How to Plug in a Repeating Swing

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Nick Faldo
 

For the better part of 20 years, ever since the reconstruction of my swing in the mid-1980s, I have focused on this halfway-back position via what's become known as an 'early wrist set'. It's quite simple: I look for my wrists to be fully hinged and the club 'set' up on a good plane by the time my left arm is at horizontal.

From here, the swing is pretty well plugged in.

My ultimate goal was to build a swing that I could rely on under pressure, and by simplifying this early move I firmly believe that you can similarly enjoy a more repeating swing - one that rewards you with a noticeably more solid and consistent ball striking.

The beauty of working on this halfway-back position is that all the details of a technically sound swing are encapsulated within it: you have a full wrist hinge, the club is swinging up on plane, and you maintain good body angles. Completing your shoulder turn gets you to the top, whereupon unwinding the body invites the hands and arms into the perfect hitting position.

Turn & hinge: that's my key thought as I prepare to move, and it's one that can help you to enjoy making a better swing more often.

 

Get into the slot and let your body assume control

 

To set the wheels in motion, it's important that you try to get the clubhead swinging as early as you possibly can - hence the value of a good waggle. You don't ever want to move from a static position, so hinge the right wrist back on itself a couple of times to waggle the clubhead and prime a swinging motion.

The key then is basically to combine that free- flowing wrist and arm action with the turning of your upper body to arrive at this halfway- back checkpoint. Rehearse in front of a full- length mirror. The muscles in your hands and arms should be relaxed so that you create a real sense of flow as you swing the weight of the clubhead up.

Remember: turn and hinge.

Once you have the knack of this move, all you have to do is complete a full shoulder turn over the foundation of the hips and knees for a sound backswing. Here I am using an 8-iron, and so the clubshaft, as you would expect in a compact swing, is short of parallel.

 

comments | | Read More...

It's in the Balance

Balanced posture is the foundation of a true, repeating putting stroke

Over the last ten years or so I have dedicated my life to the study of biomechanics in a wide range of sporting disciplines. And perhaps the single most significant discovery in that time is the role of good balance in terms of optimising performance. As a result – and in collaboration with teaching professional Stewart Craig – I developed the ProStance, one of the most effective and yet simple game improvement tools on the market.

The ProStance gets to the heart of two fundamentals issues: static and dynamic balance. In other words, it helps you to fine-tune your balance as you get into a good posture at the set-up, and then maintain that balance throughout the motion of the stroke. That is one of the keys to consistency. And while the demonstration I am giving here relates to putting, the ProStance is equally valuable in terms of isolating and working on your balance in the long game, both at the set-up and in the swing.

In mechanical terms, the ProStance helps you determine how to flex your knees and ‘fix’ your posture so you are able to keep the core of your body perfectly still during the stroke. The more you inflate the tube, the harder it is to achieve and then maintain good balance – and that’s the key to the exercise. As you put it under pressure, your body instinctively adapts to the threat of being out of balance, and you will flex your knees and stick out your rear end to settle and counter your weight.

Weight is split evenly between the feet, the legs braced. Head and body centre remain perfectly still. Putter returned squarely to the ball through impact.

 

Equal pressure is distributed on the fore foot and heels of both feet. Stable lower body makes for a consistent posture, repeating stroke. Balance maintained right up to the finish – hold it as you track the ball.

Start with the tube deflated, and stand on it wearing your golf shoes. Then inflate the tube to allow your body to find its own balance. If your toes or heels come up (see insets left), you will know your balance needs adjustment. Your mind will start fine-tuning your physical movements. (You are training without even realising it!).

As you become more proficient, the idea is that you further inflate the tube to give yourself more of a test. Ultimately, the aim is to be able to maintain your balance with the tube fully inflated. Your toes and heels will be in the air, your balance maintained with the strength of your body (your weight in line with your body’s centre of gravity).

Finally, step off the ProStance and hit some putts with your feet on the ground. You will then feel just how your feet should react with the ground and appreciate the foundation of a truly balanced base upon which you run a smooth putting stroke.

 

“Rocking backwards applies toomuch pressure to the heels (left),while tipping the posture forward places excessive pressure on the balls of the feet.When I teach putting I want the weight to be evenly distributed through your arches and I want you to feel your toes and heels in contact with the ground. Equal pressure on the heels an the balls confirms perfect balance."

comments | | Read More...

Power Movement

Keith Williams

Bearing in mind the actual physical weight of the human head, the brain's effect on co-ordination and the influence this has over a player's sense of balance, it would appear naive to believe the role of the head position does not have a significant effect on your golf swing. As this article will explain, a well-balanced and neutral head position improves both the power and the consistency of your swing.

