Coil in Body
If my body is constructed by rubber or synthetic like material, I think driving a ball so far that I will lose sight of it will be a simple task. Unlike rubber, it is very difficult for me to store sufficient “kinetic energy” in my body so I could release them forcefully onto the ball. Like rubber, when I intend to store too much energy, it will snap and all stored energy is released unintentionally.
Always hear that keep the head down, keep the ankle bent, keep swing smooth, keep it simple…. I think the main point behind all these is to maintain a motion that is not over extending any parts of the body so the energy stored is preserved. Keeping the spine angle allows me to maintain proper swing path, thus chance of producing a clean hit is easier. Keeping the ankle bend allow me to transfer weight easier, keeping the swing smooth means no over-swing that will cause unintended lost of force or avoid additional force on downswing that introduce unnecessary club manipulation.
Properly coiling the body is the fundamental step to build energy, keeping limbs bend is “storing” the energy. Releasing energy is uncoiling the body, fully extending limbs and weight transferring from back to front at the moment of impact. Capturing the correct rhythm to exert all this motion in the right time will efficiently launch the ball, without any regret holding back.
Keeping the rubber extended to the right amount of tension is all swing energy storing is about. Any part of the body that is doing any movement that is leaking this energy is just causing difficulty in the motion of launching the little white ball.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Short Game Improvement
Short Game improvement is usually defined as improvement on short distance golf shots that lies within the range of around 100 yards. These are usually the partial-swing shots performed by wedges or lower number clubs used in chipping, etc.
It is said that Improvement in short game will improve my overall golf game. I always wonder what exactly this mean. Talking to a friend makes me realize that this statement is so misleading. Improvement in short game means increasing my capability of rescuing shots that I have missed earlier and capable of bringing troublesome shots back to play. This will save me from wasting unneeded strokes that I am incapable of performing if my skill in short game is unsatisfactory.
Two IFs arise:
If my “Long” game is not so poor that they are devastating, than my short game left for me should be easy, e.g. a normal bunker shot, a normal chipping.
If I focus on improving my short game, then I will master my short irons and wedges better, I will be able to perform these clubs easier than others. On the opposite, if I focus on improving my long irons instead, then I will perform better shots in longer distance relatively. Thus, if I just focus on few clubs, no matter long or short, I will bring improvement to the game.
It is the long woods and long irons that put troubles into a short game at the first place, focusing on rescuing might immediately lower my score significantly. Think about it, if I am bad enough to put a shot into the bush, most likely I am bad enough and not have the skill to bring it back into play. Being able to rescue it will significantly lower my ballooned score overall. Though, this does not mean it improves my overall golf game, because I still did not resolve the source that causes it to be disastrous at the first place.
Short Game improvement is usually defined as improvement on short distance golf shots that lies within the range of around 100 yards. These are usually the partial-swing shots performed by wedges or lower number clubs used in chipping, etc.
It is said that Improvement in short game will improve my overall golf game. I always wonder what exactly this mean. Talking to a friend makes me realize that this statement is so misleading. Improvement in short game means increasing my capability of rescuing shots that I have missed earlier and capable of bringing troublesome shots back to play. This will save me from wasting unneeded strokes that I am incapable of performing if my skill in short game is unsatisfactory.
Two IFs arise:
If my “Long” game is not so poor that they are devastating, than my short game left for me should be easy, e.g. a normal bunker shot, a normal chipping.
If I focus on improving my short game, then I will master my short irons and wedges better, I will be able to perform these clubs easier than others. On the opposite, if I focus on improving my long irons instead, then I will perform better shots in longer distance relatively. Thus, if I just focus on few clubs, no matter long or short, I will bring improvement to the game.
It is the long woods and long irons that put troubles into a short game at the first place, focusing on rescuing might immediately lower my score significantly. Think about it, if I am bad enough to put a shot into the bush, most likely I am bad enough and not have the skill to bring it back into play. Being able to rescue it will significantly lower my ballooned score overall. Though, this does not mean it improves my overall golf game, because I still did not resolve the source that causes it to be disastrous at the first place.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Hands
What are the hands doing during the action of making a golf swing? I have been pondering over this since I started wondering what an efficient swing in golf is. There are concepts floating around that are enough to confuse a cow to climb a tree.
