| Golf is definitely a sport with a difference. The | | | | can be loose even if you are not totally relaxed. A |
| similarity between golf and other sports, such as | | | | loose swing is the outcome of a big hip turn on the |
| track and field, ends at the need for a proper | | | | backswing or a sway, bad wrist and foot movement |
| technique. Though professional golf may require some | | | | and a certain type of grip. |
| basic minimal physical training, the weekend golfer can | | | | 3. "Stop at the Top of the Swing" |
| achieve high degrees of success in the game without | | | | Another fallacious instruction given is with regard to |
| following a fitness regime at all. Concentration on a | | | | stopping at the top of the swing. It is an established |
| suitable technique, diligent application, avoiding | | | | mechanical principle that any object moving in one |
| common mistakes and having a positive attitude can | | | | direction must come to a complete stop before |
| produce excellent results in the golf swing and overall | | | | moving in the opposite direction. Consciously stopping |
| game. | | | | at the 'top of the swing' results in freezing of the |
| When looking for golf instruction, even though | | | | body movement thus disrupting the rhythm that it |
| someone may want to observe and imitate | | | | significantly contributes to the swing. |
| professionals, the fact is that though spectacular | | | | 4. "Turn Your Hips To The Left" |
| movements can be noticed, the subtle ones mostly | | | | Don't try and 'turn your hips to the left' on purpose. |
| skip even the careful observer unless you know | | | | Hip turning does take place during a swing but more |
| what you are specifically looking for. The irony is that | | | | often than not, it is a natural turn after the golfer |
| it is these subtle movements that are critical in | | | | has moved laterally to the left. When golfers make |
| dictating a style and perfecting the art of a swing. | | | | an actual effort to do nothing more than turn their |
| This peculiar aspect of golfing has given rise to many | | | | hips, it results in a ruined swing and poor shot. |
| fallacies or myths about the mechanical principles that | | | | 5. "Keep Your Head Down" |
| are used in golf. It is thus imperative to know which | | | | This is a commonly quoted directive given by most |
| ones to avoid. Here we will address a few of the | | | | weekend golfers. However, the head needs to |
| most commonly heard today. | | | | instead be kept back through the golf swing and the |
| 1. "Relax" and "Use a Light Grip" | | | | subtle movements that occur will do so naturally. It is |
| A very natural combination of a 'relax' and 'light grip' is | | | | actually completely unnatural to try to fix your head |
| often used by instructors teaching the golf swing | | | | in a locked position throughout the golf swing. By |
| today. Even though 'light grip' relates naturally with | | | | concentrating on this one point too much, you lose |
| 'relax', the admonition to 'relax' actually became | | | | focus from the rest of the golf swing that actually |
| standard with golf instructors in order to loosen up | | | | helps to generate the power needed to drive the ball |
| their students who were self conscious and | | | | forward. |
| frightened to the point of rigidity. Over time these | | | | You need not be a professional golfer to improve |
| instructions seem to be issued to anyone who starts | | | | your golf swing and scores quicly. Better and more |
| a training session. However, inability to use these | | | | consistent golf can be played by the weekend golfer |
| techniques in the correct perspective can do more | | | | by simply heeding some good advice and practicing |
| harm than good. | | | | sound discipline. The important thing to note is to |
| 2. "Be Loose" | | | | follow the modern techniques that have evolved |
| Another common instruction, 'be loose', may sound | | | | over the years, avoid fallacious outdated instructions |
| the same as "relax" yet is very different. The swing | | | | and learn to manage the game properly. |