What attributes make up a "good" swing in your mind? For most people, words like 'graceful', 'fluid', and 'effortless' come to mind when this topic is discussed. Nobody would ever dispute the fact that most professionals on the Tour possess these qualities, but there are some exceptions (i.e. Jim Furyk, Raymond Floyd, etc.). But what about your friend who has a great-looking swing, only to consistently shoot higher scores than he/she is capable? How is that friend different than the pros? Well, to discover the answer, you may need to change your thought process. To this point, all of the descriptors of a "good" swing have been visual inputs by the beholder. The REAL answer is revealed by a computerized process developed by Phil Cheetham, known in the golf world as the 3D Guy, called the Kinematic Sequence.
The Kinematic Sequence is monitored by sensors placed on the player at strategic points that allow the capture of key components of the swing. The technology captures components such as hip turn, shoulder turn (and the maximum difference between the two = "X-factor"), hand involvement in the swing, etc. It maps the amount of involvement of each component, and the point in the swing at which the particular component is most active. The result is a series of charted graphs that show your Kinematic Sequence, and it is revolutionizing the way in which the golf swing is analyzed. It answers the question as to why Jim Furyk is so good and your buddy with a "good" swing is struggling. Jim Furyk's swing is goofy-LOOKING, but his Kinematic Sequence is perfect.
For more information about the Kinematic Sequence, here is a link to an article written by Phil Cheetham http://www.mytpi.com/images/pdfs/Kinematic%20SequenceTransitionDownswing.pdf. If you have plateaued in your quest for the perfect golf swing and traditional teaching approaches have not helped, search out a person in your area with a K-Vest(one of the tools used to capture the Kinematic Sequence). If you are in the Memphis, TN area, Germantown Golf Fitness would be happy to map your Kinematic Sequence with the K-Vest, and work with your golf professional to help you continue to improve your swing.
All the best,
Dr. Nathan Williams, DC
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
"Full" Backswing: Can You Do It (correctly)?
It is often said of professional golfers: “Look at that beautiful, full back swing”. In professional golfers, the backswing is a thing of effortless beauty. In the amateur golfer, however, the back swing is a source of all sorts of problems - both structural and technical. When an amateur player attempts to recreate the type of back swing he sees on t.v.’s coverage of the Tour, he is setting himself up for imminent failure. Here’s why:
The average amateur’s body is unable to perform those movements.
Now, I’ll elaborate, but that’s the long and short of it. When an amateur player attempts to make a “full” back swing, there is a problem; his body does not allow it. His thoracic spine (mid-back area) does not allow for that amount of rotation, so the player must make it up from other joints of the body, and it is seen in the lumbar spine (low-back area) and the shoulders. Ironically, these areas are the last areas in which the player should be gaining excessive motion. The joints of the shoulders and low-back are susceptible to injury when over-worked. Also, the further the player takes the club from the ball, the more margin for error is created technically. This can result in inconsistent shot results, especially when these motions are uncontrolled (such is the case when an amateur with little flexibility tries to create a “wide arc” or “full back swing”.
Here are two pieces of advice for most amateur golfers attempting to recreate Tiger’s back swing. Increase thoracic spine rotation and decrease the length of the back swing. These two keys will allow the player to make a powerful, controlled back swing that increases the chances for desired outcomes and decreases the chances for injury. Get with a local PGA professional to work on shortening your back swing (http://dyn.pga.com/searchtools/pgaofamerica/pgaprofessionals/) and get with a TPI certified health professional to work on increasing thoracic mobility (http://www.mytpi.com/find/default.aspx). All the best.
The average amateur’s body is unable to perform those movements.
Now, I’ll elaborate, but that’s the long and short of it. When an amateur player attempts to make a “full” back swing, there is a problem; his body does not allow it. His thoracic spine (mid-back area) does not allow for that amount of rotation, so the player must make it up from other joints of the body, and it is seen in the lumbar spine (low-back area) and the shoulders. Ironically, these areas are the last areas in which the player should be gaining excessive motion. The joints of the shoulders and low-back are susceptible to injury when over-worked. Also, the further the player takes the club from the ball, the more margin for error is created technically. This can result in inconsistent shot results, especially when these motions are uncontrolled (such is the case when an amateur with little flexibility tries to create a “wide arc” or “full back swing”.
