There is a secret to good golf that's not really a secret

In my next few blogs I will describe the ONLY certain way to develop a powerful and consistent, yet effortless golf swing. It's a secret, but it's not a secret. Everyone has heard about it, but only good golfers (who have forgotten they ever learnt it) apply this technique to their golf swings.

The method is simple and can be used by almost anyone - yet the effects are virtually instantaneous. The failure to appreciate the importance of this simple concept is the reason so many average golfers will never get any better - no matter how many lessons they take, golf videos they watch, or new-fangled clubs they buy.

It's not really our fault; the teaching professional who teaches us about set-up, swing plane, weight transfer, etc. etc. also does not realise that by focusing on these technical and mechanical aspects of the swing they are dealing in 'reactions' or 'effects' in the golf swing, not the critical 'actions' that give rise to these reactions.

The average player is therefore left in the dark about the importance of one particular fundamental of the golf swing that is responsible for almost all of these reactions. This golfer does not fully understand this fundamental concept or realise the futility of dealing with reactions when trying to develop a sound golf swing.

Without further ado, I should reveal this fundamental; it is the oft-heard directive 'the golf swing begins from the ground up'. Put another way, the golf downswing is initiated by the lower body; the feet, legs and hips working together to start the down-swing motion.

'Everyone knows that', you might say. They might, but at least ninety percent of golfers choose to start the downswing with the shoulders and arms, rather than with their legs and hips. In simple terms (which is all that's needed really) the correct initial down-swing motion is basically a rotation of the hips. This swing thought alone will work wonders for many golfers - with none of the dire effects cited by some pundits.

However, in my next blog I will try to explain in more detail why this rotational 'action' of the lower body is so important in initiating the golf down-swing. I'll talk about the benefits of the proper body action and the perils of poor body use.

In the meantime, have a look at the website of Paul Wilson, an American golf instructor from Las Vegas, who used the golf-ball testing machine Iron Byron as his inspiration. He is an instuctor who is well worth our attention.