Golf — Swing Time!

Grip, stance, balance, posture, swing plane, backswing, downswing —— enough already! So much to think about just to hit a hard little ball straight ahead two hundred yards. So let's take it a step at a time.

No single aspect in isolation determines whether or not you have a satisfying swing. Grip is essential, so are balance and the rest. To get them all working in concert, relax and take a good deep breath. Anxious tension in the arms commonly leads to a poor swing.

Move your heels apart to about shoulder width and don't be afraid to jut your butt. Take a firm grip, but don't squeeze the life out of the club. That produces that evil tension.

Think first about three components of swing: backswing, downswing, and swing plane.

Backswing is just what it sounds like —— the part of motion when you take the club back in a smooth arc with your thumb knuckle above your right ear. When you draw it back your club head traces out a circle. Think of that circle as the rim of a round table tipped on edge.

Point your chest away from the target.

Now for the downswing, where you swing the club down and through the ball. This is where physics becomes your friend. A heavy club head, swung in a circle gains a large angular momentum. (A fancy way of saying something you knew already: when you swing a heavy thing in a circle, it whacks whatever it hits real hard.)

Take advantage of that and let your natural body motion carry the club head through the ball's position, toward the target. Swing down in the same plane as your back swing. (Remember the rim of that round table!)

Ah, so simple. Simple to say, hard to do. But here are some hints about how to achieve that smooth, forceful swing.

Keeping your left elbow straight, take the club straight back and up. That's the backswing plane. Let your left arm roll slightly clockwise at the start of your backswing. Be sure your wrists are cocked at a 90 degree angle by the time your left arm is parallel to the ground.

Keep your feet on the ground to anchor that backswing. Remember not to start your downswing with your shoulders. Start your downswing with your lower body. As you bring the club down, turn your belt buckle toward the target. Turn your hips as fast and as powerfully as you can, while retaining control.

At the bottom of the arc, your wrists 'snap' and you follow through, as if the ball weren't there. (By now, it isn't!) Your left arm has swung across your body near the right armpit.

Your shoulders will turn from parallel to the target line, to perpendicular to the target line. Your weight should end on your left foot and keep your eye on the ball.

Of course when you do it this way your shoulders will still turn but you should feel much more torque building through your body.

Instead of creating torque by turning your shoulders, turn your lower chest away from the target. (Torque is another of those handy physics terms. It just means a force in a circle. For those who like science, a larger force from a longer club creates a lot of torque. So whack hard with a short club, or not so hard with a longer club... you get the same torque.)

Your finishing position should be:

- Weight balanced on your front hip,
- Back toe on the ground,
- Hands should be up above your front shoulder and your chest,
- Back knee should be facing the hole,
- Ball much further down the course in the direction you want.

You know, come to think of it, that's still a lot to remember! Get out and practice and it will soon seem 'body' natural, and you can forget thinking about it.