golf imperatives web pdf

Golf Imperatives
Sixteen important points to keep your golf game on track.
16 GOLF IMPERATIVES

© 2014 Gavin Healey
All rights reserved
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Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.
Arnold Palmer
Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to
do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing.
Ben Hogan
The proportion of the separation rate to the approach rate expresses the
elasticity involved, and is called the Coefficient of Restitution which is 80% for
the better golf balls - but drops below 70% at high speeds. Of course, this is
assuming there is no Compression Leakage
Homer Kelly
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7 Introduction
8 Alignment (1)
10 Left arm (2)
14 Technique v Mental
16 Wrist un-cock (3)
18 Wrist cock (4)
20 Wrist strength (5)
22 Grip (6)
24 Hit it Find it
26 Chip (7)
28 Pitch (8)
30 Full swing (9)
32 Lag release (10)
34 Fast play
36 Weight transfer (11)
38 Head turn (12)
42 The shank
44 Acceleration (13)
46 Psychology (14)
48 Practice and play (15)
50 Putting (16)
52 The Putting stroke
54 Bunkers
56 The Golfing Machine Copyright
60 Index
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Introduction
Searching for a cure to my slice, I ended up in South Carolina with Tom Tomasello in the
early 90s. Tom taught me some things which I had never heard before, taken from a book
written by Homer Kelly, The Golfing Machine. His lessons have stayed with me until this day
as I continue to pass on the same message. Over the years I guess it has slightly diluted,
although I often go back to my
notes and video records in an
attempt to keep from getting
confused with the mass of
information polluting the golf
world. It is sometimes difficult
day in day out to tell people to
turn their head and not try to
keep it down, when 90% of
golf teachers will tell them
the opposite. Its a tough
lesson to change someones
grip when they have played
with the same one for several
years. It can be difficult to
explain that a ball flying left is
not because they have over turned their shoulders. With Tom I learnt the logic of the
golf swing. I hope this book helps pass it on to you because when you learn the logic
every move becomes much clearer and errant shots easier to correct.
Gavin Healey
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Alignment
The fan
Proper alignment is crucial to an uncompensated golf swing. The classic mistake is to logically
line up your feet to the target. You see many golfers holding the club parallel to their feet and
attempting to point to where they would like the ball to finish. Most achieve their aim and are
puzzled when the ball is struck to the right. Alignment must be parallel and not pointing at.
Imagine the golf swing is a giant fan, turn on the fan and
drop a golf ball into the top of it. The ball will be collected
by the blades and swept forward in the direction the fan is
pointed. To change this direction we must move the fan to
the left or right, turn it on, drop a ball in and the ball will
of course follow this new direction.
If we apply this image to a golf swing, alignment should be
done using the practice swing. When making the practice
swing imagine the club replaces the blades of the fan,
introduce the imaginary ball and guess which direction it
will take. After doing this a few times it will become
instinctive and if you check the line of your feet you will notice they are pointing parallel to
the target. Exactly where they should.
exercise - Make some practice swings and imagine the club replaces the blades
of the fan, introduce the imaginary ball and guess which direction it will take when
hit. Now check where your feet are aiming, they should point parallel to the line
between the ball and the target.
The Golfing Machine - Another need for a "perfect circle" motion is for directional control. If
the club face is maintaining a constant relationship to the radius of its rotation- wether the
face is open, closed or square - then the direction imparted at any one point of the arc will
always be the same for "centred" (sweet spot) impact. (1)
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Left arm
A piece of rope
Many golf lessons begin with the club being held firmly in the left hand and guided back and
forward using a stiff left arm. Right arm participation is barely discussed as it is regarded a
taboo subject. Combine this with an attempt to keep your head down and the result is
inconsistent contact between club and ball, mostly topped and fat shots.
The mystery of the left arm participation during
the golf swing disappears when you replace the
arm with a length of rope. Imagine a rope
approximately a meter long looped around the
left shoulder and hanging down vertically. Take
the rope in your right palm and fix it against the
grip as if the rope replaces the left thumb.
During the backswing you will feel the true
participation of the left arm, through the rope.
