Hack Golf. PGA Course guides to golfing Puget Sound, Oregon, and Eastern Washington

PRE-CONCEIVED NOTIONS ABOUT THE GOLF SWING

Every time I teach a new student that's one of the first questions I ask. Why? Because what we think and what actually is in the golf swing are two different things. The typical ones are, I need to keep my head down and my left arm straight (or right for left handed players). When was the last time you tried to throw a ball with your head in your chest and your arm straight? How about hitting a tennis ball or any sport for that matter?

Your head moves with your spine and your arms are relaxed, simple right? Then why is golf so difficult! Because those two notions have been going around for many years. When was the last time you watched the weekly pro tournament and heard the winner say, I won this tournament because I kept my head down and my left arm straight. NEVER!!!!!!!!! So why do you do it?

For many of you it's a comfort zone, you're afraid to see where the ball will go if you don't have control over it. Remember where the ball goes is a reaction, not a forced action. That's one of the main reasons the pros make it look so easy. TRUST!!!!!!!!! Michael Hebron wrote probably one of the best books ever written on the swing, See and Feel the Inside Move the Outside. When you play other sports that's exactly what you do. You're making the inside move the outside, so that makes your arms a reaction to your upper body's action. This can't happen if your arm is straight and your head is in your chest. So next time you practice, try doing it without forcing the outcome.

Keep your head up not down. This allows the head to move with the body, not fight it, and let your arms hang, not straight. Remember you're gripping the club with the hands not the arms. By doing these two things you'll find you'll add distance and accuracy without even trying.

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About the Author

Jeff Shaw was born in Pasadena California in 1960. He grew up in Arcadia California where he was introduced to golf at age four by his father. He played high school golf at Arcadia and later played college golf at The University of Southern California. Following college Jeff entered into the PGA program while working as an assistant golf professional.

Later, after obtaining PGA membership, Jeff decided to play full time. He participated in events on the Hogan, Nike, Canadain and South Pacific tours. While on the South Pacific Tour he won the pro-am on the Tahiti Open and captured the Nandi Open on the island of Fiji. After returning from the South Pacific, Jeff realized that his first love in golf was teaching and he returned to working full time as a Head Golf Professional.