No matter how you slice it - It's all timing!

Are you ready to get rid of that slice once and for all. Well, it’s just this simple... really. Clear your mind of all the mechanical thoughts that you have tried in the past and replace them with these two simple swing keys.

In order to improve the odds that you will hit the ball straight you should:

1) Make sure the shaft of your club has returned to a vertical (straight up and down) position by the time the club head reaches impact. Another way of visualizing this is that the club head and your hands should return to the ball at the same time (the moment of impact).

If your hands are ahead of the club head at impact the odds are reasonably good that the club face is in an open position and the ball is going to finish right of the target. The only way to avoid the open club face, with your hands in front of the ball at impact, is to manipulate the club face by rotating your hands and arms in order to square up the club face.

2) Make sure your chest is facing the ball when you return to the impact position. In an effort to hit the ball further, most amateurs rotate their chest back to the target too quickly. If your chest is pointed in front of the ball at impact this means the hands and the club head are lagging behind in the swing. As above, this usually means the club face will be in an open position.

You need to visualize the club head swinging PAST your hands and your chest as you make contact with the ball. If this occurs the club face will naturally square itself to the target line and the shot should go reasonably straight.

For your viewing pleasure, Here is a link to a slow motion video of Tiger Woods to illustrate the point. If you stop the motion at the 42 second mark, you will note that his chest is pointed at the ball and his hands and the club head have reached the ball at the same time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nESDTgMck0U

So, next time you head out to the range, try focusing on where the club head is during the swing. The goal is to learn to time the movement of your chest and hands so they sync up to the swinging of the club head. The good news is that this is not about trying to change the mechanics of your golf swing; it is about changing the sequence and timing of events that occur during the swing.  Trust me, If you can learn to adjust the sequence and timing of the swing a whole new world of golf will open up to you. FYI, if you want to hit a hook, let the club head reach the ball before your hands and chest.

Return to home page