The reverse-pivot

Only one of the following pictures shows a good backswing position, and clearly this isn't it. The head has failed to rotate in tandem with the shoulders, and the weight is languishing on the left side. As a result of poor head movement, the entire backswing motion is fundamentally flawed.

The reverse hip tilt

Another example of how a poor body motion leads to a poor backswing position. In this case, the hips have shifted in the direction of the target (a slide as opposed to a turn), while the head again has failed to rotate in conjunction with the shoulders. Absolutely no effective coil or weight transfer.

Upper and lower body in sync

This is more like it - the hips, shoulder and head working in sync for the good of the swing. The shoulders have turned through a full 90 degrees, the hips through about half that amount. At the top, the majority of the weight is clearly supported on the right side, the right knee braced to support the turn.
 

 

To maximise your power potential, let your head rotate with the spine

The expression 'keep your head still' has caused more harm than any other maxim in golf. Common sense tells you that the head should rotate in sympathy with the spine. The two are attached, after all. A sympathetic head movement clears the way for the shoulders to turn fully and easily, and encourages the weight to move behind the ball.
 

 

DRILLS TO GIVE YOUR SWING MORE OOMPH!

 

Get the upper body turning

 

Bearing in mind the importance of letting your head go with the flow of your swing, work on this exercise to strengthen your pivot motion -the very heart of a good swing.Hold a club across your shoulders, take your normal set-up position, and simply work on the quality of your turning motion. Feel the flex in the shaft as you turn back and through, and sense the coiling and unwinding sensations derived from this simple dynamic drill.
 

 

 

Separation from the top maximises recoil and power

Loading up the backswing is created in your backswing, you important, but the job is only

have to unwind your body in half done. To maximise the sync. Good players speak of the delivery of the power you have 'separation' they enjoy at the start of the downswing; a sense of the left side pulling away from the right in the split-second you change direction.Study these pictures to get a good image of this power move. Starting from the ground up, the left side of the body pulls away from the right side as you start the downswing, the left foot replants itself, and the left knee, hip and shoulder work towards the target. Then, once that separation is underway, the right side can fire the club through impact.

 

Split-hand drill for sense of width and coil
 

 

After a few minutes rehearsing the pivot motion, give this drill a try to add a sense of swinging the club in relation to your body action. Hold an iron as I have here, the hands about 12 inches apart. Then, having assumed a good posture (start with the club parallel with the target line), swing to the top, turning your shoulders through 90 degrees.

Once you get there, look in a mirror for positive signs of a backswing made in plane: clubface at around 45 degrees, in line with the left forearm, back of the left hand slightly cupped. Rehearse a few times, then hit balls normally.

Split hands give sense of power approaching impact

To familiarise yourself with the sense of power-delivery approaching impact, unwind the split-hands drill from the top and feel the forces at work as you swing down. Try to sense that the left hand is pulling the club while the right han resists for a moment starting down. Then, as the hands reach a position waist high (as you see here), you should let go with the right hand and release the clubhead through impact with the left. Repeat this exercise several times, then look for the same sensations as you hit balls with your normal swing.

comments | | Read More...

Practice Like a Tour Pro

by Ian Poulter 

There is no secret to what it takes to hone a good short game: practice. But it has to be effective practice. To make a real difference in this department, you need a purpose, and you need to be able to measure improvement and success.

When I go out to work here on the tour player's range at Lake Nona, I literally take with me a whole bag of tricks. I've got the lot. From a humble chalk line that I use on the practice putting green to alignment aids and the trusty Bushnell laser range finder. I've even got a Trackman system if I want to get into some serious analysis.
 

 

String it out: you can pick up a builder's chalk line from any DIY store - I guarantee it'll be the best investment you'll make when it comes to improving your putting.
 

The key to cementing good fundamentals is that you don't leave to chance details of the set-up, ball position, alignment, or our yardages. We have the tools to make sure we get these right - and so should you. The real beauty of the following drills is that they are simple. So let's get started on the putting green (oh, and you're gonna love the latest gadget that's become the 'must-have toy among all of us on tour!).
 

Work the line, and improve your 'visual' to the hole

 

 

 

Back to basics: Having that chalk line as a source of reference, you can make sure that your feet, knees, hips and shoulders are parallel to the line. As you then make your stroke, the chalk further helps you to monitor the path of the putter-head as you work it back and through - ideally, it moves fractionally inside-to-square-to inside on a perfectly neutral path.

 My grip is the standard reverse-overlap style, with both thumbs running down the shaft, forefinger on the left hand resting over the fingers on the right. This gives me a nice snug, secure hold, which encourages the two hands to work as one unit through the stroke.

 

Alignment - the eyes have it... 

Eye-line mirror gives invaluable feedback

With the chalk line extending into the hole on a straight six footer, aim the mirror precisely to create the ultimate putting studio. Both the mirror and the chalk line will help you to get your feet, hips & shoulders square at the set-up.

