Setup Routine Questions Answered
I recently had the opportunity to meet with some current members who have been using golf swing control for a few years. The purpose of the meeting was to answer questions and gives them further tips to help their game. Many of the golfers asked me how to know where the golf ball is in their stance if they’re looking down range while setting their feet. In order to place your feet properly while looking down range you have to visualize where the golf ball is in your stance. This exercise jump starts the visualization needed in the golf swing. So before you look downrange, take time to put a picture of where the golf ball is in your mind. Then as you look down range, keep that picture in your mind, and place your feet according to the picture.
You see, there is much more to the setup routine than meets the eye. I’m not only getting you set up to the ball properly, but I’m also getting your mind ready for the golf swing. This is important because the brain must give visual instructions to the body in order for the body to accurately create the golf swing to make the shot that you want. Visualization requires practice. Practicing the setup routine properly also helps you to practice visualization
When golfers merely glance down range rather than looking down range and continuing to look downrange as they set their feet, they nullify the purpose of the setup routine. The purpose of looking down range is to take the eyes out of the shot and to engage the automatic balance system in the body and guarantee proper balance once you are set up to the ball. This process happens in the subconscious. If a golfer looks at the ball while setting his feet, the conscious mind takes over and the setup is usually not in balance. This happens because the eyes lie to the brain whereas the internal balance system can not.
The golf swing control program works with both the body and the mind together. As you work with the golf swing control program or any of the videos you see on the blog, try to think about how the routine you’re using is working with your mind as well as your body. For example, the setup routine is not just to get your body aligned properly to the ball, but it is also designed to take away doubt and instill confidence that the rest of the golf swing will work properly. One of the reasons it took 10 years to create the setup routine is because it must be for the mind as well as the body. For the setup routine work and must be followed in detail because every detail has a purpose.
There is one detail I need to explain better during the setup routine that is rather important. Once you set the feet in position it’s important as you move your feet up and down and feel the weight balance under them to pick your feet up in a rocking motion back and forth. In other words, the feet have to completely come up off the ground for the routine to work. I do this in the video but not as obviously as I need to. It will help to exaggerate this step so that balance is guaranteed.
If you have tried the setup routine and you’re not having luck, take a look at the tips I’ve written here and look closer at the details I outline in the routine to see if you may be inadvertently leaving something out. This routine has been proven with thousands of golfers worldwide, so I know that works with all types of golfers and I’m sure that if you follow the details it will work for you as well.
To see a video of the setup routine, click here
Hit’m well,
Tracy
Popularity: 19%
Hello,
I have been working with the swing system for about a month now. The problem is, I live in Michigan where the weather is just now breaking and I plan to get on the course in the nest week or two.
I have been hitting and seeing results from a launch monitor during club fittings/tweeking and just practicing at home with a mirror and plastic balls. I am excited as I do feel much more confident as I approach the ball and feel that I will be totally committed to the process once the season starts.
As you stated I think you have to follow the process to the detail. I do not worry where the ball is located, as it is located when I first set up by grounding the club. Once I step into the ball I am focused at my target and the ball always seem to be in the correct position. I will be reporting my result over the next month. So stay tuned
Thanks,
Sean T.
Hi Tracy,
Its dave I tried your setup routine out on the course last week and probably did not follow everything you said but had some very good shots.
Even out driving my friends with a smaller driver than they were using.
I think with some more practice I will see my handicap being reduced a bit more.
Thanks for the tips you have given to us all, it does work but you have to get everything working together especialy the balance and weight transfer.
Keep the good work up Tracy .
Thanks again
Dave
Hi Tracy
I wrote to you a month ago after trying out your sysetm Tracy and after 40 yrs on single figures around the world I was amazed at your system and if you remember I picked up not only the balance but the takeaway with the chest. I have a tip for our friends out there that works so good for me and that is:
1) After the club has been placed behind the ball and then to look down the intended line and vizualization of the shot you will notice out the corner of your left eye, if a right hander where the left shoulder is aiming. I have always prided myself in good alignment, but hey we get lazy in a round and make stupid mistakes in our aim.
2) You will notice the left shoulder moving when getting the right balance and then presto, the left shoulder is left of the pin and then you can pull the trigger.
3) I know Tracy mentions this briefly, but for me this is the coup de grace in hitting it straight. As Harvey Pinnick always referred to “Dead Aim”.
