| Much has been written and said about head | | | | movements in the swings of these champions, what |
| movement and its role in the golf swing. Jack Nicklaus | | | | then is most important about the golfer's head in all |
| said that the head should remain "rock, steady still." | | | | good golf swings? One aspect stands out. The |
| Yet a video analysis of his swing shows that he | | | | golfer's head remains behind the ball through the |
| actually moves it to the right or away from the ball | | | | impact zone. And for some golfers, it stays behind |
| during his backswing but he stays behind the ball | | | | the ball until well into their release and follow through. |
| through impact. Sam Snead said you should "swing | | | | In each video of the above swings, it looks as |
| around the head but keep it in its same place at | | | | though the golfer is watching the clubhead actually |
| set-up." And he actually did. His head remained very | | | | strike the ball. When asked if they see the ball at |
| still during his backswing, transition, downswing and | | | | impact, most good golfers will say that the clubhead, |
| through impact. It is not until after impact does | | | | particularly with the driver, is moving so fast that it is |
| Sammy's head move a little forward, upward and | | | | not possible for them to see it. |
| away from the target line. | | | | Here are the conclusions from the review of these |
| Tiger's head remains very steady during takeaway | | | | swings, in order of their importance: |
| and backswing. But on his downswing and at impact, | | | | 1. It is NOT OK for the head to move in front of the |
| video shows that his head moves downward about | | | | ball before the impact zone. The head must stay |
| two inches; but remains behind the ball through | | | | back and behind the ball, as long as possible, until |
| impact. Freddie Couples' head actually drops down like | | | | after the ball is struck. |
| Tiger's but his head also goes back or away from | | | | 2. It is NOT OK for the head to come up more than |
| the ball at impact, but still on the same line as at his | | | | about one inch, if at all, until after impact and release. |
| setup. Phil Michelson keeps his head as steady as a | | | | The head can come up and away from the target |
| golfer can. It hardly moves during his take away, | | | | line as the golfer moves into the follow through. |
| backswing, transition, downswing, through the impact | | | | 3. It is OK for the head to move behind and away |
| zone and well into his release and follow through. So | | | | from the ball, up to about four inches, during take |
| do Sean O'Hair, Rory Sabatini and Camilo Villegas. | | | | away, backswing, transition, and downswing. |
| Arnold Palmer's head moved more than any of the | | | | 4. It is also OK to move the head down, up to two |
| above mentioned golfers' heads. A slow-motion study | | | | inches during these same elements of the swing. |
| of Arnie's swing shows that his head moves down | | | | Video analysis may be the best aid to help a golfer |
| and away or back from the ball during backswing, | | | | see her/his head, and any movement thereof, |
| transition, downswing and through impact. At release | | | | through all elements of the swing. Tactile feedback |
| and follow through his head came up considerably. If | | | | may be best technique to help develop the motor |
| you are further interested in studying these swings, | | | | memory or muscle memory, to learn to keep the |
| you can see them all on video through the YouTube | | | | head back and behind the ball through impact. |
| website. Once on the site, simply search with the | | | | Another golfer is needed or a training aid like the |
| golfer's name. | | | | PRO-HEAD Trainer, to hold the golfer's head steady |
| With the above mentioned differences in head | | | | throughout the swing and particularly at impact. |