The Laws of Motion

 

Since its first publication in 2003 I’m delighted to say that I have received over five thousand emails and letters from golfers across the globe conveying how much The 7 Laws of the Golf Swing had influenced their game for the better. The fundamental messages and the stunning imagery featured in the book have been responsible for creating winners on every major professional tour including the record-breaking 2007 European Tour Order of Merit victory by Justin Rose; a feat that will unlikely be broken again. Speaking as a coach, 2010 was once again proof that biomechanical laws and common sense will, in the long term, always prevail over any ‘method’. Fads will continue to come and go, but if you seriously want to improve your game then look no further than these proven ‘laws’ and fundamentals of movement.

The illusion of a ‘method’
 

I have a problem with ‘methods’ in golf (such as the recent ‘stack and tilt’ phenomenon). A ‘one size- fits-all’ approach is immediately squashed when you consider the variables in weight, arm /leg length, dynamic capability and flexibility we profile individually. Any individual or team that shouts ‘our method is the answer’ should be given a wide birth; a ‘method’ sells us a ‘constant’ but as we all know, the golf swing is organic and constantly changing. 

 

I am delighted to share in this article four of the primary images featured within my book that capture a golf swing’s sense of geometry, shape, timing and dynamics. By studying and employing any one of these four truths (ideally all of them!) in your own motion I am sure you will experience new sensations that help you to play better golf. Looking ahead to 2011, I look forward to appearing regularly in Gi with a series of fresh and entertaining features – if you have any questions or if there is anything specific you would like me to address, drop me an email: nrbradleygolf@aol.co.uk

Pre-Setting Weight Transference

Law 2 was probably the first time in golf instruction that the bone structure of a golferʼs body was displayed. Law 2 certainly was the ʻreadersʼ favourite as it left no doubt as to how and why you should be standing to the ball. Whilst I agree that the weight transference during the backswing should be minimal, the current theory of leaving it centred over the ball (as per stack ʻnʼ tilt theory) is only half of a story that needs to be told. Modern theorists will tell you that nothing can go wrong strike-wise with this centralised winding of the body, yet they turn a blind eye to the fact that, equally, the sternum can move ahead of the ball during the downswing. This is twice as problematic!

BEFORE YOU THINK ‘POSITIONS’, THINK ‘SYNC’

Law Four is called ʻthe swingʼs dimension of timeʼ. Time after time I will see amateurs and professionals obsessively working on the plane of their swing or some other aspect that doesnʼt look as pretty as they would like, and no matter how hard they try to force the club into this ʻslotʼ it never takes shape.

The innocent feather image also locks us into a firm law of physics, too.With force equal to mass + acceleration, this image of the club or feather revolving around the body immediately has the club in a lighter state; your capability of moving it quickly is now much easier. Itʼs a simple image with a huge results:

• Your torso and club will sync together throughout the swing 

• Your plane and swing shape will start to make more sense and will repeat more consistently 

• You will create a lever system that will allow you to move the clubhead at speed – and more speed =more distance

THE SWING PLANE’S ‘LINE OF FIRE’

 

	From around halfway to the completion of the backswing the butt-end of the club relates to the ball-to-target line

I remember not so long ago at the Orlando PGA Golf Show being asked whether I believed in a ʻone planeʼ swing or a ʻtwo planeʼ swing? I just told him that neither where right for me because I just wanted an ʻon planeʼ golf swing.
 

This area of golf instruction is very ambiguous but what I can say with 100%conviction is that I have no chance of ever creating decent arm and club plane if the torso and bigger mass is misbehaving. So once again – and rather like the feather image – if you want a better swing plane and shape to your swing you first have to work on your body positioning.

	Combined with a sound body action, the subtle feeling of rotating the left forearm while allowing the right elbow to bend will reward you with a good swing plane

When your left arm is parallel to the ground you really want the butt of the club either just inside or (as per my example) pointing directly at the ball-to-target line. In doing this you will enjoy good club and body synchronicity (with what I term a ʻnon-aggressive planeʼ) and can then continue to reach this on-line and in-sync position at the top.

 

THE STEP-IN-DRILL YOUR KEY TO A MORE DYNAMIC DOWNSWING

The step-in-drill is quite simple: take your regular 7 iron set up...draw your left foot in so its nearly touching the right shoe...make your backswing but as you near the top...make your step with the left foot and collect the ball as usual.

This is the most naturally dynamic way to train a downswing that has good ʻsequencingʼ, can accumulate power and deliver the clubhead with speed and mass. There is a wave like motion that great down swings display where the transferance of energy is kinetically driven.

 

Now all of that sounds highly technical but the fact is this: there is very little difference between the way you walk down the street putting your left foot in front of your right and shifting your weight and a potent downswing. One last key.As you make your step, the earlier and the deeper (as in squat) you go the more torque and power you will generate. Need more proof? Just check Rory Mcilroyʼs swing!

 

Interestingly enough there have been two players – Gary Player and Padraig Harrington – who have used the dynamics of this motion to their benefit in tournament golf. Such is the potency of this flowing energy wave that it provides the extra speed in the clubhead needed to blast the ball from the rough.