The Correct Concepts

For many years I have found that poor concepts are the main reason why golfers do not improve and in fact get worse. It is not an easy game but it can be made a lot easier if you have a clear concept of how the golf club has been designed to get the golf ball airborne.

The design of the golf club is an important topic and when understood the game becomes a lot easier. The golf club had 3 parts: a grip, a shaft and a club head. Understanding that the grip and shaft must always pass the ball before the club head will help understand that the club head is lagging behind and is being pulled through impact.

Secondly the golf shaft has been designed to sit on an angle from the ground identifying the correct angle for the club to be swung on through impact. 

Example

Pool cues are designed to be used on a horizontal plane, ie pool tables.

Croquet stick is designed to be used on a vertical plane.

Golf clubs are designed to be used on an angled plane.

When this is understood the individual gains a great insight to how a golf club is to be used and control becomes much easier and so a strong game can be achieved.

What I am looking at in a golf swing?????

Well there are a few key things that I'm looking for in a golf swing when I look at it for the first time.

• 1) The shape of the golf swing as this will largely determine the quality of strike and influence the direction of the initial flight of the ball.
• 2) The sources of power within that swing, how the swing loads, stores and delivers that energy into the ball throughout the impact interval.
• 3) How the foundations affect the first 2 areas.
• 4) The concepts the golfer is trying to implement.

Beginners

Learning the correct concepts and building solid foundations is so important in golf. So many people start with poor concepts and poor foundations making the game very difficult which eventually leads to frustration and possibly injury. The goal for beginners should be to create an uncompensated stroke with a basic motion first before venturing on to longer strokes. By doing this you will save yourself much time and frustration and in turn start to develop a very strong game.

Experienced Players

The experienced player is more challenging as they may have strong tendencies ingrained in their swings from years of playing. This is where the assessment really counts as I will know what those tendencies are, how they affect the golf swing's motion and the club's delivery into the impact position. Having a structured plan gives the student a clear picture of the direction in which they are heading as well as creating a picture in their mind of the end result.