Jim McLellen Anti-pro swing thoughts Best of BLOG!

Question 1: Is your back swing at least parallel, is your left arm reasonably straight, do you have a nice relaxed hip and shoulder turn as they follow the hands to the top of the back swing,
is your swing higher than your head, is your back swing nice and slow___lazy with little effort?

Question 2: Has your head remained still to the top of the back swing?

Question 3: If your finish full and complete, club beyond parallel, hands high, are you looking over your right elbow, is your right foot straight up and down (on your toes), with only enough weight on it to support your balance?

To score yourself simply video tape your swing. You may be surprised that what you THOUGHT you were doing and what you are actually doing can be shocking.

Golf Slice Surgery

How to fix your golf slice...for good.

Unless the stork just dropped you down the chimney & into your mom's outstretched arms and her soft & warm duel dairy facility...You know damn good and well what a slice is. NOT clueless, you fully understand that a ball slices because, at impact, the club head makes it spin in a clock-wise rotation. As a result of this encounter...the air catches the dimples and your ball rockets to the right over some guy's backyard fence, blasting through his patio glass door, knocking his prized Ming Vase off of the hand carved walnut mantle & onto his imported Italian tile floor___ transforming this prized collectible into Ming Dust. I should mention that this rich guy just happens to be the president of the local NRA and would love to show you exactly how his new 12 gauge shotgun works. Got Vaseline?

I first became aware of just how often the horrid slice infected the golfer at my Dad's driving range when I was 8 y/o. I was one of the lucky lads who fetched golf balls that were returned, back to the clubhouse, into another waiting bucket for resale. A gigantic percentage of the driving range balls were found on the right side of the range. Dad went so far as to install a 4 story, chicken wire fence, to keep the bad dog balls from flying onto our golf course. It worked....only a little bit!

SLICING 101...

A ball slices because:

1). the club face is open at the wreck (impact)
2). the club face is traveling across the ball...(outside-in) to the intended target,
3). an order of fries & biggie drink combo...
( for those of you w/o a sense of humor, it's a combination of 1 & 2 above)

All of the information that I have read, regarding the golf slice, has one thing in common (drum roll). . . . It doesn't work!

If you are cognizant that the family jewels are oftentimes hidden under those canary yellow, Palm Beach slacks, tucked appropriately out of the way, in the fruit of the looms with the valentine hearts__THEN__ you have what it takes to GET THIS ....The cure for the slice CAN Forever and Ever be YOURS & found in the next paragraphs....You Lucky Dog You!

So confident (AKA cocky) in my ability to fix a slice...I bet my students I can eliminate their slice in 5 shots or less or the lesson is free. Never lost the bet. I see on the Internet where some golf pro (?) needs 21 days to do it.. If he can't fix it in 5 balls he ain't gonna fix it!

As the club face leaves the ball it naturally opens up a full 1/4 turn by the time you reach the top of the back swing___ or you break both arms off at the shoulders. The next sentences are worth a kings ransom so take a hit off of your coffee mug and hang on every word. I usually sell this information, but you caught me in a generous mood today. Golfers slice the ball B/C they don't get the club face back to square at impact.

NOW, in order to get the club face back square at impact, the golfer must trick his swing by thinking that he is rolling the club face WAY TOO MUCH__ with his hands. The golfer must try to roll the club face 1/4 turn PAST square as if trying to hit the ball on the toe of the club head....NOT the club face. Likea thisa...(Use your Italian accent)

Here's what to do. Grab a 7 iron. Tee It UP. Take a nice big back swing....lazy smooth and slow. On the downswing have the sensation that you are GRADUALLY rolling the club face WAY TOO MUCH....with your hands. The casual observer won't be able to see this happen! One more point, make sure you are swinging directly to the target....not to the left of it.
IF the ball slices, you are not rolling. If the ball hooks, swing faster until the ball goes straight or hooks a little__ Your choice.

