There are actions that the best golfers do that are invisible to the observer and instinctive to the best golfers. Most golfers try to do the obvious motions that they see when watching the best players swing. What is seen by the naked eye is the result of these subtle actions. The best golfers learn their swing as children where all they do is “swing” but cannot describe the details of the motion. The motions have become a habit or the motions are instinctive. To these golfers, what they feel or what they see on video is usually a reaction to what they do instinctively.
Unfortunately, trying to do the obvious motions creates inconsistent and inefficient results. Most golf instruction is focused on doing the resulting motion instead of the actual, but subtle, motion. The average golfer must learn and commit to focus to do the subtle and hidden actions in order improve the chance for a consistent golf swing. That is easy to say but extremely hard to do because the subtle actions are not “natural” or logical. “Action vs Reaction”
My blog, Effortless Golf Blog, attempts to describe these subtle actions. The best golfers “just do” what is natural for them and can’t explain what they do. I believe golfers, like me, who are not natural golfers can still incorporate these subtle actions to improve their golf game.
The following describes the subtle motions that will create a consistent golf swing.
Setup
Tilt the spine to the right about 15 degrees to enable the right hand to be lower than the left hand.
Look at the ball over the bottom of the lower eye lid to raise the chin away from the body. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cjpoBJn8FWw
Full Swing
Do not try to hit the ball. Instead, commit to do the subtle motions.
The point at the top inside of the right thigh remaining fixed in space during the back swing creates a pivot point for the back swing.
The vertical motion of the right pectoral creates the coil of the upper body.
The “bounce” up of the bottom of the front right hip bone keeps the head behind the ball, starts the weight shift to the left, and causes the lower body to “leverage the ground.”
Leveraging the ground using the lower body to create vertical motion adds the power in the down swing.
The “slot” is not a fixed area to the right of the body. The “slot” is created by the upward vertical energy from the right latissimus dorsi and the downward energy from the right upper arm. The two parallel vertical energies define the “slot” that the right elbow falls into. “Feel an Efficient Swing”
Using the Fingers
The little fingers have a great influence in the golf shot. Gripping too tight with the little fingers creates a tight swing. Feeling the stretch of the little fingers engages the hands correctly and minimizes erratic hand movement. The action of the little fingers can influence the curve of the ball. “How to Use the Fingers”
Rhythm
Rhythm is the most important element of an efficient golf swing. The slight pause at the top of the swing creates rhythm. Patience to feel the pause is a must for creating the pause and subsequent rhythm. Automatic pause is created by the stretch of the hands and the outside of the ball of the left foot. “How to Feel Rhythm”
Chipping
The chipping motion uses vertical motion to create horizontal motion. Using the hands during the swing controls the amount of spin and trajectory. “Chipping”
Putting
Putting is about confidence. Discovering the combination of the putter, setup, routine, and putting action that creates absolute confidence is the most elusive and subtle part of golf. “Putting”
Eccentric Motion
Eccentric motion is an efficient way to create power. Eccentric motion is the stretch felt during the swing and sets up the snap in the motion to efficiently release the power. “Chain Action Using Eccentric Motion”
Basic Bunker Shot
The subtle and untold issue about the bunker shot is that the bunker motion is very different from the full swing motion. The action of the upper body, the arms, and the hands are different in the bunker technique. The right arm and the hands do a lot of action to snap the club into the sand. During the down swing, the left hand stops at the left side and stops the forward motion of the handle to let the right hand accelerate the club head past the handle. This motion is totally different from the full swing but the difference is never mentioned. “Basic Bunker Shot”
How to Curve the Ball
There are multiple ways to make the ball curve. The subtle way is to have the action of the fingers cause the club head to be open or closed at contact. The subtle action of the palm pad of the right index finger causes the body, hands, and arms to hold the weight back or release the lower body. “How to Curve the Ball”