Here are two pieces of advice for most amateur golfers attempting to recreate Tiger’s back swing. Increase thoracic spine rotation and decrease the length of the back swing. These two keys will allow the player to make a powerful, controlled back swing that increases the chances for desired outcomes and decreases the chances for injury. Get with a local PGA professional to work on shortening your back swing (http://dyn.pga.com/searchtools/pgaofamerica/pgaprofessionals/) and get with a TPI certified health professional to work on increasing thoracic mobility (http://www.mytpi.com/find/default.aspx). All the best.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Mindset On The Course: A Long Horse Race
It has been a while since I've posted, so I apologize. Anyway, let's get on with the important information.
In his book The Bald Truth, David Falk, the super-agent to sports greats such as Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, talks about the importance of having a broad perspective. He calls it the "long horse race". He says that in the business world, far too many people have a narrow view when it comes to the end result of an action. They wind up putting too much stock in the here-and-now and neglect long-term positive impacts that their decisions could play in the future. He analogizes this type of thinking to a horse race; a horse can lead out of the gate, he could lead at turn one, he could even lead beginning the home stretch. But no one will ever remember him unless he leads at the finish line. On the other hand, a horse could stumble out of the gate, lose position in turn one, or be in the middle of the pack beginning the home stretch and still win the race. The end result is what really matters.
The same is true in golf. Always remember that hole number one is a long way from hole number eighteen. If you birdie number one, great! But it is only a small victory in that moment and your focus must shift to hole number two. What if you bogey number one - what is your response? Ironically, it should be the exact same response as in the earlier scenario. Treat a bogey exactly the same as a birdie while remembering there is plenty of time to recover. In any case, in life and in golf, always keep the end result in mind and attempt to make steps in that direction. Remember, as Mr. Falk puts it, it's a long horse race.
In his book The Bald Truth, David Falk, the super-agent to sports greats such as Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, talks about the importance of having a broad perspective. He calls it the "long horse race". He says that in the business world, far too many people have a narrow view when it comes to the end result of an action. They wind up putting too much stock in the here-and-now and neglect long-term positive impacts that their decisions could play in the future. He analogizes this type of thinking to a horse race; a horse can lead out of the gate, he could lead at turn one, he could even lead beginning the home stretch. But no one will ever remember him unless he leads at the finish line. On the other hand, a horse could stumble out of the gate, lose position in turn one, or be in the middle of the pack beginning the home stretch and still win the race. The end result is what really matters.
The same is true in golf. Always remember that hole number one is a long way from hole number eighteen. If you birdie number one, great! But it is only a small victory in that moment and your focus must shift to hole number two. What if you bogey number one - what is your response? Ironically, it should be the exact same response as in the earlier scenario. Treat a bogey exactly the same as a birdie while remembering there is plenty of time to recover. In any case, in life and in golf, always keep the end result in mind and attempt to make steps in that direction. Remember, as Mr. Falk puts it, it's a long horse race.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
How Smooth Are You?
You might think that the title of this post is in reference to your swing. It's actually not. It's about something you do before you ever begin your swing - stabilize. Before you can make a swing, you must have a solid foundation. How strong is your foundation? Let's find out; try this:
Assume your 5-iron golf stance as you normally do. Now, slowly push your pelvis all the way forward (flexing your lumbar spine). From here, slowly poke your butt all the way out (fully extending your lumbar spine), all the while maintaining your golf posture. Repeat this process about 10 times.
Can you do it without shaking? If so, you have the beginnings of a great foundation for your golf swing (and you are also in the minority). If you do shake while trying to perform this, do this exercise several times a day for the next couple of weeks. You will begin to see that it becomes easier and easrier. The thing you may not see, however, is that strengthening the muscles that control this movement can help prevent injury to your low back when playing golf. This is not the only way to test core strength and this exercise does not target all muscles that need to be strengthened in order to build a strong golf foundation. But it is a simple start that is very much worth your time.
