Classic swing, thing of beauty. Just for the record, Pate was excellent at keeping his pelvis deep, where his butt did not drift off the back line well past impact (8:48 paused at impact). Jerry's swing is almost as good as Snead's. Absolutely amazing swing. That fluid wrist and hand action from change of direction past impact is crazy good! The head moving away from the ball makes space available for everything to swing under. That precious real estate should never be crowded, if anything it should be increased, just as we see Jerry doing here. It's a damn shame that most golf instructors have lost their way now days!
I totally agree. I hit it straighter and longer by making much more hip movement. I too got caught up in keeping the hip static and twisting the upper body. All it ever did was give me bad shots and a sore back. The legs and hips are king as far as I'm concerned.
My Swing Evolution i agree but it’s a mental struggle to stick with it when a lot of info is saying “that’s old school” but thanks to your channel I can have some peace of mind in that I am on the right track.
My boyhood golf idol as well. Watching Pate swing was like watching silk unfurl. Still, IMHO, Jerry was never the same after the 1978 PGA at Oakmont. He had mounted a supreme attack on the back nine with a amazing birdie on the 71st hole that he nearly drove. Similar to 1976, he took the lead and was poised to win his second major. Poised until, to his shock and the shock of those watching, he missed a four foot putt--that did a 360--on the 72nd hole and then lost in a playoff to (ironically) Mahaffey. He still won multiple times afterward and earned a boatload of money; but, I always thought that loss affected a level of invincibility in Jerry's psyche and he was never quite the same closer afterward.
Christo is right. The “turn” of the hips and shoulders by the proper use of the legs and feet ... it’s the way to go. (Got to get the elbows and hands in close to the torso before turning - and a tip here; think of the “turn” part of the swing as in a neighborhood of where the clubhead is ranging about 3 feet before to 3 feet after contact. You don’t need to use legs to “turn” before then, and after that momentum will cause you to “turn” right they to the finish for an effortless reverse-c finish. Oh! And think of that turn in the “turn” zone - I call it the “contact zone” - as a very “horizontal” turn, visualizing the club as moving horizontally to the ground and the hips as the center of that circular arc which I suggest you see as a horizontal circle or arc in that “contact zone.” See if that doesn’t feel right. And try doing that and at the same time having the hands right over the ball as you make contact... a neat trick that just seems to help you get your body and release right.) And Jerry Pate - I remember him too. How he didn’t keep improving... maybe too much success too soon? And I never noticed but Jerry Pate did get that right elbow up and the right arm in what I call the “power to the people” position - got the elbow up but the forearm points downward... what I try to do.
Mike Austin type swing. It's basically a stack and tilt method alot of great players did ie-golden bear, Hogan, Snead, older Tiger Wood's, Dustin Johnson ....... Could name alot more. But the key is you stay centered and throw the club with your dominate hand on the way down after the downswing pivot around the left leg post and it's effortless power.
@@MiracleSwingExperience all the swaying and swing into the right side crap is why people are banging there heads into the wall and quitting. It's literally right there in Mike Austin teaching and Ben Hogan teachings too.
@@MiracleSwingExperience I'm with you tho golf swing is being taught wrong today. It's not being taught right to benefit the golfers but the instructor to make money
Oh man this so cool! This is how I've been swinging - Hogan, Austin style - my whole life. So much more comfortable, and much easier to repeat, one of Hogan's commandments. Don't forget that stance, man. That's where it all begins... And let's not forget Larry Nelson...
I played with Jerry a couple of times at the Univ. of Alabama. The guy was amazing. He was #1 there and I was a walk on who qualified. Pate could hit the ball with a 3 wd using his left arm only off the deck about 210-220. It was ridiculous. Coach had us all doing that one armed drill. Maybe that's what ruined his shoulder? Who knows. I also suffered a rotator cuff injury years later.
