My friend the ground

Having lost my swing during my last round, I of course went in search of a remedy. This led me back to some of my old favourites, the body swing, connection, rotation, release, clear the hips, etc. etc. And, as usual, I found plenty of conflicting - and confusing - advice from the online teaching pros.

I concluded that there are only a couple of things on which these 'experts' agree - clubface control is important and pay attention to set up and alignment. Other than these two issues (very general as they are) there are too many contrary ideas on how to hit a golf ball for any one method to be appropriate for any one individual. We are all different, with different ages, physiques and natural abilities.

So how am I to find my golf swing again? Well, the old Hogan saying that 'the secret is in the dirt', which actually probably refers to the need to practice, does have another interpretation.

I recall some of the online pros talking about using the ground for leverage and power, as well as for initiating and controlling the golf swing. I'm certain that there is a lot to be said for this idea. It's a matter of working out how to use the ground - because dipping with excessive knee bending or leaning might well be counter-productive. What is the feeling we need?

I suspect it is a matter of exerting downward pressure with the feet, with the knees already slightly bent. If there is a drop in head height, it should only be a couple of inches, not too much. The idea is to squat slightly at the start of the downswing then, at and just after impact, quickly brace on the front leg, which will effectively return one to full height.

This motion should be little different from the natural motion of many sports, including the simple action of throwing a ball. The legs and feet are in one sense the springboard for the upper body action that is to follow.

So, next round I'll have a friend with me - the ground - to help me find and keep my swing.

Eyes off the ball

Apart from rhythm, which is possibly the most neglected area of golf, there is a principle which must be close behind in terms of neglect - swinging THROUGH the ball.

The following is something most golfers have heard. It's often expressed as 'let the ball get in the way' or 'don't hit at the ball'. But like swinging with rhythm rather than with maximum force, we really don't accept that it is all that important.

But these two elements of the golf swing are fundamental. Notice how good golfers (particularly the professionals) finish fully rotated, facing the target. This is because they have swung through the ball to a full finish - not hit at the ball and ended up maybe half way to a full finish.

I noticed in my last game (especially when hitting irons) when I was less conscious of the ball sitting on the ground - and when I swung as smoothly (or rhythmically) as possible - my contact with the ball was significantly better. It was necessary of course for me to keep my posture, not bob or sway, having set up and aligned correctly in the first place.

It's too early to say whether I can repeat this technique with every future swing, but I plan to keep my eyes OFF the ball when I next play.