Any golf swing is a series of small body movements which combine to produce a complex motor pattern designed to move a golf ball with a golf club. This movement pattern is extremely personal and is a function of what your body is physically capable of doing along with many thousands of repetitions which you have performed to perfect your own swing. You have worked very hard to get the golf swing you have and as a result you are very good at repeating it.
I believe all golfers enjoy their golf when they play well, and that the vast majority of golfers are willing to make a change in order to play well more often. The problem arises with how they typically go about making that change.
Making a permanent and lasting change to a golf swing is not easy. It is not accomplished by taking a swing tip, making a few practice swings and then having it be a part of your game that you can call on at will. Remember, you worked long and hard to perfect your current swing pattern. It will not go away easily.
There is a definite progression of drills that I have found to be extremely effective in helping players change their swing patterns. It involves an investment of as little as 5 minutes per day, and if you follow this outline I can guarantee you a better golf game.
- Know what it is in your golf swing that needs to change to get the results you want.
- Breakdown the motion into small pieces that you will learn one at a time and then put back together over time. Steps 1 and 2 will probably require the help of your PGA Professional or Coach.
- Practice the body motion of the new swing at home for 5 minutes per day, every day, for one week.
- Introduce the club and perform the swing motion slowly – 5 minutes per day, every day, for one week.
- Only if you can make the move without a ball are you permitted to add the ball in this step. You may now hit a ball with you new swing. Ball must be on a low tee and cannot be hit further than 30 yards. No target at this point. Simply pretend you are standing on the beach hitting balls in the ocean. You should continue to do the previous step at home 5 minutes per day, every day.
- If you can perform the new skill slowly, only then may you gradually add speed over a period of a couple of weeks, still with no target. If at any time the new movement breaks down or you are not having success, STOP and go back to the previous step.
- Once you can perform the new swing motion at speed add targets to your practice.
- Then start to change clubs and targets regularly until you can perform the new swing every time.
The vast majority of players will not follow this regimen. They will continue to look for the quick fix or tip of the week. They may very well see some short term improvement to their game, but it will not be long lasting and will not hold up under pressure. Their scores will stay basically the same year after year.
But what about you? Are you willing to invest the time and effort to become the best player you can be? Or are you happy to play at your current level for the rest of your golfing career? The decision is yours.
Click here if you would like to personally work with Derek on improving your own golf game.
- Swing Plane backswing
- Swing Plane downswing
I hope you enjoyed this post on how to make a swing change. As always comments are welcome and appreciated.
Good Golfing
Derek
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