Mentored By The Legend - Mike Austin

The Blade Always Faces The Ball

sluggo300 — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:35:14 +0000

In honor of the Masters, here’s a fantastic lesson from the Master, Mike Austin.
Viewers are interested in how the club and hands move, so here goes – in vivid detail.
The first lesson is (drum roll please):
The blade always faces the ball.
That negates most everything you’ve heard about the Mike Austin swing – the forearms pronating, etc.
Second item: Remember the post “It’s an In-Curve”? Notice how the club doesn’t go straight back.
It faces the ball but moves in a circular path. That negates half of the other incorrect information out there about the Mike Austin swing.

Don’t believe it. Here’s the legendary Mike Austin himself.

Note too, the importance of the pivot. That’s why we have spent a lot of time on it.
Mike goes right back to it in teaching the action of the blade.
Enjoy.
Copyright llenroc enterprises LLC April 2011

Get Busy

sluggo300 — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 02:20:52 +0000

Here’s the result of a one hour lesson with Mike Austin. I saw it live. First time the guy ever went to Mike Austin. Mike started with the stance, moved to the pivot, then on to the swing.
Within 1 hour the guy was bombing it, dead straight with no effort. He stood 5’7″ and weighed 160 pounds.
And, check out the swing. Simple. Efficient. Smooth. Note the tempo.
Hear the “click”? You can hear my reaction on the clip:

Would you like this swing?
Good, go get busy. Enjoy the clips. Get in front of a mirror. Watch your tempo.
No more nonsense. We’re going to get results here.

Go Pack Go!

sluggo300 — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:13:05 +0000

Sorry for the delay in new posts but I followed my Packers down to North Dallas to the Super Bowl.
Wonderful event. The Packers didn’t disappoint and the Steelers and their fans showed much class.

Sadly, there was no chance to golf as ice and snow prevailed during the days leading up to the big game.

“The Kid” Part 2

sluggo300 — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:32:58 +0000

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 ?

sluggo300 — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:55:55 +0000

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.

The Belly Button

sluggo300 — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:21:05 +0000

To start the New Year with a bang I am going to give you a big secret of the Mike Austin swing.
It’s your belly button. Yes, your navel. Probably haven’t thought about it that much lately, have you? Unless, it relates to a New Year’s resolution.
However, it’s a major source of power. And yet, you will rarely hear about it. If you swing your belly button back and through you are activating and/or energizing many of the muscles that Mike Austin wanted you to utilize in the swing, including the internal and external obliques, the transverse abdominis, the glutes and the sartorius, just to name a few. The good news is that you don’t have to think about those muscles, if you don’t want to.
Just swing that belly button. The further and faster you move it (albeit smoothly) the further that ball will go.

It’s An “In Curve”

sluggo300 — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 02:55:39 +0000

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

“I Don’t Feel Power In The Shoulder”

sluggo300 — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:48:17 +0000

Check out all the information contained in this short clip:
The name of the game is a fast clubhead – created by the hands, not the body.
As Mike Austin adamantly pointed out to me, “I don’t feel power in the shoulder! You can’t throw [with the shoulder]. You can shot put with power in the shoulder. You can throw with your hands.”
Note also, the “in curve” on the backswing. The Mike Austin swing is circular.
Listen to the difference in the sound of the hit when done correctly.
Finally, check out how Mike Austin used intonations to reinforce key facets of a lesson. Keep reviewing the clips and I guarantee you that you will hear that voice during your practice.

Hope this helps!
Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!
Best,
Chuck

Precision Hitting and Practice

sluggo300 — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:37:31 +0000

It frustrates me to no end to hear people speak of Mike Austin’s instruction as if it was devoted only to power.
Note the effortlessness and accuracy (check out the barrel) of these partial shots utilizing the same motions and technique.
Also, note how Mike Austin had me practice – picking targets at various distances.

Get your game on and go practice these partial shots. You’ll be amazed at the effortless power and accuracy.

The Lower Six Joints

sluggo300 — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:51:41 +0000

Here Mike Austin and I are working on the lower 6 joints – the ankles, knees and hips.
The body shifts via the first part of the pivot, then turns. Note the complete turn. I found that I often did not complete the turn, so check yours. Also, note how Mike is interested in the resultant lively “click” at impact – not a dull thud.
Finally, check out Mike giving grief to a buddy of his in the next stall who is hitting the ball with only his upper six joints.
That’s the banter common to one of Mike’s lessons (along with his devious laugh). Hopefully, this gives you a sense of being there.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!