Golf is a very challenging game. All golfers want a consistent golf swing that propels the ball in the desired direction with effortless power. The first requirement of a consistent golf swing is to execute a rhythmic swing. Once a repeatable rhythm is achieved, making efficient back swing and down swing motions will help to produce a consistent golf swing.
My blog article, “Feel an Efficient Swing,” describes what you must feel in order to execute an efficient down swing. An efficient down swing has many properties that help reduce the challenge of creating a consistent golf swing. Here are a few properties that I believe make up an efficient down swing.
Explosive Snap
The Snap feels like a miniature explosion. An explosive snap means you have surrendered to the release of energy and you are not trying to control the club. The Snap is not a violent snap. A violent snap is a violent jerk when you try too hard to control the club. There is a fine line between an explosive snap and a violent snap. Your balance is maintained in an explosive snap, while you lose balance when you have a violent snap. An explosive snap is smooth while a violent snap is jerky. Any effort to use the hands to lift or hit will result in a violent snap.
It is Automatic
When you feel the Vertical Motion, it makes everything automatic and consistent. As long as you focus on feeling the Vertical, the club will always swing the down the target line automatically. There is no need to try to lift the arms or hands or attempt to push the right hand towards the target. Just trust the Vertical Motion.
Trust
Trust that the Vertical Motion creates acceleration. Let the acceleration hit the ball and the next thing you are aware of is that you have swung the club to a balanced finish. Do not think about striking the ball. Trust that the snapping motion will result in solid contact.
It is like snapping your fingers. You are aware of the pressure of the fingers before the snap and then you feel that your fingers have snapped. You are not concerned about what happens to your fingers between the start and the finish. You trust that the motion of the fingers will create the snapping sound. Trust that the Vertical Motion will make the ball go straight and long.
The proper Vertical Motion is critical to making a good shot. This same chain reaction should be felt in the chip shot and pitch shot, but the amount of force used is less than the force used in the full swing. You will find that good shots will result from a proper Vertical Motion. While poor shots will result from improper chain reaction.