I am fairly sure the swings you got where he is with Trevino are from the Tv show "Pro Celebrity Golf" (or International Pro - Celebrity Golf_by Peter Alliss, which ran for several years on BBC late 70's to early 80's , each show was 2 Pros and 2 Celebrities, most or all seasons Trevino was one of them and Jerry Pate joined him one year, and my guess is they played at Gleneagles. As a kid during that time I would record each episode on tape and watch them over and over, and do our best to pause the swings to analyse them. I learnt a lot about golf from these shows Trevino particulary would hand out a lot of tips to the celebrities and viewers- and on occasion to the other pro.
The reverse C swing that I grew up with and was largely developed to get the ball in the air and hit with power. The equipment in those days made it necesssry. I grew up on persimon woods and blade irons. Citation Power Built and MT irons. We don't see this swing now because we don't have to swing that way. My fav growing up (being taller) was the original TW. You mentioned Tom. There are teachers moving back to some of these movements but you don't need the reverse C. It was tough on the back. Today's equipment allows you to stay behind the ball but then allow your head to release up into a more stand up position. Like Nelson and Hogan. This reverse C gave you more speed and power for sure. Over time the king of the reverse C, Big Jack, modified his swing and got rid of the pronounced C. I wonder if his reverse C caused his career long hip issue? The king of straight, Moe Norman, never had the C. He was never the longest but by no means short. The pro game has been chasing length in a big way. Our modern equipment has made it easier. This type of swing with this big C is for the young and fit. All these guys changed their swings when they hit the senior tour. A lot of these concepts and positions are used today. Wolf gets into a lot of them. He allows his body to release into a more relaxed finish though. His equipment allows this. So, a lot of great things here for sure. Brings back memories. Just don't keep the bad.
@@MiracleSwingExperience I think the choice with that equipment was to finish in a relaxed more straight up and down position like Mr. Hogan and be very straight and not the longest (not short just not playing the power game) or be a power player like Jack and Tom. Both great ways to play. Big Jack is the prototype. Being 6'6" I modeled myself after Tom Wieskoff. In the last few years (Decades. Damn I'm old) I've moved to a much more relaxed impact position and finish. Much easier on the body. What remains in my swing is much more lower body movement and freedom than in the "modern swing". Live and learn. Thanks so much for your reply. Much appreciated.
I like the conversation as well. I think we need golfers to have more " movement" in the swing in the backswing as long as there is no sway. That will allow for a good aggressive rotation through but you don't have to reverse C. What I like about a swing like Mr. Pate's is the freedom of motion and athleticism. Tom Wieskoff. Davis Love. Payne Stewart. You get it.
I was told the reason why we didn't see too much of him was because he injured himself with one of those exercise gadgets that you attached to a door handle. He hurt his back or shoulder doing it and I think he needed surgery. I don't think any of the teachers today are promoting a "Reverse C" finish anymore, because of the stress on the back.
That’s not how he hurt his shoulder. He was preparing for the British Open after he won the players and he hit a one iron into the ground because he was practicing the low shots for the British Open back. Then they didn’t do laparoscopic they cut his labrum, which made him end up having five more surgeries. Finally, Jim Andrews fixed it and he was able to go back out on the senior tour anyone twice and then only played a few times a year, even though he was exempt because he runs a Toro distributor ship from Florida to Ohio.
What's strange is that even though he was recognized in the early 80's for having one of the most beautiful swings I don't recall ever seeing a swing sequence of him in either of the major magazines at the time. The only decent swing footage of him before the injuries is probably whatever private video he has. I did hear more than once that Weiskoff helped him with his leg movement during that time.
@@MiracleSwingExperience Those Golf Digest sequence photos were unreal. I definitely remember those & remember Pate being featured in one shortly after Open win. Then he started getting hammered for the reverse weight shift, all the weight on left leg at top. He actually had a good chance at a couple other majors. Always loved his rhythm.
How do you know that he went for the pin out of the rough from 190? It ends up there so he must have gone for it. A ball ends up in a bunker, he must have gone for it. It is a fluid swing. Remember one thing unless your swing is neutral, you favor a certain miss without compensations and timing. Not going to point out any “bad” things. He made it work like we all try to do.
