Watch the pros on Tour and notice how in-control they look at
the finish position of the their golf swing. Why? Because they
are!
They are in perfect balance. Even the pro who might
look a little “crooked” at the end of the swing has a balanced
swing. Vijay, who is slightly bent to the side at the finish
position of his driver, is still in perfect balance.
How
often do you think an amateur practices or even thinks about his
or her finish position? Probably never. I would surmise that
once contact has been made with the golf ball, most amateurs’
thoughts shift to the ball flight rather than where our body is
finishing the swing.
Why is the finish position so
important to a successful golf swing? And beyond that being in a
balanced finishing position?
The finish position is
directly related to two very important concepts involved in the
golf swing. Number one is swing plane and clubhead is number
two.
The swing plane is defined as the path on which the
golf club should travel upon during the swing.
A quick
review of the swing plane tells us that beginning with the
address position, into the backswing, onto to the downswing,
into impact, to follow through, and completing with the finish
position, the golf club is intended to travel on a specific
arch. This arch is a result of the biomechanics of the golf
swing sequencing properly. In other words, everything working
with the correct timing.
Think of the club traveling in
a circle during the swing.
This imaginary circle is your
swing plane and it dissects your back shoulder on the backswing
and transition phases of the swing.
Returns to the same
position as you started at impact with the ball, and dissects
your front shoulder during the follow through into the finish
position.
If the golfer maintains the clubhead on this
path during the swing this is an indication that the mechanics
of the swing are being performed properly.
What does a
balanced finishing position have to do with the swing plane?
A balanced finishing position is yet another indicator that,
number one, the golf club is following the correct swing plane,
and number two, the golfer is performing the mechanics of the
swing in the correct sequencing with proper timing.
Secondly, the finish position is directly related to what is
referred to as “feeling” the clubhead.
Ask any Tour
player they will tell you that they can “feel” the clubhead at
any moment during the swing.
Completing the swing in a
balanced finish position requires you to be “tension” free and
feeling the club head through the entire swing.
Now the
bigger question is, how does the amateur golfer get to a balance
finish position?
Easier said than done. To develop
“feel” in the swing, maintain the proper swing path, and develop
a balanced finish position requires mastering three principles.
Principle number one is proper swing mechanics. In order to
develop “feel” and correct swing path requires the golfer to
develop the correct mechanics of the swing.
Not only do
you need to learn the different fundamentals of the swing, you
need to train yourself to put these fundamental in proper
sequence.
Principle number two is the body. The body
swings the club. Your body must have the flexibility, balance
capabilities, strength, endurance, and power to perform the
mechanics of the swing.
If the body is unable to take
the club on the proper swing plane because of a lack of
flexibility or lacks the power to develop clubhead speed. The
ability to maintain a proper swing path, and finish in a
balanced position will be compromised.
Principle number
three is practice. In order to develop the proper swing plane,
create “feel” for the club, master the mechanics of the swing,
and develop a body to support the swing, you must practice the
swing and train the body. Over time this will result in the
development of components of a proper golf swing.
The
amateur will often leave out one of the three principles. If the
golfer does not practice, train the body, or develop swing
mechanics, it is unlikely ou will keep the clubhead on the
correct swing plane.
Bottom line, a balanced finish
position is a very good indicator that particular swing was
efficient. It also should tell you that your body is flexible,
strong, and powerful.
About the Author:
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness
instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour
regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson.
He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf
swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the
website
http://www.bioforcegolf.com. To
contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com
