Tyler Clark - Backswing
Keeping It Simple
By
Feb 6, 2008 - 1:49:13 PM

“Keep your head still.”  “Keep your head down.”  “Watch the ball.”  “Keep your eye on the ball.”  “You watch the ball, I’ll watch the shot.”  There are many ways to say it; however, the importance of all of these statements can’t be stressed enough.  The golf swing is hard enough without moving all over while it is going on.  Let’s try to keep it simple.

Think of your swing as rotating on its own axis.  In order for your swing to rotate consistently, this axis has to remain on the same plane throughout its rotation.  

This may sound confusing, but it can be simple.  When you take your stance and are ready to swing, picture your head being surrounded by a “box” that is just big enough to fit around your head without touching any part of it.  While you swing, do your best to not touch any of the sides of the box.  This means you can’t stand up, squat, or sway at any part of the swing until the ball is gone.  After the ball has been struck, your head has to move, so let it.  Keep your head as still as you can during your backswing, and downswing.  After you have hit the ball, move wherever you want while maintaining the balance you should have established throughout the swing.

However, try not to hold your head in place.  Tension can kill your swing, so make sure to keep it out of your shoulders.  While keeping your head inside the “box,” keep the back of your neck relaxed.  This should help to eliminate some of the tension you have while still keeping your head still.   

Your head is one of the keys to your swing repeating itself.  Watching Tiger swing is a perfect example of this.  His head never moves more than absolutely necessary.  He has spent years working on this and he will be the first one to tell you how important it is.  

I guess for this one case we have to think inside the box.  Staying still will help you strike the ball more consistently and you won’t have to measure yourself to other golfers by height.  

Tyler Clark, PGA
Contact Tyler with any questions at 748-7770 or via email at tclark@ironbridgesportspark.com.



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