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