Hey Sailor, wanna have some fun? On the next shot don't roll the club face over at all. Actually__Try to slice it. Big slice. Next ball ROLL Way TOO MUCH again....does it hook? Too much hook?___ Swing faster. Play with it...nothing to lose but your slice.

For My Dad

Bud McLellan 1913-1962

One Move Golf Swing

The Secret of the Golf Swing is ONE move!

Yes, there are 3 pictures___your eyes are not playing tricks on you. The far picture to the right is the magic secret position that sets the foundation for the rare/great swing!

Notice the back swing is higher than Sam's hat which has NOT, NOT, NOT___moved! Because his swing is fluid, free flowing, and seamless this hallmark position encourages a full body and shoulder turn. This ONE move golf swing gives the impression of "effortless power"___ Sam has plenty of time to develop maximum acceleration by the time the club head reaches impact.

If the golfer has the ability to be in this stellar position at the top of the backswing, the chances of the rest of the swing being perfect approach 100%!
Jim McLellan
The AntiPro/The Maverick

Visit or Return to McGolf Home of the Perfect Golf Swing

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Sam's My Man

There are Only 3 Key Factors in a Great Golf Swing. 1) Full-High Back Swing, 2) Still Head, & 3) Full-High Finish. Everything else will follow naturally and automatically, contrary to what you are hearing from the Golf Industry Circus.

Check out Sam Snead on the Youtube link below!

I would say he's got it, wouldn't you? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6Gu7n7Vnm0

Jim McLellan

Become A Super Putter

Full title: Everything you always wanted to know about becoming a Super Putter but were afraid to Ask.

You've heard the claims . . . Buy this or that product or instruction material and shave 5 strokes, 12 strokes, or 20 strokes from your score card. Send check or Money order to "Bob's Secret to Fabulous Putting," 175 Bull's-eye Road, Pinball, Idaho 13131.

Get ready to get mad if you have invested money in learning how to putt and you still suck. For here my good buddy is a plan, for free, that will make a huge difference in your putting skill. You will discover that the problem isn't the putter it's the puttee.

First you need to fully understand the formula that will produce the putting magic you dream about. The technique is simple. The application requires a degree of dedicated practice. Here is the equation. 10% technique, 90% practice.

Most any grip will work, so pick one that seems comfortable. Pick a stance that seems well balanced for you. Place the ball in the stance that gives you the best results after a little experimentation. Feel like the action of the stroke is coming from the shoulders as per Volume II McLellan Golf DVDs. Keep the head very still, moving only the shoulders, arms and hands as one unit.

Find a putting green where you can putt for several hours. Use 3 or 4 new golf balls, and start with a 3 or 4 foot distance. Begin putting. If you don't make the putt it is because your putts are too short, too long, to the right or to the left. Notice the trend!

Interesting, as you continue to putt you will automatically begin to correct these variables. Keep track of what's going on, notice the trend, and write it down. Notice how after a few minutes you become a much better putter. At the end of an hour you will hardly resemble the putter you were when you started. Swing the putter straight back from the hole and straight to the hole using a silky smooth stroke . . . I like the feeling that the palm of my right hand swings the putter toward the hole.

Feel like you are putting a vintage roller skate wheel (on its edge). Stroke it so it doesn't wobble or tip over!

Practice for 10 to 15 minute intervals and sit down and analyze what's going on. Pick a day when you can spend 3 or 4 hours just practicing putting. You will be a totally different putter at the end of the day and you will definitely see a BIG difference when you tally up your score. Your new skill should help eliminate 3 putting.

Give God deserved credit for building an unbelievable awesome machine that has everything it takes for you to become an incredible golfer/putter. You need NOTHING else than the information found in this article and gobs of practice. Golfers think all they need is more information to play better golf as they sit in their Lazy Boy Recliners and read about IT. Reading about IT, won't make you better. You must take these simple tips and apply them through hours and hours of intelligent/dedicated practice on the putting green. The time invested will put a smile on your face that will be hard to wipe off.

