What does it mean to “stay in front of the club” and how can this help you build a more efficient golf swing? These are some important questions so let’s go over couple examples because this might be tip you need.
A common tendency for amateurs is to swing the club back without turning the shoulders enough. The hands and arms jump out of the gates and dominate the backswing. The golfer ends up swinging around his or her body and forgets about turning the body. The top of the swing is reached mostly with the hands and arms. The following illustrates the difference between swinging across the chest and swinging in front of the chest on the backswing.
Anytime the club swings across the chest it sets up very difficult delivery back down to the ball. The result is getting stuck on the downswing. Your body turns back to the target but the hands and arms trail too far behind. This is how you get disconnected. It also sets up a swing path from outside to inside, a very common tendency for amateurs that slice the ball. The following illustrates the difference between getting stuck and staying in front on the downswing.
We all know the importance of timing. It has the power to lower your score and even make up for bad fundamentals. It’s the number one priority for consistent performance. When you maintain the relationship between your chest and hands you on the way to a well timed golf swing. This can be your gauge. Anytime the club gets away from your chest should be a signal that you’ve lost a connection between your body and arms. You are making the swing more complicated and putting more pressure on proper timing.
Get back to the first move off the ball. Rehears the takeaway over and over again until you feel the relationship between your chest and hands. The result will put the club in front of your chest throughout the swing.
Try this drill.
Procedure: Stick the butt end of a seven iron in your stomach, while gripping approximately half way down the shaft make a couple swings to hip level going back and hip level on the follow through. Notice how your body must turn as you swing the club back. This drill is a great to rehearse on the range or during a round to stay connected. Your efficiency, consistency, and timing will improve dramatically.
If your interested in more information about staying connected, keeping the club in front of you, and building a more efficient golf swing…click here
Long and Straight,
Adam
