Is that all there is?

Recently, I investigated right-side theory, revisited Hogan's methods, considered some points from The Golfing Machine, and looked into questions about the perfect grip, not to mention a re-evaluation of connection theory. That's only in recent weeks, but after more than ten years of searching for answers on how to develop the perfect golf swing, all I can confirm is that all of the above do have something of value to say about the golf swing.

However, the conclusion that has been staring me in the face all this time, is that one has to live with one's own swing. There is no right way to make a consistent golf swing, only your way.

Often, of course, your (or my) way might never produce a touring professional standard, plus handicap golf swing - if you define good as consistent and powerful -  because achieving that level of skill will be dependant on one's age, fitness and basic hand-eye coordination skills. But getting the most out of our swings is what we can realistically achieve, with the following provisos.

There are, I believe, a few fundamentals of a decent golf swing and game that are not related to style, but that must be present if we are to be effective golfers. In no particular order they are:

1. The club must be swung in a way that takes account of the design of golf clubs. That is, the swing plane must be rounded or rotational, so that the club goes back on an inside arc and comes down to the ball on a similar inside arc. Clubs are designed to be swung on this kind of plane; trying to manipulate this plane in some way, for example, exaggerating the inside plane or allowing the plane to go significantly outside of the target line, will make the game much harder, cause inconsistent club-face contact and thus cost distance and accuracy. I would emphasise a square, balanced set up and proper alignment to help with this, but there are variations. Playing shots with the weight moving onto the front foot is another key fundamental partly related to the design of golf clubs and partly related to the following point.

2. The body, including the hands, arms, shoulders, hips, legs, chest and core muscles must work together during the stroke. Emphasising one area over another or others runs the risk of an uncoordinated, ill-timed stroke. Working on balancing all these movements, which are essentially natural (think throwing a ball of paper into a wastepaper bin) is worth doing. It's essentially about finding a rhythm and finding a rapidity or range of movement that you can handle. But, bearing in mind point 1 above about swing plane, it is important to accept that the golf swing can be a coordinated and yet natural movement; it does not need to be very pretty or graceful, because style ultimately does not matter.

3. Golf is also about imagination, creativity and, broadly speaking, course management. We need to find a way to get the ball into the hole in the fewest number of strokes. This means being good at the little shots, pitching, chipping and putting, and sensible recovery shots, as much as it means hitting the ball far and straight. Far too many golfers neglect the short game, yet it is one of the main reasons good golfers are good at scoring. Most people are not athletic enough to drive the ball 300 yards, but anyone can chip a ball close from 30 yards - if they can find a method for doing that. The principles in 1 and 2 above apply, but we need to use imagination, visualisation, calculation or whatever means we can discover to get the ball in the hole as efficiently as possible.

Is that all there is? I've just about convinced myself after many years of golf research that all I can do to play my best golf is to accept the swing I have, refine my set up or alignment a little if I must, and forget about attempting to find 'the' method or theory that will solve all. And, most importantly, I need to get to work on my short game. It may well be that, after all the searching, this is all there is.