Assume your 5-iron golf stance as you normally do. Now, slowly push your pelvis all the way forward (flexing your lumbar spine). From here, slowly poke your butt all the way out (fully extending your lumbar spine), all the while maintaining your golf posture. Repeat this process about 10 times.
Can you do it without shaking? If so, you have the beginnings of a great foundation for your golf swing (and you are also in the minority). If you do shake while trying to perform this, do this exercise several times a day for the next couple of weeks. You will begin to see that it becomes easier and easrier. The thing you may not see, however, is that strengthening the muscles that control this movement can help prevent injury to your low back when playing golf. This is not the only way to test core strength and this exercise does not target all muscles that need to be strengthened in order to build a strong golf foundation. But it is a simple start that is very much worth your time.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Make Putting "Routine"
Have you ever wondered how the best players in the world routinely make 15, 20, even 30 foot putts from week-to-week? Most players are not consistent enough to make putts from hole-to-hole. Well, what's the difference? The best putters in the world have a routine that they utilize to be more consistent in terms of putting. Here's what they do, followed by how you can do it too:
1) Mark the ball. As soon as you reach your ball, mark it. This allows you the opportunity to clean your ball and collect your thoughts.
2) Read the putt from behind the hole. This is the most critical perspective for determining the line, but not the only criteria.
3) Walk around to the other side of the hole. While walking to the other side, take in the terrain. Is it uphill, downhill, sidehill? Do you notice a difference in grain, any impediments in the way, which way is the cup sitting (i.e. slanted), etc.? This also allows you to feel the distance of the putt.
3) Read the putt from behind the hole. This allows you to analyze the break from a different angle. Compare it to the read that you got from behind the ball.
4) Walk back to your ball on the side opposite that you walked to hole. This allows you to get a 360 degree view/feel of your putt.
5) Place your ball, lining up the words on the line you have chosen. Self-explanitory.
6) Take several practice strokes focusing on the speed only. Imagine, if you are right-handed and you play golf right-handed, that you are rolling the ball to the hole with your right hand. This is similar to the firmness of your putting stroke.
7) Once you determine the correct speed at which to hit the ball, step up to the ball, line the putter up to the pre-determined line, and focus on speed.
This, or a variation of it, is the routine most great players use. It allows them to compartmentalize putting into analyzing the overall putt, determining the line, determining the speed, and executing without doing it all at one time. Also, it can be done quickly. It sounds like a long process, but once you get the hang of it, you can perform the steps very quickly. And don't let your playing partners deter you from going to the extra effort of walking around the hole. Before long, they'll be doing it too (after they see your results).
1) Mark the ball. As soon as you reach your ball, mark it. This allows you the opportunity to clean your ball and collect your thoughts.
2) Read the putt from behind the hole. This is the most critical perspective for determining the line, but not the only criteria.
3) Walk around to the other side of the hole. While walking to the other side, take in the terrain. Is it uphill, downhill, sidehill? Do you notice a difference in grain, any impediments in the way, which way is the cup sitting (i.e. slanted), etc.? This also allows you to feel the distance of the putt.
3) Read the putt from behind the hole. This allows you to analyze the break from a different angle. Compare it to the read that you got from behind the ball.
4) Walk back to your ball on the side opposite that you walked to hole. This allows you to get a 360 degree view/feel of your putt.
5) Place your ball, lining up the words on the line you have chosen. Self-explanitory.
6) Take several practice strokes focusing on the speed only. Imagine, if you are right-handed and you play golf right-handed, that you are rolling the ball to the hole with your right hand. This is similar to the firmness of your putting stroke.
7) Once you determine the correct speed at which to hit the ball, step up to the ball, line the putter up to the pre-determined line, and focus on speed.
This, or a variation of it, is the routine most great players use. It allows them to compartmentalize putting into analyzing the overall putt, determining the line, determining the speed, and executing without doing it all at one time. Also, it can be done quickly. It sounds like a long process, but once you get the hang of it, you can perform the steps very quickly. And don't let your playing partners deter you from going to the extra effort of walking around the hole. Before long, they'll be doing it too (after they see your results).