You will sense the importance of the right hand
and arm in the takeaway and not the left which is
of course inert and without muscles, as is the
rope. Try this several times without a ball, then replace the rope with your left arm and try
with a ball. Keep the same sensation as before when the rope replaced the left arm. You
should feel the right arm participation and instantly make better contact on the ball. During
all strokes from chip through to full swing you should keep this feeling of the right wrist and
arm controlling the left.
exercise - Try several pitch shot swings with the rope replacing the left arm, now
replace the rope with the left arm and add the ball.
The Golfing Machine - The "mystery" of the Mechanics of Golf fades away when right
arm participation is understood. Wether its participation is active or passive is difficult to
detect visually because in either case the Left Arm is ALWAYS SWINGING and the Right
Forearm is ALWAYS DRIVING. (2)
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At address the rope is pulled tight because of the weight of the club and the right palm
pushing downwards.
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During the takeaway the right arm maintains tension on the rope.
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At the top of the backswing the left arm (rope) should be straight due to pressure maintained
by the right arm.
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TECHNIQUE V MENTAL
The closer to an un compromised technique you are, the better you play. An example is 'golf
course management'. To play competitive professional golf 'course management' as it is
generally taught , does not exist. You either play well or you miss the cut, there is no room to
'lay up' or 'take an iron for safety'. This is one reason why good players sometimes under
perform when playing away from home. The golf course must be attacked and to do this you
need a safe technique. A draw that turns into a hook under pressure will weaken the
performance of a top player. Sure they will play well at their home club in their comfort zone,
but instead of improving when it becomes more important, they struggle because they cannot
rely on their swing.
The classic example is a hook shot proving much worse in a tournament than at the driving
range or playing with friends. The logical correction is to swing the club head more to the
right of the target to stop the ball going left, but this only compounds the problem and adds a
push to the hook which will result in few fairways hit. Scores will be very erratic because when
the short game is good, you will score low, but with an average short game the score will
mount quickly. Sometimes a player will not recognise their technique is failing them as they
blame poor scores on bad luck, concentration or poor course management.
I see the problem as technical and not mental. The following changes will cure the hook and
push to the right.
1. Grip more neutral (previously too weak)
2. Less wrist cock
3. Swing plane (divot) more left
4. Shoulders square (previously closed)
Learning a trusted technique is the first stage of playing to a high level. Once learnt,
performance can be improved by both mental and physical training. When looking for
reasons behind a poor performance always begin with technique.
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Wrist un-cock
Law of the flail
A flail is two pieces of wood attached together with a leather strap. Make one and use it as a
great golf swing aid. The participation of the wrist and right hand
can be better understood by understanding the laws of the flail.
When swinging the flail an early release of the right wrist is essential
otherwise you will not arrive at the ball with the two part flail in line.
You could also imagine your left arm and club make up the flail with
the leather strap replacing your wrist. If the wrist is relaxed enough
the release of the club head can happen naturally with the help of
centrifugal force generated by the weight of the club head. Mostly
the release of the right arm and wrist will be a conscious effort
though. Keep in mind that this movement is for alignment and not
to generate speed.
exercise - Try slowly swinging the home made flail so that it arrives in line at the
point where the ball would lie.
The Golfing Machine - As with the standard flail, the true and proper direction for its mass to
move is "downward on plane" regardless of the incidental appearance of moving "forward on
plane". Always from the top. This is indispensable for both Hitters and Swingers for inhibiting
Club head Throwaway. (3)
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Wrist cock
Two club backswing
Another illusion in the golf swing is the wrist cock. The trick is that the wrist is already cocked
at address and doesn't need to be further cocked during the takeaway.
Take a club in your left hand and address the ball (a). Un-cock your left wrist and hold
another club against your arm in this position (b). Now make the takeaway with the two clubs
in place, note the position at the top of the backswing. The first club (a) is in a conventional
position and the second (b) is uncocked and in line with the left arm. Nothing has been done
with the wrist to achieve the position of club (a). The common mistake in trying to achieve
the position of club (a) is that you must move your wrist or double cock during the takeaway.
