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Swinging behind my back, need advice (PICS)

Posted: July 3rd, 2017, 3:21 am
by newroller
So I can't seem to fix this issue of swinging behind my back and am at a loss to the fix. I'm a big guy 6'3 with wide shoulders, wide hips, and long arms. I start with the left foot at about the 33, targeting the second arrow.

Doing a free swinging pendulum exercise at my starting position, I can swing perfectly fine in a straight plane. it's just manifesting during my approach and release. I have a limited back swing range, so I try to open up my shoulders a bit to not restrict the natural back swing.

Also including a profile view to see if my timing has issues that might be resulting in the back swing coming across my back.

Sorry for the large pics. <ctrl> + <-> will zoom out on some browsers.

Re: Swinging behind my back, need advice (PICS)

Posted: July 3rd, 2017, 4:51 am
by JMerrell
Standing 33 and targeting the second arrow is a recipe for disaster.

From the back:
1) Your swing path and target path are not in alignment at address.
2) This forces you to walk right on steps two and three as your eyes target the second arrow.
3) Step three walks right in front of your swing path contributing to the ball being swung behind your back.
4) Even though you walk from left to right you finish position at the foul line is still too far left to roll the ball towards the second arrow.
5) Thus, the arm has to swing away from the body in order to hit the intended target.
6) In slide 2 you appear to push the ball towards the second arrow from a position very far left on the approach.

From the side:
1) After ball placement in slide 1, there is very little rotation of your torso as the ball moves to the bottom of its arc in slide 2. You do lift the right arm out into the proverbial swim position.
2) Slide 3 is the top of your swing……your swim arm is even higher. Also, there is very little rotation of your torso from address position.
3) This is what I’d classify as the fake swim position.…lots of style points…..very little functionality.

My suggestions for straightening out your back swing:

1) Move your address position about 10 boards to the right (this requires checking our ego, your ball isn’t covering many boards). Let’s get the swing path aligned with your target path.
2) During ball placement keep it in front of your body (in the green circle).
3) I’ve attached a sequence of Doug as a reference, there is very little change in your torso from start to finish. Notice the change in rotation of Doug’s torso from start to finish.
4) Forget the swim move…….looks good on the kids (sometimes).
5) After ball placement let your left arm hang down similar to Doug’s.
6) As you move up the approach position your left arm at about 45 degrees from the body (again look at Doug).
7) Lastly, I’ve attached an overhead view of you and Doug. You’ll see why I call this the fake Swim position.
8) Moving right at address will align your swing path with your target path, coupled with keeping ball placement in front of you will aide in straightening out your back swing.

Work on these and update us with your progress.

Re: Swinging behind my back, need advice (PICS)

Posted: July 3rd, 2017, 6:54 am
by newroller
Thank you very much for the detailed analysis and suggestions. Can't wait to hit the lanes this week and try out your suggestions. Everything you pointed out is now very obvious looking at the slides. I believe I attempted moving my starting position right several months ago, but abandoned it since it felt awkward walking straighter towards the lane with my shoulders and hips opened up.

I'll work on your suggestions this week and follow up.