Monday, March 15, 2010
Practical Practice
The next time you are at the range, make it a point to practice with a purpose. This can be accomplished in a very practical and easy manner. If you hit 60 balls, the average amount of balls in a medium bucket, hit 10 beginning with a pitching wedge (to develop proper tempo), 5 balls with a 6 iron, and 5 teed balls with a 3-wood. This process will develop good tempo and provide you an opportunity to warm up. With the next 40 balls, play golf. More specifically, if this practice is taking place before the round, 'play' the course you are about to actually play. For example:
Think of the hole on which you will begin your round. If it is a straight away par 4, 400 yards with no danger, then pull the appropriate club for the tee shot. Maybe it's a 3-wood or a driver. On the range, hit the shot that you would hit on the course. Then, depending on the result of the shot, decide what shot is appropriate for the next shot. Then, still on the range, hit that shot with the appropriate club. If you miss the green by a good distance, hit the pitch shot to the green. Once you're on the green (or within chipping distance), move on to the next hole and repeat the process. With 40 balls, you should be able to play about 10 holes, maybe more. You must use your pre-shot routine before every shot and have your fairway/green clearly mapped out on the range.
If you are practicing on a day that you will not be playing, only dedicate about 20 range balls to 'playing the course'. This will allow about 20 balls afterwards to work on any issues you may be fighting in your swing. This should never be done before a round because you do not want to be working on swing issues on the course, unless you are playing a round with the sole purpose of practicing.
This approach will help you practice with a practical purpose. You will see a direct positive impact on your game using this technique.
Think of the hole on which you will begin your round. If it is a straight away par 4, 400 yards with no danger, then pull the appropriate club for the tee shot. Maybe it's a 3-wood or a driver. On the range, hit the shot that you would hit on the course. Then, depending on the result of the shot, decide what shot is appropriate for the next shot. Then, still on the range, hit that shot with the appropriate club. If you miss the green by a good distance, hit the pitch shot to the green. Once you're on the green (or within chipping distance), move on to the next hole and repeat the process. With 40 balls, you should be able to play about 10 holes, maybe more. You must use your pre-shot routine before every shot and have your fairway/green clearly mapped out on the range.
If you are practicing on a day that you will not be playing, only dedicate about 20 range balls to 'playing the course'. This will allow about 20 balls afterwards to work on any issues you may be fighting in your swing. This should never be done before a round because you do not want to be working on swing issues on the course, unless you are playing a round with the sole purpose of practicing.
This approach will help you practice with a practical purpose. You will see a direct positive impact on your game using this technique.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
"The One Thing I've Learned From The Past...."
This topic was chosen by a reader:
"How do you recover following a poor shot or a bad round?"
What is the difference between a great golfer and a good golfer? Or an average golfer and a good golfer? What is the difference between a PGA Tour winner and a journeyman who has never won? This topic is debatable and there are many factors to consider when comparing players. But the best answer to these questions is this: The best players analyze past results with the intention to improve future results.
Warren Buffet, the great investor, once said, "The one thing I've learned from the past is that we don't learn from the past". He was speaking in terms of financial investing, but the saying could easily be used in terms of golf. So often we see players who hit balls on the range with no regard for improving. They may hit 200 7-irons, but it's aimless. These players often wonder why they are not seeing the positive results that their efforts should be yielding. But their time is spent in vain because there is no focus. Below, I will describe some ways to improve your thought process in an attempt to dampen the effects of both bad and GOOD shots and rounds.
Most players who struggle with inconsistency ask the wrong question following a poor shot or a bad round. The question they ask is "What?". "What happened?", "what was the result?", "what went wrong?", etc. The problem with asking themselves "what?" is that it is not a constructive question. Asking "what" will not help you improve on future results because it keeps you in the past. And the shot is already done or the round is already over.
