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how much of the golf swing is an illusion

by Dr. Cale Morar Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Part of a video titled The Arm Swing Illusion - YouTube
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You know intellectually you can't be doing that but yet you're I see you pull them pull a rabbit outMoreYou know intellectually you can't be doing that but yet you're I see you pull them pull a rabbit out of a hat it's no different it's an optical illusion that for 500 years is confused golfers.

Full Answer

What is the arm swing illusion in golf?

The Arm Swing Illusion is the mistaken perception that when you watch a pro swing (or any good ball striker) what you’re seeing is independent sideways arm motion. The illusion is that you see the arms move across the chest, cross midline this way (away from the target) and then around the body.

Is uncocking the wrists downwards the best way to swing?

In my particular case, Waldron’s ideas on uncocking the wrists downwards served as the missing link in Joe Nichols’s swing theory, which I consider to be the easiest way to swing a golf club efficiently. I now consider myself a student of Jim Waldron, Mike Malaska and Joe Nichols.

Do Your Arms move sideways when you hit a golf ball?

However, in reality, good players actually move their arms up and down during the backswing and follow-through. They simply turn their torso while doing so. This makes it looks like the arms are moving sideways when it is actually torso rotation that moves the arms horizontally.

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What is the arm swing illusion?

The Arm Swing Illusion is the mistaken perception that when you watch a pro swing (or any good ball striker) what you're seeing is independent sideways arm motion. The illusion is that you see the arms move across the chest, cross midline this way (away from the target) and then around the body.

What is the secret to the golf swing?

Here's the secret: Gravity creates constant acceleration. If you swing the club downward, it automatically accelerates. The problem is that most people stop the club when it hits the ball. Don't hit at the ball; swing through it.

Should the golf swing feel effortless?

The golf swing should feel effortless, with minimal tension. Think of it like a coiled spring: as you rotate and load into the backswing, you are storing up energy (just as a coiled spring would) before releasing all that energy – in one sweeping downswing motion – through the ball at impact.

How important is the finish in the golf swing?

0:333:02WHY IS THE FINISH SO IMPORTANT IN A GOLF SWING ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd yet it's so important I've never seen a bad golf swing with a really good finish. They don't goMoreAnd yet it's so important I've never seen a bad golf swing with a really good finish. They don't go hand-in-hand. So and if you get really good at holding a balanced finish.

What is the most important thing in the golf swing?

What's the most important part of the golf swing? It's a complicated question, considering the variety of factors that can contribute to things going wrong (or right) from backswing to follow-through. But as far as Jack Nicklaus is concerned, the most important thing happening is the first thing—the take-back.

How do you hit a golf ball effortlessly?

0:3111:23EFFORTLESS GOLF SWING - The easiest way to swing a golf clubYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThrough those positions golf swing is not a static motion it's a flowing motion that is how weMoreThrough those positions golf swing is not a static motion it's a flowing motion that is how we create effortless motions the second thing we're going to focus on is then how you guide this switch.

Should you see the golf ball at impact?

2:345:59WHERE SHOULD YOUR EYES BE AT IMPACT? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo they're actually when they're hitting through the shot they literally are hitting through becauseMoreSo they're actually when they're hitting through the shot they literally are hitting through because their eyes are coming through toward the target.

Should I swing hard with a driver?

In golf, you should swing as hard as you can without losing your balance and posture. The longer you can hit the ball off the tee, the easier scoring becomes as you'll leave yourself less distance into the green.

How do pros swing so fast?

0:091:57How Do Pro Golfers Swing So Fast? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe faster the club head is moving at the bottom of the swing. The greater the amount of kineticMoreThe faster the club head is moving at the bottom of the swing. The greater the amount of kinetic energy will be transferred from club head to ball club head speed generates.

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.

Is a slow backswing good in golf?

While you will want to play with a good tempo, you may want to use a slow backswing for some of your practice swings, both on the practice tee and on the course. A slow backswing aids you in developing balance and strength, so consider one for practice swings and the driving range and a quicker backswing when you play.

Do you need a big backswing in golf?

1:0110:06WHAT IS THE PERFECT BACKSWING LENGTH FOR YOU ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBack too far that gives you a feeling of power the longer you go back the more you've got to try andMoreBack too far that gives you a feeling of power the longer you go back the more you've got to try and hit that golf ball hard with your arms.