Whenever I feel my putting stroke is a little off, I always go back to the basics of alignment,

and the Eye-Line mirror is a vital piece of gear that enables you to check your eye-line is where you want it at the set-up. Again, this is hugely important, as you can easily creep out of position and distort your perspective of a putt. Get your eye-line twisted and the likelihood is that your head and shoulders fall out of position, too, and obviously that affects the whole mechanic of your putting stroke.

 

The String (right): Again, very simple, but very effective. The string I have pegged out here is from short-game guru Dave Pelz's range, though you could easily make up your own. Some prefer it to the chalk line on straight putts, but I actually find it is best for working on breaking putts, as it teaches you to see and to trust the break. Here I have set it up on a right-to-left putt that moves all of three cups.

The key is to use the string to highlight the line on which you need to start the ball towards the 'apex' of the putt - i.e. the point you identify as where it will take the break and move towards the hole. Once you have that, you can fine-tune the pace.

On fast greens you really do have to convince yourself of the amount of break that needs to be factored in, and the string helps you in that respect. It also helps you to keep the path of your stroke running true back and through.

So it's a good exercise to build your visual skills. Putting, of course, is all about line and pace. I always try to hit a breaking putt like this at a speed that will see the ball finish 18 inches past the hole should I miss. (That's another Pelz tip, by the way.)
 

 

comments | | Read More...

Practice Like a Pro

Denis Pugh

So that you maximise the effectiveness of your time on the range, it's important that you make and understand the distinction between warming-up before a game and practising to make technical improvements to your swing.

There's a big difference: the process of warming up 30 minutes or so ahead of your tee-time is all about finding a good rhythm and getting your mind in tune with the swing that you have that day.

In other words you are dealing with short-term goals.

A full-on practise session, meanwhile, may well take a couple of hours, during which time your objective is to focus on your mechanics and work on long-term goals based on the advice of your professional.

Colin Montgomerie is not known for beating hundreds of balls out on the range, but he sets the perfect example for every golfer when it comes to a warm-up routine ahead of a round.

With a bucket of just thirty or 40 balls, Monty runs through a set routine that sees him loosen up with a handful of smooth wedge shots before hitting just two or three balls with every club in the bag. Nothing is forced; for Monty, rhythm is the key.

Countdown to the 1st Tee

 

Monty's routine is a good one to copy when it comes to your own preparation ahead of a game. And it becomes even more effective if, during those 30 minutes, you focus on just one or two key swing thoughts that help you to repeat your best swing. If you don't already have one, I suggest you get yourself a note­pad and keep it in your golf bag so that you can jot down swing thoughts as and when you hit upon certain phrases that work for you.

Try to keep them simple: basic reminders such as 'hands high at the top', or 'turn all the way through impact' will give you something positive to focus on.

Short Term Objectives

 

The key to a good warm-up session is that as you hit shots, you create images in your mind and get a feel the shape and the rhythm of your swing. Feel how lightly you can grip the club -that will keep the arms and the shoulders relaxed and help you make the free-flowing swing that maximises clubhead speed.

Study the ball flight carefully and prepare to take that information with you out onto the course. If you find you that are consistently hitting shots with a fade, then fine. Whether or not that is your typical shape, you have to build your strategy around that and play for that fade on the day. Whatever you do, don't fight it.

To settle any 1st tee nerves, spend the last few minutes visualising and hitting the opening tee-shot. Go through your routine from pegging up the ball, to standing behind it to get a good visual in mind and then making your swing. Once you have hit a solid shot, you'll be ready to go and play with confidence.
 

 

Time to Get Serious

 

To make real progress in this game it is essential that you first find a professionally qualified coach who can help you to identify the specific elements of your swing that you need to focus on improving. Regular lessons will actually help you to draw up a long-term plan of action that - ultimately - will enable you to understand your own swing and the tendencies that you have to be wary of.

My own coaching method does not rely heavily on swing drills per se. Instead, I prefer to work on simple thoughts that can help lead a player to identify with certain feelings that we can associate with good technique - hence the value of these cue cards. Any time you take a lesson you are likely to hit on one or two key phrases that nicely encapsulate a particular element of the swing you are working on - so write it down'.

Across these and the following pages I have identified five fairly general swing keys that certainly help me when I get a chance to work seriously on my game, and I hope that some of these ideas prove useful to you.

Just remember that a serious practice session is all about developing and fine-tuning your technical competence. This may sound odd, but the biggest mistake you can make is to stand there trying to hit good shots; the key to long-term improvement is that you focus on makinggood swings. So let's go...