4) I feel taking the club away with my chest ad then just repeating it on the down swing is the greatest tip I have ever had. This is in Tiger’s analysis if some of you do not recognize it.
5) I listened to a golf pro on The Golf Show last night and sure he is probably right but you have to be another pro to understand the garbage. I have sent him your website Tracy and we will see if he can cut down his analysis of The Swing!!!
I hope this will help some of you as it has done wonders for my game at 67 yrs.
Cheers
Ross
I am also having trouble with ball position so will try the above.I have had system for 1month & will be patient
Hi Tracy,
I have had the system for about one month now. Your setup routine is great although i’m sure i’m not following it to the letter just yet. The tip i am using exclusively is the one on checking ball position. Once i go through the setup routine (hopefully looking down range) one last glance as i look down is to make sure my hands are on my inside left thigh tells me the ball is in the correct position. Once i see that; i go.
I am 61 years old and have been playing golf (and taking lessons) all my life (currently an 8). Yours is the easiest to understand explanation of the golf swing i have ever come across.
Keep up the good work.
Dear Tracy
Have been following the golf swing control for a month now. There has been a significant improvement in the quality of my game, and greater consistency in how I’m striking the ball. I’ve been beating players with lower handicaps than myself; they can’t believe I’ve only been playing for only 3 years!! The exciting things are - seems to work for every facet of the game; from driving, fairway shots, bunker play to putting; also, even when I think I’m not playing well, I’m still shooting in the mid-80’s (handicap 19.4). I’m getting used to being called a bandit now! It’s further heightened my enthusiasm for this great game!
I know I need to revise on all the insights you’ve mentioned; it seems that I discover something new every time I study your video!!!
Once again, thanks very much for helping my game.
A satisfied golfer
Phil
Dear Tracy,
My story seems a lot like Phils. One month, 3 years, hcp 19.7 and improving.
Great system, my problem is still a bit coming “”over the top”. Any tips on that?
Regards
Ko
I am still working with the routine , but when I play a competition it seems harder to apply all the details . I focus more to stabilise and feel the weight on my right foot, but it doesn’t come automatic to keep looking
Hi Tracy,
I have been following the golf swing for just a couple of weeks and already I am hitting the better than before. I still need to keep watching the videos to keep improving. I know I don’t do everything in the video yet but I keep trying.
Tracy, I finally got a chance to get out to the driving range this weekend and worked on nothing but the setup routine. I can’t believe how consistant my shots were getting and how effortless my swing felt as I worked on a good weight transfer. Can’t wait to take it out to the course.
thanks Tracy,
Peter
Tracy,
I have been following your teachings for a couple of weeks now. Placing the ball at the right distance, as you advize, has been better for me. Keeping the club in front of the left thigh is another excellent tip. Just keeping the triangle with the arms and chest, back and through, has always been my thing. The one best tip though, has been getting in balance within myself on the center/balls of my feet and turning against the right leg (firm) looking down at the ball over my left shoulder. If I don’t make this turn complete, looking over my left shoulder I can’t hit the ball as well or far. Thanks, and I’m continuing to improve.
Hello,
I’ve been working with this system since the fall. As, I was only a beginner I don’t have much to compare the change to. All I know is that I seem to be out driving most people I play with and getting the longest drive of the day. Not consistently within myself yet, but all the same, I can drive up to 285 yards!! I actually hit a 5 wood 235 yards (skycaddie results) straight down the fairway on Saturday!!! Now, my biggest awareness to date happened on that same round. As I was stepping up to the ball and adjusting my distance from the ball I realized that when I was the proper distance and angle with the club, all the tension left my body. I mean this was so noticable that I couldn’t believe it. Now, when I got that part right and concentrated on my connection, both in backswing and keeping that connection while starting the down swing with my stomache, I was getting these incredble results all while feeling i wasn’t even trying. I kept reminding myself “now don’t swing at the ball.” Now this was not my best round yet but, it yeilded my best shots to date. I fell apart because I got tired and lazy and lost my focus. I did something very silly. I went out without eating and the course hadn’t set up the cold water stations yet. So I got parched, I got hungry and I got very tired. I won’t be doing that again. I chalk this up to first round forgetfulness and I won’t let it happen again. I began reverting back to swinging at the ball and worrying about course obsticles instead of balance, connection and transferring weight and fell apart. This seems to have been a very good self awareness experience for me and I’ll keep my results coming.
