goshawk
May 10, 2007, 09:16 PM
Just as annoying as a bad shot is the sound of a playing partner blurting, "You lifted your head!"
Although your helpful friend may, indeed, have seen your head rise, the problem really is too much body movement. Most instruction calls for keeping the head down or still, because doing so keeps the body quiet throughout the swing. Some players become so intent on keeping their upper bodies -- restricting the turn -- and ignore parts of the body they should be concentrating on, the angle between the spine and hips and the flex of the knees.
Straightening either of these angles during the swing results in lifting the head and also raises the arc of the swing so the clubhead contacts the top of the ball.
Conversely, bending more at either the knees or hips during the swing drops the head and upper body and lowers the arc of the swing so the club strikes too far behind the ball, usually into the ground.
So forget your head and concentrate on maintaining the angles at the hips and knees from address through impact. Then you shouldn't be bothered again by topped or fat shots.
Shadow Drill
For this drill, you'll need a source of light behind you to cast your shadow directly in front of you at address. Position yourself so you can see the top of your shadow's head. Mark a line there and practice swinging. If you're "keeping your head down," your shadow's head will stay relatively even with the line. If not, practice until it does.
Although your helpful friend may, indeed, have seen your head rise, the problem really is too much body movement. Most instruction calls for keeping the head down or still, because doing so keeps the body quiet throughout the swing. Some players become so intent on keeping their upper bodies -- restricting the turn -- and ignore parts of the body they should be concentrating on, the angle between the spine and hips and the flex of the knees.
Straightening either of these angles during the swing results in lifting the head and also raises the arc of the swing so the clubhead contacts the top of the ball.
Conversely, bending more at either the knees or hips during the swing drops the head and upper body and lowers the arc of the swing so the club strikes too far behind the ball, usually into the ground.
So forget your head and concentrate on maintaining the angles at the hips and knees from address through impact. Then you shouldn't be bothered again by topped or fat shots.
Shadow Drill
For this drill, you'll need a source of light behind you to cast your shadow directly in front of you at address. Position yourself so you can see the top of your shadow's head. Mark a line there and practice swinging. If you're "keeping your head down," your shadow's head will stay relatively even with the line. If not, practice until it does.