'Eyes on the ball' isn't a fundamental

 

I’d like to bust a myth for you: Keeping your eye on the ball in golf is not a fundamental.

In fact, if you introduce your junior to golf in this manner, you may unintentionally do more harm to their swing development than actual good.

Here’s why:

Humans learn physical skill almost exclusively through their senses. From the ages of 4-8, the sweet spot for athletic motor-skill development, kids are very connected to their senses and acquire movement patterns very quickly. Intentions, whether from a parent or coach, can point the junior’s senses in a specific direction.

If you over emphasize “eyes on the ball,” you are guiding your child into hitting “at” the ball, or a chopping motion that lacks efficiency and power. If you want to help your junior, develop a solid, efficient and powerful swing, direct their intention to what the golf swing is really a response to — the target.

 

If you always emphasize looking at the target before hitting every shot, a new movement pattern will develop. The hips and torso will turn toward the target on the forward swing and will lead the swing of the arms and the club!

 

To help, try the following exercise:

Before every shot, have him or her make practice swings with their eyes on the target, not the ground. You will see more body rotation and good swing sequence immediately. Then step up to the ball, take a few more looks at the target and swing. I even have my students hit it with eyes on the target for the whole swing. Give it a try!

Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/mar/05/golf-tip-of-the-week-eyes-on-the-ball-isnt-a/#ixzz2liidayIl
- vcstar.com