Simpleton

Simpleton might be a term of abuse in some people's books, but I am embracing the epithet. My golf has been way too complicated for way too long. Simplicity is my new mantra.

Playing the other day I felt, not for the first time obviously, but with greater awareness, the ball hitting the centre of the clubface - the sweet spot. It's something good golfers do regularly and poor golfers do rarely. It has two main benefits.

The first benefit is maximisation of distance, including consistency of distance with the irons. This is such an important element of good scoring that it is too obvious to go on about.

The second, less acknowledged, benefit of centre clubface contact is accuracy or, if you like, reduction of sideways spin causing unwanted curvature in the ball flight. For example, a toe strike will often cause a ball to curve left (right-hander) or hook. A heel strike will usually cause a fade or slice.

The only way to achieve centre clubface contact, with any club, is to swing consistently and generally swing within yourself. Wild attempts to smash the ball are a big no no. It's important to 'let the club do the work', which really means you do the work, but choose the correct club.

Having said that, there are some set up fundamentals such as square body alignment, correct shot alignment, and basic swing plane fundamentals that help with centre clubface contact, but no hard and fast rules. Good rhythm, using the whole body, getting to the front side, etc. are also useful principles, but there are many and various swing types and tempos.

That's it. Keep it simple. Be a golf simpleton. Enjoy the walk.