Jim McLellan

The Anti-Pro/The Maverick

 

Butter Your Golf Swing

You've seen it, on very rare occasions, the golf swing that looks like it's just been buttered. The golf swing that appears effortless, lazy, great tempo, relaxed, unhurried, pretty, poetry in motion, EZ as pie . . . yet the ball explodes off the club face flying into the wild blue yonder.

How does this happen? Lets start with how it does NOT happen. As the golfer becomes older, he becomes more conservative, more cautious, more unsure, less confident. The result is, the swing becomes shorter, jerkier, choppier, lacks rhythm and tempo, and appears mechanical and thought driven. Flexibility goes in one direction . . . less and less flexible. The swing, inch by inch, becomes shorter both in the backswing and follow-through positions. Power is lost, distance is lost, any prettiness is lost, and economy of motion deteriorates.

On the other hand, the buttered swing is a big swing, a gorgeous swing, a swing that has all the time in the world to develop maximum clubhead speed and appears effortless.

Early swings of both Hogan and Snead were huge . . . way past level on the backswing and to a full, full, finish. Beautiful, effective swings especially among the ladies are full . . . they have to be to make up for their lack of strength compared to the male muscle power.

Take a look at Freddie Couples swing. Freddie is one of the longest hitters on the tour, yet his swing looks like he is "fixin" to fall asleep. Mr. Couples develops incredible clubhead speed because his backswing is "fully loaded," the gun is cocked, the spring is totally "wound up." Freddie swings past horizontal allowing his shoulders to follow his hands as he gathers power to "gradually" have the time to develop a down swing that is super fast . . . NOT hard. Take a tip from Freddie and make sure you really "wind up" so much so that your left shoulder actually points behind the ball on your backswing.

Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones, ViJay Singh, & some guy named Jim McLellan all thought that making sure the backswing was "clear back there" was key to an effective golf swing

You never hear me talk about body parts, unless it is where the hands go . . . BUT, if the swing is relaxed and the shoulders are not inhibited they will turn a great deal. This "torque" contributes a great deal to Freddie's power and tempo and will do wonders for yours as well.

When you practice, "without a ball," strive to swing way past level and way through to a full, full finish. The feeling will be that you have lost control of your swing and that you could never hit a ball with that big of a swing. Just the opposite will occur. The still head controls the swing and now that your fully "wound up"swing has time to develop all the speed it needs, your swing too, will look like it has just been freshly buttered. Pass the popcorn, please!

Jim McLellan

 

A Four Part Action Thriller!

1) Practice the "windup" position until you no longer

have to think about it.

2) Practice the "windup" position without moving your head until you no longer have to think about it.

3) Pracitce the finish position until you no longer have to think about it.

4) Swing the golf club without thinking about it.

Done!

 

Keep Your Eye on the Ball

Having a problem keeping your eye on the ball? If I ask you to keep your eye on the ball, chances are you would look at the TOP of the ball, & then hit the TOP of the ball and..... TOP IT!
As you address the ball, stare at the BACK of the ball...the area of the ball where you want the clubhead to make contact with the ball. Continue to glare at the BACK of the ball until you become consciously aware that the ball is GONE. It will make a BIG difference in your golf.

The Swing's the Thing

.....Not The Body Parts! It's NOT about the pivot, grip, stance, knees, elbows, spine, shoulders, hips. It's NOT about move this, now this, now that, and finally this. It's about..... THE SWING!
The body parts are merely spectators in the bleachers. Down on the field is where the action takes place. Down on the field is where it's at!

The Swing, Swings and the ball gets in the way. Close your eyes and FEEL your hands swinging THE ......CLUBHEAD!

Golf Swing Relaxation Techniques

Being nervous and unable to relax is linked to the Electrical activity emanating from the brain.

When the brain is aroused and actively engaged in mental activities, it generates BETA waves. Beta waves are characteristics of a strongly engaged mind. A person making a speech or the nervous, high handicapped golfer is in the Beta brain wave state. "First Tee Jitters?"...Your brain is in the Beta brain wave state.

