To hit the golf ball correctly with maximum compression and club head speed, a golfer must come into impact on the correct inside swing path. To swing consistently into the ball on the right path, the golf swing must be easy to repeat. This means the backswing and downswing must be on a similar plane, eradicating any need for complicated adjustments during the downswing transition.

The more accurately a golfer can groove a good takeaway, a good wrist hinge into plane and effective top of the backswing position, the easier it becomes to swing down on the right line. Practicing the golf swing in slow motion gives a golfer the best chance of building a swing they can trust to hit crisp iron shots and straight powerful drives.

Via https://pixabay.com/en/golf-swing-golfer-golf-swing-sport-club–970892/

​​Perfect Golf Swing Slow Motion Takeaway Drill

* Take a golf club, take up a normal stance and then pull the club through the hands until the butt of the shaft touches the tummy.

* The takeaway should be in one piece with the club, hands, arms and shoulders turning together.

* Practice swinging away from an imaginary ball in slow motion keeping the club shaft connected to the tummy which will ensure everything moves away in one piece.

* The club should not travel back more than three feet away from the ball and should be swept slightly round and ‘inside’ as the shoulders turn.

Train the Hands to Rotate onto Backswing Plane

Once the club has moved away three feet or so from the ball the hands must start to hinge the club onto the correct backswing plane.

To locate the correct backswing plane when the one piece takeaway is complete, the wrists should hinge or ‘cock’ the club up so the butt of the shaft points roughly towards the ball. The face of the golf club should be vertical with the toe pointing towards the sky.

This move must be carried out keeping the left arm straight.

This position is commonly known as the half way back position. The more accurate a golfer locates this position, the easier it becomes to find the most effective position at the top of the back swing

As a golfer swings to the top in slow motion, they should keep the butt of the club pointing to an imaginary line drawn from the target, through the ball, into the distance.

As the arms move the club to the top, the shoulders should complete a turn through 90 degrees.

There should be a feeling of separation between the arms, which are now travelling on a more upright plane, and the shoulders, which are turning on a more shallow angle.

At the top of the backswing the club should point directly at the target and be horizontal to the ground.

Training the Downswing in Slow Motion

The more accurate a golfer locates the top of the backswing, the simpler the downswing becomes.

The key to a good downswing transition is to keep the arms swinging down in the same plane as they travelled on during the completion of the backswing.

The legs, hips and shoulders should react to the arms swinging down – the feeling should be of the butt of the club pointing at the ball during the first few inches of the downswing.

Although a golfer wants to hit the ball a good distance, instinctively moving fast from the top, if the first few inches of the downswing are made slowly and accurately, the better the ball will be struck.

The Correct Impact Position Release

As the club comes into impact on the correct inside swing path, the hands must release the club at the ball, so the face is square to the target. The slower this is practiced the easier it is to rotate the club into the correct position at speed. Practice the move of squaring up the club in slow motion, and even hit a few balls in slow motion with a full swing, to rehearse the impact position accurately.

Maximum club head speed comes from being able to strike the ball squarely. If a golfer only practices their swing at full speed, there is little chance of perfecting the basic fundamentals. Similar to a pianist practicing a piece of music, or a formula one driver easing themselves round the track in practice, take the speed out of the golf swing and it will start to operate much more efficiently​​.

Article contributed by: Brian Jame  (brianjamegolfer@gmail.com)

 

It was the year 2007. I was attending a Functional Movement Screen certification course with Gray Cook in Boston, MA. In the back of the room was a Perform Better representative and on the display table was this thing, this stick, something I’d had never seen before. It was a Tiger’s Tail massage stick.

I had no idea what it was for or what to do with it, but I bought it anyway. And so it began, my fascination wtih the art and science of self-myofascial release.

Over the last 11 year I’ve taught all my clients how to use the variety of tools for self-myofascial release to both prepare and recovery from exercise, holding many of my own workshops along the way. 

Now it’s my time for me to learn. On Saturday, November 10th I will be participating in a four hour Golf Specific Self-Myofascial Release course (SMR) with Nick Mueller .

Nick Mueller is the Director of RAD Golf Education and is a TPI Level 3 strength and conditioning coach as well as a fascial stretch therapist. Nick teaches the RAD Golf education course for trainers, coaches, golf pros and anyone and everyone else looking to educate themselves on how to improve their game with easy-to-integrate mobility and recovery methods. Nick teaches these strategies all around the world and recently returned from teaching the same material in Bejing, China! 

Why I’m Taking This Course

Simply to learn what I don’t know. Just because I’ve been studying this methodology doesn’t mean I can’t learn something new.

“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” __Zig Ziglar

Going through the on-line tutorials I have already learned that some of what I have been told over the years is simply myth, not fact. I want my clients to have and use the latest tools, technology and science available to improve their body and their game. 

What Is SMR Good For? 

All of us that enjoy swinging the club are often prone to injury, whether from back pain, elbow tendonitis, repetitive use and more. Many of us are also looking for easy-to-use tools and techniques that can help give us an edge on our game. A sound mobility, recovery and injury prevention plan can help protect against these injuries and offer you the advantage you are seeking to remain on the green longer and driving the ball farther!

Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) is a common practice for warm-up and recovery. By learning when and how to perform specific techniques you can improve your club head speed and driving distance, hip and shoulder mobility, spinal rotation and more!

 What We Will Be Learning​​

• Discuss the biomechanics of a golf swing and determine which movements are required in order to create the most efficient golf swing possible.

• This course draws on the latest research on SMR, mobility, recovery methods, neuroplasticity and motor control training.

• Integrate a variety of RAD SMR techniques using the most anatomically-designed SMR tools on the market.

• Practice applying the RAD Trio to multiple case studies – an assessment that guides you to the precise locations of the body that present with a mobility impairment so you are not guessing.

• Don’t chase the pain and try to address symptoms; find the root cause.

• Apply release techniques from head to toe, as well as active mobility and stability drills that will make lasting changes to your game!

Would You Like To Join Me? 

The class is open to anyone who would like to learn more about the art & science fo SMR, not just fitness professional. If you would like to take the class just click the link below to register. 

https://www.radroller.com/collections/rad-education-school

The class is being held on Saturday, November 10th, 2018 at golf and country club, Golf & Body, NYC – 883 Avenues of the Americas, 3rd Floor,  New York, NY 10001

See you there.. 

Brett The Golf Guy