Alright, let me tell you about my deep dive into Jimmy Ellis’s golf swing. I mean, I’ve been tinkering with my own swing for ages, always looking for that something to get me hitting straighter and longer. So, I stumbled upon some videos and articles breaking down Ellis’s technique, and I thought, “Why not give it a shot?”
First thing I did was watch a bunch of footage. I mean, a lot of footage. Slow-motion stuff, different angles, the whole nine yards. I wanted to really see what he was doing, not just read about it. I focused on his setup – how he stood over the ball, his grip, his posture. Noticed he had a pretty neutral grip, which is something I’ve been trying to move towards myself.
Then, I hit the driving range. This is where the rubber meets the road, right? I started slow, just trying to mimic his setup. It felt kinda weird at first, like I was forcing something. But I kept at it. Key thing I focused on was keeping my weight balanced and my spine angle consistent throughout the swing.
Next up was the takeaway. Ellis has this really smooth, one-piece takeaway. I’ve always had a bit of a hitch in mine, so this was a challenge. I tried to feel like my hands, arms, and shoulders were moving together, not independently. More range sessions followed. I’d record myself on my phone. Nothing fancy, just to see if I was actually doing what I thought I was doing. Turns out, I wasn’t always!
The downswing was the trickiest part. Ellis has this incredible ability to maintain lag and then release it at the perfect moment. I tried to focus on keeping my wrists cocked for as long as possible and then letting it all go right before impact. Let me tell you, that requires some serious control!
Finally, after weeks of tweaking, frustration, and the occasional surprisingly good shot, I think I’m starting to get the hang of some of Jimmy Ellis’ elements in my golf swing. I still have a long way to go before I can consistently replicate it, but I’m seeing some improvements. My ball flight is a little straighter, and I’m getting a bit more distance. I think the key is to not try to copy everything exactly, but to adapt it to your own body and swing.
Now, I’m putting in the time on the course. The range is one thing, but it’s a whole different ballgame when you’ve got trees, water hazards, and pressure. I noticed focusing on the stuff I drilled really helped me keep calm out there. I’m still not playing like a pro, but I’m enjoying the process of learning and improving. And honestly, that’s what it’s all about.