 

 

The next brainwave category is ALPHA. A person who takes time out to reflect or meditate is usually in an alpha state. Alpha will help avoid the "Heebie-Jeebies," and enable the golfer to relax and perform some fine golf shots.

When the person begins to daydream he is often in a THETA brainwave state. A person who is driving on a freeway, and discovers that they can't recall the last five miles, is often in a theta state. This is the ideal state to be in for those spectacular golf shots that keeps you coming back for more.

Before you arrive at the first tee begin to change your brain wave states from Beta, to somewhere in between Alpha and Theta.____ Turn off the BETA-Turn off the Noise! Find a quite place, behind a tree someplace.... Take some deep breaths, be aware of slowing down your heart rate, and hum a nice slow waltz tune in your head. A Strauss waltz or "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," work great. Take several practice swings using the waltz tune as you swing, diverting the mind from any chance of being "uptight." You are "Zoned" and that's where all great shots are born.

You are naturally in these brain wave states several times durng the day. Try to activate them when you want to play your best golf. The sensation you will have is that you are "NOT THERE"___ "something else" is swinging your golf club, for YOU. Very important Stuff...here! But you've become acustomed to expect it, haven't you?

Jim McLellan

 

 

Rust Free Golf Swing

Keeping your golf swing "Oiled" and rust free is easy once this simple "routine" becomes routine.

Have a club by the back door and one in the trunk of your car. Any old ratty club will do. Anytime you can steal as little as 30 seconds, oil your swing by having a nice full backswing and follow-through. Key word FULL...Swing back further than usual and through to a very FULL finish...stretching the swing more and more with each oiling session. Remember to...Swing past horizontal (level) on the backswing & to a super full, stretchy finish!

There are many opportunities to steal a moment in time, Before you go to work, coffee breaks, commercials on TV, any spare minute, and there are plenty of them. 30 seconds will do wonders, 5 minutes is perfect!

Inside your skull, the golf groove in your cerebellum is being soaked & bathed in precious, priceless, natural human bean oil....Never having a chance to get rusty.

We keep our dance steps (Yes, we dance) "rust free" in only 30 seconds a day and it is enough to strut our stuff come Saturday night!

No need to spend a small fortune on gas to drive over to the practice range and back. Your own backyard is the perfect place for a "tune up"! Your swing will be as smoooooooothe as "Oil on Wet Glass". 

 

 

Perfect Timing For Your Golf Swing

Waltz time was invented to "time" the perfect golf swing! Waltz Time, ----"times" your golf swing like an Offenhauser running at Indy.

A great old time favorite waltz tune, that every red blooded American knows, is "TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME!" The meter for the song should be nice and slow like you would expect on a hot July afternoon at Yankee Stadium. See link at the bottom of this post, courtesy Elaine McLellan.

Here's the magic in how it works: Following the lyrics, do this:

Take me....for the back swing.
Out...for the forward swing.
To the ball game...some time at the finish and getting ready for your next swing.

Then again:
Take me....for the back swing.
Out...for the forward swing.
To the crowd...some time at the finish and getting ready for your next swing.

Then:
Buy me some....back swing
Peanuts.... forward swing....etc...

If you can pipe the music into your backyard...good for you and the neighbors. If not, a mini recorder, Ipod, or whatever should work fine. OR, you can just hear the song in your head and swing with PERFECT RHYTHM. Your swing will purr like a Persian Kitty.
Click here for Take Me Out to The Ball Game 

Golf Swing Myth

The golf swing does NOT start at the ball. The wind-up starts at the ball. All the energy that goes into the "backswing" is completely wasted. The swing stops momentarily before it returns to the ball. Anytime there is a back and forth direction change, there is a complete stop.The back swing is the "cocking of the gun"...Not the firing of the gun!Looking for more distance and control? Think of the Swing as 2 separate parts. ONE...The effortless wind-up. & TWO the forward swing to a beautiful finish...NOT to the ball. The ball simply "gets in the way" of the golf swing. You do NOT 1) swing, 2) HIT, and 3) swing. You swing~ You want to be a Swinger not a Hitter. Hitters are Sluggers.

