THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR
THE ATLANTIC ZONE OF THE CPGA
Many Thanks to our:
On Course with Rob Bernard
The
beginning of another golf season is upon us and as we try to get the bugs out of
our swing it’s important to work on something specific. One of the most
important aspects of a sound golf swing other than “Dynamic Balance” which we
talked about in an earlier article is swing rhythm, or timing. What I’m talking
about is the physical time it takes your golf swing to happen from address
position to impact. After working with and timing hundreds of golf swings, I
have determined that the average mid, to high handicappers swing takes between
.50 and .95 of one second to take place. This is much too quick to maintain any
swing consistency as the quick, jerky movement leaves a lot of room for error.
Most low handicappers and Professionals I’ve worked with all maintain a
time between 1.25 and 1.75 seconds from address to impact. This is a significant
difference and dramatically increases your chances for consistent ball striking.
The first three feet of the takeaway are critical to the remainder of your swing
as they set up the path, plane, and arc of the swing. Taking your address
position, slide your club up until the butt end rests in your navel. With your
target hand, push the club away and start your turn while keeping the butt end
in place. This will ensure you make a “turn” away from the ball and not “pick,
or snatch” the club away quickly with your hands. When this move becomes
comfortable, get a stopwatch and have a friend or your local CPGA Professional,
time your swing from address to contact. Using the thought, “The first
three feet are a crawl” slow your back swing down until it takes the better part
of one second. When you learn to allow your swing to take the time it needs,
more consistent shot making is sure to follow. For more information on swing
tips and drills, locate a qualified CPGA Professional near you and learn to keep
it on course.
-Rob Bernard is the Head Professional at Belvedere Golf Club
The
beginning of another golf season is upon us and as we try to get the bugs out of
our swing it’s important to work on something specific. One of the most
important aspects of a sound golf swing other than “Dynamic Balance” which we
talked about in an earlier article is swing rhythm, or timing. What I’m talking
about is the physical time it takes your golf swing to happen from address
position to impact. After working with and timing hundreds of golf swings, I
have determined that the average mid, to high handicappers swing takes between
.50 and .95 of one second to take place. This is much too quick to maintain any
swing consistency as the quick, jerky movement leaves a lot of room for error.
Most low handicappers and Professionals I’ve worked with all maintain a
time between 1.25 and 1.75 seconds from address to impact. This is a significant
difference and dramatically increases your chances for consistent ball striking.
The first three feet of the takeaway are critical to the remainder of your swing
as they set up the path, plane, and arc of the swing. Taking your address
position, slide your club up until the butt end rests in your navel. With your
target hand, push the club away and start your turn while keeping the butt end
in place. This will ensure you make a “turn” away from the ball and not “pick,
or snatch” the club away quickly with your hands. When this move becomes
comfortable, get a stopwatch and have a friend or your local CPGA Professional,
time your swing from address to contact. Using the thought, “The first
three feet are a crawl” slow your back swing down until it takes the better part
of one second. When you learn to allow your swing to take the time it needs,
more consistent shot making is sure to follow. For more information on swing
tips and drills, locate a qualified CPGA Professional near you and learn to keep
it on course.