Mark Moore You’re right. He probably played to the fatter part of the green. Hitting out of the rough can turn the face. But, he only needed par and made birdie. But, he was a 23 year old pro! Cheers! 🍻
He gets through the ball nicely even though he's so bent over. I hope you do Larry Nelson next. He's the one who taught himself as an adult out of Five Lessons.
Don't need to teach this swing Christo !, it's the natural way , you teach the modern swing because it is un natural ,,,, keep up the good work my friend ......
Is the general consensus that it was Leadbetter who was primarily responsible for putting the classic swing to bed? - That's no criticism of Leadbetter, who's certainly one of the best teacher's of the game, but his remodelling of Faldo's swing seems to have been a tipping point.
@@MiracleSwingExperience Interesting... I really admire Brandel Chamblee for sticking his head above the parapet and criticising the modern swing method. Mr Leadbetter is considered golf royalty, so I'm not suprised at the backlash BC received. For what it's worth I'm with you. Classic all the way!
Teaching new golf students to keep the heel on the ground is the biggest mistake ever. Just let em turn the hips!!!!!!!!!! I do believe once one has mastered the swing they can go to the modern swing, like Seve. It's an advanced way to move, and definitely not necessary, as mac o Grady thought, who, correct me if I'm wrong, taught the whole world this
It’s not that people don’t swing like Jerry, it’s that they CANT swing like that. The flexibility, the timing,the athleticism... impossible for most people over 18.
You say he's so balanced. Take 2 people. First one stands straight up. Other bends the knees and bends forward from the waist. Try to push both people....the guy standing straight up will be easy to push. The other guy has a lower centre of gravity and better balance. You should know this from your martial arts experience. You can't be balanced standing straight up... Pate's posture is athletic.
I thought he hurt his back or shoulder using some workout gadget. It was something you attached to a door handle and then do some kind of repetitions. The reverse C probably didn't help after that.
Classic swing, thing of beauty. Just for the record, Pate was excellent at keeping his pelvis deep, where his butt did not drift off the back line well past impact (8:48 paused at impact). Jerry's swing is almost as good as Snead's. Absolutely amazing swing. That fluid wrist and hand action from change of direction past impact is crazy good! The head moving away from the ball makes space available for everything to swing under. That precious real estate should never be crowded, if anything it should be increased, just as we see Jerry doing here. It's a damn shame that most golf instructors have lost their way now days!
Zero2Hero Golf This works. Plain and simple.
Thanks for uncovering this beautiful swing Christo. I need to start allowing my front heel off the ground. Always enjoy your content bud 👊.
I totally agree. I hit it straighter and longer by making much more hip movement. I too got caught up in keeping the hip static and twisting the upper body. All it ever did was give me bad shots and a sore back. The legs and hips are king as far as I'm concerned.
TheBadgolferman here, here 100%
I feel that swing keeps me grounded and using legs really takes work but feels wonderful. Need your workout program.
MIKE GIVILANCZ The legs are where it’s at!
My Swing Evolution i agree but it’s a mental struggle to stick with it when a lot of info is saying “that’s old school” but thanks to your channel I can have some peace of mind in that I am on the right track.
MIKE GIVILANCZ The other track wasn’t working for me for over 20 years! Cheers 🍻
My boyhood golf idol as well.
Watching Pate swing was like watching silk unfurl. Still, IMHO, Jerry was never the same after the 1978 PGA at Oakmont. He had mounted a supreme attack on the back nine with a amazing birdie on the 71st hole that he nearly drove. Similar to 1976, he took the lead and was poised to win his second major. Poised until, to his shock and the shock of those watching, he missed a four foot putt--that did a 360--on the 72nd hole and then lost in a playoff to (ironically) Mahaffey. He still won multiple times afterward and earned a boatload of money; but, I always thought that loss affected a level of invincibility in Jerry's psyche and he was never quite the same closer afterward.
