April, 2017 | Wayne DeFrancesco

Swing Analysis: Thomas Pieters

At 6’5” and 190 pounds and 25 years of age Pieters is one of the new generation of big, rangy guys who hit the ball a mile but has the rest of the game to go with their length. Pieters finished a solid 4th in this year’s Masters (where these swings are taken from) and has a 5th in a WGC event and a 2nd at Riviera to add up to a stellar start to the season. He has 3 wins in Europe and was arguably the star of the European Ryder Cup team, and when you watch his swing, both at regular speed and slowed down, you see excellent mechanics that portend a consistent rise to the top of the game.

Online Students: Doug De Mott

By J | Videos: Online Students

As you can see from Doug’s email he is an avid student of the game, and in this video, I hope to get him on the right track as he tries to improve his ball striking. My main issue with Doug’s swing begins with his arm position at address and how that affects the takeaway. This is another example of a common pattern among players who like to keep their right arm stiff at address and their upper right arm firmly against the body in the backswing.

Tiger Woods: Still a Chance?

By Wayne | blog

As you know Tiger Woods just underwent his 4th back surgery in the past 2 years (he has now caught up to me in the race no one wants to win), and by now most of the pundits are thinking that he is done and will never compete on a high level again, certainly not anywhere near the level he demonstrated from the early nineties to 2013. I happen to disagree with that assessment, and I will tell you why.

Lesson of the Week: Angelina and Valentina Guertin

By Wayne | Videos: Lesson of the Week

Here is another video that showcases how quickly talented young players can incorporate change when the instruction is limited to no more than a couple of things and those things are simple in nature. Angelina and Valentina are 10 and 9 years old and are already highly accomplished competitive junior golfers.

Swing Analysis: Another Look at David Duval

By Wayne | Videos: Swing Analysis

Since David Duval has been doing commentary (which I really like, by the way) for the Golf Channel I have gotten quite a bit of interest in going back over his swing and my opinions as to how his game slipped so much. Here I show all the swings my friend Mark Diamond and I took during a practice round for the PGA Championship at Medinah in 1999 when David was ranked 2nd in the world. It was the best golf I have ever seen played: he never missed a shot and was 8 under through 13 holes.

What Starts the Forward Swing? Watch Rickie Fowler and Thomas Pieters

By Wayne | Videos: Swing Analysis

One of the most debated technique questions regarding the golf swing is “what initiates the downswing?” I was always of the opinion that to change direction the thrust had to come from the ground under the right foot (for a right-hander). Another popular explanation is that the left knee and/or left hip is responsible for the change of direction.

Online Students: Chip Zabatta Part 2

By Wayne | Videos: Online Students

Chip has already made great strides with his swing after his first online lesson. He has stabilized his lower body movement to a great degree and has added a ton of width to his backswing as well. These improvements now give him a chance to focus on the next big issue, which is that of his hands looping back behind him in transition.

Online Students: Chuck Zellner Part 6

By Wayne | Videos: Online Students

Chuck is a long time loyal member of the website and has been consistent with his online lessons as well as seeing me for a few in -person lessons as well. His swing has progressed consistently, and if he has any tendency it is to over-do the suggestions I make, which is really a good thing, as dialing back an overdone change is easier than correcting a stubborn inability to make any change at all.

Lesson of the Week: Phil Pfeiffer

By Wayne | Videos: Online Students

This is the first time I have been face to face with Phil after 5 online lessons spread out over a couple of years. Phil likes the progress his swing has made (or he wouldn’t be showing up in Florida) and I think that if you go back and look at his older lessons you will agree with him.

Playing for Money: Derek Gillespie Part 6

By Wayne | Videos: Playing For Money

Derek has made the first two cuts on the Latin American Tour and feels as though he is close to breaking through with some better play. He is hitting the ball better and the swings you see here tell you why. His issue with crossing the line at the top has been corrected by rotating the forearms more and opening the face, and in general the backswing plane looks great.

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Monthly Archives: April 2017