How do I get a perfect golf swing?

2:195:28The Perfect Golf Swing is Easier Than You Think - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMoving naturally causes it to get in the perfect. Position at the top i'm not even thinking about myMoreMoving naturally causes it to get in the perfect. Position at the top i'm not even thinking about my backswing. I'm just swinging the club. So let me go ahead and demonstrate with the ball.

What moves first in the golf swing?

The first move down should be a pulling motion initiated by the left leg (pictured above). From the top, the left knee shifts toward the target and starts pulling the rest of the lower body into its forward rotation.

What makes the golf swing so difficult?

The most common error is a grip that is too weak, or turned too far to the left on top of the club. Another common error is a grip that is too strong, or turned too far to the right on top of the club. Often a grip that is too strong is the sign of a golfer trying to hit the ball too hard.

How do you swing a golf club perfectly?

At the top, the hips are turned only half as far as the shoulders. Your left arm should remain straight, but not rigid, and your right elbow should point to the ground. The hands should swing back to 11 o'clock, with the hands and arms under the club, supporting its weight.

How to understand illusions?

The key to understanding the illusion is to recognize that it looks like you are independently moving the arms sideways during the backswing and the follow-through.

What is the arm swing illusion?

The arm swing illusion is a mistaken perception deeply held in both the intellectual conscious mind as well as the subconscious mind, which is even more important because it has much more influence on how your body moves in the golf swing. The Arm Swing Illusion is the mistaken perception that when you watch a pro swing (or any good ball striker) what you’re seeing is independent sideways arm motion.

How to do the illusion golf?

The illusion is that you see the arms move across the chest, cross midline this way (away from the target) and then around the body. The illusion continues from the transition to the follow-through, with the club then reversing out from behind you, in front and then across midline through impact and around the body to the finish.

What is the end goal of a torso rotation?

The end goal is to combine the correct arm movement (vertically), with torso rotation. It’s basically like you’re rotating around your spine ( Tom Watson’s secret) with your torso, and moving your arms up and down, almost like you are trying to split a piece of wood with an axe.

What is illusion swing?

That’s the simplest way of explaining what the illusion is. It’s operative when you think about your own swing. Looking from your own first-person visual through your own eyes even when you’re not doing that those things a good player does. When they’re keeping the club in front it looks to them like their arms are going sideways. We’re going to explore why further on in this module in depth why that’s so.

How many components are there in the arm swing illusion?

In essence, there are three primary components to the Arm Swing Illusion.

What to do if playback doesn't begin?

If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Is the ASI thread on WRX a fad?

Only a fad in the sense that the ASI thread on WRX grew to epic proportions. Jim is very upfront with students about how much work is necessary to build a good swing -- and that there are NO fads or Magic Secrets that will make it easy. But progress is very difficult if the golfer suffers from the Arm Swing Illusion. It's just a first step. Or a way of convincing golfers that a pivot-driven swing is actually possible for them.

Who is responsible for the post count on Wrx?

The post count suggests it's very popular on wrx but Jim Waldron himself is responsible for many of those.

Is Jim's mental theories and thoughts more valuable than ASI?

Jim's whole outlook, and for me, his mental theories and thoughts are far more valuable, at least for a "Player" or a mid cap looking to cross the "bridge" from physical swing/mechanics/positions focus to becoming a Player than the ASI theory, though if you have the proper Instruction, ie, use Jim versus trying to be a DIYer, he's the real deal.

Is ASI a swing method?

First, ASI is NOT a swing method - not even close. I have a "body of knowledge" about the four main golf skill areas: long game (golf swing), short game, mental game and putting. ASI is just one very important part of the golf swing set of information. But there are several others that are also vitally important.

Does Waldron want the golfer to collapsing?

Clarifying: Waldron's model does *not* want the golfer collapsing and expanding the left arm angle.

Can you progress light years?

And if you understand the illusion, and the simple manner in which the arms really work, you can progress light years. The mind wants to buy into the illusion, because it looks so real. I appreciate what JIm has contributed here, because when my game goes south, it is because I am trying to do to much, like I said, the mind wants to buy into the illusion.

Do arms go up or down?

In its most basic simplest form, the arms go up, not around. When we look at video of good players , it looks like the arms are being whipped around the body, that is the illusion, because when you add a pivot to the arms going up, you can interpret what you see as going around.

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