Edgewater Golf Club - Play Best Golf Courses in Charlotte, NC

When a golfer comesto me for lessons,I first want toknow their goals for the lesson. Themost common answer to this questionis that they would like to becomemore consistent with all of theirclubs. Let’s make this our first topicfor the “Sw<strong>in</strong>g Tip this issue of theCarol<strong>in</strong>a <strong>Golf</strong> Journal.”More ConsistentHow to become more consistent <strong>in</strong>your shot mak<strong>in</strong>g abilities is to first becomebetter at mak<strong>in</strong>g solid contactwith all your clubs. Just th<strong>in</strong>k howmuch better you would score if you hitall shots solid? Even if you sliced it,hooked it, or miss clubbed the shot?I first want to talk about rhythm <strong>in</strong>your sw<strong>in</strong>g. With good sw<strong>in</strong>g tempo agolfer can get away with bad sw<strong>in</strong>gmechanics and get consistent ballflight. Even if the ball flight is notideal, at least you know where the ballwill go. I see most golfers sw<strong>in</strong>g tohard at longer shots and too soft withshort shots. Both examples lead tomiss hits more often than solid strikes.Remember that the club you have chosenusually is designed to take care of thedistance for you all you need to do is makegood contact. If we related the rhythm ofyour sw<strong>in</strong>g to runn<strong>in</strong>g, you should be runn<strong>in</strong>ga marathon. In other words sw<strong>in</strong>gwith the rhythm and effort that you can dothe same th<strong>in</strong>g over and over for four hoursa day and do it the same way the last sw<strong>in</strong>gas you do on the first sw<strong>in</strong>g. F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g thecorrect sw<strong>in</strong>g tempo is someth<strong>in</strong>g that isunique to the golfer, but I th<strong>in</strong>k if you“Y” You Can Sw<strong>in</strong>g BetterBy: Bruce Parker, PGA Professionalsearch for your rhythm with these thoughtsyou will f<strong>in</strong>d it.Secondly, I would like to <strong>in</strong>troduceyou to how I present the golf sw<strong>in</strong>g mechanically.<strong>Golf</strong> Sw<strong>in</strong>g MechanicsWith all the <strong>in</strong>formation on the golfsw<strong>in</strong>g out there it is very confus<strong>in</strong>g forthe average golfer to know what to listento and apply to their golf sw<strong>in</strong>g. Ihave an easy way to make all thesemovements and positions happen <strong>in</strong>your golf sw<strong>in</strong>g without you th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>gabout it. If you look at all golfers thathit the ball well, at impact, they all lookthe same.This position I refer to as the “y”position. This is a lowercase y that ismade with the arms and shaft of theclub. If a golfer starts out with this “y”position at set-up and returns to this positionat impact, theywill hit the ball longand straight. If agolfer keeps this “y”position the entiresw<strong>in</strong>g, their bodywill coil, hands willh<strong>in</strong>ge, weight willtransfer, lag will becreated, release willhappen at the correcttime, they will hitthrough the ball, andf<strong>in</strong>ish on their frontside. Now the golferhas one thought thatcan make all thesepositions happen <strong>in</strong>their golf sw<strong>in</strong>gs.Sw<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g your “y”will allow your bodyand hands to react.Remember this:A Reaction is aconsistent movement;a Manipulationis an<strong>Golf</strong> Tip<strong>in</strong>-consistent movement. Lett<strong>in</strong>g youbody and wrists (or hands) react to thearm sw<strong>in</strong>g will give you the feel of thecorrect sequence of motion <strong>in</strong> the golfsw<strong>in</strong>g. From that you may enhanceyour sw<strong>in</strong>g however you would like.As Ben Hogan has stated <strong>in</strong> hiswrit<strong>in</strong>g, that anyone with average coord<strong>in</strong>ationand <strong>in</strong>telligence can schooltheir arms to repeat the same movementover and over. This is the basis of thesimple golf sw<strong>in</strong>g to build from. I amavailable for lessons anytime, andwould love to show anyone how mucheasier the golf sw<strong>in</strong>g could be for them.Bruce Parker is the <strong>Golf</strong> Professionalat Greater <strong>Golf</strong> Express.And can be reached by call<strong>in</strong>g:(704)280-0626 Cell or(704)544-5018 Retail shop<strong>Golf</strong> <strong>Club</strong>2010 <strong>Play</strong>er Development MembershipPay as you go monthly!Unlimited Green Fees (Cove N<strong>in</strong>e)<strong>Play</strong> for Cart Fee Only (Cove)Unlimited use of the practice facilityUnlimited use of range balls (restrictions apply)10% off food & beverage purchases <strong>in</strong> thepavilion or lounge (excludes alcohol)Receive $5 off the published rate for Carol<strong>in</strong>a P<strong>in</strong>es& Grande View (18 Hole Rate)Call for Membership Pric<strong>in</strong>g and Options4 <strong>Play</strong>ers <strong>Play</strong> for the Price of 3Must Present Coupon - Valid AnytimeExpires 5/31/10803-548-3500 Ext. 1 • www.tegacaygolfclub.comFor MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION call:803-548-3500 Ext. 1www.tegacaygolfclub.comMembership available to golfers of all ages and skill levels!!______________________________________________________________________________CAROLINA GOLF JOURNAL - SPRING 2010 – 5