All the best,
Danny
Good morning Kory,
I would be most please if I could raise a very controversial issue, yes the question of equipment.
I recently was asking a pro about the dot system on a set of Ping irons. He suggested that I was suited to an orange spot from observing my swing over many games.
After looking up the internet, E-bay site, I discovered these clubs were 2 degree flat. To the uninitiated, hosel is 2 degrees closer to ground (at address) and therefore handle is lower, am I correct? I’m 5′8″ and have arms that at the wrist are 32″ from the ground more or less.
Is it possible that I might get my old forged McGregor (blades, I know way beyond my abilities) bent to suit (thats the hosel I mean and thats by someone who knows what they’re doing)? Please put on your agony uncle hat for me and ask Tracy would he offer me some advice on this issue. I am sure, I will not be making a divot the size of a small farm every time I swing my 3 iron if my clubs were to fit me not to mention the nice low swing that I would make when the club head makes contact with the ball.
Hi Tracy,
I have two questions or concerns:
- I believe my path bringing the club back to the top is incorrect.
Is there a drill or a feeling I can work on for bringing the club back to the
proper position correctly?
- I have a tendency to come over the top.
What should I work on to avoid this?
Thank you.
Tim
Go to the post, “Getting your swing back”
Your set-up instruction is wonderful. I am hitting my irons straighter, further and with more consistentcy then ever. I have one problem, the improvement has not translated to my driver. I am still inconsistent and hit many slices and pushes and sometimes both, which makes for an ugly shot. I have been teeing off with a 4 iron. Any suggestions? Paul
Thanks Paul,
The setup si just the beginning. I’ve shown golfers this routine so they can get an idea of how much improvement the Golf Swing Control course can give them. The answers to your Driver problem could be in any one of three areas. Golf Swing Control has the answers you’re looking for.
Regards,
Tracy
hi mate from down under,i’m loving your tuition videoes and trying to put them into practice,i am however having trouble getting the correct amount of “hip turn” i have some back issues and tend to get a bit of an arm swing happening which gives me a pull hook or hook,any tips on how far the hips should turn during the back swing and how to “trigger “the initial hip turn
thanks again
peter from oz
I have a lot of great tee shots using balance and the Tiger analysis.
However, with my hands being the club head the club face is closed, so I open it up a bit giving the club face some more loft.
Now and again I do not do this properly and the result is a hook or at least a pull to the left.,
Somewhere I read thar Tiger’s driver is set up 3° open. My Cleveland Hi Bore is 3° closed, so with the hands behind the clubhead it looks like I am at least set up for a draw or pull depending on the club path at impact.
Tracey, what would you recommend?
Tracy, I have been viewing your website and I am hooked (ok poor choice of terms in the golf world). I’m 49, and I have maintained a 2 handicap or less for 25 years yet you may not believe this but I still struggle with the “sh**k” so much so that last year I purchased 2 “sh**k”proof wedges. I know that the ball contacts the hosel and therein causes the “sh**k”. Now I have found myself hitting that all the way up to the six iron. I have played maybe 30 rounds this year and have “sh**k”ed, a total of probably 6 shots, so it does not dominate my game nonetheless because if it I do find myself thinking about an inside line and with what I believe are not profitable swing thoughts just prior to some shots. Can you simply give a little clarity on this misque that I think all golfers know about and are truly terrified by it to the point of not even wanting to say the word?
Dear Tracy;
I have alot of trouble understanding the “abdominal turn” I have watched the DVD over and over- I frequently an told that for a guy my size I have great tempo and “form” but I rarely get my LEGS into my swing. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Hi Tracy
While adopting the new setup routine, I am experiencing following:
1. Dough shots (today even I shanked)
2. Hook shots (far less than I used to before)
3. Somestimes fade shots.
It it necessary to look down the range while setting up?
I will appreciate your help on these problems.
Mohsin
Mohsin,
Yes, it is necessary to look downrange while setting up. The purpose for this part of the routine is to allow the body’s natural dynamic balance to place you in perfect balance.
If you are going to follow the setup routine, you can’t take shortcuts. Otherwise you just compound your problems.
I get videos to analyze on a regular basis, and in 99.5% of cases, their problems stem from an imbalance issue during setup. It’s that important.
Regards,
Tracy
[…] Go here to read the rest: Ultimate Golf Blog » Setup Routine Questions Answered […]