 

Hands High on Backswing

As I mentioned earlier, these are my swing keys and they help me to work on correcting certain flaws in my natural technique. My tendency is to get my hands too low and 'narrow' as I complete my backswing, and so this is a practical cue that always pays dividends when I go out to work on long-term improvement. The important general lesson here is that this one simple swing thought brings two key benefits: it gives me better 'leverage' (as it encourages me to create a wider swing arc) and it gets me on a better plane (as I swing into a more orthodox position).

A good guideline is that your hands should be above the height of your shoulders at the top, and - if you were to stop and let the club fall, the shaft would-Strike the tip of your right shoulder.

 

Left Arm Leads the Backswing

Modern teaching has tended to place so much emphasis on the role of the body that it is easy to forget that the arms are involved. And this can often lead to a fault that sees a player turn his body too quickly, leaving the arms and the club trailing behind. This is certainly one of the faults I have to be wary of, and this simple cue - 'left arm leads the backswing' - helps me to get my arms and body working back in sync.

When I concentrate on initiating my back-swing by swinging my left arm away with a wide sweeping motion, I find it has the benefit of pulling my body around, so that the body-turn and arm-swing match one another.

Of course, some golfers have a tendency to do just the reverse, and lead by just picking up the club with their hands and arms. If that sounds familiar, focus on this same swing key: I guarantee that leading the backswing with a wide sweep of the left arm will get your arms and body working in much closer harmony.

Stay Centred in the Backswing

Not being gifted with Ernie Els' physique, I have always had a tendency to use too much weight shift to get some punch into the ball. The danger, of course, is that this can easily become a sway off the ball, and cause mis-hits. A simple and more consistent source of power is generated when I wind my body up like a spring, turning about a more 'central' axis. There is a little lateral movement (there has to be in a dynamic athletic motion), and so perhaps the best way to think about this is to turn about the axis of the right hip going back. The lower body provides the resistance (there should be a sense of absorbing the weight shift into the right thigh) and from the top you then re-rotate around the left hip as you unwind to a finish.

This is another fairly generic swing key because those golfers who suffer the opposite problem - i.e. of not transferring their weight correctly, turning over their left foot on the backswing before falling onto the right foot on the down- and through-swing - will find they immediately benefit if they focus on staying 'centred', and encourage their weight to flow back and forth in tandem with the natural direction of the swing.

So, for better ball-striking (particularly with the irons), think in terms of turning about that right hip axis going back and the left hip axis on the way through. That will help to clear up any signs of a reverse-pivot, and so staying 'centred' suits both ends of the weight scale.
 

 

Stay wide in Change of Direction

 

Here's a great way to enjoy creating 'width' as you negotiate the change of direction: from the top of your backswing, feel as though your right arm is straightening immediately as you (simultaneously) shift your momentum back towards the target, as I am illustrating above with the right-hand only exercise (by far the best way to get a feel for this). After rehearsing this a few times, go ahead and make a regular swing with these thoughts of staying wide in the change of direction. Tee the ball up and - using a 3-wood - try to replicate that feeling of the right arm straightening as you unwind. When you do you will enjoy a wonderful sensation of free-wheeling and accelerating the clubhead on a wide and powerful arc that enables you to sweep the ball off the tee. [Note: This key can be dangerous for higher handicappers, since they often haven't worked to train the body correctly. But for you mid- to low-handicap players, this key - in conjunction with a dynamic body turn, will help you to deliver the clubhead on the desired shallow angle and with consistently more speed.]

Turn Body Through Impact

All of the cues so far assume the ultimate goal of a turning body and passive hands through impact. So it makes sense that one of the most effective keys is to remind yourself to do just that: to turn your body and keep on turning all the way through impact to the finish. I think there is a tendency in all of us to occasionally flinch, or slow down through the hitting zone, perhaps believing that we can use the hands to shape a particular shot and provide the necessary power.

Wrong! No matter how talented you may be, you will become a much better player when you focus on (and trust) the rotation of your body to generate the centrifugal forces that accelerate the arms, hands and - ultimately - the club head through the ball. And I mean through the ball. Don't stop. Good players keep on turning all the way to a finish. Make that your goal on every full shot.
 

comments | | Read More...

Primary School

Nigel Blenkarne

 

The development of young golfers is fascinating to watch. At my club, Bowood in Wiltshire, we have 50 or more regular junior players, aged six and older, who simply love to get out and hit a ball.

More importantly from my point of view - and that of my assistants Simon Swales and Paul McLean - is that they are willing to listen and learn the basic advice they need to become good players.

The following lessons will help every young golfer form the basis of a sound swing, have fun, and play better golf.

Learning to turn if you hold a golf club across your hips and pull it in towards your body, you will find that you achieve a good spine angle and posture (flex your knees for balance and stability). Holding that club firmly in place, you can then rehearse the basic turning - or 'pivot' - motion. As you turn your body to the right, feel your weight shift across on to your right side - and keep that right knee flexed! Then, as you slowly and smoothly change direction, feel your weight flow back across and on to your left side as you follow-through to finish with your spine vertical. Use this as a warm-up drill before you practice.

