Houston we have connection

I'm back in the swing of connection, so to speak. It's slightly astonishing to me that I ever left it. The freedom to turn hard that it provides is tremendous. There is the feeling that the ball just gets in the way of the swing, a sensation that many instructors advocate, but don't know how to fully explain or teach.

The left upper-arm and chest connection (for right handers) takes a little getting used to, not because it's hard to do, but because it imposes a kind of restriction, especially for more senior golfers, a feeling that one's swing is very short (which it probably is) and lacking power (which it isn't).

The shorter and more compact swing actually packs plenty of punch because the connection involved ensures that the larger muscles of the body (involving the core and hips in particular) work with the arms to generate clubbed speed. The fact that the compact, shorter swing also helps with accuracy and consistency is a bonus.

I should say that the most noticeable area of improvement with the connected swing is with the irons, mid and long in particular. It's not so evident with the longer clubs, particularly driver, maybe because there are other issues involved there, probably tempo and transition issues, which I personally need to work on quite a bit more.

The short game, chipping for example, is another story, but I do have a technique that works pretty well (a shallow club path and stiff wrists). And of course there is putting, but work on that will have to wait a while. I can't really expect much there for the time being. Patience is a virtue, trust me!

Luckily, I have connection to make me feel good. There is hope.