Christo is right. The “turn” of the hips and shoulders by the proper use of the legs and feet ... it’s the way to go. (Got to get the elbows and hands in close to the torso before turning - and a tip here; think of the “turn” part of the swing as in a neighborhood of where the clubhead is ranging about 3 feet before to 3 feet after contact. You don’t need to use legs to “turn” before then, and after that momentum will cause you to “turn” right they to the finish for an effortless reverse-c finish. Oh! And think of that turn in the “turn” zone - I call it the “contact zone” - as a very “horizontal” turn, visualizing the club as moving horizontally to the ground and the hips as the center of that circular arc which I suggest you see as a horizontal circle or arc in that “contact zone.” See if that doesn’t feel right. And try doing that and at the same time having the hands right over the ball as you make contact... a neat trick that just seems to help you get your body and release right.)
And Jerry Pate - I remember him too. How he didn’t keep improving... maybe too much success too soon? And I never noticed but Jerry Pate did get that right elbow up and the right arm in what I call the “power to the people” position - got the elbow up but the forearm points downward... what I try to do.
Billy Graham Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, first year out... Hard to top that!!!!
Christo, I always admired Faldos old golf swing before he changed it in 87
What do you think?
Man Christo , me and you have the same taste in sweet swings !
M M Right???
Mike Austin type swing. It's basically a stack and tilt method alot of great players did ie-golden bear, Hogan, Snead, older Tiger Wood's, Dustin Johnson ....... Could name alot more. But the key is you stay centered and throw the club with your dominate hand on the way down after the downswing pivot around the left leg post and it's effortless power.
Daniel Castresana That’s all there is to it!!!
@@MiracleSwingExperience I agree I shot a 78 and a 77 last two rounds. Only making one birdie in each. Next focus is putting
@@MiracleSwingExperience all the swaying and swing into the right side crap is why people are banging there heads into the wall and quitting. It's literally right there in Mike Austin teaching and Ben Hogan teachings too.
@@MiracleSwingExperience I'm with you tho golf swing is being taught wrong today. It's not being taught right to benefit the golfers but the instructor to make money
Daniel Castresana I have to become a better putter. I probably waste 3-6 shots a round. 😞
Oh man this so cool! This is how I've been swinging - Hogan, Austin style - my whole life. So much more comfortable, and much easier to repeat, one of Hogan's commandments. Don't forget that stance, man. That's where it all begins... And let's not forget Larry Nelson...
Larry Nelson will be coming up soon on What Makes This Swing Great!!!
@@MiracleSwingExperience he's the reason I play golf... And why I swing as I do. Thanks, keep up the great work.
Can you please give attention to the swing of Pat Dempsey?
I played with Jerry a couple of times at the Univ. of Alabama. The guy was amazing. He was #1 there and I was a walk on who qualified. Pate could hit the ball with a 3 wd using his left arm only off the deck about 210-220. It was ridiculous. Coach had us all doing that one armed drill. Maybe that's what ruined his shoulder? Who knows. I also suffered a rotator cuff injury years later.
I am fairly sure the swings you got where he is with Trevino are from the Tv show "Pro Celebrity Golf" (or International Pro - Celebrity Golf_by Peter Alliss, which ran for several years on BBC late 70's to early 80's , each show was 2 Pros and 2 Celebrities, most or all seasons Trevino was one of them and Jerry Pate joined him one year, and my guess is they played at Gleneagles. As a kid during that time I would record each episode on tape and watch them over and over, and do our best to pause the swings to analyse them. I learnt a lot about golf from these shows Trevino particulary would hand out a lot of tips to the celebrities and viewers- and on occasion to the other pro.
The reverse C swing that I grew up with and was largely developed to get the ball in the air and hit with power. The equipment in those days made it necesssry. I grew up on persimon woods and blade irons. Citation Power Built and MT irons.
We don't see this swing now because we don't have to swing that way. My fav growing up (being taller) was the original TW. You mentioned Tom. There are teachers moving back to some of these movements but you don't need the reverse C. It was tough on the back. Today's equipment allows you to stay behind the ball but then allow your head to release up into a more stand up position. Like Nelson and Hogan. This reverse C gave you more speed and power for sure. Over time the king of the reverse C, Big Jack, modified his swing and got rid of the pronounced C. I wonder if his reverse C caused his career long hip issue?