This exercise will help to understand wrist movement during the takeaway and encourage
right wrist bend rather than cock. Hopefully we can then achieve a club face angle of 45 deg
at the top of the backswing. If the wrist is double cocked the toe of the club points down and
the club face must be closed on the downswing to get a straight shot. This closing of the club
face leads to the club head passing the hands and impact is less precise.
exercise - Make the takeaway with the two clubs in place, note the position at
the top of the backswing.
The Golfing Machine - The Uncocking of the Flat Left Wrist is a Perpendicular Motion - not
a Horizontal Motion. (4)
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Address the imaginary ball and attach the second club to your right forearm.
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Make the takeaway with the two clubs in place and do not change the wrist position.
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Continue to the top of the backswing, here you see clearly the cocked and uncocked wrist
positions. Because you have not moved the wrist at all it is clear to see the wrist was already
cocked at address.
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Grip
On the money
'Show me a good grip and I will show you a good player'. This is one of the most important
statements in golf instruction. Try to develop a routine method of taking the grip each time.
A good way is to hold the club where the grip joins the shaft with your bottom hand. This will
allow you to see that the club face is square. Next place the club into the top hand resting
where the fingers join the hand and holding with the first three. Now slide the bottom hand
up into position with the palm covering the left thumb. The Vs between thumb and forefinger
of both hands should point to the right shoulder. An effective grip consists of three pressure
points, 1) third joint on right index touching the rear side of the club 2) right palm touching
top of left thumb 3) first three fingers on the left hand. To understand these points better, take
your grip and have a credit card positioned between the palm of the bottom hand
and the thumb on the top hand. Make small swings without the ball with
the goal to keep the card in place until finish. Then try small pitch
shots with the card. When moving to the full swing remove the
card but keep conscious of this point of contact. Now do the
same with a small coin placed where the index finger on the
bottom hand touches the rear of the grip. To allow the wrist to
move correctly use the least pressure possible, the lighter you hold
the club the more natural and effective the stroke will be.
exercise - Take your grip and place a credit card between
the palm of the bottom hand and the thumb of the top hand. Begin with small
swings without the ball, the goal is to keep the card in place to the finish.
The Golfing Machine - The grips of Hitters and Swingers must differ in tightness. For the
Swinger , Centrifugal Force Un cocks BOTH the Left Wrist and the Right Elbow. So both
must remain"Passive" but never "Whippy". For the Hitter, The Right Triceps become
"Active" and execute both Uncocking motions with a firmness that approaches the
mandatory rigidity of the Right Wrist. (5)
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The credit card will stay in place if the hands stay together.
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Hit it find it and hit it again
Like any instruction book, the rules of golf gain volume with each new edition. In trying to
simplify the rules often they become more complicated. Referees are also trained to a higher
level, having to pass exams on a regular basis to keep their status. Unfortunately this progress
is sometimes lost on the average club or social player, although they manage to get tangled in
the rules occasionally when they venture into a club competition. Many a bad day has been
had on the golf course, not from poor play, but from an altercation with another player due to
a rule misunderstanding. Rules classes and training for members sometimes exacerbate the
problem as a little knowledge can make many experts.
There is an old adage which stands the test of time and can be relied on in most situations.
"Hit it, find it, hit it again". This is the basis for the rules of golf. Anything else comes under
the heading "exceptions" which account for 90% of the current rule book and are the source
of many an argument. The only necessary "exception" arises when you cannot hit your ball.
Here you either return to where the last shot was played, drop a ball within 2 club lengths or
drop the ball along a line from the flag and never nearer the hole.
"Hit it find it hit it again, with one exception". This simple interpretation of the rules can be
applied in most situations. A recent high profile breach of the rules could have been avoided
had Tiger Woods understood the rules in this way. Woods was controversially given a 2 shot
penalty on the 13th hole during the Masters for dropping his ball in the wrong place. His
correct option was to drop his ball along a line between the flag and the point where his ball
crossed the hazard.
Next time you need help from the rules of golf try "Hit it, find it, hit it again" with one
exception of course. I guarantee it will cover almost all situations you face, and more
importantly let you concentrate on your game and not the distraction of your partner who is
more intent on arguing about rule 24.1 than playing their own game.
