Mastering the Fundamentals of a Consistent Golf Swing

Mastering the Fundamentals of a Consistent Golf Swing

Are you frustrated by your inability to consistently hit well-compressed golf shots? If so, you're not alone. Many golfers struggle because they don’t fully understand or implement structured systems and priorities to guide their improvement. After over 20 years of teaching golf and helping develop seven state champions, numerous AJGA winners, a three-time All-American, and over 300 local junior tour champions since arriving in Texas 12 years ago, I know what it takes to improve your game.

I also understand your skepticism. Trust is earned, not given, and I get why you might feel frustrated with golf instruction or learning something new. I’ve experienced this frustration firsthand. As a left-handed golfer, I didn’t truly understand what it meant to learn a completely different skill until I decided to take on the challenge of playing golf right-handed.

This is my stock lefty swing

A few years ago, a student doubted that my methods would work. He couldn’t believe the swing techniques I was teaching were possible. I love a challenge, so I took him up on it and began my journey of learning to play golf right-handed. Here’s the blueprint I started with:

My Blueprint:

1. Hit every ball solid.

2. Start every shot to the right.

3. Curve every ball back to the left.

4. Improve control over the curve.

Simple, right? Using data-driven insights, I created a model to follow. Since I started using 3D motion analysis in 2009 and integrated GEARS Golf into my teaching seven years ago, I’ve gathered an extensive database of elite golfers’ performance data. I extracted key elements from those who excelled in specific skill areas and applied them to my right-handed game.

It took me six months to break 40 at Lantana Golf Club from the forward tees—without using a driver! I practice like most golfers, hitting balls once or twice a week for about 60 to 90 minutes. The key difference isn’t the amount of time spent practicing, but rather having a model, a plan, and consistent feedback. These elements are crucial to my progress and are the same reasons why my students succeed. They receive comprehensive feedback not only during private lessons but also through structured training sessions and practice time at our indoor golf academy in Argyle, Texas. Now, I'm refining my swing to develop the skills needed to hit the ball straighter and with greater consistency.

This is my right handed swing as of Nov 3, 2024

Defining the Three Fundamentals

To simplify swing improvement, I’ve pursued numerous certifications and training programs, including the Stack and Tilt system, The Golfing Machine (to the Master’s level), and training with renowned instructors like Scott Cowx and Mike Bender. This continuous learning helped me organize a systematic approach to use GEARS data effectively. Here are the three fundamentals I focus on:

1. Contact – Controlling the low point of the swing.

2. Distance – Managing how far the ball travels.

3. Curve – Predicting and controlling the ball’s curve.
   
   

Understanding the Swing System

The swing system itself consists of:

• Body Movement – How the bodies anatomy alignments contributes to the swing.

• Shaft and Club Mechanics – How the club provides instructions to the ball.

• Ground Interaction – How the body uses ground reaction forces.

By applying these fundamentals and using GEARS Golf to assess a player's swing system, we can pinpoint the adjustments needed for more consistent ball striking. GEARS technology allows us to measure how the body and club interact to influence the ball. While this might sound technical, the instructions are delivered in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Just as you wouldn’t want a doctor to guess your diagnosis, you should expect your golf instructor to base their guidance on precise measurements.

For my right-handed swing, I followed a straightforward plan: I hit balls, measured my performance, and built a blueprint with targeted drills to improve my weakest areas.  When I practiced, I focused on specific, clear goals. My priority was to ensure that my motion was fundamentally sound before worrying about ball direction. As I became more comfortable with the movement and could execute it without overthinking or being thrown off by that familiar, awkward feeling of trying something new, I began incorporating small, detailed adjustments to enhance my control over the ball’s curve.

The next step was to add speed. It’s a simple concept we can all agree on: if you can’t execute a move perfectly at a slow pace, how can you expect it to be successful at higher speeds? Mastering the basics with precision is essential before pushing for more power.  Now, I’m fine-tuning my swing to achieve even more control and predictability in my ball’s curve.

This journey isn’t just about hitting better shots; it’s about understanding and applying a systematic approach that can be customized for any golfer. This journey isn’t just about hitting better shots; it’s about understanding and applying a systematic approach that can be customized for any golfer.  If you’re looking for a similar, structured approach to improving your game, schedule your new student assessment today. There’s no obligation to join our membership program or commit to additional lessons. If you like the proposed plan and want our support in your development, we can discuss how our player programs can be customized to meet your specific needs. Let’s get started! Let’s get started!