| Can your game take a dramatic swing for | | | | tricep tucked snugly against the right |
| the better? The answer is definitely, | | | | side of my chest. I also can achieve |
| emphatically yes! I've read numerous | | | | this powerfully connected feeling of my |
| articles in magazines over the years | | | | right side through a preparatory |
| showing statistics that people never | | | | movement in my set which includes a very |
| really get better at golf. Well, I've | | | | slight turning in of my right knee and |
| got my own statistics over 25 years and | | | | hip toward the target to initiate a |
| over 100,000 lessons taught. In the | | | | pivoting motion and a transfer of my |
| April, 2005 edition of Golf Digest, one | | | | body weight into my feet as they resist |
| of my students; Lance Byars, was | | | | the ground. This preset movement not |
| featured as most improved golfer of the | | | | only encourages a snug fit of my right |
| year. On a national level, Lance | | | | arm and side at address, but discourages |
| statistically improved his handicap the | | | | any independent lifting of the club on |
| most by lowering his index from a 24 to | | | | the takeaway with my hands and arms. |
| a 3 between 2004 and 2005. Golfers who | | | | The last thing I want to do is initiate |
| truly apply themselves - and work on the | | | | my swing with just my arms and hands. |
| fundamentals of the golf swing and short | | | | Remember if our arms were as strong as |
| game - will improve significantly. | | | | our legs we'd walk on our hands. My arms |
| I've personally taught over 20 | | | | are not tight, but close and secure to |
| individuals that came to me shooting a | | | | my body at address. It's very close to |
| score of over 100 when they started and | | | | the feeling I want through impact. |
| went on to become golf professionals. In | | | | That's why many pros say they can feel |
| addition, thousands of golfers have gone | | | | their shot through their address |
| on to become advanced players who shoot | | | | position. Everything feels compact, |
| in the 70s. Even more play a very nice | | | | together and powerful as I initiate the |
| game of golf shooting in the 80s and | | | | backswing with a subtle transfer of |
| 90s. Regardless of your ability and | | | | weight into the resistance of my right |
| gender, you can become a better golfer, | | | | leg, allowing my body to rotate and |
| without a doubt. | | | | swing my arms, hands and club, loading |
| The following 6 Secrets will guide you | | | | stored potential energy into my right |
| to improvement: | | | | foot, thigh, hip, side, hands and |
| - Get the correct information from a | | | | fingers. My body is now in a loaded |
| qualified teaching professional so you | | | | position to deliver a powerfully |
| don't waste your time working on the | | | | consistent blow to the ball on the |
| wrong techniques | | | | through swing. |
| - Practice! I firmly believe the | | | | It is important to note that the |
| statistics of people who do not improve | | | | culmination of this release of energy |
| is directly relevant to limited practice | | | | and power may feel as though your right |
| - Remember to practice short game | | | | hip and side whip the club head through |
| pitching, chipping and bunker play! | | | | the ball with great velocity and |
| - Your time commitment is proportional | | | | freedom. However, the power is really |
| to your success. Make practice fun. Have | | | | set up through the preset address, |
| at least four drills to work on and a | | | | footwork, and pivot. As your right side |
| definite plan and goal during your | | | | and hip turns into the ball the club |
| practice sessions | | | | shaft will be thrown back against the |
| - No Negativity! Work on the positive. | | | | index finger of your right hand. That is |
| Don't keep finding things wrong with | | | | why it is vitally important to have the |
| your swing. When you hit a good shot, | | | | correct grip with your feel mainly in |
| remember that feeling | | | | the fingers. Imagine a picture of a |
| - Picture and feel your swing! | | | | baseball pitcher in his delivery; that |
| An example of what I picture and feel in | | | | contorted, backward-looking position of |
| my swing is a powerfully connected and | | | | the arm, elbow and hand just before the |
| unified left and right side moving | | | | ball is released is the same principle |
| through the shot with leverage of my | | | | of how the club shaft is thrown backward |
| feet, legs, and thighs resisting and | | | | against your right hand in the golf |
| opposing the pivot and rotation of my | | | | swing. |
| hips and torso. I also picture and sense | | | | This powerful angle of retained energy |
| that my arms rest naturally but remain | | | | is the final moment of truth in the golf |
| closely connected to my body throughout | | | | swing and is directly relevant to |
| the pivoting motion, and visualize a | | | | whether your shot takes off like a |
| delayed release or angle retention of my | | | | missile or a pop gun. Power is created |
| wrists as I near impact which finally | | | | through a resistance of your feet and |
| unleashes into a freewheeling release of | | | | legs against the ground. It travels |
| the arms, hands and club head through | | | | upward into your center of gravity and |
| the striking area. | | | | is released outward through the arms and |
| It's also imperative that you don't | | | | hands to the club head as a result of |
| over-swing, and instead picture a | | | | this pivoting torso rotation and |
| controlled and compact backswing and | | | | freewheeling whip action. |
| finish. I am very aware of the feeling | | | | Always remember: Everyone can and will |
| of connection when I swing, especially | | | | improve if they want to. Good luck, and |
| in my right side with my right elbow and | | | | keep swinging! |