Swing Path Focus

[KD1]

I've heard of picking a spot in front of the ball to swing through, or focusing on the back of the ball, or front the ball, etc. But what about instead of focusing on swinging the face one were to focus on the path of the hosel? Anyone ever tried that or something like that? It's working well for me at the moment. At address do a little waggle behind the ball and watch where the hosel is going over the grass and swing through that instead of even looking at the ball.

 

The top of my hosel has that little black ferrule, where as the rest of the club face is silver. In my slow & easy rehearsal swings I can see the path that little black ferrule is moving on, where as I don't really distinguish the sweet spot of the club face from the rest of the face's blur. I feel like this is something of a 'aim small miss small' situation in that being able to distinguish and therefore focus on a narrower path gives me finer control.

 

Maybe I should paint a bright high viz dot over the top of the club head's sweet spot and see what happens. 😆

[4thand11]

I tend to focus more on just getting to the correct position at the top, using a clock image and trying to get to 7-8'oclock (6 0'clock right behind me).  This is based on Monte's No-Turn Cast method.  I find it works best for me as it minimizes the swing thoughts and I don't have to think about path.  As soon as I start thinking about path, lower body movements, hip turn, etc., I'm usually done for.  If I get the club to the right position with the "no-turn" feeling, I find my body usually takes care of the rest without conscious effort.

[KD1]

That's interesting. Do you have any external focus at all?

 

When I'm practicing focusing internally I'm also going by NTC.

[scooterhd2]

I've tried some of those tactics before, and had moderate success either focusing on a dimple or intentionally placing the logo or number in the closer, rearward quadrant of the ball. Makes sense as I struggle with spinning out and coming OTT. 

 

 

Over time I started developing a more shaft centric swing path focus and fell into some of Bradley Hughes teaching and the 4:30 path really resonated with me. Really feel that start the process sooner and gives me more time to align my swing rather than getting quick and trying to save it at the ball. In transition and even coming into the ball just trying to trace that 4:30 line into the ball. 

 

 

[golfarb1]

2 hours ago, scooterhd2 said:

I've tried some of those tactics before, and had moderate success either focusing on a dimple or intentionally placing the logo or number in the closer, rearward quadrant of the ball. Makes sense as I struggle with spinning out and coming OTT. 

 

 

Over time I started developing a more shaft centric swing path focus and fell into some of Bradley Hughes teaching and the 4:30 path really resonated with me. Really feel that start the process sooner and gives me more time to align my swing rather than getting quick and trying to save it at the ball. In transition and even coming into the ball just trying to trace that 4:30 line into the ball. 

 

 

A good concept  for many golfers . 

The idea of trying to hit the back inside quadrant of the ball  can be reinforced by drawing two concentric lines on a ball and filling in one quadrant 

 

[scooterhd2]

4 hours ago, golfarb1 said:

A good concept  for many golfers . 

The idea of trying to hit the back inside quadrant of the ball  can be reinforced by drawing two concentric lines on a ball and filling in one quadrant 

 

 

 Is that how you really mark your ball or just whipped this up for demonstration? 

[Nickc]

13 hours ago, 4thand11 said:

I tend to focus more on just getting to the correct position at the top

This is what Peter Cowen was saying in the recent video of his lesson with the youtuber who's name alludes me at the moment. 

One way to test / practice this is to try the no look swing, you could try closing your eyes but this could impact on your balance..though as an after thought I suppose closing your eyes could after a while help improve your balance (e.g without practice difficult to stand on one leg for any length of time  with eyes closed!).

Edited April 22, 2022 by Nickc
Added bit

[Scottbox]

Check out this video I took with my coach, James Jordan (I flipped it cuz I'm a lefty):

 

Get some liquid markers, they're awesome: Mr. Pen markers