Like guitar instruction, economy of motion is useful in golf as well, producing a simple, efficient way to put the ball where you want. Here’s how.
Fundamentals
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 […]
Tracking Matt
The word “natural” implies an athlete who came into this life with his or her skills. Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Bode Miller, Babe Zaharias, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams come to mind. When you see them run, jump, walk, swim, or swing, most of us can spot a natural straightaway. There is a certain grace about them, […]
A Simple, Repeatable Swing
One of the challenges of the game, as many handicappers and pros will attest, is bringing your driving range game to the course. And I think the main reason for that is the nature of both venues. On the range, everything is the same: same lie, same terrain, same target, same time between shots, same […]
Deep Stillness
There’s an interesting book that just came out called The Art of Stillness by Pico Ayer, the renown travel writer, describing the inner journey. I can think of no better book for the golfing aficionado, even though there is not one mention of the most interesting game in the world. But to approach golf, you must experience […]
Bad Rounds
We’ve all had them. I had one yesterday. Frustrating. Demoralizing. Even embarrassing. They hit like a sudden cold that we didn’t see coming. First the sore throat on the warm up range where say 7 of 10 shots are not hit well, but 3 are solid, and we think, “Great. I’m ready. I’ve got it […]
The Key Backswing Move
Watching Rory McIlroy smash 340 yard drives down the middle time after time on his way to winning the 2014 WGC Bridgestone, got me wondering how he does it. He’s not a big guy. On the contrary. He’s not a macho muscular guy. Far from it. He’s not a super athletic guy. What Rory does, […]
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 […]