The Golf Swing Blog

A great deal of unnecessarily bad golf is played in this world. People go on play it, year in and year out, with unquenchable hope and enthusiasm.  These golfers constitute the game’s mainstay, for their zeal is complete. Their zeal remains unabated in the face of long-sustained adversity and this is the most powerful constituent in the whole fabric of a prosperous pastime.

All the same, these chronic sufferers from poor strokes in golf would like to play better than they do. And they could play better. There is no reason why a physically sound individual, who takes up the game with the determination to succeed at it, should fail to develop form justifying a tolerably low handicap say, 5 or 6.

After that, everything must depend upon the person’s inborn abilities as a golfer. As a rule, it is some very simple error of ways that retards progress; an error that becomes more or less perpetuated.

There are various theories as to the best method of learning golf. However, there is no doubt that the struggling player should first make themselves master of the swing with the woods, driver, irons and putter. It cannot be emphasized too strongly that for most of the shots in golf, the principles of the swing are the same.

To the unpracticed eye, a first-class player may seem to wield his mid-iron differently from the manner in which he swings his driver, but the variation comes only of the fact that the former is the shorter club and that, therefore, he has to stand nearer to the ball for it.

The effect of the shorter club and the position closer to the ball is to make the swing more upright, but the good golfer is not conscious of any effort to change his manner of swinging. All the shots from the tee and through the green until pitching up to the hole, the swings are or should be identical in their main principles.

One Two Swing

Andy, a good friend of mine has been working for quite some time on a very simple swing thought. It is so basic, it might make you laugh. How many times are you standing over a shot with 6 different swing thoughts running through your head?

Here are a few of my current thoughts:

Soft hands through the entire swing.
Eyes on the back of the ball.
Don’t dip the left shoulder.
Head behind the ball.
Swing through the ball.
Finish high.

Are you beginning to see why I shoot bogey golf? While all of these are things I do need to work on, your mind has trouble concentrating on each one thought. I know more times than not, once I start my back swing every thought rushes out faster than speeding bullet.

A few years ago I was playing a round with a gentleman that was about 90 years young. He was still working on his swing. On the first tee, addressing the ball he said to himself: “Wally, Chin- chin”. After about five holes of the same routine, I had to ask. He said for him, he needed to feel his chin touch his left shoulder at the top of his back swing, and touch his right shoulder at the end of his back swing, Chin-Chin!

Here is slightly different take on that. Instead of Chin-Chin, “One-Two” comes into play.

In your mind, or out loud if you are playing with friends, at the top of your back swing, you say “One”.

“Two” is at the top of your finish.

Think about the concept. If you have a smooth, deliberate back swing, at the top, in your head say “one”. Next is starting the downswing, hitting through the ball, and saying “two” as your arms are finishing the swing.

That’s all there is! It simplifies the swing to the point that if you do hit a poor shot, there is only one reason why, “two” came too soon. For me this means “two” usually happens at the ball, so I’m hitting the ball similar to a slap shot in hockey. The goal is to hit through the ball, finish high, and facing the target. This will help all the other thoughts fall into place.

Next time you are at the range, give it a try. Don’t worry, I’m sure the other people hitting balls have heard much worse than “One- Two”.

Without learning a proper golf grip, the chances of you having a correct swing are pretty slim.

A good grip is the foundation of the swing. It will keep the club head square at impact, and keep it from turning in your hands. I have been told more times than I care to share that the number one flaw in my swing is that I grip the club too tight. A tight grip will hinder your rhythm and prevent you from releasing the club. For me, that has always been an issue. When I play with my swing coach, the number one thing he tells me is “soft hands”

If my grip is too tight, it makes my arms tense up, which makes my upper body stiff…. You get the idea. It seems like such a simple thought to master, yet it has been holding me back for as long as I can remember. I become so tight, I can’t finish my swing. I have started to just concentrate on one thing as I address the ball, and that’s “soft hands through my finish. If I can master that simple act, I know my swing will become consistent and second nature to me.

The most common position with the V’s of both hands (formed by the forefinger and the thumb) pointing between the chin and right shoulder is a good place to start. Over 90 percent of golfers use the Vardon or overlapping grip.

So, remember, don’t put the “Death Grip” on the club. That will hinder you from having a nice smooth swing and follow through. Every few holes, take a second to make sure you are properly gripping the club. Finally, don’t wait until you can see worn spots from your fingers on the grip before you replace them. You will be amazed at how much better you feel gripping a club with fresh grips.

Golf Swing

Good Tempo and Balance Will Help You “Swing Easy and Hit Hard”

This is a tough thing for the beginning golfer to grasp. Swinging harder does not mean you are going to hit the ball further!

I know from personal experience, the harder I swing, the worse the result.

Building trust in a slow easy swing is difficult to embrace, but the sooner you do, the better your swing will become. The key to consistency is to maintain balance and have a smooth rhythm.

When I think of balance, two players come to mind. The first is Fred Couples – he is a perfect example of balance and rhythm. The second would be Ernie Els. They both have an effortless, free flowing swing that we would all love to have. Next time you are watching them, take notice of their relaxed, balanced approach.

It all starts with balance. There should be a 50/50 split on both feet, evenly balanced between your heels and toes, on the balls of your feet. At the top of your back swing, your weight should move to 75% on the back foot. It should never move to the outside of the back foot.

At the point of impact, 75% of your weight should be shifted to the front foot. It is critical to keep your head behind the ball as your hips shift about 4 inches past their starting position.

As you finish the follow through, 90% of your weight should end on the front foot.

Do yourself a favor and concentrate on balance & rhythm. Slow things down, keep your head behind the ball, and good things will happen. Swing easy and hit it harder!

As Gary Player has said. “The more I practice, the luckier I get.”

PS  I have found a perfect book that will put into practice exactly what we are talking about. Get your copy of Natural Golf Swing now.