Okay, here’s my take on a blog post about my experience working with Maya Schauffele, inspired by your examples and guidelines.
Alright folks, let me tell you about my deep dive into…well, let’s call it “Project Maya Schauffele.” I know, sounds kinda intense, right? Basically, I was trying to figure out how to get that pro-level golf swing feel…without, you know, actually being Xander Schauffele.
So, where did I even start? I did what any sane person would do: I went down the YouTube rabbit hole. Hours and hours of slow-mo swing analysis, interviews, you name it. I was trying to pick up on any little detail that might help me understand what makes his swing tick. And I mean hours. My wife was starting to think I was developing a serious golf obsession (she wasn’t wrong).
The first thing I noticed? His tempo. It’s like…effortless power. I’m all tense and jerky trying to kill the ball, and he just looks smooth. I decided to focus on that. My initial plan was to record my own swing and compare it side-by-side. Simple enough, right? Wrong. Getting the angles right, the lighting…it was a pain in the butt. I swear, I spent more time setting up the camera than actually swinging a club.
Next, I tried to mirror some of his key positions. I watched a video where they broke down his backswing, and I was trying to copy the wrist angles and shoulder turn. Let me tell you, that’s harder than it looks. My body just doesn’t want to move that way. I felt like a rusty robot trying to do yoga. The results? Hilarious. My swing looked nothing like his. More like a contorted pretzel trying to hit a golf ball.
I almost gave up then. Seriously, I was about to go back to my old, terrible swing and just accept my fate. But then I remembered something Xander said in an interview about his dad always telling him to “stay athletic.” It clicked. I was trying to copy positions, but I wasn’t thinking about the feeling of being athletic and balanced throughout the swing.
So, I changed my approach. Instead of focusing on specific angles, I focused on feeling athletic. More weight on my toes, good posture, and a focus on rotating my core instead of just flailing my arms. And you know what? It actually started to work! My swing still doesn’t look exactly like Schauffele’s, but it feels a heck of a lot better. More solid, more powerful, and way less jerky. I’m making better contact and the ball is actually going where I want it to go… sometimes.
Here’s the kicker. All that YouTube research? Turns out my buddy’s brother is a golf pro. Should have just asked him first. He confirmed what I eventually stumbled on: “Forget copying positions, focus on your athletic foundation.” Thanks, internet! And thanks, future brother-in-law! I’m still working on it, but “Project Maya Schauffele” has definitely improved my game. It’s proof that a little bit of research, a whole lot of trial and error, and maybe a little bit of luck can go a long way.
- Analyze pro swing (Xander Schauffele)
- Record my own swing
- Compare and contrast
- Attempt to mirror key positions
- Focus on feeling athletic
- Consult with a pro (eventually)
- Practice, practice, practice