Jim McLellan

The Door Hinge

Why does the door open and shut...perfectly every time??? Because___The doors hinge is screwed to the stationary door jam.

Why do professional golfers hit the ball cleanly and consistently every time? Because a part of their swing is stationary...just like the door jam above.

Today, there is some idiotic controversy over whether or not it is important for the golfers head to remain still. Those who don't think it is important haven't studied the correlation between a still head and superb shot making__consistently.

Watch the pros on the tube. "Sight" their head on an object in the background and watch how still their heads are. Visit a driving range and watch how the more the golfers heads move, the worse they do.

I have studied the importance of keeping the head still since man first walked upright.

Sam Snead has won more golf tournaments than any golfer ever....His trademark straw hat....never moves! Watch other pros. Other things in the swing may vary, But the head is still!

High handicap golfers have a problem topping the ball. Watch their swings. As they start their back swings they lift their head, which lifts the club, which causes them to top...or miss...the ball.

It is quite elementary Watson. The head come up... you top it. The head goes down...you hit the ground. The head moves away from the ball, you toe it. The head moves towards the ball you shank it!

There is NO need to have a short back swing for fear that you will move your head. You can have a big beautiful golf swing__AND__ a still head.

How important is it to keep the head still on ALL shots, including putting? It is THE KEY to

Your Finest Golf!

Remember the door hinge__and relate it to your swing. Big swing with a still head produces superb golf shots, every time!

 

How the Golf Swing Really Works

How habits are formed in the brain is fascinating. Understanding how the brain works can open new doors for the golfer in search of his best golf swing.

Most golfers (95%) never experience the pleasure of finding their very own best golf. However, a small minority, 5% or so do! Success or failure depends on what part of the brain the golfer is using.

We can watch a concert pianist's hands on the keyboard or be captivated by the superhuman moves of an Olympic ice skater. We are witness to what's going on in the brain. Muscles DON'T have memory! MOVEMENT comes from the brain!

When the golfer repeats his swing__OFTEN__ the action is controlled by an unconscious part of the brain called the BASAL GANGLIA.....allowing him to operate on auto-pilot...the good shots.

When we do something new the PREFRONTAL CORTEX, an area of the brain that involves decision making, is in control. Golfers who continue to bombard the prefrontal cortex with new information (usually ineffective) ___ never send the "right stuff" to the Basal Ganglia, where great swings live!

Practicing the golf swing over and over, becomes a habit that LITERALLY moves the control of the action from the Prefrontal Cortex to the Basal Ganglia. Understanding the key factors of how a golf swing really works and Quickly moving those key factors from the Prefrontal Cortex to the Basal Ganglia >>>>moves the golfer into "Auto-Pilot" and from the ordinary class golfer to the exceptional golfer.

One Minute Golf Lesson

It is NOT important how you get to a good backswing & follow through position. It IS important that you do.

IF you do, indeed, understand these two key positions...Chances are you will GET THERE... AUTOMATICALLY

 

 

Our Creed

My creed goes something like this: Keep it simple, stick to the basics, practice consistently with enthusiasm and intensity, use logic, be creative and intuitive, be confident in your applications, be happy and deal with your misery. Be real. Stop fussing. There are absolutely no secrets. Nothing's new. Collect the necessary information and get to work. The clutter of intelligence, the waste of words describing a simple thing, the superior heaps of decaying mental rubbish surrounding our game is EVERYWHERE. The sensible applications of the basics to YOUR GAME is simple.. not necessarily EASY....You actually have to get off your can and do it....But, at the end of the day you will have the feeling that it is, indeed, SIMPLE! There are people out there who have read so much they think they actually know something. The learning's not in the reading,... it's in the doing.
Inspired by & in harmony with Dave Draper
http://www.davedraper.com/