From here on out, every shot you ever hit should be followed with one question: "Why?". "Why?" is constructive. "Why?" returns the player to a place where learning can take place and a foundation can be formed. And from this foundation, improvements can be made. When I say "every" shot should be followed by "why?", I mean it - both good and bad shots. Asking "why" after a good shot can help the player engrain the parts of the swing that worked. After a poor shot, "why" helps to identify problem areas in the swing or mental approach that can be improved upon. You should feel like a 5 year old following a shot, "why is that?, why is THAT?...". Hitting shots with a purpose in mind will allow the golfer to improve no matter at what level they are current playing.
This approach allow the player time to analyze the shot: why it went right, why it went wrong, lessons learned, etc. And it also allows the mind to reset prior to the next shot. In medicine, the first action of assessing a trauma patient is to "stop the bleeding". If a patient is bleeding heavily, it really doesn't matter if they are breathing or not because without blood, life is unsustainable (breathing can be done for the patient if need be). The same principle is true in golf: "stop the bleeding". Following a bad shot, ask "why?", analyze it, and move on. Tiger does this better than anyone. He may get angry after hitting a poor shot, but he never allows a poor shot to influence the next shot. When I played in college and professionally, I did not hit two poor shots in a row or bogey two holes in a row (that was the goal, at least). Do not allow yourself to hit two poor shots in row. If that means playing a shot that is not particularly called for on that hole but you know you will put a confident swing on it, do it. In the long run, this approach will yield results.
1) Learn from the past
2) Ask "why did that happen?" after EVERY shot and round
3) Analyze the result
4) Move on
"How do you recover following a poor shot or a bad round?"
What is the difference between a great golfer and a good golfer? Or an average golfer and a good golfer? What is the difference between a PGA Tour winner and a journeyman who has never won? This topic is debatable and there are many factors to consider when comparing players. But the best answer to these questions is this: The best players analyze past results with the intention to improve future results.
Warren Buffet, the great investor, once said, "The one thing I've learned from the past is that we don't learn from the past". He was speaking in terms of financial investing, but the saying could easily be used in terms of golf. So often we see players who hit balls on the range with no regard for improving. They may hit 200 7-irons, but it's aimless. These players often wonder why they are not seeing the positive results that their efforts should be yielding. But their time is spent in vain because there is no focus. Below, I will describe some ways to improve your thought process in an attempt to dampen the effects of both bad and GOOD shots and rounds.
Most players who struggle with inconsistency ask the wrong question following a poor shot or a bad round. The question they ask is "What?". "What happened?", "what was the result?", "what went wrong?", etc. The problem with asking themselves "what?" is that it is not a constructive question. Asking "what" will not help you improve on future results because it keeps you in the past. And the shot is already done or the round is already over.
From here on out, every shot you ever hit should be followed with one question: "Why?". "Why?" is constructive. "Why?" returns the player to a place where learning can take place and a foundation can be formed. And from this foundation, improvements can be made. When I say "every" shot should be followed by "why?", I mean it - both good and bad shots. Asking "why" after a good shot can help the player engrain the parts of the swing that worked. After a poor shot, "why" helps to identify problem areas in the swing or mental approach that can be improved upon. You should feel like a 5 year old following a shot, "why is that?, why is THAT?...". Hitting shots with a purpose in mind will allow the golfer to improve no matter at what level they are current playing.
This approach allow the player time to analyze the shot: why it went right, why it went wrong, lessons learned, etc. And it also allows the mind to reset prior to the next shot. In medicine, the first action of assessing a trauma patient is to "stop the bleeding". If a patient is bleeding heavily, it really doesn't matter if they are breathing or not because without blood, life is unsustainable (breathing can be done for the patient if need be). The same principle is true in golf: "stop the bleeding". Following a bad shot, ask "why?", analyze it, and move on. Tiger does this better than anyone. He may get angry after hitting a poor shot, but he never allows a poor shot to influence the next shot. When I played in college and professionally, I did not hit two poor shots in a row or bogey two holes in a row (that was the goal, at least). Do not allow yourself to hit two poor shots in row. If that means playing a shot that is not particularly called for on that hole but you know you will put a confident swing on it, do it. In the long run, this approach will yield results.
1) Learn from the past
2) Ask "why did that happen?" after EVERY shot and round
3) Analyze the result
4) Move on
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