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.