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