The king of straight, Moe Norman, never had the C. He was never the longest but by no means short. The pro game has been chasing length in a big way. Our modern equipment has made it easier. This type of swing with this big C is for the young and fit. All these guys changed their swings when they hit the senior tour.
A lot of these concepts and positions are used today. Wolf gets into a lot of them. He allows his body to release into a more relaxed finish though. His equipment allows this.
So, a lot of great things here for sure. Brings back memories. Just don't keep the bad.
Patrick Cunningham Hogan is my ideal because he had a classic swing and no reverse C.
@@MiracleSwingExperience I think the choice with that equipment was to finish in a relaxed more straight up and down position like Mr. Hogan and be very straight and not the longest (not short just not playing the power game) or be a power player like Jack and Tom. Both great ways to play. Big Jack is the prototype. Being 6'6" I modeled myself after Tom Wieskoff. In the last few years (Decades. Damn I'm old) I've moved to a much more relaxed impact position and finish. Much easier on the body. What remains in my swing is much more lower body movement and freedom than in the "modern swing". Live and learn. Thanks so much for your reply. Much appreciated.
Patrick Cunningham Great comment and I love the conversation, Patrick!
I like the conversation as well. I think we need golfers to have more " movement" in the swing in the backswing as long as there is no sway. That will allow for a good aggressive rotation through but you don't have to reverse C. What I like about a swing like Mr. Pate's is the freedom of motion and athleticism. Tom Wieskoff. Davis Love. Payne Stewart. You get it.
Mike Reid was the epitome of the "Reverse C".
I was told the reason why we didn't see too much of him was because he injured himself with one of those exercise gadgets that you attached to a door handle. He hurt his back or shoulder doing it and I think he needed surgery.
I don't think any of the teachers today are promoting a "Reverse C" finish anymore, because of the stress on the back.
That’s not how he hurt his shoulder. He was preparing for the British Open after he won the players and he hit a one iron into the ground because he was practicing the low shots for the British Open back. Then they didn’t do laparoscopic they cut his labrum, which made him end up having five more surgeries. Finally, Jim Andrews fixed it and he was able to go back out on the senior tour anyone twice and then only played a few times a year, even though he was exempt because he runs a Toro distributor ship from Florida to Ohio.
How long before you get your hands on the new Ben Hogan icon irons ?
I'm not sure how long but they are coming soon!
What's strange is that even though he was recognized in the early 80's for having one of the most beautiful swings I don't recall ever seeing a swing sequence of him in either of the major magazines at the time. The only decent swing footage of him before the injuries is probably whatever private video he has. I did hear more than once that Weiskoff helped him with his leg movement during that time.
Erykvonkeith Right? Where’s the footage and sequences? I did see him in Golf Digest as a kid. But, I can’t find it anywhere!
@@MiracleSwingExperience Those Golf Digest sequence photos were unreal. I definitely remember those & remember Pate being featured in one shortly after Open win. Then he started getting hammered for the reverse weight shift, all the weight on left leg at top. He actually had a good chance at a couple other majors. Always loved his rhythm.
How do you know that he went for the pin out of the rough from 190? It ends up there so he must have gone for it. A ball ends up in a bunker, he must have gone for it. It is a fluid swing. Remember one thing unless your swing is neutral, you favor a certain miss without compensations and timing. Not going to point out any “bad” things. He made it work like we all try to do.
Mark Moore You’re right. He probably played to the fatter part of the green. Hitting out of the rough can turn the face. But, he only needed par and made birdie. But, he was a 23 year old pro! Cheers! 🍻
@@MiracleSwingExperience He did well in the years he played for sure.
Mark Moore 8 wins and a major!
It looks like to me he initiates his backswing with his left knee. Didn't Tom Weiskopf do this? I really love Jerry's swing, so smooth and fluid.
Jim8208 I’ll have to check but talk about a nice swing!!! Weiskopf!
Weiskopf says his swing got even better when he weaked his grip into a more square position.
Rich Diana Many top pros say this. Gregg McHatton says a weak grip is really a strong grip.
Notice he has a good forward bend from the waist. That's why he can take the club inside.
