| |
| |
|
Golf Information |
|
|
|
How to Develop More Consistency in the Golf Swing
Imagine every one of your shots in the middle of the fairway, every chip two feet from the hole, and every putt nailing the center of the cup. Well, maybe some of us dream of never having to ever putt and each approach shot goes into the hole, but I think you get the picture. A consistent swing is probably what many golfers dream of when our heads hit the pillow. The majority of us are aware that golf is a game that requires consistent shot making to be successful (and have fun). If we are hooking, slicing, and hitting our wedges fat, it can really start to get frustrating. Consistency is key to hitting a low score and enjoying the game. So how do we get there? First, let us do a little review of the golf swing. To hit the ball squarely on the center of the club head you must take the club through the proper swing path. A proper swing path will allow the club to align itself correctly with the ball to hit the shot you are trying to hit. For more advanced players this could be in the form of a draw, fade, cut, or some other variation. Higher handicappers will be happy with just plain old straight shots. Anyway, this process begins with your address, moves through your take away, into the back swing, onto the transition between back swing and down swing, into contact, and finishes with the follow through. Quite a complex sequence of events for the body to perform! And we all know that if our timing is slightly off, or we are just a little off mechanically, disaster is the result. Knowing that a consistent swing requires the execution of these complex moves over and over again is quite mind-blowing. But let's get back to our question: how do we develop a consistent golf swing? The answer is two-fold, and I imagine most golfers are aware of the first point but probably only a few are aware of the second. The keys to a consistent swing are: 1) efficient golf swing mechanics and 2) the body. Got it? Good, now I can stop writing this article and all of us can become scratch golfers, right? Well, not exactly, and I imagine some of you are saying, "I already know all this stuff." Others may be quite intrigued. Regardless of which category you fall into, let me expand on each of these topics a little. Golf Swing Mechanics Golf Swing mechanics is probably the easier of the two areas to understand. It is the reason why we take golf lessons and practice so much at the range. Beginning at address, moving through all the stages of the golf swing, and finishing with the follow through, the body is required to move through a specific sequence of movements to perform the golf swing correctly. If the body does not move through this sequence properly then the result will be a poor, inefficient and awkward looking swing. Over time, a poor swing results in poor consistency (every once in awhile you hit a good shot regardless of your swing, that's what keeps us coming back for more). An easy example of this is when you "come over the top" with the club. This usually results in a slice (I know, easy thing to do and very hard to correct). In addition to the body performing an intricate number of biomechanical movements in the golf swing, timing of these movements is critical for you to hit the ball successfully. Each and every biomechanical movement within the golf swing has a certain sequence and timing. If they are not performed in the correct order or timing, then the golf swing will not be efficient. Poor timing results in those wonderful slices, snap hooks, chili dips and topping the ball that we know all too well. Now, how do we improve on the mechanics of the golf swing? I would have to say it is through two things: 1) Proper instruction (Find a good teacher and stick with that teacher. Most of the pros do, why not you?) and 2) Practice, practice, practice. As they say "practice makes perfect", and I believe this is true when it comes to the golf swing. Fix the Engine that Swings the Club Now, on to the second point when it comes to consistency in golf. Again, this is probably the lesser known of the two points about consistency in the swing. It is also equally as important as the mechanics of your swing. One question might help you realize the importance of "the body" when it comes to the golf swing. What swings the golf club? Some of the answers I have heard are: "my hands," "the swing," "my hips" and even "the grip." Well, these answers are in the ballpark and are close to being right, but let me simplify it for you. The answer is your body. Quite simple when you think about it: The club head is attached to the shaft, your hands grip the shaft, your arms are attached to your shoulders, your hips rotate through the swing, and on and on we go. It is the body that swings the club. So why is this so important to consistency in your golf game? We know from our golf lessons, that there are certain positions the body is required to be in during the golf swing. For example, at address we know that the feet are slightly wider than shoulder width, knees slightly bent, back at a certain angle, head in a specific position, and our hands gripping the club a certain way. This is only the beginning of what the body has to do to swing the club correctly. Now, from the address position your body must move the club on the correct path and generate club head speed to hit the ball accurately and with power. Doing this over and over is what we define as consistency. What most people do not understand is that for the body to perform the golf swing correctly, certain parameters need to be met by the body. The body must have certain levels of flexibility, strength, endurance, balance, stability, and power. If your body does not have the minimal levels of these factors in relation to the golf swing, then what do you think will happen? Well, let me tell you, it will be very difficult for the body to swing the club with the correct mechanics. And what will this result in over time? A large amount of time spent on the range with little improvement on the course and a swing that looks less than desirable. So what does consistency in my golf swing really come down to? It is vital to understand that improvements in your golf swing mechanics and improvements in your body specific to golf are equally important when it comes to creating a consistent golf swing. If you ignore either the body or the mechanics, it would be safe to say that your golf swing and game will suffer. Take some time on a routine basis to address both the mechanics of your swing and the body supporting it. I think you will find the benefits to be very rewarding. If you are interested in more information on better golf swing mechanics and how to improve your level of golf fitness, please take a look at our web site www.bioforcegolf.com Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. Check out his manual and DVD, Your Body & Your Swing, at http://www.BioForceGolf.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Golf - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