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Kings Barnes 4th
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Chip
Hold your hips
The golf swing can be broken into three stages. The first is the chip. Chip is defined by the
finish position where the hips don't move and the club head finishes its path in the ground. To
achieve this the wrists extend and point down to bring the club shaft into line with the left
arm at impact. Any early movement of the hips will result in club head throwaway,
deceleration and hitting behind the ball.
To force this movement have a friend turn your hips in the opposite direction during the
downswing. This enables the wrist to lead the downswing and release in the correct way.
When you feel this movement you will then not be afraid to begin any down swing with the
hands or right arm. This movement is recognised as taboo by many instructors only because
it is misunderstood. When done correctly it turns the golf swing into a pure hit, the same as
you would use in baseball, cutting a tree or cracking a whip. It should initiate return to the
ball from any length swing. This chip shot stroke for any small shots with a variety of clubs
from 5 iron through sand wedge, depending on height or backspin required. This wrist
movement is also the same for the putting stroke, although an even shorter version.
exercise - To force this movement have a friend turn your hips gently in the
opposite direction during the down stroke.
The Golfing Machine - Driving the club head toward the Green (Steering), instead of toward
the Ball, is the great disrupter of the Flat Left Wrist. (6)
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The club and left arm finish in line when the wrists un cock correctly to the ball.
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Pitch
Hands and club first
Pitch is the second stage of the swing sequence and also the stroke most used for short game.
Pitch is defined by its chip stroke with a left hip and shoulder turn after impact which
continues until the stomach faces the target. At this point the right heel is off the ground and
the club points 45 deg down towards the ground. If you were to stick a pencil to the club face
it would point horizontal. After impact you should feel the club head is being dragged as
through water, a slow movement led by the left hip and shoulder.
Pitch is also the stroke used by many players when their swing is restricted by a tree branch
for example. How many times have you played poorly, with the only well struck shots coming
from restricted swings in the trees? This often happens, and is an example of the relationship
between the pitch stroke and correct contact on the ball.
exercise - Check the club face to see if the imaginary pencil points horizontal.
The Golfing Machine - Stop at the end of a short Chip Shot - the club at about 45degrees.
With Horizontal Hinging, the toe of the Club will point along the Plane Line. With Angled
Hinging about 45 degrees across the Plane Line. With Vertical Hinging, about 90 degrees
across the Plane Line with the Club face pointing squarely at the sky. (7)
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To maintain the correct wrist movement, the club should point at 45° toward the ground.
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Full swing
Think of the finish
Number one rule in all strokes is "don't think of your backswing".
Full swing is one more stage on from the pitch. The hands lift the club through to the finish
position keeping the right wrist bent. Finally the club is lowered to face the target and
balance, grip and club face angle can be checked. Practice the full swing without a ball until
you can feel the movement at a constant speed, when you play
the ball try to copy your last practice stroke in every way
including speed. We are much better at copying something we
have already done than trying to make a swing with several
static positions in mind. Remember often a feeling you have or
a movement you try to execute may not be the same in real
time with a ball.
Learn to hit balls with your practice swing. Make the swing
regardless of the shot or contact on the ball. Many poor swings are made because we are
trying too hard to hit the ball.
exercise - Practice the full swing without a ball until you can feel the movement
at a constant speed.
The Golfing Machine - The term "Timing" as used in Golf means to bring about Impact
during the moment of the Club heads maximum Force. (8)
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Full swing check list :
Slice
- Club face open, check grip usually left hand in weak position.
Downswing starts with hips or lower body, practice early hand release to correct.
Hook - Club face closed, check grip usually right hand too strong.
Swing path in to out, check shoulder and hip turn after impact to keep the club
shaft swinging across body.
Top
- Grip too tight
Impact not steep enough. Try swinging with head cover 50cm behind ball to make
steeper path.
Fat
- Lower body beginning down swing. Correct by starting hands first to prevent
horizontal hip movement.
* Shoulder turn never affects direction, only distance.
* Alignment is natural, do not over complicate it, understand parallel.
* Head turns. Finish more important than the backswing.
* Left arm loose. Right wrist, right arm more dominant.
* What you think is happening and what is really happening are often different.
" Judge the state of your game on your worst shot, not your best " unknown
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The lag release
How to hit it long
One of the most asked questions in golf is 'what do I do from the top of the backswing?'
