Golf Swing Advice

[Johnson]

I was at an indoor range the other day. The pro took a look at my swing. First time swinging a club since Sept /06.
While I was striking the ball well. This is what he pointed out.

1. My backswing was quick and I was only going to 3/4 and my transition was also fast.

2. My chin position was tucked down. He said having a chin flex will limit your shoulder turn. Getting my left shoulder rotated around.


Any thoughts on:

1. Tempo
2. Increasing from a 3/4 swing but Nick Price won a major with his swing?!?
3. Chin position - that was new to me.

[The Troll]

A pro also got after me about my chin being too low....it is a chronic problem with me....it not only inhibits the shoulder turn but I believe it also causes a rounding in the shoulders at address.

One teacher that sends me things told me he teaches students that they shouldn't be able to see their feet at address. It has helped me.

[dekker]

At address gauge your chin with your balled fist as a measure.That will give enough space to get your shoulder under.

[NICK S]

I was at an indoor range the other day. The pro took a look at my swing. First time swinging a club since Sept /06.
While I was striking the ball well. This is what he pointed out.

1. My backswing was quick and I was only going to 3/4 and my transition was also fast.

2. My chin position was tucked down. He said having a chin flex will limit your shoulder turn. Getting my left shoulder rotated around.


Any thoughts on:

1. Tempo
2. Increasing from a 3/4 swing but Nick Price won a major with his swing?!?
3. Chin position - that was new to me.


Tempo: this is dictated by your personality and demeanor. Nick Price speaks quickly, plays quickly, and walks quickly. This all leads to his faster than average swing. If you are the kind of person who's deliberate and walks slower than others, then your swing would be slower than average. It's interesting to see new students ask me if they swing too fast... most do, because they want to hit the ball, but after evaluating their particular biorhythms, we can determine a good speed for them. If they want to change this, its more than a golf adjustment.

3/4 upswing: How's your flexibility? It you can't physically get there, then you can either incorporate a stretching routine or accept that that's as far as you go. You can still generate clubhead speed that way. Look at JB Holmes.

Tucked Chin: could be a cause of the "KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN" theory. Players try so hard to keep their head down that they start to stare at the ball, and end up getting closer to it. That KYHD philosophy is alright for a beginner player, but think about that for a second.... have you ever seen someone hit a golf ball and jerk their head straight up? Whats the head attached to? Your spine. Whats at the base of your spine? Hips. Since most people sit at work, and drive to and from (sitting) and get home and jump on the couch, their abdominal muscles are being activated enough, as as such, get into extention (standing up) as they approach impact. So if you take one step back, and realize that you are trying to keep your head down but its not working because your hips are pushing your spine UP and as a result, moves your head, you can try as long as you want and never see results. Your carriage won't move if your horse is dead. Cause and effect. I like the idea of raising your chin, and looking down at the ball with your eyes.

[Golf_Goof]

Any thoughts on:

1. Tempo
2. Increasing from a 3/4 swing but Nick Price won a major with his swing?!?
3. Chin position - that was new to me.


Was your tempo measured or was it just a visual? What matters most is your tempo ratio i.e. backswing/downswing ratio of 3:1.

Lots of tour pros only go 3/4, if your hitting it ok, no worries.

Your chin will inhibit your backswing if you don't let your head swivel, most pros let it!

[Johnson]

As for my chin. I tried to extend my head a little and focus on the ball. This caused me to top the ball. The pro agreed my chin is in flexion and it is limiting my shoulder rotation.

My left leg and foot was pivoting close to 90 degrees as I swung through the ball. My feet would be parallel at address. The backswing was great then as I transitioned through my left thigh would externally rotated and pivot around my foot towards the target. I would try to keep the leg left planted or stand on a ball with my left foot.

Any thoughts to fix these flaws?

[Quest]

With respect to head position, I was taught to keep my head up, and eyes down. You should just barely be able to see the tips of your toes at address.

If you top the ball, the problem is that your spine angle changed. Work on keeping that consistent throughout your swing, and you will start to eliminate the topped golf balls, as well as thin, and fat shots.

[goshawk]

One suggestion with regard to your left foot/knee is to turn your left foot a few degrees toward the target. This won't restrict your backswing and will help keep your left knee from extending toward the target.