taught to Asian golfers (non-american). On avg, they are so good with it.

Do pro golfers have pauses?

More pros have a pause than you might think. Not generally visible to the naked eye, but many pro level golfers have a definitive transition point as to where most average/above average golfers have tons of movement during the transition.

Why is it so hard to square the face at impact?

When the transition gets violent , it's hard to square the face at impact. Many average golfers also suffer from a poor transition. That's mostly because they take the club back too quickly, and then fail to complete the backswing before starting the downswing.

Do you pause before swinging down?

Next time you're practicing, when you reach the top of your swing, pause for a second before swinging down. The reason I suggest doing it on the range is because, if you're quick at the top, this drill will feel very strange and might take a while to get used to. But if you do pause, you can then swing down as hard as you want, ...

How long do weekenders stand over the ball?

They are check-listers, reviewing the do's and don'ts as they stand over the ball, sometimes for as long as 20 seconds. Double that time when you add their pre-shot routine.

How many seconds from pre shot to finish?

Sport psychologist Gio Valiante agrees with the authors, to a point: "I've talked about 20 seconds from pre-shot to finish. But it's a range. Some players are at 23, some at 17. You can't make it a rigid thing. Everybody copies the best players in the world. But the best players don't copy anyone."

How many seconds did Jack Nicklaus play?

He did that, they say, because he spent less time on his pre-shot routine and noticeably longer over the ball, but still totaling 18 to 20 seconds .

How long should a pre shot routine take?

The authors add that before they even step in, a player's pre-shot routine should take no more than 10 to 12 seconds, for a total of about 20.

How long does it take to size up a shot?

The coaches supported the book's organization of the shot process. They say sizing up a shot can take any amount of time. Tour pros, for instance, tend to spend more time deciding about escape shots or unpracticed shots around the green. But once the decision is made, rehearsal and execution should take no more than 20 seconds and must be consistent. The idea is to progress from conscious calculation to instinctive motion as you decide, picture, feel and finally act. Mixing the stages, such as still debating club selection while standing over the ball, invites poor performance.

What does golf swing feel like?

What The Golf Swing Should Feel Like (From Start To Finish) Golf is a sport that is all about rhythm, tempo, timing and feel. In order to be a good player, you need your upper and lower body, your feet and your hands all working together in unison – which can take months, even years to perfect.

How long does it take to complete a golf swing?

Considering the average professional golfer takes only one second to complete their swing from start to finish (usually 0.75 seconds for the backswing, and 0.25 seconds for the downswing), there’s a lot of specific movements that need to happen in a very short space of time.

What grip do you use for a golf swing?

Regardless of whether you have a strong grip, neutral grip or weak grip – or use an interlocking grip, overlapping grip, or 10-finger baseball grip – one important element in the golf swing that is often overlooked is grip pressure.

Why is it bad to backswing in golf?

Unless you’re tour pros Hideki Matsuyama or Sung-jae Im, having a super slow backswing – in an effort to improve tempo – will actually hurt your game because if you take the club back slowly, there needs to be a huge, violent change of direction in order to create any club speed.

Why do golfers stand up?

Many amateurs make the mistake of being too hunched over, or standing too far away from the golf ball, or having their legs too wide or too narrow at address, that when they attempt their swing their body will – without thinking – stand up, mainly because it is most comfortable for it to do so.

How to get more fluency in golf swing?

To get you swinging the club with more fluency, do the following: At the end of your range session, try hitting 20 balls as hard as you possibly can while counting 1,2 in your head (you should reach the top of your backswing on the count of 1, and strike the ball on the count of 2)

How many degrees should your chest be open when playing golf?

By the time the club is parallel to the ground, waist high, your chest should be rotated 90 degrees open away from the target.

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