Tag Archives: golf tips

“The Kid” Part 2

Golf Digest has a nice spread on Domenic Mazza’s swing. Swing Sequence: Swing Sequence: Long-drive phenom Domenic Mazza Swing Sequences: Golfdigest.com.
It’s uncanny how much of a Mike Austin look there is to the swing.

Now, I can assure you from personal experience, that Mike Austin would have a fit regarding the past parallel clubshaft position, however, the swing is certainly consistent with Mike’s straightening of the right leg on the backswing. Moreover, it obliterates modern thought that you must keep the right leg flexed to hit it long.
Oh, and by the way, “the kid” further validates Mike Austin’s tenet that “we want mobility, not stability”.

Photos from Golf Digest (shared per Golf Digest feed)

What’s your QL ?

5 Replies

People have asked if Mike Austin mentioned the QL in my lessons. The answer is “yes”. The QL is the quadratus lumborum, the muscles which attached the pelvic bone to each side of the spine.
There’s been much study and some dispute of late as to the precise function of the QL. Some argue that it aids in lateral flexion, as in a side bend. Others say that it has little to do with that motion. What is intriguing is the studies generally agree with how Mike Austin told me to utilize the QL. Namely, when one side is activated it brings the lowest rib (the 12th rib) down toward the hip.
To get a feel, stand erect and act as if you are going to raise your left heel but don’t allow the foot to raise. You are activating the left QL.
What does that mean to us as golfers? At address the right knee (for a right hander) is flexed. You then straighten it which bumps the right hip to 4 o’clock. At the same time you utilize the QL to crimp in (concave as Mike would say) your left side. That lowers the left hip and shoulder and sets the plane upward. Now your swing can move on the previously discussed “in curve” and the path of the club will naturally move up as it travels along the upward plane set by the left hip and shoulder. But remember our past lesson. You don’t move your head. (You’re not a dinosaur!) How is that possible? You start raising you left heel which allows the turn.
Gray’s Anatomy FIG. 389– Deep muscles of the back.

It’s An “In Curve”

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Ok guys and gals. Let’s get going on the backswing and the path of the hands and arms.
I am pretty sure this is my second day with Mike Austin. As you can hear, he gave me a hefty dose of his “enthusiasm”.
I took the heat, now you can learn from the comfort of your home.
The bottom line here is that unlike a lot of teachings (and many incorrectly teaching Mike Austin’s swing), the clubhead and arms do NOT go straight back on a line from the ball. They move on an “in curve”. This is crucial to a circular motion.

Hope this helps.
Happy New Year and thanks for all of your support this year. We’ve got some great things in store for your game next year.
Best, Chuck
Copyright December 2010 llenroc enterprises LLC

Mike Austin – The Man

MisInformed About The Mike Austin Stance

2 Replies

Wow! I have received a lot of emails concerning Mike Austin’s stance. Apparently, there’s been much internet banter asserting that Mike Austin advocated a closed stance.

Sorry, but this is simply not accurate. From what I can discern the advocates of a closed stance are doing so in order to address additional wrong moves such as coming over the top. Unfortunately, building on an incorrect foundation is only going to impede your progress.

Let’s roll the tape. Mike Austin’s instruction to me quite clearly discredits the assertion that he advocated a closed stance:

This is an important point as it builds on Mike Austin’s swing principles.

Remember, the ankles, knees and hips are the engine of the Mike Austin swing. A closed (aka blocked) stance will impede the hips and reduce your power!

Moreover, Mike Austin was adamant that you had to build the proper foundation (which includes the stance) before you put the roof on your swing.