The Smart Path To Better golf |
|
Timing Continued |
|
BY GEOFF GREIG
|
|
Since TIMING is one of the most important parts of the golf swing, we are going to learn what correct timing FEELS like. All you need to practice this drill is a golf towel and your pitching wedge. Until you feel completely comfortable with the movements of the drill you will learn faster with no golf balls. Lets keep it simple for now. Place the towel across your upper chest and under each armpit. Use your upper arms (from the elbow to the shoulder) to lightly hold the towel in place. The goal of the drill is to keep the towel in place with both upper arms until after impact. Even after impact the towel should only fall out from the right side when we release the clubhead to the target. Because the towel is restricting, begin by making half or three quarter swings with your pitching wedge. Focus on the feeling of the upper arms working with the torso throughout the swing. The important cue here is not that we hold our upper arms tight to our body, it is that the upper arms and the torso move at the same time and at the same pace throughout the swing. To increase the effectiveness of this drill try doing it with your eyes closed. Anytime you want to feel something, the feedback is much stronger with no visual interference. Pay attention to your balance, weight shift and economy of movement with your eyes closed and your swing will change for the better. When you add a ball to the drill focus on the connection between arms and body throughout the back and downswing and the release of the clubhead and towel to the target after impact. Do not worry too much about the flight of the ball, it will improve later when you are more confident in your properly timed swing. Til next time. |
I recently was examining swing sequences of some of the greatest players in history. Knowing that some of these players favored a draw as their standard shot while others preferred a fade, I sought to identify swing features within each group that would explain their respective ball-flight tendencies. Something profound emerged that I think will benefit all golfers, especially those cursed with a wicked slice.