Consistency is the name and as it appears, the most elusive aspect of this great game we call golf. Some would debate the fact that the name “golf”, can, should and has been, replaced by a few other creative four letter words. The fact still remains whatever descriptive words you wish to label this game the motivating reason for wanting to change the name is a lack of consistency.
For those of you who have been bitten by the golf bug will know exactly what it is that I’m referring too. The fact that you can go out on the driving range, and even the golf course, with pure intentions of hitting the perfect shot every time you swing the club only to find yourself disappointed shot after shot. Now this is not always the case as if it was no one would ever play the game. But consistency does seem to be the most overwhelming complaint by golfers.
You are not alone. If you asked a touring professional how many perfect shots they have hit on a round that they shoot 65, they may tell you that they hit five or six perfect shots. How can this be? If a touring professional can shoot a 65 and only hit five or six perfect shots then that must mean their miss hit shots are pretty good. It’s all relative.
A touring professional spends countless hours a day attempting to make their golf swings as efficient as possible. The efficiency in how their body moves will produce consistent shots therefore their miss hit shots are less noticeable. That is they’re less noticeable to most of us. Touring professionals are like machines. They’re the thoroughbreds of all golfers. They approach each and every shot as if it’s going to be perfect as they have practiced this exact situation time and time again. Having said that they’re human and they make mistakes.
Understanding and accepting the fact that most of their shots will not be perfect they spend countless hours practicing the shots that will enable them to lower their scores. This is generally referred to as the short game — putting, chipping and pitching. Having the ability to recover from a miss placed shot allows them to shoot low rounds.
This is not an option for most of us. We do not have the time or the desire to stand on the range and practice green hitting countless shots perfecting our entire game. But we do have the ability to improve. That’s the beautiful thing about this game. If you believe you can, you will. If you want to play better golf you can.
Understanding the basic swing motion is the first step to hitting shots further, straighter and with much more consistency. In the paragraphs that follow, I’ll discuss the swing motion and more specifically talk about a common swing flaw that many golfers have. This flaw is called the “hip slide”.
The hip slide is a lateral motion of the leading hip (left hip for right handed golfers) towards the target in the downswing. This motion can cause you to top the ball, hit thin shots (hitting the middle of the ball causing a lower than normal trajectory) and also causes the ball to slice (a shot that travels to the right for right handed golfers).
Last week I talked about the swing motion and how it’s simply a rotational motion rather than a lateral motion. Ensuring that you rotate your body during the backswing rather than “swaying” your hips will assist you in creating better load. The end result will create consistent contact and direction.
To better understand the coiling motion stand upright with your feet shoulder width apart and your weight even on both feet. Now, take your right arm (for right handed golfers) and ensuring your entire arm is at shoulder height extending your arm out in front of you as if you are pointing towards something or someone.
From here, rotate your body to the right (for right handed golfers, the opposite for left handed golfers) as if you were attempting to point to someone standing directly behind you. If done correctly, this motion simulates the correct rotation of the backswing.
From this position, rotate your body to your finish position ensuring that you are pointing towards your target. This is the rotational motion that is needed in the golf swing and one that makes your motion more efficient.
Of course it’s fairly easy when standing upright. The difficulty in this motion, that most will experience, is when they get in their golf stance. Bending at the waist seems for many to create difficulty in accomplishing this motion therefore causing players to slide their hips during the downswing. The hip should not move past the outside of your left foot (for right handed golfers) in the downswing. This is a sliding motion.
Understanding what a slide is and then having the knowledge of what the proper swing motion is becomes the first step to making the change. Working on making the change becomes the next step.
The best swing drill to ensure that your hip rotates in the downswing rather than slides is as follows.
If you’re hitting off grass then use the shaft of a club (an iron shaft in most cases is the proper length) and insert it into the ground. If you don’t have this then you can use a chair that has a back that is approximately hip high. Position either a half inch outside your leading hip (hip closest to the target) ensuring that when you swing you don’t hit either with your hands or club.
Start by taking a few practice swings ensuring your hip turns inside of the obstacle not hitting it. When you feel comfortable with the teaching aid by your hip, begin by hitting some short shots. Use a pitching wedge or a 9 iron. Players will tend to swing smoother with the shorter irons therefore allowing you the opportunity to feel the swing motion better. Be sure that you’re not gripping the golf club too tight as most players will when they begin working on a different movement.
Ensuring that your body rotates throughout the downswing rather than slide will most certainly create better contact. Better contact will lead to improved directional control ultimately lowering your scores.
Scott Bergdahl is the head professional at Lakewood Golf Resort.