Instruction
The A Swing: A simpler way to swing
As a golf instructor, you are always trying to improve your knowledge and understanding of the golf swing in order to help your students improve the efficiency of their swing as well as their ball striking consistency. No matter the player’s talent level, I’ve also come to understand how important it is to keep the approach of improving a player’s action as simple as possible.
During my 20+ year association with David Leadbetter and our elite worldwide Leadbetter teaching staff, we are consistently pushing the limits on how to simplify the complex game of golf. It’s a teaching culture within the Leadbetter organization inspired by David himself, and is fully captured in his new book “The A Swing.”
The A Swing is very much an evolution of David’s teaching philosophy, and emphasizes the synchronization between the three key fundamentals of the swing:
- Setup
- Body turn
- Club swing
What sets the A Swing approach apart is how simple it is for any player to understand, feel, and ultimately execute. Since first discussing and implementing some of the A Swing concepts with David in 2012, we have seen some dramatic improvements at every level with our players. Lydia Ko, the world’s No. 1-ranked female golfer, has been working with David and I since the Fall of 2013 has many A Swing traits that blend perfectly with her effortless swing rhythm.
Traditional Backswing
Photo Credit: The A Swing by David Leadbetter. St Martins Press, 2015
A Swing Backswing
Photo Credit: The A Swing by David Leadbetter. St Martins Press, 2015
The whole essence of the A Swing is based on synchronization. To me, synchronizing the swing’s two main components — torso rotation and the arm/club action — is paramount in good ball striking, regardless of the philosophy one follows.
In most cases in the golf swing, poor body motion is directly related to arms, hands and a club that are out of position. This can be observed if a player makes a simple pivot motion with their arms folded across their chest, where they would wind up going back, transition going forward, and then unwind to a balanced finish. More often than not, it looks technically correct. Yet take the same player and put a club in their hand, and the body motion looks totally different.
Related: Visit the A Swing Website
Watch the video below with Brett Meyer of the Leadbetter Golf Academy to see the incredible results of one student who worked with David on The A Swing.
The goal with the A Swing is to develop a powerful, balanced torso motion using ground force, and compliment it with a simple arm action. What we are suggesting is eliminating wasted motion with the hands and arms in order to create great synchronization going back and coming down. In our biomechanical testing, we have found that on average the butt of the club travels 20 percent less than a conventional, on-plane backswing. This savings is huge as far as synchronization is concerned, and really allows the arms/club and body to arrive at their destination at the top almost in tandem. It also encourages an in-sync downswing, and allows the body to work more effectively.
In all our testing with players of different levels, we have found the transfer of energy throughout the swing to be much more efficient. In many cases, we have seen not only improvement in accuracy (wouldn’t most players settle for that?), but also increased ball speed as a result of more center-face contact.
In addition to conceptualizing the A Swing approach, there are complimentary drills to help speed up the learning process to grasp this alternative backswing, thereby setting up a powerful, on-plane downswing. Depending on the needs of my clients, who typically struggle to find time to practice, I can implant a segment or a full compliment of the A Swing knowing that with minor changes, they will see immediate results.
It’s all about getting better and as an instructor it’s been great to see real improvement among our players of all ages and abilities with the A Swing.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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Bob J
Mar 10, 2017 at 1:28 am
Fascinating to read all the “gurus” here who know better than some of golf’s most accomplished teachers. LOL.
Ben B
May 5, 2016 at 12:48 am
I have never been a good golfer, and have never really believed in Leadbetter’s teaching. At 70 years old, I saw several videos on the A Swing, and without much practice, went to the driving range at a local course and hit about 10 balls with what I imagined the A Swing to be, and got called to first tee with my guys. Shot the best I had in years, and I am not good, mid 90’s, over the top. With his swing, I was less prone to come over the top due to the limited backswing alone.
Steve Wozeniak PGA
Sep 25, 2015 at 12:44 pm
I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when Lydia told these clowns to take this A swing and shove it………she tried it for a bit missed cuts and hit it like a dog, anyone that knows the golf swing laughs and this stuff…….Lydia is back swinging like Hogan, Ben that is!!!!!!