Let’s be subjective, prejudiced and selective in choosing about all these theories that make sense. In a good control swing, it is said that the hands should be in front of the torso at all time. Though what is “in front of torso” from back swing to follow through? I initiated a back swing, bringing the hands slightly to my right (for a right hander), at the same time I started rotating my torso with shoulders square facing to the right. What did my hands do at this point? I keep them in place in front of me. If isolating hands movement from the rest of the body, what I did with the hands relatively is I simply brought my hands up, collapsed them at my right elbow and raised them up above my right shoulder, with left hand much more extended than my right hand.
On the downswing, I do the same thing, I keep my hands in front of me at all times, I started bringing my hands down from my right shoulder, bring them back to where I started initially at stance. On the follow though, I bring my hands up again and raise them above my left shoulders (at this phrase it is done passively). In other words, isolating hands from body movement, I simply do a U-shape raising hands up and down from right to left shoulders. Pairing this movement with rotation from torso turning, I then created a swinging motion, I rotate to the right while raising the hands to the right shoulder, I rotate back to the middle while dropping the hands and I rotate to the left while raising the hands to the left shoulder. I do not swing hands left and right and I do not do bend torso up and down through out the golf swing.
When I look at torso rotation with hands motion together in a whole piece, I will see a smooth swing path and in sync motion of golf swing. The hands are not doing more things than necessary and the torso is not rising more than it should.
What are the hands doing during the action of making a golf swing? I have been pondering over this since I started wondering what an efficient swing in golf is. There are concepts floating around that are enough to confuse a cow to climb a tree.
Let’s be subjective, prejudiced and selective in choosing about all these theories that make sense. In a good control swing, it is said that the hands should be in front of the torso at all time. Though what is “in front of torso” from back swing to follow through? I initiated a back swing, bringing the hands slightly to my right (for a right hander), at the same time I started rotating my torso with shoulders square facing to the right. What did my hands do at this point? I keep them in place in front of me. If isolating hands movement from the rest of the body, what I did with the hands relatively is I simply brought my hands up, collapsed them at my right elbow and raised them up above my right shoulder, with left hand much more extended than my right hand.
On the downswing, I do the same thing, I keep my hands in front of me at all times, I started bringing my hands down from my right shoulder, bring them back to where I started initially at stance. On the follow though, I bring my hands up again and raise them above my left shoulders (at this phrase it is done passively). In other words, isolating hands from body movement, I simply do a U-shape raising hands up and down from right to left shoulders. Pairing this movement with rotation from torso turning, I then created a swinging motion, I rotate to the right while raising the hands to the right shoulder, I rotate back to the middle while dropping the hands and I rotate to the left while raising the hands to the left shoulder. I do not swing hands left and right and I do not do bend torso up and down through out the golf swing.
When I look at torso rotation with hands motion together in a whole piece, I will see a smooth swing path and in sync motion of golf swing. The hands are not doing more things than necessary and the torso is not rising more than it should.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Driving Range
I like to visit the driving range. I go there for practice, but this is not the reason I like visiting there.
Driving Range that is accessible to me is usually crowded. It is hardly ever I have seen good practice area that is vacant. I like to sit behind and watch how golfers practice. You will be surprise how much you can learn from simply watching how other golfers make their golf swings. There are all kind of swings golfers can produce at the driving range, paired by their sometimes arrogant, satistying and serious look on their face, you can tell how good a golfer really is.
However, the most beneficial reason watching other golfers are it allows me to see my mistakes being reflected by them, vividly and detaily. I have not found another method that is more compact and efficient than watch and learn. Throughly and detaily inspect another golfer swinging the white ball, I can realize what I was doing, am doing and should be doing.
This may not be the most welcomed method, but definitely very rewarding.
I like to visit the driving range. I go there for practice, but this is not the reason I like visiting there.
Driving Range that is accessible to me is usually crowded. It is hardly ever I have seen good practice area that is vacant. I like to sit behind and watch how golfers practice. You will be surprise how much you can learn from simply watching how other golfers make their golf swings. There are all kind of swings golfers can produce at the driving range, paired by their sometimes arrogant, satistying and serious look on their face, you can tell how good a golfer really is.
However, the most beneficial reason watching other golfers are it allows me to see my mistakes being reflected by them, vividly and detaily. I have not found another method that is more compact and efficient than watch and learn. Throughly and detaily inspect another golfer swinging the white ball, I can realize what I was doing, am doing and should be doing.
