Thursday, December 22, 2011

Observations about the golf swing

Here are some of my thoughts regarding the golf swing that may be of benefit to you as the new golf year approaches.

We call it a golf swing because that's what it is. Regardless of what you may think you swing the club with your arms.

The arm swing is allied to the shoulder windup in the backswing and the hip unwind in the downswing.

The shoulders should turn 90 degrees during the backswing.

In beginning the backswing "One Piece" simply means nothing working independently. It is a correlated movement - The shoulders turn smooth and the arms swing freely.

The two most common faults of the backswing are:

1. Picking the club up by lifting your shoulders.

2. Using independent hand action to either roll the face open or hold it shut.


"Hitting from the top"is a common flaw in the downswing that prevents the arms from working and swinging. It results from one of two faults:

1. Prematurely turning or spinning the shoulders into the shot. Also known as the "shoulder heave".

2. Prematurely uncocking the wrists - A jerking attempt to force the clubhead to the ball with the hands.

Both result from insufficient or "late" arm swing on the way down.


Players suffering from a lack of power or poor balance should have one simple thought at the top of the backswing: "Start down with your arms, make your arms swing the clubhead down and through the ball.."

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a better golf game in 2012.

Steve K.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Understanding the importance of the arms in the release

The better your "release" the more powerful, solid and accurate your shots. You hear the term used constantly in golfing circles and by television commentators. So what exactly is the "release?"

I would best describe it as a free and fast swinging of the clubhead through the ball by the hands, wrists and arms with the emphasis on "the arms". The reason the arms must swing freely is simple. When they do we are able to apply the clubhead to the ball at our maximum speed. When they don't we are generally forced to apply ourselves to the ball; the free and fast swinging of the arms is replaced by a heave of the shoulders. It is this shoulder heave, a hurling of the torso into the shot that limits so many players from reaching their distance potential.

Here is a simple drill that I have found helps more than any other to promote the feel of a free arm swing and a proper release. This drill is to hit balls with your feet together. In this position it is practically impossible to make a shot other than with a free swinging of the arms, hands and clubhead, because any excessive use of the body leads to complete loss of balance.

Tee the ball up slightly and use a five or six iron. You'll be amazed how solidly you'll hit the ball and the distance the ball travels. This drill will help you develop the proper action of the arms and hands which is present in every good golfer's swing.