T-Time Podcast // Ep. 76: (Pt 3) 21 Death Moves in Golf with Justin Klemballa
This is the final part of our 3-part series on the Death Moves in Golf with Justin Klemballa.
15. Moving Your Head Ahead of the Golf Ball
The 15th death move revolves around a common mistake made when taking a swing with the driver. Most golf enthusiasts dream of hitting a ball farther down the field, but often fail to correct one common mistake - moving their head well ahead of the ball. Top players on the tour pointedly avoid this error; instead, they opt for a more tilted setup behind the golf ball and don't move their heads ahead of it during their swing. Seasoned golf players have consistently observed that in order to hit a solid and more distanced shot, one's head needs to be kept either at the starting point or further back when executing a swing.
Moving your head forward during a swing negatively impacts the attack angle when hitting the ball, causing a low ball flight course that can lead to a host of other problems. Such movements can lead to downstrokes, which causes the ball to pop up and not travel far. By tilting and twisting behind the golf ball, a player’s head positions nicely behind the ball. The goal here is to maintain the tilted position throughout the swing for favorable results. Note, this is primarily intended for shots with the driver to elicit an upward attack angle.
"We want to always hit the golf ball farther. And one of the biggest death moves, not only to distance, but also just how solidly you can hit the golf ball is moving your head well ahead of the ball."
16. The "Fake Finish": Right Foot Spin out in the Downswing
Death move number 16 is commonly referred to as a 'fake finish', a term used to describe a particular move in golf. This 'right foot spin out in the downswing' occurs when players prepare to hit the ball and their right foot spins outwards - an incorrect gesture that can sabotage their shot. This spinning move is fully noticeable as golfers often pose with a flat right foot at their finish, mistakenly believing this qualifies as a good finish. In reality, the correct form involves obtaining a 'tippy toe' stance at the finish, and achieving this requires a rotation of the belt buckle to the end, not a twist of the right foot.
The 'right foot spin out' is considered a significant death move because it creates a host of problems for golfers. It's the result of a misguided attempt to emulate successful players who are often seen adopting a 'tippy toe at the finish'. The bad news is that this false move of spinning the back foot can contribute to poor performance on the green. On the other hand, the good news is this bad habit can be rectified by practicing a simple drill: setting a ball on the outside of your right foot, swinging back and forth, ensuring the ball doesn't shift position due to any foot spin out. Repeated practice can help to correct this common golfing error.
17. Casting from the top of the swing.
Many golfers have heard of this term before, as it is a common issue that is often mentioned in golf conversations. This usually occurs when a player doesn't understand that the downswing should ideally begin with the lower body. Those who initiate from the top with their right hand are undoubtedly falling into the trap of this golfing "death move". This error is illustrated by the action of throwing a ball. In a proper sequence, first you shift your body by stepping with your right foot, rotate your upper body, and finally allow for the release of your right hand. People who cast from the top essentially skip the shifting and rotating aspects, instead leading immediately with an early throw from the top of their swing.
A highly effective drill to break this habit comes from golf instructor Jim McLean and is referred to as the Pump Drill. This focuses on maintaining the angle between your arm and the club during the start of your downswing. A great analogy for this is to imagine a small box forming between your right shoulder, arm, and the shaft of the club. Holding onto the box or maintaining this relationship during the start of the downswing can be an excellent way to eliminate casting from the top of your swing.
18. Left Heel Back Up on the Downswing
Essentially, if the left heel moves back during the downswing, it’s a signal that the golfer's left hip backs up, pushing the weight into the back foot. Subsequently, their swing returns high, leading to the loss of power and direction. The transcript describes this situation as, "You are living on the back."
A straightforward drill involves placing a ball on the instep of your left heel. If you correctly keep the heel planted during the backswing and it replants to its original position you maintain your control and stability, leaving the ball unmoved. Conversely, if your left heel backs up in the downswing, you'll end up knocking the ball away, a clear sign of an inefficient swing mechanic.
19. The Classic Chicken Wing
The 19th death move in golf is what's known as the "classic chicken wing". This is when the upper left arm disconnects from the upper torso during the swing, causing the elbow to veer away from the body. With great players, the left arm stays connected all the way through, allowing for a smoother, more fluid swing. However, if you find yourself chicken winging while taking your shot, you may need to rethink your move.
The "chicken wing" move often results in diminished distance on your shots and can cause wayward swings to the right. The cause of this move can often be attributed to the hands not rotating correctly throughout the swing.
Currently, one of the best ways to combat this is through the implementation of a drill employing a headcover or just tucking your shirt into your left side to create a constant pinch, which discourages the chicken wing move. Maintain the mantra of rotation, providing the space for your club to move without provoking the "chicken wing"
Rotation is another way to get rid of that chicken wing… just by rotating more coming through the ball allows you to create that space…By rotating it allows some space for my club to go.
20. Breaking Down of the Left Wrist at Impact
The move is commonly caused by the right hand scooping the golf ball through instead of providing a compression force. The breakdown of the left wrist triggers several problems, including loss of control and power in your shots.
A helpful way to manage this death move is by focusing on keeping those hands leaning forward instead of scooping during your swing, thus retaining the integrity of your left wrist position throughout your swing.
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