To Ensure Consistency and Success - Play with a Straight Back!

I believe that to mature as a golfer, you need to have an
understanding of why certain individual fundamentals on the course
are working for you, and why others aren't. In short, you have to
understand the working components of your swing. Secondly, you
need to understand what corrections or adjustments could be made in
order to attain success.

The set-up that we teach is very specific and important. Playing
with a straight spine and back angle is an important fundamental
that we teach, and something that is literally the glue of our
swing theory. Whether you are 5 yards form the green or teeing
off, playing with a straight spine and back will ensure that you
swing on a consistent plane every time you set over the golf ball.
The following are reasons why a straight back is essential for you
to see success out on the course:

- Gives you a fixed position to start from - every time

- Allows for the club to travel on a consistent plane

- This is essential in golf. If you are hunched over (golfers that
are hunched over at the ball usually are not aware) your swing
plane is consistently changing due the level that your body is over
the ball. This leads to many inconsistent shots (Especially from
around the green).

- Minimizes hitting behind the ball or hitting the ball thin
This is a big problem for most golfers. If you haven't played for
weeks and you find yourself not making solid contact, the 1st
fundamental that should go through your mind is: "Is my back
straight at set-up and throughout the shot"?

In my mind this is one of the most important truths that we teach
about the golf swing. If you look at the tour pros they always
have a straight spine angle and back at set-up and throughout their
swing. Whether you are on the tee, fairway, around the green, or
even on the green - having a straight spine and back angle is
extremely important. Having a straight back and spine angle is
especially important from around the green when pitching and
chipping!

For some golfers, straightening your spine angle is going to feel
very strange, because you've never played that way. But trust me,
maintaining a straight spine throughout the swing will do wonders
for your consistency. It also leads to better impact with the
ball. Next time you watch the tour players on TV, make sure to
check out how straight their back is at setup.

The main point that I want to communicate is that there are many
factors in golf that you can't control. For example: course
conditions, weather, and course difficulty. However, one aspect of
your golf swing that can be constant and unchanging is your spine
angle at set-up. So play golf this way and you will begin to
develop consistency and confidence.

Yours in Golf,
JJ

David Nevogt writes golf instruction material that helps golfers of all levels reach their full potential and lower their scores. David is the author of "The Simple Golf Swing" which guarantees to have you shooting 7 strokes lower in only 1 week from today.

Relaxed swing that works

 Why it's called a golf swing.

If you've been playing Golf for a while you'll know how important
relaxation is during the swing.  It is not just one of the five swing principles,
it is without question the most important swing principal.  It's probably also
safe to say it's the least understood of the five principles.  I'm going to give
you an exercise so your understanding will be crystal clear.

For your body to be able to make a good, effective swing you must be relaxed
physically and mentally.  And that's a broad statement that will absolutely
mean something different to everyone.  It's a true statement but meaningless.  
What I want you to learn in this lesson is specifics on what to relax and how to relax.

First, what to relax.  Should your whole body be relaxed?  Yes.  Does that mean
your whole body should be like Jell-O?  No.  When the swimmers are on the block
during a meet and ready to dive in the water, what physical things are they doing?  
They are shaking their arms and legs to relax all their muscles.  Have you ever
seen them do this?

In an effective golf swing the legs do all the work.  We want them relaxed and
ready to do all the work.  But it's the shoulders that want to help make the club
go fast and accurate.  That's the muscle group that wrecks the swing for 99% of
golfers.  That's what this lesson will address.

First let me say you can do this!  I get lots of questions that ask, “How in the
heck can I make a golf swing with relaxed shoulders?  How does a backswing
start with relaxed shoulders?”

I'm going to let the cat out of the bag, right now!  This simple exercise will answer
all those questions and give you the sense of relaxation that you want during your
entire golf swing.  When you finish reading about this exercise I want you to stand
up and do it.  I want you to completely understand shoulder relaxation and prove
to yourself that you can make a golf swing with shoulder relaxation.

The exercise: stand tall with your feet spread shoulder width.  Flex your knees
slightly, and then bend forward enough to allow your arms to hang freely.  Your
arms should be hanging completely free.  Your arms are trying to come out of your
shoulders, because your shoulder muscles are so relaxed.  Now, use your body to
cause your arms to be swung or flung.  That's a backswing.  Don't let your arms to
any of the work!  Start with a small swing and build up to a full swing.

You may be tempted to help move your arms with your shoulders.  Don't do it!  Your
body and legs must be in control and they make your arms swing freely.  Now you
understand why it's called a golf Swing.  The legs make the arms swing.  The legs
are absolutely in control.  It's OK to let your arms be out of your control.  Actually,
it's a necessity.

When you can successfully do this exercise in your living room, you next want to do
it with a golf club (no ball) in your backyard.  With a 7-iron in hand, make the same
small swing with total shoulder relaxation.  Make just a small careless swing until
you're comfortable with it.  Only then make a little bit bigger swing until you get to
a full swing with your shoulders completely relaxed.

It's a great exercise .  When you physically and
mentally understand this relaxation principal through this exercise, you will hit shots
that you only dreamed of hitting.