Conference 7.286::golf

    Frank,
    
    Nice idea for a topic.
    
    I've had some lessons this year which has resulted in a pretty
    roller-coaster type of year for me. However, the one thing my pro
    taught me was that the swing is really like winding up the elastic on a
    model aeroplane. Create the coil and then let it unwind for maximum
    power. 
    
    I find that concentrating on keeping my right knee flexed and square, 
    thus putting some restriction on hip rotation, helps me to get the 
    shoulders turning more. This means I get a tighter coil at the top which 
    should just release on the way down.
    
    
    Well that's the theory anyway!!
    
    
    Phil.

    There was an interesting TV programme a few weeks back in the UK
    on the subject of the 'mind game' in golf.
    
    The gist of it was that to focus your mind during the swing, you had to
    say "back" out loud at the top of your swing and "hit" as you hit the
    ball. The unsusptecting presenter was amazed at the results. I tried it
    myself (quietly at risk of being noticed!) and there's definately
    something in it!
    
    Like a 'physical' swing key, it focuses the mind - rather than
    aimlessly swinging at the ball with a multitude of thoughts running
    through your mind. The particular 'psychologist' they had on TV has
    been used by the pros - they interviewed David Feherty who uses him in
    conjunction with his regular golf coach.
    
    I must admit, the idea is growing on me! For a physical key, I quite
    like to concentrate on the first 3-4 inches of the takeaway - I find if
    the backswing isn't in the right groove here, it's never going to be.
    
    Paul

    I work on my swing keys on the practice range....then when playing
    I think TARGET...TARGET...TARGET...
    
    Muscle Memory is a great thing, but must be grooved on the practice
    range...repeated practice then play will eventually pay off IF we
    practice the correct fundamentals...unfortunatly we all sometimes
    just practice our own bad habits....

         Lately, the key for me has been "low and slow". If I
    start the clubhead back with that thought everything seems
    to fall into place.
    
    Mad Hacker

	My current swing keys are:

	1. Make sure my weight is balanced evenly between my two legs.

	2. Taking the club back so that the shaft points along the intended
	   line until it gets to parallel at waist high, then the butt end 
	   points along the intended line until the club reaches parallel
	   at the top.  (This sounds complicated, but is very simple in
	   practice.)

	Those two, that's is.  More that 3 swing thoughts and you're dead.

	Larry

    I agree with MH..
    
    I've dropped 8 strokes off my handicap in 2 months by basically
    thinking low and slow at the take away. (from 29-21)
    
    Jim
    
    
    

    
    I think 2 things, 
    
    1) The start of the takeaway, first 10 - 12 inches should be slow, low
    and straight.
    
    2) Push the club back with my left hand (I am right handed). This keeps
    me from starting to cock the wrists to early and I was also rotating 
    my wrists around. By pushing back with my left hand (as opposed to
    pulling back with my right) this is solved.
    
    Must work, I am hitting off the tee long and straight again.
    
    --Bob
    

    At the moment I have quite a simple routine and swing thoughts;
    
    	Prior to the swing I relax....and pick my target.....
    
    	again, before the swing, I feel the weight of the club in my hands,
        primarily in my right hand.
    
    	Then I just swing, no thoughts, just swing.
    
    So far this is working great! 8^)
    
    
    						-Paul
    

The thing that's helped me most lately is

	"Swing the club, don't hit the ball!"

Have you ever taken four or five (or fifty) PERFECT practice swings to then 
walk up to the BALL and have less than satisfactory results?

Once the ball is addressed forget about hitting the ball and just swing the
club (as if it were a practice swing).  This is, I realize, more difficult
that it seems - but it works for me. 

My job is swinging the club, it's the clubs job to hit the ball!!

Regards,

Owen

    I had a chance to get to the range to work on my driving.  my short and
    long iron game was okay, also my fairway woods - kept slicing
    everything but f wood off the tea.
    
    After a lot of balls I found that focusing on my front (right I am a
    lefty) leg and making sure that it firmed up before downswing was
    important.  That way I was pulling the club through just like with the
    irons.
    
    The second thing was to hit the ball "off the tee" rather than on the
    ground.  this is for all me shots too keep from dipping my front
    shoulder; somehow we all have a fear that if we don't make contact with
    the ground we will swing right over the ball
    
    Finally prior to the swing I need to remember to follow my exact
    address and futzxing around routine - can't think of word pros use for
    that diddling all pros use just prior to swing - all emphasize that it
    must be done - so I am trying now to keep front foot moving slightly
    until the last second before taking the club away when of course I
    should be stationary.
    
    no need mention the exact method I personanlly use to address ball (get
    my alignment since it is unique to me - I cannot seem to use
    professionally recommended method
    
    now to try it out at bass river this weekend
    
    bill-who-promises-to-register-gene-real-soon

    Hi Bill,
       All that "futzing around" is usually refered to as a
    "pre-shot routine". I prefer to call it futzing also though !!
    
    Mad Hacker

    As best and eternally typified by the famous Ed Norton " futzxing"
    routine on the old Gleason show.
    
    A fellow from the service from Florida used to say the Gleason was
    practically "pro" quality, especially where a $buck was on the table.
    
    Any old Gleason golf stories out there...
    
    bill

    re: .14
    
    that was a great routine especially when "NORTON" says
    
    	"hello ball..."
    
    Gleason belts him and says what are you doing....
    
    NORTON..."I'm addressing the ball...""
    
    that routine and the abbott and costello routine on baseball..
    		" who's on first...""
    
    are the two best routines on sports I've ever seen...
    
    

    Frank,
    you are def on the right track to think"swing around right leg,
    start forward action on the set by moving right knee
    or both kness towards target, automatically movings hips with
    them. The son got me doing this 2 weeks ago and it def works.
    For 18 years , I've been thinkings hips, but it's knee drive
    that move the hips. Next summer when I have "both arms" I'll expect
    to see the dividends!
    AV
    

    RE -1: Well, at least during practice it's working well for me. Now I
    just have to find a way to take it to the course...I'll give it a "live
    ammo" test this Sunday. When it's really going well, the swing is
    almost effortless.
    
    	Frank

    Well, to update: the new swing key worked pretty well on the first four
    holes Sunday: had realistic par chances on all four, but managed to
    putt my way to bogies (once 3-putting, which really hurt). Then the
    wheels fell off on #5, my nemesis hole, and I reverted to my "old
    self," totally losing my concentration and winding up with a score that
    will remain my secret.
    
    Nonetheless, it was encouraging to see that when I did what I was
    supposed to do, the method worked. The catastrophe that followed the
    events at #5 were purely the result of panic. Maybe it's time for a
    session with a sports psychologist!
    
    		Frank