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PREFERENCES
Preferences are those positions, actions or thoughts that help or hinder the player from operating the In swing Principles. The successful golfers are quite simply those players who have found an appropriate set of Preferences. That is to say:- a) The Preferences chosen suit the individual physique and temperament. b) The Preferences impact on the Principles in a positive manner. Natural comfort is an important guide to selecting your In swing Preferences. After all, you've spent all of your life, bending, turning, moving etc. in a particular style i.e. the way that is most comfortable to you. As long as this helps to operate the Principles then natural selection is the best way to chose your Preferences. Let's now look at each Principle and add Preferences that the individual player can start to try out:- In Swing Principles (1) Length of ArcThe length of arc described by the swingLength of arc will impact on Distance and is a relatively easy Preference to learn. The choices are based on flexibility and strength:- The accepted parameter for the length of the arc is when the swing reaches the horizontal position at the top of the swing (see Principles) However, if flexibility is a problem then you may prefer to maintain a shorter swing. It may be necessary to develop Distance from another source if flexibility is a problem. What definitely is true is that several top class players have operated different swing lengths; from Seve Ballesterous and John Daly with long flowing swings, to other top class players like Sandy Lyle who prefer to power the ball through with a shorter swing. As far as the individual is concerned:- Try several swings of varied lengths, if distance is not a problem then a shorter swing could be a valid option. The length of arc has to satisfy two points:- (a) Control of the club should be maintained at all times which means that the arc should not normally pass the horizontal position. If for example the clubhead is visible at the top of the swing through the left eye, and club control is a problem, then that swing should be shortened.(b) The arc must be long enough to give distance. This means that the swing must be long enough to include a wrist cock (the second lever). The point during the backswing where the wrist cock is made (setting the angle) is however another area for personal choice. Must players prefer to cock the wrists about waist height but an earlier or later set is acceptable. When the player has found a length of arc that satisfies both of the above points (this usually occurs early on in the learning process) then Length of Arc can be treated as one of those automatic actions. That is to say that the player's arc length will be a natural response to the stimulus of the ball and the player need not consciously think about how far the club is going back. (2) Swing CentreThe point around which the swing is made This Principle influences the player's ability to gather the ball and so has influence over STRIKE. Therefore, both DISTANCE and DIRECTION are affected by this PrincipleThis Principle is one of the hardest for the beginner to come to terms with. Locating the ball and then the appropriate amount of turf (a divot) with an iron club is a difficult proposition. Here's why:-To accurately locate a point on the ground (the ball) with an epicenter (the clubhead) traveling at speed at some distance from the hands and eyes takes a good deal of control with regard to spatial orientation. Spatial orientation is how we locate everyday items. To pick up that full glass, reaching it without stopping short or going past, applying the right pressure and getting it to your mouth without spilling a drop (most important!) takes a considerable amount of spatial awareness. It takes 2 maybe 3 years of constantly attempting these seemingly simple actions before the parent will entrust the child to a glass even 3/4 full. Therefore, finding the golf ball with a club travelling at speed will take time after time after time of practice. Look at the ball and try and "feel" it. If the club crashes into the ground then try again only next time try and hit higher on the ball, too high this time, try again and hit lower on the ball. 3 months of 3, 1 hour weekly driving range sessions should see the player gaining a reasonable level of ball finding ability. As well as spatial awareness the player will need to ensure that the swing center is in the correct place during impact i.e. where it was at address. This means that if ball gathering is a problem then the player must firstly put in sufficient practice to gain spatial awareness and secondly look at swing center. The requirement is for the swing center to be in the correct place at impact. In theory therefore, the player could operate (some do, quite successfully) a body sway that moves away during the backswing and returns to be over the ball at impact. Take it even further. It is possible for the player to run at the ball and strike it. However, such an approach would make the operation of all (not just swing center) the Principles nearly impossible. Therefore, if ball gathering is a problem make sure that the core of the swing remains in the same place by rotating the swing around the center.
(3) Width of Arc
This Principles affects the player's ability to achieve DISTANCE. If more DISTANCE is required check the width of arc. The classic sign of poor width is the bent left arm at the top of the backswing. Take a few practice swings and check the position for yourself. Repeated practice should help the player to gain more width and through that more DISTANCE. However, some players cannot achieve a straight left arm position and if this is the case then either a loss of Distance will have to be accepted or other DISTANCE related factors will have to be improved.Remember, the player does not have to perform each Principle to 100% but may prefer to under achieve on some Principles and over achieve on others. (4) Lever This Principle affects the
player's ability to derive
DISTANCE. The successful golf swing uses
a two lever system:-
The lever is created when the player cocks the wrists during the backswing, this is also known as "setting the angle". It is important to find out which point naturally suits the individual player. Lever, like Length of Arc should quickly become an automated action allowing the player to concentrate on other areas. (5) Clubface PositionThe position of the club at impact will determine side spin on the golf ball. Where side spin is created the ball will deviate through the air. Therefore, if hooks or slices are a problem to the player then this Principle should be given more study. At impact the clubface needs to be in the square position, that is 90 degrees to the target line. Whilst the Principle of square clubface position obviously must be adhered to there are several Preferences that would allow a player to do this:- The clubface must be returned to the ball in the square position at impact. The club can therefore remain square during the back and downswing or can be manipulated in different positions see below.
If however the player has a tendency to sideway spin the ball then several methods of clubface manipulation should be tried. Look in Faults & Fixes for more ideas.(6) Downswing PlaneThe plane of the downswing measuring both angle of attack and direction. This Principle has a far reaching effect on the ball. For example at the moment of impact the club must be traveling along the target line if the initial flight of the ball is to be on line. The club must also be descending at the right angle in order to both gather the ball correctly and also to impart the desired amount of back spin. There are of course several ways of achieving the above. In addition some players prefer to play with strong backspin and so descend steeply on the ball whilst others (perhaps less strong) may well employ a sweeping action. It is important that the individual finds a method that will allow the downswing to be swung along the intended flight line and secondly that the appropriate angle of attack is also developed. Once more if this Preference is causing the player cause for concern (poor Direction or excessive backspin/height) then look to Faults & Fixes for further guidance.(7) Dynamic BalanceBodily weight movement during the swingThis Preference impacts on two important issues:- a) Weight shift during the swing which will relay power and so influence DISTANCE. b) Balance during the swing helping to keep the Swing Centre aligned impacting largely on STRIKE. The recommended weight distribution at address Set Up. is that weight should be evenly located. Neither leaning to the right side or the left or to toward the toes or heels. Most players share this Preference. However, during the swing it is beneficial (from a DISTANCE point of view) to shift the weight toward the right side during the backswing and to return the weight to address position through the downswing and on to the left side for the throughswing.The player must decide on how much weight shift to employ Faults & Fixes will give suggestions.(8) ReleaseThe release of energy created by the lever The moment of release is vital in deriving DISTANCE and as the hands cross over post impact, release will also have influence on DIRECTION. Once again, if the player feels that release may be a problem Faults & Fixes for help.(9) TimingThe correct sequence of events operated at the appropriate speed. The correct sequence of events is:- Address Takeaway (the start of the backswing) Wristcock Completion of the backswing Downswing Throughswing
The correct sequence of events is usually mastered early on in
the learning curve.
Appropriate speed however, is a very different matter, what's
right for one individual will not necessarily be right for another. If
the ball comes off the clubhead at less speed than one would expect for
the apparent power put in, check timing.
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The distance between
the hands and the swing centre
