A few weeks ago, I played my second round of golf in five years in a friend’s annual gathering. I was paired with my friend and two other golfers, none of which can break 90, and two of them can’t break 100.
I will give a pass to one of them…it’s apparent that he rarely plays golf. However, the other two, both ladies, have at times at least played nine holes per week in league play over the years.
At some point during the round, one of them told themselves to keep their head down after a poorly struck shot.
I chimed in that this is the WORST TIP IN GOLF, as it leads to a disconnect between the upper and lower body.
She wasn’t lifting her head at impact. In fact, it was the opposite. In her back swing, she immediately stood straight up, losing her spine angle. As a result, she had to try like hell to hit down on the ball at impact. Therefore, she was very inconsistent.
I recently read another tip that I didn’t like either, as it could lead to a swing that is dominated by the upper body, when it should actually be the lower body that leads…at least from the transition through the follow through.
Ultimately, I really hate golf tips, which is why I don’t give them.
If you want to become a good golfer, you’ve simply got to understand the key fundamentals of the golf swing, and in particular, the Kinematic Sequence for a good golf swing.
The Kinematic Sequence is simply an efficient sequence of motion in a skilled golf swing. You can read more on the technical details at MyTPI.
There are efficient sequences of motion in other sports that involve throwing motions such as pitching a baseball or throwing a discus. You can find them in martial arts movements as well, from simple punches to more complex spinning kicks.
These motions are often taught by breaking them down into small sections, particularly if they are very complex movements like the golf swing.
The fact of the matter is this…until you get this right, you will struggle to shoot low scores. This is why it makes no sense to me to teach someone to improve their swing plane if they can’t this sequence down.
So, no matter how much you work on your golf fitness, strength, flexibility, etc., you won’t hit the ball consistently well until you get this right.
No matter how many lessons you have, and whether you get fitted for that expensive set of clubs, you won’t become a good golfer until you get this sequence down.
And guess what? Having a good Kinematic Sequence has nothing to do with developing a visually perfect golf swing. Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk have very similar Kinematic Sequences, according to the folks at My TPI.
And another thing…if you’ve got injuries that result in some restricted movement, you can still learn this sequence.
I’ve seen a golfer paralyzed from the waist down who can generate 115 mph clubhead speed because he has the proper sequence for what he’s working with.
So how do you learn it? I’ve got a page here on this website devoted entirely to learning the appropriate golf swing sequence.
Go there, read it, watch the video, and then drill it until you get it!
That is THE most important lesson I can ever give to any golfer who can’t break 100, 90 or even 80.
Now get to work!
