"Helping You help yourself"
The Four Basics of Any Golf Swing
by: Jack
Moorehouse
When we think about the basics of the
golf swing, we usually think
about ball position, stance, grip, and so on. In other words, we think
about the swing's physical mechanics. That's only natural, because its
what most golf pros focus on in their golf lessons and what golf
magazines highlight in their articles on the golf swing. It's what I
write about the most in my golf tips as well.
But not everyone agrees that these are the true basics of the golf
swing. For many, the true basics of the swing are something quite
different, something that has nothing to do with the physical mechanics
of the swing. For these people, a swing's true basics are four
components-plane, centering, radius, and face. Golf instruction
sessions focusing on these concepts are as helpful as golf lessons on
the swing's mechanics, maybe even more helpful
Plane
Most golfers have heard of the concept of plane, but are confused as to
how it applies to the golf swing. Plane is defined by the angle your
club creates when it is ground at address. To master accuracy, the club
must remain on this plane, especially while it approaches the ball on
the downswing. (Actually, two planes-one formed by the takeaway and the
other by the downswing-are involved in swinging a club, but the second
plane is key.) This plane is the most powerful and direct route to the
swing, as I discuss in my golf tips. Coming back to the ball above or
below this plane results in pulls and slices.
Centering
Every swing has a center to it, a foundation defined by your head and
your spine. If you want to hit accurate golf shots, this foundation
must remain steady. Watch Tiger or any of the pros on TV and you'll see
how steady their heads and spines remain throughout their swings. This
foundation has two angles to it. One is the angle your spine creates
with your hips at address. The other involves the lateral movement of
your head. Focus on preventing both your head from moving unnaturally
one way or the other and your spine from moving up or down, and you
will produce better results.
Radius
Radius is the distance between the lead shoulder and the clubhead. You
must keep radius intact, if you want to hit good quality shots. The key
is releasing your wrists at the right time. Most amateurs release their
wrists early, forcing the shaft ahead of the lead arm before impact. An
early release causes you to hit the ball thin, or even worse, mis-hit
it altogether. If you execute the proper sequence of movements in the
downswing, you'll maintain radius.
Face
The ball travels in the direction in which your clubface is pointing at
the moment of impact, minus the effect of sidespin. You must attain the
same clubface position at impact that you establish at address, which
is why you need to align your club properly. The key to doing this is
matching the position of your hands at impact with the position of your
hands at address. If you grip the club on the right side of the shaft,
your hands must be on the right side of the club when you hit the ball;
otherwise, you'll mis-hit.
Conclusion
Is one basic more important than another? Not really, as I tell players
who take my golf lessons. They all must be executed properly, if you
want to achieve a powerful, repeatable swing. Now that you are aware of
them and how they contribute to your swing, try filming yourself some
day and see how well you maintain them during your swing. Also note how
well you hit the ball.
Plane, centering, radius, and face-these aren't the usual basics you
talk about when discussing the golf swing, but they are critical. While
the physical mechanics of the swing, like ball position, stance, and
grip, are key, so are these four components. Master both sets and
you'll achieve accuracy and consistency every time, lowering your golf
handicap in the process
Copyright (c) 2006 Jack Moorehouse
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