This may not be the most welcomed method, but definitely very rewarding.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Straight Shot
This is how the conversatiom goes:
"It is a very short Par 4, if you can drive 220, 230 yards, you can reach the green in one...."
"...then it is meant for you, that is the right distance and you said you can drive straight now..."
"Do you know how accurate you need to be to do that? The green is surrounded by hazards..."
"Didn't you say you can drive straight?"
"Straight in the range of +/- 25 yards on either side."
"haha, what a large margin of error for the word 'straight'..."
If straight shot is executed and external factor such as wind or air temperature is not affecting the outcome, then I believe the issue of failing to reach green in one is not in golfing anymore.
How many kind of straight shots can one execute? I wonder...
This is how the conversatiom goes:
"It is a very short Par 4, if you can drive 220, 230 yards, you can reach the green in one...."
"...then it is meant for you, that is the right distance and you said you can drive straight now..."
"Do you know how accurate you need to be to do that? The green is surrounded by hazards..."
"Didn't you say you can drive straight?"
"Straight in the range of +/- 25 yards on either side."
"haha, what a large margin of error for the word 'straight'..."
If straight shot is executed and external factor such as wind or air temperature is not affecting the outcome, then I believe the issue of failing to reach green in one is not in golfing anymore.
How many kind of straight shots can one execute? I wonder...
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Light Reading
I am fortunate to start golf in this era that is flooded by information. Without much effort, I could pick up a Golf magazine or browse to a web site where "experts" explain how to play golf.
Tumbled across a website and an article in Golf Tips magazine this month where out of the blue I read similar concepts from two sources at the same time. I guess it is because the moon is full and the tide is high that have increased the chance of such coincidence. The concept illustrates the separation of the lower and upper body during swing or as Golf Tips describes it as rotary or lever swing.
The lever or non-separated swing concept suggested that arms and hands are the initiation of downswing. They lead the motion as the body follows. Shoulder and hip level remains parallel during ball impact. This method allows force (work) to be exerted effectively onto the little white ball.
The rotary swing concept suggested that lower body (hips) leads the downswing as many great players such as Ben Hogan did. This swing allows hands to catch on and hit the ball as hips rotate and face the target. Shoulder and hips level are not parallel during impact.
Though, these two concepts are not the same as difference between swing dominated by arms only without torso turning and swing with torso turning.
While scigolf website encourages the non-separated swing mechanics, article in Golf Tips magazine advises golfers to choose the suitable swing type according to one's physical advantage. My limited knowledge and experience in golf indicate that the separated swing mechanics is the way to go and I have devoted myself to practice accordingly, until now…
Sometimes, knowing just enough to confuse over selections is just as painful, yet I figure it is still better than not knowing. It is definitely some light reading I have….
I am fortunate to start golf in this era that is flooded by information. Without much effort, I could pick up a Golf magazine or browse to a web site where "experts" explain how to play golf.
Tumbled across a website and an article in Golf Tips magazine this month where out of the blue I read similar concepts from two sources at the same time. I guess it is because the moon is full and the tide is high that have increased the chance of such coincidence. The concept illustrates the separation of the lower and upper body during swing or as Golf Tips describes it as rotary or lever swing.
The lever or non-separated swing concept suggested that arms and hands are the initiation of downswing. They lead the motion as the body follows. Shoulder and hip level remains parallel during ball impact. This method allows force (work) to be exerted effectively onto the little white ball.
The rotary swing concept suggested that lower body (hips) leads the downswing as many great players such as Ben Hogan did. This swing allows hands to catch on and hit the ball as hips rotate and face the target. Shoulder and hips level are not parallel during impact.
Though, these two concepts are not the same as difference between swing dominated by arms only without torso turning and swing with torso turning.
While scigolf website encourages the non-separated swing mechanics, article in Golf Tips magazine advises golfers to choose the suitable swing type according to one's physical advantage. My limited knowledge and experience in golf indicate that the separated swing mechanics is the way to go and I have devoted myself to practice accordingly, until now…
Sometimes, knowing just enough to confuse over selections is just as painful, yet I figure it is still better than not knowing. It is definitely some light reading I have….
