The primary difference between a recreational player and the professional golfers is the consistency of their hits. The difference in weight and length of each of your clubs as well as the slope of the ground from your feet to your ball are the problems that every golfer needs to overcome. The pros practice for hours each day to perfect their swing for both of these concerns. Recreational players need a trick solution to compensate for their lack of practice. [Swing Tip Next Week: Compensating for Sloped Ground.]
Swing Speed Crisis
Everyone wants to hit their drives as long as the pros. Unfortunately we not only fall short of 300 yard drives but the faster we swing the worse the result. Our faster swings create inconsistent results. Hank Haney tells us to swing faster to generate more club head speed to add 2.5 yards for every additional Mile/Hour in club head speed. He is telling the truth but he wants you to buy his magic swing speed device to help you learn to generate more club head speed. Unfortunately his personal focus is on earning commissions for sales on the product that he’s endorsing. It’s not helping your consistency.
Ernie Els has this wonderful slow, smooth takeaway and transition which is totally opposite to the bing bang swings of Nick Price or Brent Snedeker. As a recreational player, you will improve your game much faster with a slower backswing.
The Truth About Swing Speed for Recreational Golfers: The harder you try to rip your club through the ball the more inconsistently you will hit the ball.
A. Solution for your Driver: Your driver is your longest club and it allows you to generate the most club head speed. It really is the club that you want to hit the furthest to land in a good position to reach the green on a par 4 or get close to the green on a par 5. Unfortunately the faster you swing your driver the easier it is to be INCONSISTENT. Mike Bender confirmed that controlled acceleration in your downswing is important for distance but you should consider a slower back swing to control your transition and allow time for your shoulders (instead of casting your arms) to start your downswing.
Yes, you heard me say a slower backswing. Rushing can kill your timing at the transition from your backswing to downswing. Many LPGA pros and some of the PGA pros create wonderful results with a slow backswing (or even a slight pause at the top). Recreational golfers should benefit from a slower backwing. Give yourself time to transfer your weight to your leading foot during your transition.
Ideally we all want to impact with the ball on the midpoint of the golf club face as our club is moving up our target line. A slight, in to out swing path, creating a draw, is preferred but avoiding a hit on the toe or heal of the club face is critical. A slower backswing and transition will improve your consistency.
B. Solution for your Woods, Hybrids and Irons: Swing all of these clubs at 80% for a more consistent impact point on your club face. [HINT: If you can’t hold your finish in balance then you are probably swinging too hard.] Slowing down your backswing will give you more control of your club, your transition and acceleration at 80% in your downswing but it will give you less distance. Compensate by clubbing up to add distance and enjoy hitting more greens in regulation.
Mike Bender reminds us that most recreational golfers hit short of the green on their approach shot. Forget the idea of swinging with all of your strength to reach the green. Get that trash talk out of your head. Enjoy the compliments when you swing slower with consistent hits and land on the green using a longer club.
Reach more greens in regulation by playing from the right forward tees for your game. Swinging with a slower backswing and transition to improve your consistency. Practice with GOLFSTR+ for every swing in your game. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com
[Swing Tip Next Week: Compensating for Sloped Ground to control direction of your hit.]
