Timing - coordinating clubhead and body action

    Timing is a common word when discussing the golf swing, yet many players aren't quite sure what it means. They know it relates to coordinating all the movements that comprise the swing, but that doesn't explain what those specific movements are. I hope to clarify that in this article.

    The golf swing is a combination of two distinct physical movements. One is body action and by body I mean the upper torso, hips and legs. This unit generates power by coiling and uncoiling. Maintaining an axis anchored at each end (by a steady head and anchoring your feet) you coil to the right on the backswing, then uncoil to the left and the downswing.

    The other unit is the arm, wrist and hand action that combined work as a swinging action, and supply some power to the shot. Their primary function, however is to transmit to the clubhead the much greater power generated by the winding and unwinding of the body.

    A properly timed golf swing is one in which the coiling and uncoiling actions of the body mate perfectly with the swinging action of the arm, wrist and hand unit - to deliver the clubface squarely to the ball with maximum clubhead speed at the moment of impact. Once you understand how the body pivot and arm-and-hand action interrelate it becomes easier to diagnose and correct poor swing coordination. The way your shots fly tells you whether the two are in sync or not.

     If you are slicing or topping shots you want to slow down you body unwind and increase the use of the clubhead by speeding up your arm swing. Think of swinging the clubhead down and through the ball before your shoulders unwind. The flight of the ball will tell you when you've struck a balance.

     If you are hooking or hitting shots fat you have the opposite problem. Your arm and hand swing is ahead of your body unwind. To correct this speed up your leg and hip action relative to the movement of your arm, wrist and hand unit. Focus on starting your downswing by unwinding your left hip and keep it moving to the left while delaying your arm and hand swing. Solid, straight shots will tell you when you've got the correct balance.

   There has always been debate as to playing golf with a "body" method  or a "hands" method. As John Jacobs said is his book, Practical Golf , "The good golf swing is neither primarily body action  nor primarily clubhead action: it is a perfect blend or balance of both. And the word for that is timing".
   

Winter Clearance Sale

   Take advantage of big savings this month with our Winter Clearance Sale. Check out some of our great bargains:

• All golf bags are 20% off. 
• All remaining TRUElinkswear golf shoes are on clearance for $49.00 - regular price is $139.0
• All golf caps are on clearance as well. Regular price is $17.50 each - Now $8.00 each or 3 for $20.00.
• A large selection of putters from Odyssey, Taylor Made, Ping and Nike are 20% off. 
• Callaway cabretta leather gloves are only $7.50 each. 
• Wedges from Callaway are all $99.00. 
• We have a Bargain Bag with drivers for $79.00 and fairways for $39.00
• Golf Buddy WT5 GPS Watches for $179.00

    We also have big savings on Ping G25 and G30 drivers, fairways and hybrids.

Stop by Golf Rx and save big on your favorite items.

Save $50.00 and improve your game this winter

      This year we will once again be offering our Winter Lessons Special. This is a great opportunity to save over $50.00 and improve your game. We are offering customers two lessons including video for only $99.00. The regular cost is $150.00.
     This offer expires January 31, 2016 and both lessons must be taken by March 15, 2016.
For more information contact Steve Kirkpatrick at Golf Rx at 615 288 4539.

Getting more loft with your irons

     One question I'm often asked from customers is how can I get more loft with my long and middle irons? Granted hybrids have become a popular alternative there are still many players who enjoy hitting their 3,4 and 5 irons. The problem is the lower trajectory shots won't hold and run off the back of the green.  
     The most effective way to increase height is to adjust the loft of your irons. Using a loft and lie machine to add loft will increase the trajectory - the ball will land softer and stay on the green. You will hit the shots just a far because the ball stays in the air longer, thus increasing your carry distance.
     Modifying your shafts can help, but to a lesser degree. Flighted shafts are designed to produce a higher trajectory in the longer irons, but not the shorter irons. Another method is to install a softer flex in your longer irons than what you have in the rest of the set. Soft stepping is another method where the 3 iron shaft is installed in the 4 iron, the 4 iron shaft in installed in the 5 iron, and so on throughout the set.
     If you have questions about the your equipment give Steve a call or stop by Golf Rx.

Gift Cards available at Golf Rx

     We all know golfers can be difficult to buy for which makes a gift card from Golf Rx the perfect solution. Golf Rx gift cards can be used for any of our products and services including lessons, golf equipment and club repair.
     So whether your golfer wants to improve their game, needs new custom fit clubs, or new grips for their existing clubs a gift card will make your shopping easier.
    We also carry Bushnell Rangefinders and Golf Buddy GPS handhelds and watches. Gift Cards may also be used for custom orders if we don't have the item in stock.
    For more information contact Steve at Golf Rx at (615) 288-4539.

Things to consider about golf shafts

    I have often heard golfers say that the shaft is the "engine " of the golf club. Actually the shaft is more like the "transmission" of the golf club. It connects the player's hands to the clubhead, and allows the golfer to transfer his power to the clubhead, and thus, to the golf ball. Players who like to say the shaft is the engine of the golf club often come to this conclusion when experiencing shot improvement after making a shaft change.

   In regards to the importance of the shaft to the performance of golf clubs here are three factors to consider:

1. The weight of the shaft is important to all golfers because the shaft weight determines what the overall weight of the club will be. The weight of the shaft influences how much headweight is required to produce a particular feeling of the clubhead during the swing.
    Most golfers believe a lighter shaft will increase clubhead speed resulting in more distance. It is true a lighter shaft may increase clubhead speed, but this doesn't mean all players using a lighter shaft will experience an increase in distance. To do that the lighter total weight must be matched to the golfers timing and tempo so that they can hit the ball on center the highest percentage of time. Hitting the ball off center with higher clubhead speeds results in less distance compared with a slightly slower clubhead speed with more on center hits.

2. The flex and bend point of the shaft can contribute to launch angle and spin rate, but only for players who possess a late release of their wrist on the downswing. For the majority of golfers who unhinge their wrists early or in the first half of the downswing the shaft won't display any real difference in launch angle of spin rate. 

3. Most experienced golfers, not just tour players, have an inherent sense of feel regarding shafts. When players sense the shaft is too stiff, they tend to swing harder - and when the shaft is too flexible, they try to ease up. In both cases these swing adjustments are an attempt to make the shaft feel right for them. In either case the shot results are not very good. This is the classic example of a player adjusting his swing to the club rather than having the club built to his particular swing. 

Great time to improve your game

    With the winter months approaching now is a great time to work on improving your game. Maybe your slice won't go away, you're not hitting your irons solid, or having trouble with that short approach shot, this is the time to finally correct those faults.
    In one or two lessons we will have you on your way to better golf and more fun this spring. Make a resolution that this is the year you are going to do something to improve your game. Contact Steve about making an appointment - I assure you it will be the best thing you've done in a long time. Taking a few dollars off your golf buddies isn't a bad thing either...