Golf Swing Question
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An exercise I use is to take a regular broom, hold it straight out in front of me with the bristles vertical, then swing back and forth from my right shoulder over to my left. This does several things, it builds muscle memory for tempo, it gives you a great feel for the proper rotation of the wrist through the impact area, and it helps me to keep my lower back stretched.
Sorry fellas, I was at the Open, back to NY for one day of work and then off to Mobile for meetings. Got to play Robert Trent Jones Magnolia course down there - what a track. Has anyone played all the Trails in Alabama? I gotta get down there and play them all before I get too old.
Anyway, back to swing tempo. A quick tempo by itself is not a terrible thing. Look at Olazabal or Nick Price's swing, they have incredibly quick tempos. There are 2 keys to tempp: 1) stay in balance 2) keep it constant.
1) The biggest problem players have with quick tempos is that they throw themselves off balance when they take the club away too quickly. When you are off balance, your transition to the down swing is screwed up. The result is that there is little opportunity for the club head to accelerate, and thus, there is a lack of power. One must be able to have the club change directions at the top of the swing in such a way as to allow the entire downswing to be a time for the club to accelerate towards the golf ball. Power is generated by doing this.
2) Everybody has a different tempo. Like I said, Price is a million times quicker than Els. The key is to have a consistant tempo. Underpressure, any club, any distance, constant swing tempo. If you muscle up or ease down, many times you hit a poor shot.
That is why I suggested singing a tune in your head or saying your name in a rythmic fashion. The key is to have your tempo back be the same as your tempo through -- regardless of how quick or slow that is.
The broom drill recommended by Skinar is a great drill. It mimics one of the most-used training devices on tour - the plastic fan that most players use in their hotel rooms. I would strongly suggest not lining up balls one after another. Several reasons, you will never hit 7 balls in a row in a round; you aren't practicing good technique, you'll rush through them; and you won't know what you're doing wrong.
In fact, this is another good tip. Next time you go the range, put your bucket of ball either compltely behind you or 4 feet back from the tee. Force yourself to slow down in between practice balls. Don't rapid fire through your bucket - you won't learn half of what you learn when going slowly.
Anyway, back to swing tempo. A quick tempo by itself is not a terrible thing. Look at Olazabal or Nick Price's swing, they have incredibly quick tempos. There are 2 keys to tempp: 1) stay in balance 2) keep it constant.
1) The biggest problem players have with quick tempos is that they throw themselves off balance when they take the club away too quickly. When you are off balance, your transition to the down swing is screwed up. The result is that there is little opportunity for the club head to accelerate, and thus, there is a lack of power. One must be able to have the club change directions at the top of the swing in such a way as to allow the entire downswing to be a time for the club to accelerate towards the golf ball. Power is generated by doing this.
2) Everybody has a different tempo. Like I said, Price is a million times quicker than Els. The key is to have a consistant tempo. Underpressure, any club, any distance, constant swing tempo. If you muscle up or ease down, many times you hit a poor shot.
That is why I suggested singing a tune in your head or saying your name in a rythmic fashion. The key is to have your tempo back be the same as your tempo through -- regardless of how quick or slow that is.
The broom drill recommended by Skinar is a great drill. It mimics one of the most-used training devices on tour - the plastic fan that most players use in their hotel rooms. I would strongly suggest not lining up balls one after another. Several reasons, you will never hit 7 balls in a row in a round; you aren't practicing good technique, you'll rush through them; and you won't know what you're doing wrong.
In fact, this is another good tip. Next time you go the range, put your bucket of ball either compltely behind you or 4 feet back from the tee. Force yourself to slow down in between practice balls. Don't rapid fire through your bucket - you won't learn half of what you learn when going slowly.
- Feb 12, 2000
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This is one you can also do in your backyard. I hit as many balls as I can at about 10% speed. This is tough to do, but you are teaching muscle memory. I think Hogan used this drill a lot. It has helped me get my rhythm down on the course. The goal is to be in the right positions throughout your swing. I am usually a little sore after doing this because it takes energy to swing against the momentum.
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Sic 'em
dawgball
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Sic 'em
dawgball
DONT LAUGH FOR IT WORKS FOR ME:
RIGHT AS YOU TAKE THE CLUB BACK SING TO YOURSELF: "ROCK A BY BABY ON THE TREE TOPS". YOU SHOULD NOT BE IN YOUR DOWNSWING WHEN FINISHED WITH THIS VERSE.
[This message has been edited by ormond80 (edited 06-20-2001).]
RIGHT AS YOU TAKE THE CLUB BACK SING TO YOURSELF: "ROCK A BY BABY ON THE TREE TOPS". YOU SHOULD NOT BE IN YOUR DOWNSWING WHEN FINISHED WITH THIS VERSE.
[This message has been edited by ormond80 (edited 06-20-2001).]
You can do what I did and give up the damn game. I used to play occasionally but I kept getting worse and worse until I finally decided that I wouldn't play again until I took a lesson. Well, 1.5 years later I still havn't played. Its a shame because I have 6 golf couses within 10 minutes of my house.
