So what is the one element of the swing that separates amateurs from pros? Actually it’s a series of elements, which adds to its complication…and mystique. I do not have it all figured out–far from it–but I have observed that recreational golfers know little about getting the sequence of movements right. Pros often learn this […]
Balance
A Buddies Trip to Bandon
Just returned from a buddies trip to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, on the southern Oregon coast, and am in recovery from the monstrous winds we encountered. What a scene! Forty, fifty mile an hour winds pelted us almost every inch of the way, knocking our balls and our bodies about like sailboats in a gale. […]
Still Head, Solid Contact
The concept of forgiveness, usually the topic of Sunday sermons, has been co-opted by golf club manufacturers of late, but if you really want to experience forgiveness in relation to golf, keep your head still during the swing, and particularly through the impact zone. It’s an old saw that has held up over eons of struggling […]
Golf, Nerves, and Meditation
In response to a hi-stress job, I spent quite a bit of time at the range last year pounding balls in order to not only improve, but to lower my anxiety levels. And it worked, but with a price paid. After hitting many balls, my anxiety did lower, but I developed golfer’s elbow as a […]
Boxing for Better Golf
Lately, I’ve taken up boxing training in my gym. It’s a great way to practice timing and rhythm, and is actually a good aerobic workout. Of course, after a long work day, I can put any number of adversaries on that punching bag and let loose. But punching that stand-up bag has led to some […]
On Taking a Lesson
For many golfers, there comes a time when it becomes impossible to figure out this game yourself, and is necessary to have your swing checked by a professional. After a number of years, that time, for me, came a few days ago. I spent quite awhile asking around until I found a pro with whom […]
The Key Downswing Move
At the transition between the back and downswings there is a point in time and space that sets the tone for the coup de grace of the golf swing, namely impact–that vital moment when the hands lead the clubhead down and into the ball, compressing the ball, which leaps to an elliptical surge, tracing a […]