2005 US Open Winner - What Does It Take? As the 2005 US Open began in Pinehurst, NC, the name Michael Campbell wasn't being touted as likely to finish first. Michael had attempted in four previous Opens and had not survived the weekend. Fitness Ball Training for Golf There are many training tools available to help achieve better balance in your golf swing. The most effective way to improve balance is by training the core musculature. 10 Ways to Increase Your Energy Instantly with a Golf Performance Diet A golf conditioning program should always be accompanied by a solid golf nutrition plan. In essence, what you eat determines how you play. Golf on Historic Rice Plantations of South Carolina; a Special Treat! Plan Your Next Golf Vacation! Nothing could be finer.. Improve Your Golf Game With Perfect Golf Swing Drills Perfect golf swing drills will help your golf game improve dramatically.There are perfect golf swing drills you can do on your own. How Do The Golf Pros Train? Many of the top touring professionals know that winning on the tour today takes much more than a great game of golf. It means understanding every aspect of their physical and mental being and what factors influence their performance. The Biomechanics Of A Golf Swing Can Teach You Plenty The biomechanics of the golf swing can be very revealing about the game of golf and specifically the scientific difference between amateurs and professionals, winners and losers.But what is biomechanics?Biomechanics or Motion Capture Technology (MOCAP) is the mechanical analysis of body motion. A Valuable Golf Swing Tip No serious golfer will fail to be eager and maybe even desperate for a golf swing tip that actually works. This is because of the simple reason that a golf swing is the most important single aspect of a good golf game and yet for most golfers, it ends up being the most frustrating, causing many to swear never to set foot on a course again. An Effective Golf Swing Exercise There are many types of effective golf swing exercises. Golf swing exercise is very important because the golf swing is at the very heart of the golf game. A Golfing Tip For Better Control Of Your Body A good golfing tip to help you improve your control will have a tremendous impact towards improving your golf game.Playing good golf consistently requires good control over both the mind and the body. Master Flexibility Training And You'll Conquer The Playing Field In Golf Is it difficult to rotate your body through the full range of motion in your golf swing? Do you stop short on your back swing? Lack of flexibility can adversely affect not only your golf game, but your health as well. Different muscles are called upon at different points in the golf swing. Essential Information on Choosing the Best Golf Clubs to Suit Your Game Most golfers, whether a beginner or a pro, struggle when trying to decide which golf club to buy. The buying process becomes easier when the consumer has a good understanding of the types of golf clubs available and their specific use. Learning To Play Golf With Fitness Learning to play golf has now become the pursuit of both men and women of different ages. Right from the very young golfers to senior citizens as old as 80 years old or even older. 5 Easy Steps To Replacing Your Golf Grips Replacing your golf grips is like servicing your car; you must do it on a very routine basis to keep them in top working order. We suggest changing your grips at least once a season, maybe even twice depending on where you live and how much you play. Confidence Building For Junior Golfers One of the challenges about being a young person is dealing with what feels like is a constant comparison to other people. This is true at school, in one's social circles, at home, and in the golf arena. Golf Humor Examines Golf Emotions:- Are We Just A Bunch Of Cry Babies? Let's examine an aspect of the game that I find par- ticularly fascinating:- The strong emotions associated with this game of golf.Before I started becoming a fan of this game, I always wondered how a game that looked so bland----and at times down right comatose-----that seemed to take boredom to a whole new level------could possibly have Any emotional appeal. Beginners Guide to Buying a Set of Golf Clubs You walk in to a golf store and there are hundreds of woods, irons, wedges and putters to choose from along with clothing, balls and all kinds of accessories. When just starting out in golf, choosing a set of clubs can be an overwhelming task. Golf Tips Should Always Include Fitness When you think of golf tips, do you usually think about how to improve your swing, or how to sink your putts? Those, of course, are good tips, but you also need fitness tips behind all of those technique tips. Without proper fitness, technique tips will fall short. Reluctant to Try Golf Instruction? Maybe you or a friend had a negative experience with an instructor. It could have been a personality conflict or some other problem. Pull, Push or Carry? I'll Carry My Golf Clubs Thanks I love to play golf and I love to walk the golf course. After all, the Pros walk when they play golf and if walking is good enough for them why not me? Ideally I would love to have a Caddie carry my bag but it's not an option at my golf club.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
