Natural Golf

**jvdhoeven** · 02-18-2007

Has anyone tried the Moe Norman Natural Golf Swing method for a season or more? What are your thoughts? I'm trying to figure out if I want to commit to this or if I don't want to screw up my conventional swing.

I have watched the video and hit a bucket of balls the following day. I was pleased with the results in that I made very good contact and hit the ball straight almost every time. I seemed to lose some distance but I could possibly give up the 7-10 yards if I'm straight everytime.

**bjdrivers** · 02-18-2007

So you mean I'm playing Artificial Golf??

**TheRod** · 02-19-2007

I've been using it now for several years. I'm not able to play or practice as mch as I'd like, so I thought I'd give it a try. I don't regret it. Once you get used to the grip change, it's a pretty simple swing. And once I got used to making the different swing, and had grown into it, my handicap dropped, so I'd say it was a good change for me. I'd recommend it. I, did, however, go with the Graves Golf Accademy version, basically because the video instruction is much better and more in-depth. The only change is in the grip, which is an overlapping version of the same grip. Graves was Norman's protege, and he teaches it very well.

**jvdhoeven** · 02-20-2007

Awesome, thanks for informed response. I've found the swing to be very easy as well, so much less to go wrong. I have found(after my 1x on the range) my distance went down about 10 yards. My 7 iron was 150 yards, at the range it went 140 yards. Was that your experience as well? The Natural Golf folks tell me it will get back, but I'm a little skeptical as the swing is different so I can't see it generating as much club head speed. How much did your handicap drop? I'm stuck in the 90's at the moment, I have a few 9 holes in the below 45 but the next 9 brings me up. I'm anxious to break 90.

The Natural Golf grip is the palm grip which does seem kinda weird, I may experiment with it, whatever works best to get the club face back to square at impact. Interesting to hear that you don't use that grip!

**TheRod** · 02-20-2007

The grip I use is still the palm grip, just with the last finger of the bottom hand overlapping the the top hand. Supposedly, that's actually the grip Moe Norman used when he competed. I did get my distance back, but I'm already a little longer than average anyway. My 150yd stick is a nice cozy 9-iron. Before I went to this swing, my handi was probably 7 or 8. By the end of last year, it was around 4, which was higher than it had been all year, due mostly tolack of time to play. I would also highly recommend taking a look at the Graves Golf Academy tapes, I can't say enough good things about their intruction. I'd do one of their schools if I had the time, just to meet them and talk to them.

**jvdhoeven** · 02-20-2007

Wow, that is pretty strong for a 9 iron. So there is hope and clearly you CAN get great distance with the NG swing. I was concerned less distance was a serious side affect. Your a great player as well I see - all the more encouraging for me to give NG a serious try. A lot of players that use the method, or at least some of the reviews I posted were very high handicappers, and while I"m not that great at the moment my goal is to improve drastically. Thanks a lot for all the great answers. I will let you know how things go for me.

**TheRod** · 02-20-2007

Best of luck!

**LBR** · 02-26-2007

I have play Moe Norman sving with Graves brothers in 5 years time.
First year whent down from 18 to 12 Hcp without exper. of the short game.
More info http://www.swinglikemoe.com/ see online instructions and change album.
I hit 1 club shorter also but are in play.
Good luck
LBR Sweden

**jvdhoeven** · 02-26-2007

Okay, thanks for the feedback LBR, I played last Saturday and my distance was not to bad at all which was encouraging. I think it was around the same distance or a little bit less, maybe 5 yards, than my normal distance. My round was tough however with some good and bad shots. I think I may have fallen back into the CG swing and started rotating my body rather than facing the ball at impact. I think changing your swing in a real round is harder than the range perhaps.

At the range off of mats I was hitting the ball outstanding, figured that was because it was the range, one, and two I was hitting off mats which is more forgiving. So, I'm still looking forward to getting out there again and shooting better!