What does 'square' mean?
 

 

 

 

For a full swing, your feet, knees, hips and shoulders should be parallel with the ball-to-target line. To achieve this, take care to aim the club face behind the ball before you build your stance. Don't make the mistake of aiming your body at the target and then placing the club head behind the ball. That will result in poor alignment.
 

DRIVER: Work on a full extension away from ball
 

 

Here, with a driver, 16-year-old Alistair James, a 4-handicap player from Cumberwell Park, shows all the signs of good coaching and an understanding of the fundamentals. He has a good grip, and stands up tall with his feet spread comfortably to the width of the shoulders- a solid foundation.

As you can see, the ball position is forward in the stance, and the majority of Alistair's body weight is settled behind the ball. These adjustments are designed to encourage a powerful sweeping motion through impact - exactly what you want to achieve with the driver.

Once you have a good set-up, your thoughts must be geared towards creating a nice wide swing arc, and the takeaway holds

the key. Here I am trying to get Alistair to feel as 'wide' as possible as he moves the club away from the ball. A good swing thought to have with the driver is to imagine tracing a big circle with the club head Keep your feet flat on the ground as you extend your arms to create that wide arc. As the shoulder turn progresses and the left arm crosses your chest, you should feel your torso muscles stretch as you wind into your swing.
 

The 'walk-through' drill
 

 

Eight-year-old Andrew Wilson has a good swing shape and strikes the ball well for a player of his size. The back swing position he displays with a driver is naturally a little flatter and more rounded than that of a taller person. That will change in time. One of the key messages for all juniors is that your body is changing rapidly. In the space of just a few months you can grow several inches, which

obviously affects your set-up and posture. As far as the development of the golf swing is concerned, the important thing is that you work on basic drills and exercises that ingrain good habits and keep your swing on track over the years to come.

Emphasizing the importance of moving your body weight in the direction of your arm swing, the 'walk-through' drill that you see Andrew demonstrating here does just that.

To encourage young players to get their weight moving correctly (i.e. in the direction of the arm-swing), I tell them to literally walk after the ball as they hit it. Give it a try. Aim to sweep the ball off the tee and let your right foot come around to walk after the ball. If you can do this without losing balance you can be sure that you are shifting your weight correctly towards the target - and probably striking the ball solidly.

SHORT IRON: Three-quarter swing is all you need
 

 

The key to a consistent swing and solid ball-striking is to get the arms and the body working together in unison - a lesson seven-year-old Max Clilverd has no trouble getting to grips with. The point that I stress to all my pupils is that they must work on coordinating the turning motion of the body and thw swinging motion of the arms; these components of the swing must be seen to work in unison, not independently. This is why good rhythm is so important. The easier you swing the club, the better your co-ordination is likely to be. As a discipline on the practice range, make a point of beginning your sessions with a short-iron, hitting 10 or 20 balls with an easy three-quarter length swing. Once you have a good rhythm going, hitting the ball sweetly, move on to a full swing with a longer club.

FULL SWING: Turn against flexed right knee

 

 

As you can see, 15-year-old Susannah Bojdys displays a fault that hurts many players, particularly girls. Displaying a hint of a reverse-pivot as she completes her back swing, her right leg tends to straighten, and there is too much weight on her left side.

Basically, the problem Susannah has is that her lower body is failing to resist the upper body; her hips actually turn too far and the left knee kinks in towards the ground. The result is an over-swing, the club being clearly across the line (i.e. pointing to the right of the target) at the top of the back swing. To fix this problem, Susannah needs to think in terms of flexing her right knee at address and then maintaining that flex as she makes her back swing A sense of turning against the right knee will help her to eliminate the reverse-pivot and achieve a more powerful back swing, creating energy she can then use to drive her downswing. Allowing her head to rotate to follow the flight of the ball rewards Susannah with the classic pose.

THE GRIP: Left hand holds the key

Taking the club too much in the palm of the left hand is a common fault, and one that leads to a lack of flexibility in the left wrist and a general loss of power. The left-hand grip must be in the fingers. Imagine picking up a basket of range balls; you would take the handle in the fingers of the hand, not In the palm. So it is with the grip.
 

 

1. Apply the left hand from the side and place the club low in the fingers so that the back of your hand faces the target.

2. With the hand closed, the left thumb rests just to the right of centre. Feel the pressure in the last three fingers only.

ROLE MODEL: Perfect posture, swing on line

 

 

Steve Surry, a one-handicap player from Cumberwell Park, is one of 20 golfers in the English Golf Union's School of Excellence programme, so it should come as no surprise that he displays a near-textbook set-up and a very sound swing.
 

