Definition of madness

The definition of madness: keep doing the same thing over and over again, but expect a different result, is relevant here. I'm not talking about golf swings or strategies. I am talking about thinking.

In my previous post I carried on about keeping a straight lead arm (left arm for me). That's great; a straight lead arm is desirable, especially at impact. But to actually think about keeping that arm straight while playing a shot is to suffer from our old favourite 'paralysis by analysis'.

A golf swing, as I'm sure I've noted and acknowledged as correct, is a singular entity in itself. It might be the sum of the parts, but it actually needs to be treated as that entity. Thinking about any part of the swing, during the swing, is to severely risk compromising the quality of the total product.

My mistake, my ongoing mistake, has been to believe there is a swing thought (or maybe a couple of swing thoughts) that will allow me to find success. I've been looking for something to take me from being a struggling teen handicapper to a consistent, competent, single figure player. It hasn't happened.

I believe I now have to accept my current golf swing - to trust it - and be satisfied that combined with some short game work (which can be improved with good practise and strategy) it will allow me to play to my potential. Distance off the tee, declining as it is, means I also have to be realistic.

Having said that, I am confident that my game, along with the game of many weekend warriors, can be improved by having a sound grip and set up. I've said that before and I repeat it. Alignment is another area - pre swing - where improvement can be made. To me this at least is a no brainer.

But speaking of no brainers, I hope that I can finally get over my madness. I want to accept the swing I have, work on what I can work on, and enjoy this maddening game a little bit more.

Armed and dangerous

I'm not armed or dangerous, but I do feel fairly confident that I have found the recipe (for me) to play decent, consistent golf.

The secret, which is no secret, is to keep the lead arm straight (not rigid) throughout the swing. And I mean 'throughout'. It is well accepted that a straight lead arm at impact is important for consistency, mainly through control of the swing arc, and also to reduce power leaks caused by flipping.

If you bend your lead arm at or near the top of the backswing there is a need to time the straightening in the downswing, not as easy to do as it might seem. Even a fraction of a second early or late with this can have a significant influence on the angle of attack and the release dynamics at impact.

Keeping the lead arm straight throughout the swing does of course have implications for those of us with less than great flexibility or mobility of the shoulders and trunk. The swing will be shorter, perhaps flatter and potentially slower when a less flexible person keeps their lead arm straight.

A shorter swing does potentially limit the amount of clubhead speed that one can generate. However, as players like Jon Rahm and Tony Finau have demonstrated, powerful leg action and efficient arm and wrist action can compensate considerably for this loss of backswing length.

The main challenge is timing a short golf swing. It's not easy. The lower body must engage earlier and the temptation to rush from the top has to be resisted. Any tempo will do, but the lower body, arms and wrists, etc. must move in accordance with currently accepted sequence theory.

In my case, it is taking some time to get this sequencing right. I have a tendency to hit from the top, but when I try to pause, I tend to lose all rhythm. Good players all seem to have great rhythm, varying mainly according to their stature and other physical attributes.

I'm very happy to have discovered the importance of a straight lead arm, particularly the help it has given me with my iron play. I am quite confident it is the foundation of a good swing. It's not a deal breaker of course; everyone is different. But for me it is very much looking like a good way forward.

Maybe after all I am armed and dangerous. Time will tell.