Swing 'secret' #472

[RikB]

After taking up the game again in the last two years, having not played for a number of years, I have slowly but surely understood the golf swing more than I ever did before.
I read an instruction manual I found on the web which set about analysing the technique as one would for other sports - It was a very methodical approach which claimed to go against what has traditionally been taught. This was something that I think I have tried to build on.
One of the main things is that I seem to be able to 'take what I need' from golf magazines and from this forum and disregard what I don't think I need. This is a change from when I was younger when I filled my head with all sorts of 'advice' and virtually ruined my game.
Lets be honest though, even with this instruction and confidence, it will still go wrong occasionally and you need to 'find' something that is going to have a positive result - at least mentally. This is not an 'I've done it - slap myself on the back' post!
I have been going through this scenario virtually every month or so recently.....bad game....find the 'secret'...good spell.....bad game.....etc.
Anyway, I am probably not on swing thought #472 but probably not far from it!
In trying recently to swing very smoothly and slowly...the power coming from releasing my hands through the ball in the last 2-3 feet of the downswing...I realised that this was affecting my timing in a negative way and introducing a bit of a jerk in the release part of the swing and some lateral movement. Later in the round I kept something of my swing thought, kept my head steady at impact, but started getting a bit more aggressive.....it worked! By getting my tempo up to my 'natural speed', it ironed out the jerk and but keeping the basic idea helped me hit the ball really nicely.
I was exaggerating something because my mental picture was wrong...who else thinks that Ernie Els hits the ball slowly and smoothly?? Very smooth yes, his body is steady and smooth but you can be sure his clubhead will be travelling!
It is one of the common mistakes that I have been making. If I think I am swinging 3/4, then it is probably a full swing....If I think I'm swinging fast, I will probably be swinging far too fast.
I read a great tip just now on the forum about starting the weight-shift on the downswing by turning the hips. I will introduce this. But, can you imagine the horrors that await someone like me if they overdo it or concentrate too much on it!
(I think that GregJwillis Walk up routine is a great start (as is swinging with the feet cloe together) in getting a feeling for your swing (and an athletic feeling at that) that you can build on)
I think it was the Harvey Pecnick (sp?) who said "I only mean take a pill....not the whole bottle when I give you a tip", and, on asking what the problem was when driving the ball and feeling 'out of control', Nick Faldo said "Believe me, if you are hitting the ball 280 yards, you are going to feel out of control !".
These two quotes are the perfect illustration of where I go wrong. I concentrate too much on the new swing secret to the point that I am no longer swinging with the right tempo and commitment and I am exaggerating the new 'secret' - even watching it as it happens!
As I have already said, the main problem is that I don't realise what my swing looks like - my mental picture I am sure is quite different, and the speed is probably quite different to what I am feeling.
How can I add something, even concentrating on a little at a time, when I don't realise what I am adding to?
How many out there know what their swing is actually like?
If you don't offer any feedback, tips or success stories, please let me know the answer (right now!) to the question above - you never know, I might have hit on THE secret!

[gord962]

Re: Swing 'secret' #472

Hi RikB,

Some very good points. You hit the nail on the head - your mental image is NOT what is really happening. The best thing to do is to set up a video camera (or have a friend shoot the video) to tape your swing from the back of your target line and directly across from you. Many of you will realize your backswing is too flat and to get back to the ball you have to come over the top, which creates an outside-in swing plane which is the direct cause of a slice. THis is also a great way to review weight tranfer. Most people don't believe they are guilty of the mistakes I point out until I show them on video.

Keeping tempo on your backswing is very important, as you mentioned. If you count to three during your routine, you can get the right tempo. Start your backswing - 1 is parallel to the ground. 2 is at the top of your backswing and 3 is contact with the ball. Keep the spacing the same between the numbers - they should come as close as you can get to exact seconds on a clock 1 - 2 - 3.

[Mr_Change]

Re: Swing 'secret' #472

I agree with you gord about the video. I have a digital camera that has video ability. I had a major problem with slicing my driver and fairway woods while hitting a nice draw with my iron. I felt like I swang the driver and fairway woods the same as I did the irons, however the video showed me that I was moving my head infront of the ball before I hit impact and the result was an outside in swing path, with an open clubface. Over a few weeks I focused on keeping my head behind the ball at impact. to my surprise I got 30 to 40 yards more in my drive because I started uncoiling instead of swaying through the ball.

[RikB]

Re: Swing 'secret' #472

Thanks for the replies. I will try to find the right tempo and use your counting technique Gord.
Anyway, competition at the weekend and Swing secret #472 didn't work!
I know it is a bad idea to be trying to work on your swing during a round but I thought it would work.
There is, however, a recurring theme.
Although usually pretty good at 'scrambling', I know that regardless of the score I am not hitting the ball very well for as much as the first 12 holes.
I then start winding up and hitting the ball harder and it all falls into place.
This suggests that 1) I am not warming up enough before a game (usually a couple of practice swings and a mild stretch) or 2) I am not concentrating so don't include the moves that I have learnt or worked on (could be related to number 1 or that in a competition you fall back to the comfort zone of the incorrect swing) or 3) once again, maybe my natural swing speed is faster than I start out with (again maybe related to 1).
It may be that my body moves at a certain rate all the time meaning that if I slow my arm swing I am not hitting it squarely.
Anyway, I will try the counting technique and arrange to get my swing on tape.
p.s I carried out a mini-survey on Saturday and NO-ONE I spoke to knows what their swing looks like!