Most advice focuses on one point, either the hands, arms, hips or shoulders to start the
downswing. Any of these can be confusing and difficult to repeat. We all understand the
importance on any full shot to arrive back at the ball with the club shaft leaning slightly
forward or at least in line with the left arm. The more the club leans forward the more 'lag' is
created and the more distance due to the reduced loft of the club. Unfortunately lots of golf
instruction concerning 'lag' is aimed at arriving to the ball with the shaft leaning forward.
This is difficult to repeat, creates tension in the swing and is not a true accelerating
movement.
Try to imagine you are holding a bucket of water in front instead of the golf club. Place both
hands flat against the side of the bucket and make sure the bucket is upright so the water does
not spill out. Make your backswing and keep all the water in the bucket. Now to begin the
downswing tip the water on to the ball. Continue turning through using your left hip and
shoulders. Finally the empty bucket points horizontal, the reverse of throwing the water over
your left shoulder.
exercise - Practice this movement several times with the range ball bucket and
imagine tipping the water onto the ball. During the swing keep the same sensation
and the elusive 'lag' will appear.
The Golfing Machine - The essence of Club head lag technique is that it is always both
Aiming AND Thrust. Passive-it is primarily Aiming the Lag Pressure. Active-it is primarily
Thrusting the Lag Pressure Point. The Orbiting Club head does not seek out the ball-it seeks
out the delivery line.
note - Lag pressure point is - The first joint of the right hand index finger where it touches the
clubshaft. (9)
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Fast Play
Speed of play is a sore point amongst golfers. Amateurs imagine pros play slowly, pros say the
same about amateurs, men insist that women are slow and vice versa.
The true problem lies deeper. Why play faster ?
If you take the afternoon to play golf, so what if it takes four and a half or five hours. The time
spent in the bar afterwards isn’t given the same scrutiny!
No, the reason to play faster is financial, clubs make money by fitting the maximum number of
players on the golf course and the PGA Tour has a television deadline to meet.
Why not return to the proven formula still practiced in some old established clubs where four
ball matches are the norm, mostly foursomes and 4BBB. Singles are not allowed on the course
and two balls only in the final round of the Open Championship.
If we were to play only four ball matches, either organised by the club or amongst friends, the
time taken to play 18 holes would become less important and the number of players on the
course would be optimised.
Changes to golf etiquette have recently allowed a two ball the right to play through a preceding
three or four ball match. We also see too often a single player insisting on playing through the
group in front. All these matches of one, two, three and four balls together make for a forgettable
afternoon of golf.
Let’s hope clubs in the future will put emphasis on quality of play and not the quantity of tee
times.
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Kings Barnes 7th
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Weight transfer
The illusion
60/40 weight balance at the top of backswing is generally recommended. I don't disagree.
Unfortunately most trying to get this elusive 60% weight distribution will intentionally shift
their weight to the right. As the arms and club swing away in the backswing the balance of
weight will shift to the right anyway, it is not necessary to intentionally shift the weight and if
you do the equation will be closer to 80/20. To maintain the correct balance there is almost a
need to put weight onto the front foot during the takeaway, exactly the opposite of what is
often taught. Try some small practice swings putting all your weight on the front foot during
the backswing to the point where you lift your back foot off the ground at the top. After a
couple of swings, take a ball and try to keep the same sensation this time keeping the back
foot on the ground. You may be surprised how balanced your swing feels despite shifting your
weight in the opposite direction to the swing. In the end the simple explanation is, when
moving your arms and club to the top of the backswing, in order to maintain a weight
distribution of 60/40, you should load weight toward the front foot. Don't forget, what you
feel and what you do are two different things. You will be amazed how much weight you can
move to the left foot during the backswing as long as the hands and arms are moving in the
opposite direction.
exercise - Try some small practice swings putting all your weight on the front
foot during the backswing to the point where you lift your back foot off the ground
at the top. After a couple of swings, take a ball and try to keep the same sensation,
this time keeping the back foot on the ground.
The Golfing Machine - The Pivot involves twisting the body and shifting the weight during
the Stroke so as to maintain balance, a motionless head and any required tilt of the torso. (10)
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To understand weight shift make some swings loading all the weight on the left foot.