At address with a mid-iron, Steve displays a classic posture: he bends gently from the hips, the lower back straight as the arms hang comfortably from the shoulders. From here, the back swing is made in perfect plane, with the back of the left hand and left forearm seen to correspond with the club face at the top, the clubshaft parallel with the ball-to-target line (look for these checkpoints in your own swing). The fact that we can see no daylight between his legs is evidence of a good leg action; the lower body is resisting the turning motion of the upper body, which results in a good back swing coil.

Just as important as the back swing position is the quality of the finish. The left side of the body has cleared as the right side (i.e. right knee, hip, and shoulder) fires through the ball and towards the target. At the finish the spine is straight, and the majority of Steve's weight is now supported on his left side, the right foot up on the toe to provide balance.

As a test of your finish, you should be able to hold this pose and tap your right foot up and down without losing balance.

comments | | Read More...

Primed for Success

Richard Simmons

The shape and the rhythm of a good swing is, to all intents and purposes, 'plugged-in' by the time the hands reach waist high - that's always been the way Faldo has described it (over the page he shows you how to achieve it). With the hard work done, it's then down to the relative safety of winding and unwinding the body to generate the speed and the momentum.

'As ye waggle, so ye shall swing'

So goes the old Scottish saying, and taking on board Weir's example could well help you to get your arms, hands and wrists working correctly during the first all-important move away from the ball, with the result that the clubhead will begin swinging freely.

Displaying the good posture (knees slightly flexed, spine angle created at the hips) that allows the arms to hang comfortably, Weir primes his backswing with an extended waggle that sees the wrists hinge and the club swing up on a good plane. The hands and arms are 'soft' and you get a real sense here of the way in which Weir is simply swinging the weight of the clubhead.

This is exactly what he wants to feel when he makes his swing for real. And, in so doing, he gets the clubhead swinging very early - the momentum of which is enhanced as the body winds and unwinds to complete the backswing and through-swing. At impact, the ball simply gets in the way.

When you next get a chance to practise, see if Mike Weir's example doesn't help you make a better swing. If you do give it a try, keep in mind also the wisdom of the great Sam Snead, a double Masters champion, and one of the smoothest swingers ever. Snead always said he liked to hold the club as softly as he would cradle a small bird in his hands. Wonderful imagery that can help you to a better rhythm.

comments | | Read More...

How to Put the Power Back in your Game... The Secret is Speed!

Dan Frost

Speed is the magic ingredient to long drives - but knowing how to generate more clubhead speed isn't simply a case of swinging faster - it's all about generating speed through the correct movement in the swing, as leading coaching professional Dan Frost explains.

As we get older our bodies become stiffer and it becomes more difficult for us to rotate fully 

in the golf swing. As a result many of us lose a lot of power in our game. With strength weakening year-by-year we inevitably lose distance. A drive that once flew 240 yards now struggles to break the 200 yard barrier.

There is, however, one key to distance that can still be improved very easily regardless of your age or rotation mobility - SPEED. The great thing about speed is that you do not require great strength to achieve it; every senior golfer can boost their swing speed simply by improving their technique. There are three areas I want you to focus on improving - better sequence, more momentum and improved wrist function. The following three drills will help you to improve these parts of your technique and help you rediscover those lost yards...

Tip 1: Feet Together Drill 

Body interference is one of the most common faults in the golf swing and a real power killer. By that I mean excessive leg and shoulder movement. In an effort to create power most golfers move out of the angles they formed at address and become unbalanced leading to compensatory movements and normally a golf club that is slowing down through impact. A great drill to improve your swing synchronicity is to hit balls with your feet together. Not only does this improve rhythm and timing, it also allows the wrist action to become efficient so that the clubhead travels with more speed through the impact zone.

Step 1: Address the ball in good posture with your feet together.

Step 2: Make what feels like a three-quarter backswing, keeping your left arm nice and wide, with your left hand away from your chest.
 

Step 3: Take your time to change direction. You should feel a silky, oily action in your wrists as your arms fall a fraction towards the floor.

Step 4: Impact will feel very powerful as the hands lead the clubhead through the hitting area.

 

Step 5: The re-hinge. Watch all good golfers and you will see the right arm and the club forming a nice L-Shape in the throughswing.

Step 6: Now simply free-flow the club up into a good finish position behind your head.

GT QUICK TIP: A great thought for correctly executing this drill is 'left arm back, right arm through'. Make sure you allow the club to hinge on the way back and re-hinge on the way through. This is the key to speed.

