Science and theory

If science is about disproving a series of hypotheses until you come up with a theory that proves difficult or impossible to disprove then golf is the perfect subject for science because golf is complicated, in fact it is arguably nearly impossible to come up with a theory that will work nearly all the time.

Time and time again, I have thought I had the answer to the golf swing (the theory), and time and time again I have found that the theory failed, for a variety of reasons.

The other day, I observed a golfer with a beautiful tempo and rhythm (potentially the ideal way to play golf successfully) only to realize that this golfer could not do anything but fade (make that slice) the ball. This golfer consistently (consistency being another of the great challenges of golf) cut across the ball, spinning it to the right, losing distance and control.

The problem is, as with many things and as they say, getting all the ducks lined up. This golfer had his shoulders wide open at set up and at impact. The club had nowhere to go but out and across the ball and even with a relatively square clubface at impact the ball was always going to spin to the right.

Now, if that golfer fixed, that is closed, his shoulders and managed to swing the club on a decent in-out-in path a lot of that problem would go away. Why then doesn't he do that? It's because we golfers tend to do what feels comfortable. And the most effective golf swing is not necessarily what feels comfortable.

This reminds me of some very early research I did on the golf swing where this very point was made. The golf swing is not meant to feel comfortable; it is not like swinging a baseball bat or throwing a ball, you are wielding a club that has a very small hitting area and you are doing it on an inclinded plane. There is a lot that can go wrong.

As far as I can get with this whole deal is probably to re-state a few fundamentals that maximise one's chances of hitting the golf ball relatively straight, with a reasonable amount of force, and with reasonable consistency, as follows:

1. Set up athletically and as square (parallel) to the target line as possible. Make sure your shoulders are if anything slightly closed to that target line. The natural tendency when gripping with the lower hand is to open the shoulders. This must be resisted. A conscious effort must be made to square or close the shoulders. I don't care what pros do or say, part-time golfers must do this if they want to create a swing plane that will minimise side-spin - the cause of slices and hooks.

2. The torso (core, hips and legs) and the arms and wrists must work together in the swing. If the arms and wrists dominate and work independently of the body, by flailing and leading the downswing, it will be very difficult for the average golfer to play consistent golf. Not only will it be difficult to replicate swings, but power will also be lost. I like the Adam Scott thought of 'start the down-swing with the lower and upper body at the same time. It's simple and effective. If I can also stay connected (front upper-arm linked to chest, as discussed previously), avoid swaying and trying to hit too hard, so much the better.

3. Finally, having mentioned a swing thought, I should contradict myself slightly by saying 'don't think' when you are playing a round of golf. That is: don't think during your swing. Plan the shot and set up consciously by all means, but after that don't try to do anything but get the little ball on target. While practicing it's fine to work on this or that, but when playing, trying to incorporate a swing thought or, heaven forbid, more than one swing thought will nearly always cause problems. This advice is mainly directed at yours truly - I need to do as I say probably more than anyone else!

That's it for now. I love science and theory. I just have to live with the realities that make the perfect golf swing as elusive as gravity waves. Hang on, haven't they found those ...?

Who could ask for anything more

I'll briefly return to the subject of swaying. This is mainly because, although I've abandoned the idea of pre-setting my weight on the inside of my back foot, I still consider NOT swaying to be a critical aspect of the golf swing.

When I was pre-setting my weight in this way, I found I was not focusing sufficiently on another key element of the golf swing - rhythm. Somehow this thought was tightening me up so that I lost rhythm, at least I lost any rhythm that I had, which is not all that much.

Part of my new 'no thinking' approach is to work on what a few teachers consider to be the number one ingredient of a good golf swing. Tempo is a different thing - namely the speed of one's swing - whereas rhythm is closely aligned to the sequencing of the swing, from the ground up to be specific.

I have started working on rhythm because I agree that it is absolutely crucial to good ball striking. A jerky swing is not a good recipe for consistency. My tempo is probably medium, neither particularly slow nor particularly fast, so I'm not worried about that. But rhythm is definitely something I should work on.

Having said all that, I do think not swaying is very important. And I notice when watching good players that almost all of them rotate their rear hip behind them on the backswing with no perceptible lateral motion, that is, with no sway at all. This is, I believe, contrary to the backswings of many social golfers including, at times, me.

So, I do need to make sure I am not swaying (and therefore able to get back onto the front foot) and at the same time find and feel a good rhythm. If I can get rhythm, who could ask for anything more?

The Name of the Game

It's all very well to solve one problem, or at least have an awareness of a potential problem as I did with swaying on full shots. It's another to actually have a complete game and score well. In my last round, I conservatively threw away ten scoring opportunities and suffered the consequences.

They say, and by they I mean nearly every golf commentator, teacher and player, that the short game is the most important part of the game, assuming you are attempting to make a decent score and not just enjoy hitting the ball. It's absolutely true. I need to seriously address my short game, not just putting, which is very ordinary, but my chipping and pitching.

It's simply not good enough if every time you take three from the edge of the green or when you have a long putt. At least half of these efforts should result in a two putt or a chip and putt - at least if one is to shoot close to your handicap. I'm not getting closer than about six to mine, all down to the short game.

I need to think carefully about how I'm going to improve, what I'm going to work on, and whether I need to change anything (eg. introduce some sort of visualisation or other technique). Let's see how the next round goes, but I do know I'll be out on the practice green early, puttin' and chipin' - 'cos it's the name of the game.

No Sway Jose

I've been hitting a lot of thin shots lately (I call them grubbers) and it has caused me lots of angst. I realised I needed to get onto my front foot and hit down a little more, but couldn't work out how to do that consistently. Then, I found the answer.

It's a simple idea really. I'd heard golf teachers recommend keeping the weight on the inside of the back foot for stability, but hadn't paid it much heed. I didn't think I moved off the ball all that much. However, I was obviously wrong, I must have been swaying because ...

Today I did exactly as I'd heard, kept my weight on the inside of my back foot (rolled in slightly is the easiest way to describe it) and I did not hit a single thin or grubbed shot all round. I still managed to hit some very average shots of various kinds, but the ball went up into the air - and my swing felt very stable.

I hope this technique and the improved ball striking will persist - I think it will. I've always preached 'no sway' as a fundamental. Now I've found a reliable way to achieve it. Thanks Jose.

An addendum: I still have faith in the Adam Scott swing though 'start everything together on the downswing'. It takes the technical worries about sequencing out of the picture, for me anyway. I think that instinctively I do start the downswing with the lower body, particularly with the back foot weight issue in my mind, and my fairly closed shoulder set up helps me swing from the inside, so I don't have to think about swing path.

One further thought on putting: although I've reverted to a conventional reverse overlap grip, I still need to keep my hands out of the picture, especially on short putts. I could feel my hands push one short putt yesterday and my distance control was not great. The solution is to use more body, basically by rocking the shoulders and using them as the power source for putts, rather than the hands or wrists. It will just take a bit more practice and continued acceptance that you can't make 'em all.