Anyone that has “written” 40 books about the golf swing is confused……
Tommy P
Jul 5, 2015 at 2:39 pm
I’m 82 and used to be a 10. Did not play for awhile and had trouble getting my swing back. Even before buying the book, just looking at the Utubes I was able to right away hit real good shots. You guys who are talking the swing down do not have the ability to follow directions.
Mike
Jun 22, 2015 at 9:49 am
Have not bought the book, just watched various videos to get the concept. Took what I perceived as the proper move to the range. Have to tell you there is something there ( for me at least) I am an 8 handicapper, always working on a new “move”. Don’t kid yourself, it takes some work to get it (at least for me it did). Probably have hit 1000 balls using the A swing. I am a believer. At least for me, I think there is something there. On the course by drives are longer, I am playing with guys a lot younger (I am 67) and I am up with them and past on occasions. I won the super seniors long drive contest last year at our State Match play with a 286 yard drive so I was not short to begin with. But my drives are more penetrating and I have a little draw I never had. So at least for me I will continue working on this technique.
Mike T
May 30, 2015 at 10:57 pm
A fully cupped wrist at the top? I’ve done that and it sucks big time. It’s all just to sell a new book? Bogus. They don’t even explain what the A in the A Swing is… I can think of one thing.
Susinto
May 29, 2015 at 5:34 am
Bought it 2 weeks ago, i didnt change all my swings to A swing, but it did enhance the “feel” part of my golf game. I was/am a very mechanical swinger., able to make me enhance the feel part of my swing, i give this book 10/10, also considering only 10% fee of local pro for 1 hour. Would recomend it to all my near kin, those wo want to pick up golf at full speed.
Video on youtube and limits of budget and also pros in my country – indonesia, doesnt help my game much. After reading this book on kindle, i now can hit my shot higher with more spin, higher flush shot percentange on my 6&5 iron, hybrid and 5 wood, with a few adjustment made.
According to me, the current world no.1 (yes Rory) has the same swing as the A swing. Look at the 1st part of upswing till the shaft is parallel to the ground. Its definitely A swing. More apparent on titleist Rory (less bulky Rory), than the nike Rory (muscleman Rory)
Cheers
gvogel
May 25, 2015 at 8:42 am
Two words: Jimmy Bruen.
Five words: Phil Rogers helicopter wedge swing.
Heli
May 25, 2015 at 10:57 am
Bernhard Langer helicopter too?
Tim
Jul 13, 2015 at 4:05 pm
I don’t see much video or read much about Phil Rodgers anymore, but he schooled Jack Nicklaus on the wedge game. Jack was never very good in that area (didn’t need to be compared to the rest of the field) but when he needed help he went to Phil. I still use his figure 8 flop shot a lot around the green-side rough.
Jayw
May 25, 2015 at 8:32 am
There is a huge improvement in the transition from the top of the back swing to down swing in the video on the right. In the left video the initial move that the golfer makes in the transition of the downswing is with his shoulders, hand, and arms, and immediately he starts the typical over the top casting. The club starts an outside-in club path and the ball flight is from left to right. In the video on the right, the golfer starts the downswing from the ground up. His transition starts with a drop of his hands and arms. At impact the club path is much more down the line to inside out. No casting whatsoever. This is absolutely a night and day difference.
joe
May 25, 2015 at 3:26 am
Is this not Jim Fury’s swing?
Flop
May 25, 2015 at 12:57 am
This is a total FLOP.
