All you need to know to play effortless consistent golf

In my previous blog I promised more information about the effortless 'Iron Byron' approach to golf. I'll provide that, but I highly recommend checking out Paul Wilson's website and teaching materials because he is the Iron Byron guru. (Iron Byron is the mechanical golf ball/club testing machine that hits the ball with incredible consistency)

The simplicity of Wilson's approach is refreshing, but the best thing about it is that he explains why it is right to do something a certain way. This is sometimes stuff I've never come across before. He also explains why human nature often gets in the way.

I mentioned the lower-body rotational aspect of this approach, but I should now mention some other components of the approach that contribute to the full package. I must reiterate that this is my take on it; people really should look at Wilson't website and other materials.

I think there are six main features of the effortless golf swing advocated by Paul Wilson. I'll list them, in no special order, and say a few words about each.

1. It is important to have a sound fundamental set up - no slouching, leaning, funny grip, or weight placement. Wilson advocates a neutral grip, basically square alignment, 50/50 weight distribution at set up, and says that if you introduce any peculiarities at the set up stage you will need to make compensations in the swing, and that is not a good idea.

2. Think of the lower body - legs and hips - as the power centre of the swing. The rotation of the hips and the transfer of the weight, without swaying, from the back leg to the front leg provide all the power necessary to hit the ball a good distance. The key is to de-power the arms - they simply provide the extension to the club so that the arc created by the turning body is maximised. They add virtually no power to the shot and must stay passive or relaxed (and powerless) in this system - not an easy concept to accept, I admit.

3. A constant forward set up tilt must be maintained until the end of the follow through. It is the key to solid ball striking and consistency. The head will move back and forward a few inches and even up and down an inch or two, but the body must not tilt up or down as the club is swung. This is not often emphasised or explained, but it is crucial.

4. The ball is not the target;, the target (the green or area on the fairway) is the target. The more we think of hitting the ball, the more we make it the target, and the less likely we are to swing through to a good finish. A good finish (which may be described as the club finishing parallel to the spine angle - see Wilson for more) is how you know if you have swung through to the target and not just hit at the ball. Wilson actually talks about the finish of the swing before he talks about initiating the swing (ie. the backswing). It's that important.

5. The wrists must be flexible. The effortless lower-body powered system depends on a flexible connection between the arms/hands and the club. This is where the whip or lag is created that generates clubhead speed. If the wrists and forearms are tense they will not be flexible and clubhead speed will be compromised. Trying to power the swing with the arms and hands will cause this inflexibility and loss of clubhead speed (which equates with power). Paul Wilson explains this very well; check it out.

6. As implied above, the effortless golf swing is just that: effortless. We must not try to hit the ball hard. The harder we try to hit, the more we tense up, lose flexibility in our wrists, sway, lose our forward tilt, etc. The effortless golfer swings well within her or himself, thinking only about turning to the target and swinging with freedom and balance. Timing and consistent contact are critical in creating good clubhead speed. Conservation of effort, reduction of injuries, better control and greater satisfaction are useful side-benefits.

There it is, six simple principles. Of these, I think no. 2 and no. 6 are the most important. The final principle is perhaps the hardest to implement. It's human nature to try to hit the ball as hard and as far as possible. Paul Wilson says a lot more about why this doesn't work and why human nature is holding back the vast majority of average golfers.

Wilson's Iron Byron system is relatively simple and relatively easy and quick to work on, and I thoroughly recommend it to all golfers. If the short game is a problem, check that out also. His ideas on chipping will help many a medium to high handicapper.

Good effortless golfing.