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Head turn
If and when
We have all been told to keep our head down. In fact this term has been the golfers cure all
for over a hundred years. Unfortunately this advice could be the biggest single
reason human beings struggle to hit a golf ball correctly. To prevent club head throwaway, the
left hip, head and shoulders should turn simultaneously to the left after impact. After impact,
is important, because any turning before impact promotes club head throwaway.
A conscious effort to hit the ball before turning the hips will help promote a right arm
hitting/pushing motion and prevent a left arm pulling motion.
Many modern players try to turn their head very early, almost at impact. This head turn will
help maintain the club on its angular path and make the hip and shoulder free. Best is not to
be conscious of head turn, just do not try to keep it down, still or behind the ball!
exercise - Hit some small pitch shots intentionally turning your head earlier than
normal. Feel how this helps finish the swing.
The Golfing Machine - The mechanical device has no balance problem but the human
machine does, and mastery of the Pivot is so essential for good Golf. (11)
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A classic position when you try to keep your head on the ball.
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Wrist strength
Using the door hinge
There are two ways to open a door, the conventional is to use the handle the second would be
to use the hinge to move the door. Imagine the
engineering feat involved to open and close a door with
the hinge.
Many golfers attempt something similar when moving a
golf club. If you imagine the wrists are like the hinge on
a door, they would be more effective if they were
relaxed and inert rather than stiff and mechanical. The
other benefit of holding the club with a very light
pressure is improved contact with the ball. Surprisingly
the more you let the club take its own path the more consistent your hit will be.
exercise - Hit some pitch shots and at the finish when you face the target drop
the club out of your hands so it points in the direction of your body. This will force
you to hold the grip very lightly.
The Golfing Machine - The grips of hitters and swingers must differ in tightness. For
swingers, centrifugal force uncocks both the left wrist and the right elbow. So both must
remain passive but never whippy. (12)
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Try this exercise to relax the hands, be careful not to throw the club, just drop it.
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The shank
Easy cure
A shank is when the ball is hit on the very inside of the club face, it actually does not hit the
club face but it hits where the shaft joins the club head. Although there are many technical
explanations for the shank it can happen to any golfer from beginner to pro. As a perfect
shot is only 2 cm away from a shank very small disturbances to the swing path can cause it.
The problem begins in trying to correct a shank. A ball hitting where the shaft joins the
club will always fly sharply to the right. The reaction from most players is to play the ball
more on the interior because the ball flying right would appear to come from the tip of the
club. Check your club face, if you notice the contact point is nearer the heal than the toe or
if you actually hit a shank, get back to the driving range and place three balls in a row each
in contact with the next. Remove the middle one and hit the ball closest to you. If your
swing is causing you to hit too much in the heal then both balls will fly away. Keep doing
this until you can comfortably hit the inside ball and not touch the other. With any swing
you will manage to cure the shank as long as your hands remain relaxed. Always
remember the best way to repeat a swing is with very light grip pressure, the moment you
tighten the grip the levers made up by the club and arms can move off line.
exercise - Place three balls in a row each one in contact with the next. Remove
the middle one and hit the ball closest to you.
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St Andrews 15th
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Acceleration
Solve the mystery
Try to understand acceleration because it could be the one thing which is holding back your
progress. Every driving range in the country has a machine which measures club head speed.
Of course this promotes a contest between golfers to have the highest club head speed. Often
this becomes a greater measure of golfing prowess than the game itself. The true measure
should be golf ball acceleration although often in the search of club head speed, compression
of the ball becomes secondary. The club head should
accelerate until after impact or the bottom of the
divot. After this point the slowing down period begins
and ends with a complete stop at the top of the follow
through. The biggest enemy of this acceleration is to
begin the swing too fast. Often in the search of more
club head speed this is exactly what happens. Lets
take two swings, the first achieves 80 kph club head
speed at impact but because earlier in the swing it was
traveling at 90 kph this deceleration causes the club
head to pass the hands making the impact position weak with the club face laid back. As the
true speed of the ball is not at impact but at separation this club head throwaway will cause a
loss of compression and therefore speed. The final speed of the ball could be as low as 50
kph. The second swing has a much slower club head speed of 60 kph at impact, but earlier in
the swing it was even less at 50 kph. This is almost half the speed of the first swing at the
same point. Because of this the compression of the ball will be more efficient and the ball
should leave the club face with almost the full 60 kph of speed and also a better launch angle
and spin rate to maximise distance. Finally, body mass, club head speed and ball compression
all combine to create distance. Don't sacrifice ball compression in the quest for club head
speed.