The guy in the video is simply getting a couple of basic, standard swing tips, just to straighten him out a little bit, because his usual, upright, steep swing is a bit over the top (pun intended) and can be easily fixed without all this A-swing bull sheet. And the new swing really isn’t that much of an improvement, as can be witnessed in the video, which is a terrible example of a video to show, by the way. If the student all of a sudden started hitting perfect little baby draws and his swing looked totally different to his original swing, I would have been impressed, but alas, as it stands now, it’s really just barely an improvement. F
Jayw
May 24, 2015 at 9:38 am
According to the book by Daniel Coyle, The Talent Code, Greatness isn’t born. It’s grown. There is no talent without hard work. Also, the most successful tour players think and talk positive. Everything that’s related to the game of golf is expensive. That’s the way it’s always been and most likely always will be. The A Swing by David Leadbetter is less than 20 bucks on Amazon. And ships free with prime. 1/2 dozen (6) top quality brand name golf balls cost about that much.
Joe
May 24, 2015 at 6:24 am
I’m an 8.5 hdcp. I like to tinker. I realize this “tinkering” may limit serious progress. That said, this A Swing has been enjoyable. The book (Kindle version) is a relatively quick read and there are plenty of videos on line to help with visuals. After just one range session, I would say it seems repeatable. To me, being one that doesn’t practice, that “repeatability” is important. I will definately continue with it….I hope I don’t get caught between swings and that my glutes fire.
JSteinmann
May 23, 2015 at 9:08 pm
Everyone has a gimmick to sell books and videos. Golf instruction is all about making money and selling hopes and dreams presented as secrets and shortcuts to replace what is simply talent and hard work.
MHendon
May 23, 2015 at 10:24 pm
Well said
Bob J
Mar 10, 2017 at 1:17 am
Hogwash
Jayw
May 23, 2015 at 7:54 am
I like what I see so far about the A Swing. It looks like a simple swing, and easy to maintain. I’m going to read the book to see if it’s for me or not. It’ll be a good read. I like learning about the golf swing. If I like it I’ll pursue it further, if not that’s ok, at the very least I will have additional knowledge. I was watching a Bobby Jones series on the golf channel one time an he said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. In the A Swing video David was saying that the A swing is an Alternate method that may help some people that have difficulty with other swing types, etc. He made it clear that the A swing wasn’t for everyone or that it was not a cure all exact method. A lot of people have been using the conventional method for years and struggle with it and don’t improve. I don’t believe that the natural golf swing, or, single plane swing is the same as the A swing. Just to name a few of the differences that I see, in the single plane swing you spread your stance very wide, and place the ball more forward and out away from you so that you reach for the ball. Also, you rotate your hands and the clubhead on the backswing. I don’t see any of that in the A swing. The single plane is different and some like it. I always like to take a positive approach and take as much good out of something and someone as possible. I see only good things from A Swing that will help a lot of people that struggle with other swing types. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Dudley Rogers
May 22, 2015 at 7:24 pm
It’s “…has been working with David and me…” not “with David and I”
other paul
May 22, 2015 at 7:21 pm
I am not sure what is with all the people on here calling it a shank. I think to many (not enough…?) people are reading Kelvin Miyahira’s stuff.
Jonny B
May 22, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Looks a lot like Ryan Moore’s swing.
MartyMoose
May 22, 2015 at 9:47 am
I’ll stick with the traditional backswing. The “A Swing” backswing has pull hook written all over it.
Guru
May 22, 2015 at 8:14 am
I hate that they tout this as revolutionary and try to add Lydia’s name to it.
The concept is simple. For those that are ‘hitters’ and not ‘swingers,’ you often put your lead arm on your chest at the top of the backswing, which gets your arms behind your chest in terms of sync and are too shallow coming into the ball, so trying to get the shaft parallel up top gets you out of whack. Come across the line to sync up. That is the A swing. Just saved you a ton of money.
Lydia is a swinger, and she does nothing close to the A swing. A hitters swing will always limit your distance vs a swingers swing, but is easier to learn IMO. Choose wisely and please don’t waste your money on these hacks
Bob J
Mar 10, 2017 at 1:23 am
Says the hack
ML
May 21, 2015 at 10:48 pm
Nearly impossible to make those changes In a couple “hours” by a 16 handicap
Couple years maybe
The guys a shill…. Now way
snowman
May 21, 2015 at 9:41 pm
This is very well may be a good way to teach/swing….But be on alert for the upcoming Ledbetter Infomercial/DVDs etc, etc that will hype this thing as “revolutionary” and all for three easy payments of 49.99. I love capitalism, and Ledbetter has stamped his name on lots of ‘golf stuff’ over the years.
