How to keep head still?

[Simon Woo]

My coach says my head goes with my downswing, so I am not able to really whip through on the downswing. I'd like to know how to do this properly, is it as easy as just keeping the head from moving forward in the downswing until the followthrough pulls it along? This feeling should be the same for both irons and woods?

[Ian Hancock]

Re: How to keep head still?

Hi Simon,

Hope everything is going well for you.

I assume you don't try to keep it still on the backswing, this would hinder your swing, keeping the head still on the downswing is a matter of "Focus" you need to focus on the back of the ball, maybe the lettering on the ball for tee shots.

Most good players watch the ball disapear, but you should make sure you don't over do this or you will start to hook the ball, I think a more important thought is to maintain height with the head.

The problem is there is always exceptions to these things, Lee Westwood has a very distinct dip of the head at impact, Anika Sorenstam's head is looking at the target at impact.


Hope this helps.


Ian.

[Simon Woo]

Re: How to keep head still?

Thanks Ian! I'm still working hard on my swing :P Finally got my proficiency certificate (a necessity to play on the courses here in Singapore), and still taking lessons now and then to work on my swing.

Funny thing, my coach says it's because I am moving my head with my downswing, so I am not able to really whip and rotate through - a potential cause for open clubhead and sliced shots. I think I've worked out a lot of kinks in my swing, and now need to work on the portion between impact and finish... Right leg doesn't come up fully at finish position (but perhaps that's a separate issue?)

I'm told that I need to let the body rotation drag the head through, not moving the head together into impact, and need to feel the strain at the left side of my neck... I do agree because when I swing, I dun feel much strain actually :P

[Ian Hancock]

Re: How to keep head still?

So you have a few going right and your right foot doesn't lift.

I would have thought you are sliding through impact with your whole body then, a great tip for this and something I have worked on recently..................take your set-up and then drag your right leg back 12inches and hit a few balls.........you can't slide you have to rotate.

I think the keeping the head still is also an effort to stop the slide and help you to turn your body around your head.

Ian.

[Simon Woo]

Re: How to keep head still?

Yep I think so. Really think I need to stop the head from moving forward, so that's like hanging back, and I guess in my mind's eye (heh) it's as if I'm going to end up with my weight on my back (ie. right) foot instead.. But it's ironic that by sliding forward that I am in fact making it worse because I am not able to rotate and shift all the weight to my front? Hmm...

[Ian Hancock]

Re: How to keep head still?

Simon,

You have just answered your own question, you need to feel like your head is moving backwards at impact over your right foot.

This combined with the right foot back drill should soon have you on your way.


Ian.

[AlanN]

Re: How to keep head still?

Hi Ian,

I seem to suffer a similar problem, with my swing, that Simon does. I was told, recently, by a playing partner, that my upper body moves forwards too early, mainly on tee shots.

Would I be correct in assuming that this movement could contribute to an out to in swing path? At present, I am regularly hitting a skied pull, with my driver, which is wrecking my scorecard. For some strange reason, I'm hitting my long irons/ fairway woods OK, albeit with a bit of a fade; sometimes a slight pull.

Strangely enough, if I set up to hit a deliberate draw, off the tee, I can usually do it. Unfortunately, there are holes on my club course where I cannot play this shot. The trees would grab it before it had a chance to turn!!

Would the advice, which you gave Simon, be suitable in my case too?

Thanks

Alan

[Ian Hancock]

Re: How to keep head still?

Hi Alan,

From your thread you may have a too flat swing and maybe a slight casting aswell on tee shots.................

Firstly you say your long irons/woods are fine (flat swing works well with long irons/woods of the deck) you may find your short irons are poor and getting out of the rough is difficult too.....????????

Without seeing your swing it is difficut to decide without giving poor advice.

A high pull is caused by an outside in swing with the clubhead aiming left at impact, this could be caused by poor ball position (to far forward then staying back on your right foot through impact like Simon).

Hope this helps

Ian.

[golfonenemesis]

Re: How to keep head still?

Whether its a driver or iron, I like to pull the handle of the club through the ball target line. This keeps me down and through the shot and there is no need to worry about the head, it is along for the ride.
Minimize the things you have to think about and focus on the ball at impact. Although one rarely can see impact, its important to stay committed to the shot.
I never figured how Annika can be up and away so soon; its an enigma very unique to her timing which is extraordinary.

[AlanN]

Re: How to keep head still?

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your input.

I don't have a problem out of the rough and my short irons are, usually, a plus point in my game. I, also, have been putting well recently. In fact, it's my short game which is enabling me to scramble to play around my handicap (20). A couple of weeks ago, I went round in 13 over. I was rubbish off the tee but, the rest of my game was very solid. If I could have hit a straight drive, I would have been in single figures for the first time in my life.

It is the tee shots which are driving me crazy (no pun intended). I should mention that I hit them off the toe quite a bit as well; trying to come too much on the inside in the downswing. I'm so p***ed off with this, as i can still drive beyond 250yds, at the age of 63. I've noticed that sometimes my divots, with the longer irons, point straight at the target line and yet at other times they go seriously from left to right (I'm a leftie). This must be an out to in swing path?

Golfonenemesis; whenever I've tried to pull down with the right arm (for me), the arm leaves my side, resulting in the clubface remaining open through impact. Obviously, I'm not doing this correctly as, I have heard that many good players do this. It's something that Gary Player recommended.

Any further help, Ian, Golfonenemesis et al, that you can offer, would be much appreciated

Thanks

Alan

[golfonenemesis]

Re: How to keep head still?

Alan: you are not releasing; check your grip and make sure the right hand is in a stronger position, ie. knuckles of right hand more towards the ground with palm facing target

[rharris06]

Re: How to keep head still?

Hi Simon,

A good drill for you to get all your weight on your left foot in your follow through (because your right foot isnt quite all comign off the ground) is to get a pile of books (do this at home :-)) put them under your right foot and then do some swings like that, all your weight is forced to your left foot and you may find it will help your head movement.

[AlanN]

Re: How to keep head still?

Thanks golfonenemesis. I know that, at times, i don't release through the ball correctly. I tend to curtail my follow through. I've got a senior's monthly medal tomorrow and will try and be more conscious of this.

There's always so much to think about

[golfonenemesis]

Re: How to keep head still?

Alan, good luck tommorrow. Here are some simple things to remember(note: I am 60 yrs. old but shoot to a 3)
1. when in doubt, take one more club and swing smoother
2. slow backswing and watch ball position, esp. driver
3. if you tend to slice, close your stance, play the ball a little bit more towards center than usual, and get that good shoulder turn
4. On downswing, lead the ds with the butt end of the club-the clubhead always comes last in the sequence.
5. chipping-play the ball back further than you have been and hit down to make the ball go up-choke up on the club for shorter distances.

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: How to keep head still?

I pick a spot just behind the ball e.g. blade of grass or just focus on the ball. Do it often enough and it will stay with you