swing rhythm- a clarification

[rahul]

I have always had a problem of coming too quickly from the top resulting in a pull. Many people told me to 'slow' down the rhythm of the swing to allow all my body parts to coordinate effectively. Hence, i tried to slow down my backswing and downswing. However, though this really worked wonders at the practice range i often revert to the quicker downswing on the golf course. I have realised that in general i am a fast paced person. I eat fast , walk fast, talk fast ( I literally eat up my words!!!). Hence, i do not see why the same should be applied to the golf swing. Rhythm has NOTHING to do with swinging it slow. It's about having uniformity throughout your swing , a continous flow between your backswing and downswing.
After this epiphany of sorts I decided to increase of pace of of backswing to match the natural speed of my downswing so that everything is now more evenly paced as opposed to before where my backswing was way slower than my downswing.
When i tried this out i felt that i had suddenly lost that 'jerky' feeling i had before when i started my downswing. To my amazement, my downswing felt slower now even though i knew i had not slowed it down.
I would like all my fellow members to give me some feedback on if what i have said makes any sense and if it will contribute towards overall game improvement in the long run
Thanks

[ph_kingston]

Re: swing rhythm- a clarification

Absolutely! It makes total sense to me. Your swing has to suit your natural rhythm otherwise you'll never be consistent. As you say, you can force yourself to slow it down on the range but as soon as natural instinct takes over on the course then it'll speed up again.

You've found your natural tempo and now swinging the club feels very easy. So you're more Nick Price than Ernie Els, no problem with that at all.

The words you use "rhythm" and "tempo" are the key - not "slow" not "fast".

I imagine golf seems like an easy game now.

[LowPost42]

Re: swing rhythm- a clarification

I imagine his swing might seem easier now.

You still have to stick greens and putt the lights out.


I agree Rahul, that your personal tempo is the key. I'm more Els than Price - I prefer a slower pace. But my tempo is still the same. You could waltz to my swing - 1-2-3, 1-2-3, away-top-through, away-top-through. When I lose the tempo, I start pulling shots, leaving them out to the right, etc. My sync is gone, and my game soon follows.

[bonzi_532]

Re: swing rhythm- a clarification

My pulls come from my body not rotating naturally. I experiment and sometimes my body slows down and i can't clear before I pull.

[rahul]

Re: swing rhythm- a clarification

a common cause for a pull is coming too quickly from the top with your arms.

however, if i maintain my speed from the top and focus instead on speeding my backswing to match it with the downswing.......do you think that will alleviate the problem of pulling the ball

[pgmetcalf]

Re: swing rhythm- a clarification

Fast swingers tend to generate lag on the clubhead so they use stiffer shaft. However, I have a friend who is learning to play and he swings so fast he could bend a lamp post. My point is, if you swing too fast no club will suit you. Tiger Woods can hit a ball a long way but he doesn't generally try and force the issue; if he does he becomes erratic. Look at Ernie Els, he is quoted by commentators as having the best swing in the game and he's not called the Big Eez for nothing.

Pulling and slicing are brothers in golf - both shots are cut across the ball. This usually occurs by trying to thrap the ball down the fairway and results in aggressively pulling down the club with the hands which results in a casting motion (known as hitting from the top.) - The right arm straightens too early in the downswing expending all the energy so while it feels powerful it's really counter productive. The angle between the right wrist and the right shoulder should remain the same for as long as possible in the downswing. If you swing with the upper body you have no chance of achieving this this - it is much easier to achieve if you keep your upper body quiet and turn towards the target using the legs. See Greg's right hand drill in the lessons section of this site and apy particular attention to what he says rather than looking at the action.

[oldsean]

Re: swing rhythm- a clarification

[thanks for your tempo i am a high H/cap its sorted my game now i stroke the ball as far a as i could HIT it old seanQUOTE=LowPost42]I imagine his swing might seem easier now.

You still have to stick greens and putt the lights out.


I agree Rahul, that your personal tempo is the key. I'm more Els than Price - I prefer a slower pace. But my tempo is still the same. You could waltz to my swing - 1-2-3, 1-2-3, away-top-through, away-top-through. When I lose the tempo, I start pulling shots, leaving them out to the right, etc. My sync is gone, and my game soon follows.[/QUOTE]