Todd
May 21, 2015 at 7:12 pm
How do you determine when the body rotation and arm swing are “synchronized”? Can it be measured with a 3D motion measurement system? Is there a visual confirmation that can be gained from video? Seems awfully subjective to determine if there are no absolute tests for being “in sync”.
Desmond
May 21, 2015 at 4:26 pm
After watching the video, I do not see this “A Swing” as revolutionary only because I’ve seen much of it over the last 2 years. The backswing, with the left arm more against the chest, is what my instructor is teaching. It’s more forearms against the ribcage and lead arm more against chest, no need to separate, please quiet the hands and wrists (as most golfers move arms and wrists too much).I need to study this downswing more as more info is needed, but perhaps Leds took recent biomechanical studies, worked on it as other instructors I’ve read and visited, and voila! we have a “packaged” Alternative swing to which he can attract students. It’s a good gig, and better than “swing in the barrel Leds” of the ’90’s, which screwed up a lot of golfers with the spin move who took the barrell image literally.
What I’d like to see is the student on the left who was taught and videoed with Led’s traditional system, and then the same student on the right with the “A Swing.”
lance sedevie
May 21, 2015 at 3:39 pm
This pattern is the same as Brian Manzella’s soft draw pattern which works great and has been out for years. Nothing revolutionary to be seen here.
Anthony
May 21, 2015 at 3:27 pm
ok, so cross the line at the top? What about for us that do not slice the ball? in your traditional vs A swing picture, the traditional is right on plane at the top (traditionally speaking) and the A swing is crossing the line. Everything else being neutral, crossing the line at the top will get give the ball more draw/hook spin and reduce the slice. Crossing the line at the top taught to people who slice the ball, especially when they slice the ball because they are too laid off at the top. And the goal when teaching people to cross the line is that they move from their laid off move, to BEING ON PLANE, even though they feel they are crossing the line ( that is what is getting them on plane).
In the video you posted, before the lesson the guy is severely laid off at the top with an opened face (he is not on plane with a face square to the plane like in your traditional picture). After the lesson he looks like the traditional picture at the top of his swing(as he is on plane traditionally speaking), he is not crossing the line?
So is the A swing just telling you to get on plane at the top or cross the line? If it says to cross the line, he is not crossing the line at the top of his swing in this video. If A swing tells you to cross the line at the top, is that encouraged for someone who already hits draws?
Jake
May 21, 2015 at 11:58 am
This article seems like an advertisement for the book? Here’s some valueless fluff, now go buy my book. Poor.
Greg V
May 21, 2015 at 10:37 am
There are A swing videos by David Leadbetter on the current iPad Golf Digest edition.
My take is that the A swing is a shortened version of the type of outside/inside swing such as Jim Furyk makes. For many amateurs who fight a slice, over the top move, the A swing looks like it could provide positive benefits.
However, when you take a wonderfully natural swing which has worked at the highest level of women’s golf – Lydia Ko – and attempt to fit her action into the A swing paradigm, I believe that you are making a big mistake. My fear is that Lydia will start playing “golf swing”, instead of playing golf. That mistake has already been made by Michelle Wie and Suzanne Pettersen.
I hope that the effort to fit Lydia’s move into a “swing paradigm” is not the cause of Lydia’s recent substandard play, but I fear that it might be.
Jeff
May 21, 2015 at 9:49 am
Is this new swing motion basically a single plane swing with the club across the line or am I missing something. I’m curious because the photo of the A swing in the article looks exactly like my swing but as one plane swing and slightly across the line as I start down my hands track perfectly to the ball and the shaft flattens. All sounds good so far but the two problems are if the shaft flattens to long I can leave the face open with an inside path and if I try to square early I can get a little steep with an early release. It seems to me that this A Swing adds a bigger element of timing than if the shaft were on plane. Any suggestions Mr.Hogan.