Do not read - insane golfer

Well, you can read the blog of 12 February 2022 because that is really the lesson I, and probably many others, need to learn in order to play decent golf.

That blog was about 'connection theory' and I don't need to repeat any of it except to note that the 'theory', which was once a 'hypothesis' (ie. untested and unproven), really does work.

I should clarify this to say that connection between the upper LEAD arm (triceps) and chest works to tighten the swing, improve sequencing and efficiency, but connecting the upper TRAIL arm and chest does not. Trail arm to chest connection is simply too restrictive and actually increases the chances of thin and topped shots.

I realise that connection does not guarantee the very important low-point control in the swing, as mentioned in recent blog posts, but it does help keep with consistency in the swing arc, which is obviously very important for finding a consistent low-point.

It is not all that easy to accept that one's swing will be quite a bit shorter, feels tighter and less powerful - until the improved sequencing, use of the big body muscles and better clubface contact starts to compensate for the apparent loss of potential speed and distance. However, patience will be its own reward - to use that lovely cliche.

This brings me to 'do not read - insane golfer'. I don't take my own advice. I tinker and experiment, constantly searching for the 'holy grail' - consistency - not to mention things like more length off the tee. But the answer is already in my own blog, something I forget, remember, forget, remember and forget again. Surely this is a definition of insanity not unlike the repeat / expect a different result definition?

Postscript: possibly there is a further mental issue I need to address. I've finally realised that putting with the hands united (with a grip like Jason Day's for example) is a much better idea than separated hands - my usual grip. Uniting the hands encourages the use of the shoulders, helps minimise wrist flick and generally feels great. I won't say how many years it's taken me to realise this; just lock me up and throw away the key.

Claiming the centre

This 'claiming the centre' is not a political reference, it relates to my current quest to improve my ball striking - particularly by ensuring that the low point of my swing is in the correct place.

I have found that the best way to achieve the correct low point in the swing is by staying centred throughout the swing. With driver there is some margin for error in terms of the swing low point (ball teed up, big clubface, flatter swing plane). A little bit of sway is not the end of the world. 

However, with irons and even fairway clubs there is somewhat less leeway in terms of low point control and thus clubface contact. The low point must be at or in front of the ball - ideally in front of the ball for good compression, spin and control of trajectory. 

Keeping that in mind, it is important that any movement off the ball on the backswing must be matched with a re-centre-ing (forward) movement on the downswing. This is something that most weekend warriors cannot achieve consistently. And consistency must be thought of as the 'holy grail' of golf.

The most effective way to achieve centre clubface contact through low point control is the avoidance of sway. This is something I was aware of at least ten years ago, but did not give enough weight to in my mind - unfortunately. Avoidance of sway is of course essentially the same thing as staying centred.

It is ironic that one of the first things one is ever told when learning golf, something that is now regarded as a myth, might well be the key in how to stay centred- 'watch the ball'.

To clarify, it's not that you need to actually watch the ball in order to hit it - you don't. However, by focusing on the ball (watching it during the swing) it helps to stabilise one's head and with a stable head it is much less likely that one's body will sway. By watching this doesn't mean fixedly staring at the ball or keeping one's head down - it is just the sense of keeping a steady sight of the ball - which helps to minimise sway.

Maybe this is something that better players don't need to worry about. Maybe their swing is so grooved and that some sway doesn't matter. But I'm talking about the less than skilled player, someone who doesn't practise much, if at all. This watching the ball is for me a real revelation, as is the importance of staying centred and controlling the low point of my swing.

Hopefully, claiming the centre will work for others who, like me, are desperately in need of more consistent ball striking.

The lowdown on low and down

I recently looked closely at Stack and Tilt, and issues relating to finding the low point of the swing and the implications of low point for consistency in the golf swing. I'm getting closer to finding a method for the full swing (primarily) that will work well for me - and probably for many other golfers.

The evidence is very strong that consistently achieving a low point in the swing (for all clubs, but especially when playing off the ground) is key for overall consistency in the golf swing. You only need to examine the divots (or slow-mo vision) of top tour players to see where their club hits the ground - in front of the ball - to know that this is how good, consistent contact, with compression and clubface control, is made. Poor players hit behind or hit up on the ball off the ground (fairway), often to a varying degree, and the precision and power of their shot-making suffers as a result. 

Off the tee, and to some degree with fairway woods and hybrids, a poorer player can get away with a swing low point that is inconsistent. That is not the case with mid and short irons, and explains in particular why long irons have ceased to have a place in the bags of all but the very best ball strikers.

Enough generalities - I am working on a method to make me a better ball striker - that is, to re-locate my swing low point in front of the ball. It revolves, ironically enough, around staying centred, avoiding swaying back and inevitably failing to get my weight and swing bottom forward at impact. 

I should clarify this and say that this relates particularly to my irons and hybrids, because off the tee and with 3-wood I do play the ball forward in my stance to level out my club path on the down-swing and through impact. Of course a slight downward path is still needed with 3 wood to avoid topping and promote some spin and lift.

I should also say I don't feel comfortable with many of the S & T concepts of tilt; probably because these moves are too athletic for me, assuming that I have actually understood tilt. But the idea of stack does very much relate to setting up centred and therefore my main goal of allowing me to get my weight forward through impact and getting my low point where I want it.

That's the lowdown on my low down. So far it's working well.