I’d like to introduce the “left side” of your swing and most professionals will teach this key fundamental at some point so you may as well get used to the idea now!
This is golf, not cricket and not Tennis although you can akin many sports to having similar traits too the golf swing. For example, Tennis.
When you see Andy Murray or Pete Sampras smash a tennis ball down the line at 140 mph think of their technique (in slow mo!).
First start with the swing of the arm as they serve, watch the poised position of the players legs, hips and shoulders as they “swipe” the ball, followed by 100% commitment as their bodies catch up, the shoulders, hips and legs power through after the ball has gone – “The uncoil”.
Essentially, like golf. We try and emulate this tennis swing but with both arms and one needing to be straight it means the shoulders play big part our “coil” and because the ball is stationary we address it psychologically different.
I mean it cant be that hard…stand here and hit this stationary ball, sometimes even prepared nicely to your choice once every hole!
Well the natural instinct is to smash the living daylights out of it! and yes we have, and continue to be in this place sometimes many times per round. Even the top pro’s still suffer from the odd “grip it and rip it” mentality often with negative commentary.
The facts are this, timing is essential. See broom or 3 club practise technique earlier in the blog. Without timing the ball isn’t going straight. With out a good left side (at impact) the results are loss of direction and 70% loss of power.
Let me explain. So you’ve read a couple of books and practised at the range and things might be getting better, which is great.
But at some point the psychology of your game becomes pressured to score or continue hitting fairways or greens or holing putts and sometimes a good round is the killer the next time round.
To maintain balance, control and power we need timing and a good left side. Most amateurs swing to hit the ball from the top position and in doing so HIT AT THE BALL moving their bodies into the hitting zone – remember Happy Gilmore!
In the process it generally results in swing plane changes and thus creating cut or hook spin on the ball. I think its a well known fact the beginning amateur applies naturally cutting/fading/slicing the ball, occasionally a direct pull left and for the apparently better player a hook/draw/smother and occasional push shot.
This is normally a result of a weak left side. If you can stop for a minute and imagine your swing at the very top position.
You should have a nice relaxed left leg with a very slight kink (or weight transference to your left) and a braced right leg with the knee pointing over your right toes (opposite for left hander’s!).
You should have completed a 90 degree turn of the shoulder and hips approx 10-20% – this is your “coiled position”. You should feel a tightening sensation around your lower spine.
I can bet most people will have (with some knowledge) have a rough swing position as described. The trouble is from here. I see many golfers from this position HITTING AT the ball.
A sudden loss of power from left leg movement that doesn’t need to happen! A “collapse” of leg position before the ball is truck is not going to hit the ball straight or long.
In simple terms,
1. You setup to the ball
2. Take your swing to the top
3. Your address position is the same as your impact position!
Start your downswing only with your arms and continue down and through until impact at which point YOU NEED TO BE back to setup position as the ball is struck (legs, shoulders, hips exactly the same way as you setup but obviously you have inertia hitting the ball)
By doing this, you are hitting through the ball and keeping your body “coiled” and releasing through impact. Once the ball has been struck the inertia should automatically push your hands, shoulders, hips and legs into motion to complete your swing where your hands finish nice and high.
If you want to draw the ball, you simply add more right hand around 2-3 inches from club to ball impact and include a release of grip for added measure.
In the same way the Tennis player sets up to smash their 140 mph aces by coiling their bodies, you need to apply the same to your golf swing the key bit is timing. They hit and then uncoil or “release” through the shot.
The above can only be applied if your mind is set properly that after all your effort to create your coil you need to be in a position to strike the ball well by thinking “back to the start position”. Any body movement (especially hips and legs) that isn’t your arms and hands will reduce power and accuracy.
A reminder to keep your left eye on the ball all the way through impact where you should see the ball fly off the clubface and wait for your right shoulder to hit your chin before starting to look up.
The inertia you have created in your backswing and by positioning of the hands, arms, shoulders back to impact position on the downswing, generally means you will gain control over direction and power.
A great practise routine at home or on the range is to put your feet together so they touch and swing away. If you lose balance, you are swinging to fast. The fast bit is the final 12 inches of the club meeting the ball, not how much body movement you apply to your swing.
I would reduce your swing to 2/3rds to ensure you can keep your balance better to start with. As you practise, rather than speed up your whole swing to get more distance just speed up the middle (on the downswing club is hip height) or just as you impact the ball.
A word on inertia. The club you hold is heavy one end, normally between 200 grams to 340 grams in total weight (depending on the club).
In the example of a Driver – your arm is perhaps 21”, plus a club length of 36” = 47” (1.5m) being swung towards a hard faced ball at 140-190 mph the club head will move approximately 16m in distance (circumference of your swing).
There is no need to put extra bodily effort into your swing – let nature work a little harder for you, so you can keep your concentration!
Look at Paul Casey’s post impact position – full release shown by arms being extended through shot, Paul’s head nicely still looking at where the ball used to be!
look at Paul’s right leg (left as we see it) it is braced for impact but the impact has already happened. The commitment to the shot is shown in this picture perfectly, with many other professionals modelling the same position.
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- Perfect post impact position
