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We're talking about the three-stage Basic Motion Curriculum: Basic Motion (12-5-1); Acquired Motion (12-5-2); and Total Motion (12-5-3).

The first pitfall is failure to observe the boundaries of the respective stages. For example:

The Basic Motion is two feet back and two feet through. Unless this motion is made on the Putting or Chipping green, the Stroke is almost always too long. Even after I demonstrate the correct length (and hit the ball no further than about thirty feet) the first thing I see from the student is a pitch shot. The Hands swing back at least waist high and finish at least waist high, and the Clubhead is above the Hands on both ends of the Stroke. This is Stage Two (Acquired Motion) not Stage One (Basic Motion).

The other thing to note is Stage One has zero pivot.

Stage Two has zero pivot EXCEPT shoulder turn. Stroke length takes focus just as in Stage One and the right forearm goes no further than parallel to the ground.

So I think the major pitfalls are making the stroke too long and using pivot/too much pivot in Stage One and Two.