Golf Tips of the Week

By: Shawn Kelly

When golfers talk about the golf swing, it's amazing how many different opinions and theories are discussed.

Golfers tend to think way too much about their swings which inhibit their performance. It's been called "paralysis by analysis," because one can not hit a ball consistently by thinking about how to hit it, rather we must focus on the target or where we want it to go to be successful.

This is done by focusing on your routine prior to executing a shot instead of how to move the club to hit a ball.

We learn a new feel or athletic swing by doing drills in repetition, away from a ball, not while trying to hit balls. For me, I rarely go to the range to work on my swing; I go there to execute ball flight, or I'll most times work on my short game and my pre-shot routine. If I want to work on my swing then I do it away from the ball, in front of mirrors or a T-square and I like to use training aids at home to get some feel.

The thing I do work on hard are my three balance points; Start of the swing, Top of the back swing and Full finished position, or "Swing to Balance". Below describes my feel and what I do to ingrain these positions.

The three balance points are:

- Start of the swing: A balanced set-up position right before you pull the trigger. Weight should be equal on both feet and you feel athletic. Rock your weight back and forth to feel rhythm.

- Top of the back swing: The sternum is turned over your back leg and your weight should transfer to the back leg and is balanced in the back foot. My weight actually feels as if it moves to my back heel.

- Full finished position: You have uncoiled you torso so the sternum is now over your target leg, your weight has transferred to the front foot and you can hold your balance for a two count. My weight is in my target side heel. If your weight doesn't reach your heel on the target side, get as close as you can consistently, this is the most important position of the swing and I like to call this position "swing to balance". The first drill is the ever popular "Cross your heart" Take one of your clubs and lay it across your chest and shoulders bisecting your sternum.

Spread you legs shoulder width apart and bend slightly at the hips to feel balance as if you were preparing to swing the club.

Now turn your torso so that the club is over your back leg, the club should never move past 90 degrees to the target line and the weight should now be in your back foot, you should feel coiled and in balance.

Now uncoil your body until the club and sternum are now over your target leg and foot with your hips chest and eyes facing your target, you should be in perfect athletic balance.

Doing this drill in front of a mirror will help you accelerate the learning process.
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This Saturday at 10 a.m., I'll be conducting a complimentary golf clinic for golfers of any skill level on the driving range at The Ridge. You'll be introduced to a new, easy to learn instructional program that is guaranteed to help improve your swing. It's free of charge and pre-registration is not necessary, just show up with your clubs and a smile and improve your golf game; Yep, I said it's free.

About the Author: Shawn Kelly is a PGA professional at The Ridge Golf Club. He can be reached for questions or lessons at (530) 888-PUTT.