GOLF SWING - SWING LIKE TIGER WOODS

It still amazes me how many youtube video's on the golf swing claim to help the golfer 'swing like Tiger Woods' or 'build the perfect swing' These pages are getting hundreds of thousands of hits. From this evidence it must be fairy important to the viewers to try and improve their swing and make it look like a tour pro.

With the emergence of computer swing analysis software like GASP or V1 I think the focus of many golf professionals shifted slightly from making the player the best at scoring to the player with the swing that most matched a tour pro.
Most analysis systems allow a split screen mode where the player can be compared on screen to a tour player. I must admit to doing this on many occasions. My only rule to using the split screen was to try and use a tour pro of a similar height and build to my player having a lesson.

I ceased using the comparison mode of my GASP software a while ago, because I felt it had a detrimental effect on my players improvement. I had somehow fallen into the trap of showing the player that they had improved based around the similarities to tour professionals' swings.
What I really should have been doing was showing the player how their swing had changed from lesson to lesson, and highlighting how those changes had effected the ball flight.
I still use the tour player files on the GASP analysis system but only to highlight the different swing models and techniques there are at the highest levels of golf.

So please do not get sucked into the idea that you need to swing like TigerWoods or any other tour pro's. Watch the different styles and methods used.

Once you have got it into your mind that the secret to good golf is not just a good looking swing, you will be well on your way to improving.

Andy

ENLIGHTENING

Striking a good golf shot can be simplified by the analogy of striking a matchstick.
When striking a matchstick it is easiest when you have these 3 simple components.


1 Downward pressure.

2 Acceleration.

3 A forward leaning shaft.

If you do not have these 3 components you will find it hard to strike the matchstick.

Firstly if the shaft of the matchstick leans backwards or is vertical you will find it difficult to apply sufficient downward pressure to create enough friction for the match to light. Secondly it will prove very difficult to create enough acceleration.

If the shaft of a golf club at impact is backward leaning or vertical similarly you will not be able to create enough downward pressure. This downward pressure is transferred to the ball which in turn compresses. This compression is vital in maximising initial golf ball velocity. You will also find clubface control very difficult due to left wrist extension. Quality ball striking and thus distance control is almost impossible from these shaft positions.

Now if the matchstick leans forward downward pressure can be applied to cause enough friction to light the match, plus the far end of the match can be pulled at speed. And we have light.

Imagine your golf club is a giant matchstick.

1 Apply downward pressure by striking the ball with a descending clubhead.

2 Acceleration will come from the pivot of the body

3 The forward leaning shaft, make sure the hands reach the impact zone before the clubhead.

Just a thought.

Andy

CONTROL YOUR BREATHING

The Grand Slam of Golf has just finished in Bermuda with Ernie Els winning the 4 man event. The event is fairly unique in a number of ways. The most interesting for me is that the players have microphones on full time. So we as viewers could get to hear all the conversations between players and between caddies and players. This gave us a great insight into the workings of the player/caddie relationship.

Graeme McDowell was by far the most vocal of the 4. He allowed us to hear all his thoughts on club selection, line of putts etc. The most fascinating insight for me was his use of breathing control during putting. Once he had gone through his green reading and line up process, he would settle to swing the putter. Just prior to making his stroke he had an obvious long exhalation. It seemed he was emptying his lungs of all the air they held. Then he would swing the putter.
This exhalation is a similar technique used by expert marksmen in archery and shooting. The exhalation relaxes the shoulders and helps maintain stability in the torso and arms. Thus helping accuracy. He showed us perfect diaphragmatic breathing.

Try this little 2 part breathing exercise to help you understand the difference between chest and diaphragmatic breathing.

1 - Stand or sit in a relaxed position and place one of your hands on your chest. Now begin to take some short quick breaths, you will notice that your chest and shoulders rise and drop with each short sharp breath. This is not great for stability during putting plus it also enhances a state of anxiousness. This feeling and breathing pattern we sometimes get when scared or nervous. These two feelings are also common in golf.

2 - Place one hand on your chest and one on your stomach. Now breathe in through your nose keeping your lips closed. As you take your slow deep breathe your chest should remain still and your stomach should expand. Next exhale fully through your open mouth. Really try and feel like you are pulling your stomach in to help empty your lungs. You should very quickly feel more relaxed and less anxious than before. This is correct diaphragmatic breathing.

Being able to control your breathing on the golf course or at home will allow you to reduce anxiety and help you control nerves. Many golfers get nervous when having a good score or bad score. Many of us at work have moments of panic and anxiety when things may not be going well for us.

Many of the elite level golfers will rely on correct breathing techniques in times of pressure to help them maintain a good level of play.

Hopefully this little breathing exercise will help you at home, work and on the golf course.

Good luck

Andy