Very Austin-esque. Check out Steve Pratt's vids.
Curtis Miller Yes it is!
his swing reminds me of ayako okamoto in the 80s. i want you to talk about her swing. she is left handed.
k mori I’ll have to look her up!
Not dissimilar to Tom Watson. Great Action!
Lincoln Shaw Yes, indeed
I wonder if he was like Sam Snead, double jointed, with that kind of swing one would have to be:) Sweet!
He address the ball on the heel too...why he backs away
Bruce Gilmour Good point!
I know him personally
He is driving his right elbow down and through
123GPA He sure is!
Deep takeaway and full backswing.
Hey Christo
peter dutton Hi Peter!!
He gets through the ball nicely even though he's so bent over. I hope you do Larry Nelson next. He's the one who taught himself as an adult out of Five Lessons.
Bongo Nutty He picked up 5 Lessons at 22 and won 3 majors!!!
When Larry was laid off from his job and went through Ben's book, he then start to hit balls with only his left hand and practiced that drill a lot.
Don't need to teach this swing Christo !, it's the natural way , you teach the modern swing because it is un natural ,,,, keep up the good work my friend ......
LOL
He was on a range once and a spectator said “You are not hitting it where you are aiming. He replied “ I’m hitting it where I’m looking.”🏌️♂️😀
Ulster Classic!
Mike Austin!
Alan Gower Good one! Similar!
Wow, his stance is so narrow with the driver but it clearly didn't affect his balance.
Howie Dunbar Balance is key! IMHO
Is the general consensus that it was Leadbetter who was primarily responsible for putting the classic swing to bed? - That's no criticism of Leadbetter, who's certainly one of the best teacher's of the game, but his remodelling of Faldo's swing seems to have been a tipping point.
Lincoln Shaw I took lessons with Ledbetter in 83 & 84. I went in with a classic swing and he changed me.
@@MiracleSwingExperience I take it you're not a fan then? ...
Lincoln Shaw Not really. I honestly appreciate learning how to practice and being around some top players but my game went sideways.
@@MiracleSwingExperience Interesting... I really admire Brandel Chamblee for sticking his head above the parapet and criticising the modern swing method. Mr Leadbetter is considered golf royalty, so I'm not suprised at the backlash BC received. For what it's worth I'm with you. Classic all the way!
Lincoln Shaw I simply believe both should be taught. You almost can’t find a classic swing teacher today!
He seems to have a slight open stance or do I do not see that correctly. Stay metal, Eric. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Metalheads Golf I see that but I’m not sure if he’s hitting a cut shot.
@@MiracleSwingExperience Somewhat hard to spot. But indeed very nice swing. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
ua-cam.com/users/mosow
Saw him drop a towel and hit an island green from his knees at an exhibition.
J@D W Holy sh#t! Really?
There is an old Golf Digest that he could do that and he also said he could do it while kneeling on a chair also
Teaching new golf students to keep the heel on the ground is the biggest mistake ever. Just let em turn the hips!!!!!!!!!! I do believe once one has mastered the swing they can go to the modern swing, like Seve. It's an advanced way to move, and definitely not necessary, as mac o Grady thought, who, correct me if I'm wrong, taught the whole world this
It’s not that people don’t swing like Jerry, it’s that they CANT swing like that. The flexibility, the timing,the athleticism... impossible for most people over 18.
You say he's so balanced. Take 2 people. First one stands straight up. Other bends the knees and bends forward from the waist. Try to push both people....the guy standing straight up will be easy to push. The other guy has a lower centre of gravity and better balance. You should know this from your martial arts experience. You can't be balanced standing straight up... Pate's posture is athletic.
He radically changed his swing later in life because of a bad back.
Great swing, Christo but that reverse C ruined his back.
Rich Diana Hogan did all of this without the reverse C.
Christo, Tiger and Jack both had back problems but not Ben.
Rich Diana You can have back problems with any golf swing. Depends on your spine.
I thought he hurt his back or shoulder using some workout gadget. It was something you attached to a door handle and then do some kind of repetitions. The reverse C probably didn't help after that.