Is It This Position Or That Position?

To say I teach the student not the method would miss the mark. However, with the complexity of the golf swing and the variety that humans bring to the golf course, no model fits them all. Golf instruction must be rooted somewhere. Even if it is only a basic understanding of swing path and face angle. A sort of quick fix approach can develop the proper dynamics. "I can fix your slice Mr. Jones. Just turn your left hand on top and aim right." This advice may create a drastic pull hook, but the slice would be gone. It may also work perfect by creating a nice high draw. I find it interesting when golf instructors and golf fanatics speak in absolutes when it comes to the golf swing. "Is it this position or that position?" I had this exact question a few days ago from a decent 5 handicapper. Oddly, I had an answer because the choice seemed quite clear. As he turned to walk away he followed with, "I'm duck hooking everything." Hmm... He was gone before I could change my answer.

Punch It

I use the analogy of hitting a punch shot as a model for solid contact. The natural movement that even higher handicappers make when trying to replicate a punch shot is the shallow downward blow required to trap the ball between the ground and club face. When I discuss with students the various shots they hit throughout a round of golf I often identify that they are comfortable punching out of the trees. In fact that is usually the sole responsibility of their 4 iron. For anyone who flips the club through impact, scoops it, or "casts" the club, they should try to hit punch shots. When Phil Michelson described how he hits a punch shot in a 2011 interview he simply said, "I keep the club head low after impact." Keeping the club head low after impact requires that your hands move through the impact zone at or before the club head. Otherwise the club will flip up adding loft.

Take a look at this video of Mac O'Grady demonstrating a punch shot. Note how centered he stays during the back swing and how he moves toward the target (left) during the downswing. Also important to note is the length of the follow through. By shortening the follow through he decreases the amount of flipping action of the hands and keeps the club head low. This swing is certainly a valid shot for a lower trajectory ball flight. For the average golfer, practicing this shot will translate to better overall ball striking in the full swing.

Slam It and Stop

from the series "how it feels to me"

Swing hard and abbreviate the swing by stopping early. This will exaggerate the proper slowing down rotation of the upper torso. The upper torso acts like the center of the whipping action at impact. As the arms and shoulders also take the lead through impact, they are forced to be in front the club head and relatively tense with the anticipation of stopping. The muscles are active.

That is how I am swinging the club right now. Slam it and stop!

A follow up post takes this idea further into a standard Punch Shot.