Tip 2: Headcover Training

 

I'm sure most of you have swung two clubs together to warm up at some stage. This is a good exercise, but often feels very awkward in the hands, as it is quite difficult to grip two clubs at once. A simpler alternative is to keep the headcover on your driver. Adding weight to the clubhead improves awareness, control and sequence, leading to a more synchronised and powerful swing. This drill is not only great for improving sequence in the golf swing; it is also a brilliant way to warm up on the first tee if you arrive short of time to hit a few balls.
 

 

Step 1: Tie a rubber band or piece of string around the base of your driver headcover to keep it in place.

Step 2: Take your normal address position hovering the club just off the ground.
 

Step 3: Sweep the club away and turn your shoulders so that your back faces the target (or as near to as possible) at the top of the swing.

Step 4: Keep your change of direction smooth; allow the arms to fall for a fraction of a second.

 

Step 5: If you have started the downswing correctly your hands will fractionally lead the club into impact.

Step 6: Allow the momentum of the headcover to release the club so that the right arm and the shaft form a straight line.

Step 7: Finally, allow the hands to re-hinge in the throughswing. Notice how my eyes are still fixed on the point of impact at this time.

Tip 3: Whip Stick

 

Tension is one of the biggest power killers in the golf swing. Anxiety and fear of wayward

tee shots leads to us gripping the club that bit too tight in an attempt to steer the ball straight down the fairway.

This tight, tense swing has no relationship to the whipping action I'm going to teach you in this next drill. Many great golfers over the years, including Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, have described the swing as a 'whipping' motion.

Most golfers have the ability to generate 'whip' we just lose it when we place a golf club in our hands, so here's a drill to reawaken this lost sense. 

Step 1: Cut a tiny hole in a tennis ball and place it on top of a stick. You can do this drill by pushing the stick into the ground but for the purpose of this indoor piece I've stood the stick upright inside my Tour bag.

Step 2: Take a second stick and grip it as you would a golf club, then address the tennis ball with the shaft level with your waist height. Focus on feeling balanced through your feet and a little more upright with your posture than you would normally be in your golf address position.

 

 

 

Step 3: Swing the stick back around your body, loading through your torso as you do so.

Step 4: Keep your eyes focused firmly on the tennis ball and allow your natural instinct to take over. Notice how my lower half has initiated the forward movement and my wrists are still stored with energy, with the right elbow close to my rib cage.

 

                 

Step 5: Now whip the tennis ball with the stick. You should feel immense speed. Then all you have to do is transfer this powerful feel into your golf swing and in no time at all you'll be whipping the club through impact with speed and power.

Remember: The only difference between this drill and hitting a golf ball is the way in which you tilt forward towards the ground. Remember when you transfer the feeling back with a club in your hands to focus on getting good posture with the correct spine tilt forward at address.

GT QUICK TIP: Try to get your belly button pointing at the golf ball at address.

comments | | Read More...

Stretching... A Few Key Points

by Dan Frost

 

Working on your swing with resistance bands can quickly produce results – not only do they enable you to train with the benefit of enhanced sensations as you rehearse the exercises but you also enjoy much greater freedom of movement when the band is then removed.

I'm going to show you a few relatively easy exercises that will greatly improve your positional awareness in the swing, the feeling of 'coil' as you turn and load your bigger muscles, and thus simplify the learning experience, adding a kinesthetic element to your development.

The beauty of these drills is that they can be rehearsed either at home, in the office or out on the range. In as little as 20 minutes you can design a valuable work-out and see immediate improvement. For those of you who feel up to the challenge, a few of these exercises lend themselves to hitting shots.

Learn to 'load'

You may have heard about the importance of 'coil' and 'resistance' in the swing. Well, this exercise quickly wakes you up to the dynamics involved as you turn and rotate your upper body against the resistance of a strong leg action to get 'loaded' at the top of the backswing. To get started, tie one end of the resistance band just above your left knee, knotting it in place, and wrap the other end around the upper part of your left arm. Adjust the band so that it is nicely taut when you then assume your set up position – get your left shoulder up a little as you create a good spine angle (above). A good posture pre-sets good motion: all you need to do is resist from the knee and stretch the band as you turn your left shoulder under your chin. You will feel a fantastic coiling up of the big muscles in your torso as you reach the top – hold it there for a few seconds to maximise the benefit of the exercise, then repeat.

 

Stay 'grounded'

Related to the 'load' exercise, this one is designed to improve the foundation of your swing –

i.e. the quality of your leg action. It's simple: loop the resistance band just above the knees, and draw it tight enough so that when you are in the address position your leg muscles feel 'engaged'.

In a good posture (thigh muscles flexed) the key then is to keep your left foot grounded for as long as possible as you make your backswing.

As long as you keep that band in position, your legs will be encouraged to maintain a solid base to the swing (they are prevented from swaying about) and this enables you to turn and coil your upper body effectively over a resisting lower body action. At the top there should be more of an 'X'-like shape between your lower and upper body – one of the key ingredients to a powerful swing.

