You can never predict what is going to happen at a lesson at PKU. Today, Patrick really focused on my right shoulder and upper right lat as we are getting close to the top of the backswing. I tend to roll my back forward the deeper I get into the backswing. Instead, the right shoulder should actually open up and the back should be broad. This is easier said than done. As I get past the take away, Patrick stands behind me, pushes in on my right late, basically kneading it, and pushing in on my right elbow. So, it feels like my right elbow is completely inside and my right lat is under my right shoulder to finish the turn. As this happens, it also feels like I am standing up and my shoulders are getting very flat.
As with many things in the golf swing, the way it feels and what is actually happening is not the case. If I keep my left shoulder down and lift with my right shoulder, that is actually standing up. If I drive under with my left shoulder, stay broad and use my right lat to come under my right shoulder, I am flattening my shoulders but not standing up.
This is a completely different feel. I am coming from a place that is very foreign. It is ging to take quite some time to trust this as I have always used my right arm at the top to try and control the swing. Now, my right arm is 100% passive and my right lat is driving under my right shoulder.
I also have been shanking chips with the Patrick Kelley Chipping Motion. We went back to the basics and Patrick told me my hands were way too far away from my body and in front of the ball. Over time I have moved them out and up more and more. He moved my hands much closer to my left hip which changes the shaft angle and the over feel. Now, I just set the club, rotate my shoulders and rotate back through. It does look very different as the club face look bigger through impact. It also feels very much like my putting motion which Patrick talked about way back in 2018.
My homework is to start the backswing and stay broad. Do not let the left shoulder or right shoulder collapse forward. Even if I just get the swing started by staying broad, this will be progress. I now have the flexibility and understanding, it is simply putting it into practice and trusting a new swing path at the top of the backswing and then into the ball.