" Many shots are spoiled at the last instant by efforts to add a few more yards " Bobby Jones
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Psychology
Get in the zone
Golfing habits relating to sports psychology have been passed down over the years and now
some of them form part of the game. Never watching your playing partners swing is one. Its
amazing how the rhythm of one player can rub off on another unconsciously. Not breaking
routines is another, just ask any touring pro and you will realise to what point they will not
break certain routines before playing a tournament round. In the end though, any fault you
have in your golf swing will be amplified under pressure, this
pressure will come when you need to pitch over a bunker or
water, hole an important short putt or make a par to win
the match. There are two ways to improve your
performance in these situations. The first is to improve your
technique. When this is done by practice make sure you
only remember the good shots and forget the poor ones.
Take this over to the golf course and keep you head filled
with the great shots, even from past games. The classic
mistake is to arrive at a hole and only think about your
previous disasters there. The second is not to put more
importance on these crucial shots. This of course is easily
said and will require some mental tactics to achieve. A good
start is to learn yoga breathing and use it to prevent your mind from racing ahead of your
body. There are two situations where this is important. The first is bad luck or bad play.
Tempers can be controlled by deep breathing exercises which work immediately. Use this to
think clearly in situations where rash behaviour will lead to wasted shots. The second situation
arises when your play exceeds your expectations. Here equally use the breathing exercises to
keep calm and not get over excited at the prospect of a great score.
" Concentration comes out of a combination of confidence and hunger " Arnold Palmer
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Practice and play
How to learn
By understanding the four stages of learning you can work on the important issues to
improve. (1) Unconsciously incompetent - the first stage, beware teachers, in this state the
pupil will not listen because they are unaware they need help. Use video to show them the
compensations they make in the golf swing. (2) Consciously incompetent - now they
realise they have a problem and are at a stage where they will accept help. (3) Consciously
competent - corrections have been made but have not yet been forgotten. Take the example
of learning to drive a car. The first few times are incredibly complicated, but soon all becomes
natural. Are you still aware of the process involved to change gear? (4) Unconsciously
competent - now you have made the changes, practiced them until they are forgotten and
you can get on with the pleasure of playing golf.
The difference between practice, play and warm up are
also very important in the battle we play with the golf ball.
Make clear distinctions between these three disciplines.
Warm up is done before play and during warm up you
should avoid practice. Warm up should involve hitting a
variety of shots to test which tools you have on a given day.
Maybe the draw doesn't work today, thats ok, go with what
you have. Don't fall into the trap of last minute swing
changes just before you tee off. Rarely your shots in warm
up resemble the shots you play on the course anyway. During play, practice is also prohibited,
do your best with what you have on the day and accept the results. Practice can be done after
play or on the days or months before. Don't disregard the importance of practice after play
because here all the faults are still fresh and corrections can be made.
exercise - During warm up hit a variety of shots, draw, fade, hook, slice, high,
low to see which ones are working best today. Resist playing shots on the course
which didn't work on the warm up.
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Putting
Practice whats important
The mystery of putting can disappear if you keep to the facts and do not try too hard, as in
any other stroke for that matter. Fact number one is that the ball must have enough speed to
at least pass the hole otherwise it will never go in. This sounds too simple but its probably the
most common fault. To understand how to give the correct speed to the ball, concentrate on
the two variables. Length of stroke and speed of stroke. Best is to keep one of these always
the same and use the other to vary the distance. ex. Always swing the club at the same speed,
vary the stroke length to add or reduce distance. You will be surprised if you do this how your
distance control will immediately improve.