Friday, August 04, 2006
Momentum
In search of the efficient swing that produces most distance, I search for ideas that "experts" have that transfer maximum momentum from club head to the ball. Found this and I think it worths reading:
http://www.scigolf.com/scigolf/myths/myth4.htm
http://www.scigolf.com/scigolf/myths/index.htm
In search of the efficient swing that produces most distance, I search for ideas that "experts" have that transfer maximum momentum from club head to the ball. Found this and I think it worths reading:
http://www.scigolf.com/scigolf/myths/myth4.htm
http://www.scigolf.com/scigolf/myths/index.htm
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Understanding
Take a driver; slightly open up the face and isolate all other body motion, judging from the swing path, if I swing inside-in, I will produce a fade. If I swing outside-in, I produce a slice, if I swing inside-out, I produce a push.
If I slightly close the face and isolate all other body motion, judging from the swing path, If I swing inside-out, I will produce a hook, if I swing inside-in, I produce a draw, if I swing outside-in, I produce a pull.
Again, take a driver, square the face and isolate all other body motion except the hips, slide the hips to the right (right handed) on the back swing and slide it to the left on down swing, I will produce a reverse pivot on back swing and probably a reverse C on follow through, dissipating power and losing ball distance. If timing is right and I execute this movement properly, club path could be so steep that I could deloft a 11 degree club to 8 degree. This could also be the source of sky-mark shot if I exaggerate the hips movement tremendously.
Isolating all body motions and square the club, move the knees rapidly on swing and I will produce unproductive fat or thin shots. This is especially similar to me not stabilizing my spine angle and raising the torso. Always heard the term “Keep your head down”? It should be more precise as “Keep the spine angle steady”
Cocking the wrist too late encourage power and control lost. Over extending the hands and raise it too high will encourage casting that disturbs the swing rhythm. Keep hands loosely from the body will promote uncontrollable shots, keeping them too tight to the body cause blockage in turns.
To maximize the ball distance, I have to rely on more torso twisting and legs muscle to initiate the downswing, If I use hands to initiate downswing, all I do is feel I swing harder which has no effect on distance.
If I use very forgiving clubs, I am aiming to hit straight shots. There is no point for me to shape shots with very forgiving clubs. I should use light and more flexible shafts to pair with forgiving head for optimum performance. Keeping the ball in play should be my objective goal.
I will go for more traditional forged clubs if I target for feel. I will also opt for heavier and stiffer shaft if occasionally I like to push my limit, max my distance and get instant feedback, shape some shots to challenge the course situations.
These understanding is critical or I could practice like a golf donkey. I wonder how much more is there to know?
Take a driver; slightly open up the face and isolate all other body motion, judging from the swing path, if I swing inside-in, I will produce a fade. If I swing outside-in, I produce a slice, if I swing inside-out, I produce a push.
If I slightly close the face and isolate all other body motion, judging from the swing path, If I swing inside-out, I will produce a hook, if I swing inside-in, I produce a draw, if I swing outside-in, I produce a pull.
Again, take a driver, square the face and isolate all other body motion except the hips, slide the hips to the right (right handed) on the back swing and slide it to the left on down swing, I will produce a reverse pivot on back swing and probably a reverse C on follow through, dissipating power and losing ball distance. If timing is right and I execute this movement properly, club path could be so steep that I could deloft a 11 degree club to 8 degree. This could also be the source of sky-mark shot if I exaggerate the hips movement tremendously.
Isolating all body motions and square the club, move the knees rapidly on swing and I will produce unproductive fat or thin shots. This is especially similar to me not stabilizing my spine angle and raising the torso. Always heard the term “Keep your head down”? It should be more precise as “Keep the spine angle steady”
Cocking the wrist too late encourage power and control lost. Over extending the hands and raise it too high will encourage casting that disturbs the swing rhythm. Keep hands loosely from the body will promote uncontrollable shots, keeping them too tight to the body cause blockage in turns.
To maximize the ball distance, I have to rely on more torso twisting and legs muscle to initiate the downswing, If I use hands to initiate downswing, all I do is feel I swing harder which has no effect on distance.
If I use very forgiving clubs, I am aiming to hit straight shots. There is no point for me to shape shots with very forgiving clubs. I should use light and more flexible shafts to pair with forgiving head for optimum performance. Keeping the ball in play should be my objective goal.
I will go for more traditional forged clubs if I target for feel. I will also opt for heavier and stiffer shaft if occasionally I like to push my limit, max my distance and get instant feedback, shape some shots to challenge the course situations.
These understanding is critical or I could practice like a golf donkey. I wonder how much more is there to know?
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