Improvement: Peter Procops, PGA Part 13

By Wayne | Improvement

This lesson is a composite of four short lessons. In the first video Pete’s left knee is moving too far down and in I’d like it more stable so it can get out of the way sooner. Also the left wrist is cupped too long approaching impact. The next lesson we move on to the shoulders being a bit too flat so I’m looking for a bit more tilt here. The iron swing is looking really good but I still want to see the knuckles pointing down a bit more and a bit sooner so the left wrist looks a bit more bowed at impact. The third video we’re looking to get Pete’s right arm in a better position so it doesn’t get quite so far behind at the top. On Pete’s downswing the shaft is above his right forearm so it’s not getting stuck which is really good. The fourth part we’re seeing a lift in the backswing. I also want to see Pete’s weight to shift a bit better so his legs clear sooner. So, quiet the backswing a bit, stay more centered and get the rotation going more to snap the left leg back. This may all sound like a lot but remember this video covers four lessons and Pete has a good athletic swing, is a talented player and we’re being picky because the goal, as always, is to get as good as possible.
 
Click here to start at the beginning of the series. Each video has a link to the next so you can easily progress through them.
 
Peter’s Commentary:
 

The three things that I struggled with the most during this lesson were:
1) Head still
2) Shoulders turning more upright instead of flat
3) Right arm high on the takeaway as right arm stays in front to the top.
4) Squaring up clubface with left wrist as I kept my left arm more vertical in a downward motion.
 
In order to cure the first two issues I had to feel like I was stack and tilt on the backswing.
Starting with my takeaway, I had to feel my left shoulder go down as my arms traveled inward, with my right arm staying high to 9 o’clock. To do this I had to put something on my head so it would not move. This kept the shoulders more vertical creating more coil as I rotated my right hip to the top. Exaggerating this in practice really helped my ball striking in competition. At first it felt like I was steep into the ball with no power. I had to remember to rotate my right hip as my arms felt more behind me while my upper thoracic stayed on my left side.
All I had to do now was let my hips lower and get out-of-the-way on the downswing as I let the knuckles square up the club head, letting the club exit left completing the circle.
 
Peter

 
Click here for part 14