The second fact is a ball rolling away from the hole will never go in. To test this, find a sloping
left to right putt on the practice green. Hit some putts but make sure the ball firstly passes the
hole and secondly passes on the high (left) side. You will notice when you get the speed right
the ball will curve back to the hole and go in. All because you were trying to pass the hole on
the high side. When reading which way the green is sloping always look to the edges of the
green first, this gives an overall image of the angle of the green, after this you can look closer
near the line of the putt to determine the slope.
exercise - When practicing putts before tee off always start by trying to hit three
balls the same distance, when you manage this the speed of your stroke is regulated.
You can now aim at a target and let ourself calculate how long the stroke should be
depending on the speed of the green.
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The putting stroke
How to roll the ball
There are many putting theories. Make sure you choose a method which will roll the ball
close to the green surface, this will help keep the ball on line. The sound the putter makes
when it hits the ball is also a great measure of a good putt. A putting lesson could almost be
given without watching the putt, as so much can be gauged from the sound.
Many things we do during the full swing can be applied to putting such as :
Wrist strength - keeping the wrists relaxed helps the down release of the thumbs into
impact, this is the same as for chipping.
Right wrist bend - do not be afraid to bend the right wrist on takeaway. This movement
will free up the hand movement and improve distance control. It also helps keep the follow
through shorter for a better contact.
Left arm like the rope - same as for all other strokes, imagine your left arm is replaced by
a rope, you can then push up and down with the right hand.
Rhythm same on both backswing and downswing - to get a good roll on the ball its
important not to hit at the ball. Consistent speed is best.
Then you must add some special putting requirements such as :
Head still - Keep the head still long after the ball has been hit. With any putt you think you
should make, keep your eyes down and do not look at the hole until you hear the ball drop.
Easier said than done.
Body still - For a consistent stroke do not move any part of the body from waist down.
Follow through no longer than backswing - To get best contact on the ball keep the follow
through the same length as the backswing. Attempting to follow through longer causes you to
push the ball and not hit it with the best contact.
Eyes directly over the ball - Eyes inside the ball will cause pushed shots to the right. Eyes
outside the ball will cause pulled shots to the left.
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Bunkers
Splash it out
There are as many bunker theories as putting theories, each one with its merit. I apply the
same technique to the bunker as I would use to lob a ball to the green. The best way to
explain it is, imagine you are bouncing your club off water, not sand. To do this you need the
bounce or rear edge of the sand wedge to hit the water first so you can skip the club off the
water. With this image in mind try some swings on the sand, hit the sand alternately with the
leading edge and the rear edge of the club and note the difference. You will notice the more
you roll the club face open on the backswing the more bounce effect you will have on the
sand.
For the rest, keep weight even on both feet, knees bent, ball slightly left in stance, rotate the
club face open on the takeaway and finish using always the same speed back and through.
The rhythm is also very important because if you begin the downswing too fast almost always
the club will hit the sand too early as the club head slows through impact.
exercise - Find a pond which is easily accessible and try bouncing your sand
wedge off the water. If you cannot manage then maybe you need a sand wedge with
more bounce, check with the pro shop.
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The image of bouncing your club off water will help in the bunker.
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"The problem facing golf instruction is - any tip will help for twenty shots. This
phenomenon holds true because anything that takes your mind off your current thoughts will
help, until this then becomes your new swing key, then it won't work anymore."
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The Golfing Machine
copyright 1982 Homer Kelly
(1) page 23 Directional Factors
(2) page 3 First Steps
(3) page 34 The Flail
(4) page 41 Lever Extension
(5) page 91 The Grip
(6) page 59 The Gateway
(7) page 28 Basic Planes & Hinging
(8) page 84 Timing
(9) page 79 The Secret
(10) page 119 The "Body" Lane
(11) page 9 The Machine
(12) page 91 The Grip
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St Andrews road hole
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Index
Acceleration p63 Grip p21,31,61 Right arm p11,19
Aim p9
Rope p11
Alignment p9 Head down p57,73 Rules p35,67
Hook shot p17
Backswing p11
Shank p61
Bunkers p75 Lag p49 Takeaway p21
Learning p69
Chip p37 Left hand p11,19 Weight transfer p53
Course management p17
Wrist cock p21
Pitch p41
Wrist p27,37,73
Door p27
Psychology p65
Putting p71
Fan p9
Flail p19
Full swing p45
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