 

Compact, after Hogan

Ben Hogan was famous for rotating his forearms inwards as he set up to the ball, to the extent that his left elbow pointed at his left hip and his right elbow pointed at his right hip.

 

This distinctive position has been studied and copied by great players down the ages, and you can replicate it by looping a resistance band just above your elbows and tying it in place. This will encourage the arms/elbows to work in harmony with each other and with your body throughout the swing – as Hogan displayed to such devastating effect.

Getting the band in position at the setup can be quite tricky, and it might be a good idea to have a practice partner help you. Make sure that you rotate your forearms gently inwards as you settle into the address position, adjust the band until it's taut, then maintain that tension throughout your swing, checking your position back and through in a full-length mirror.

Not only will repeating this help you to develop a compact and reliable technique, but getting the arms working together will synchronise your arm and body motion so that those two components move at the same speed, which helps the arms to stay on plane. One final thought that can help you – when you rehearse this exercise, remind yourself 'left arm back, right arm through' as you make your swing – i.e. the left arm should be straight on the way back, the right arm should be straight on the way through.

Identify your 'inner circle'

 

The golf swing is most effective when the arms work in a simple circular motion around the

body – the spokes spinning around the hub of the wheel, if you like. This drill instantly improves your awareness of your own golf swing's 'inner circle'.

As I have here , loop the resistance band around your belt buckle and then take up the slack with your left hand, fixing the band on the club as you take your left hand grip. The key is then to resist with your middle, your belt buckle, as you swing. This will encourage better width and a nice circular shape to your arm swing. Maintaining this width (and keeping the band taut) as you transfer from backswing to downswing and then on into the follow-through will massively improve the kinetic chain of movement in the body. Rehearse this drill correctly and you'll find that the body naturally wants to support the arms, helping you to rotate more strongly all the way through the swing.
 

 

 

Resist with your belt buckle to create this dynamic tension in the backswing, and then maintain that feel as you move down into the transition. Note the stability in the lower body as the momentum is reversed. The body rerotates towards the target, the arms fall into a good hitting position. Width is maintained all the way through impact and into the through-swing, the arms extending to the target.
 

No more 'flying right elbow'
 

 

 

Good players control the shape and structure of their backswing with the position of the right arm/elbow. One of the big problems many amateurs struggle with is what's known as a 'flying right elbow', which occurs when the right arm fails to set correctly, the angle at the elbow is lost and the forearm flails all over the place. This drill trains the right arm to fold away correctly in the backswing so that the angle of the forearm does not exceed the spine angle. Attach the resistance band just above your left knee and loop the other end around your right arm at the elbow. Initially, I'd suggest starting out with comfortable one-armed swings to isolate the feeling of the right arm folding and setting correctly. After a few minutes apply your left hand to the grip and replicate that same feeling.

Clear the left hip

 

 

 

I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'clear the left hip'. It's easy to say but can be quite difficult to feel or put in to practise – hence the beauty of this exercise. Tie the resistance band through a belt buckle on your left hip and position the other end under your left hand grip. Then rehearse small swings or hit half shots with your focus on clearing the left hip so that the band is taut through the impact area and beyond.

How will this help your swing? Learning to clear the left hip will not only give you more space and freedom to swing through, it will also improve the quality of your leg action through the impact area, helping you drive more power into the back of the ball.

Backswing check: the plane truth

The backswing is usually the most difficult position to get right in the swing as we are

looking at the ball and our arms are behind us. Without a mirror you can't see whether you are on plane, but with the help of a resistance band you can at least learn to feel the correct position. Wrap the band around the centre of your left foot and place the other end under your left hand grip.

In the backswing you are looking for the band to brush the inside of your right thigh and your arms will work in front of the chest. You will instantly know if you have got this wrong as the band will either have no contact with the thigh, indicating that you have a steep arm plane, (below left) or will wrap over the leg creating a flat arm plane (below right).





 

Stronger ball striking

Golf is a game of opposites – yet few of us have the confidence to trust in that knowledge when it comes to the impact position. To make the ball go up, your job is to strike down, and you have to learn to trust it.

 

Trying to help the ball into the air is one of the most damaging faults in golf – and one this final exercise is designed to correct. Wrap one end of the band around your right foot and take up the slack as you secure the other end beneath your left hand grip.

The key then is to repeat simple half-swings, ensuring that the shaft leans forward at impact (similar to driving a hockey shot along the ground). Notice here that my left arm and the clubshaft form a straight line immediately after impact (not before!).

The more often you rehearse this and enjoy the sensation of being in a strong position post-impact the better your ball striking will become. You will enjoy exerting more pressure on the ball, the transfer of energy will be more efficient and you will hit the ball straighter and further.

comments | | Read More...