The Athletic Motion of The Golf Swing

Navigation: Main page » Golf

 Print this page Submit articleComment article

Author: John Toepel

Article source: http://www.golf-break.com/. Used with author's permission.

There is really one basic athletic motion which is used in all of athletics. The golf swing is golf's version of this athletic motion. It is the same basic motion that is used to hit a tennis ball, throw a football, kick a soccer ball, or break a rack in pool.

To describe the athletic motion, let's take a look at the baseball pitcher. Why the pitcher? You are familiar with the pitching motion and have probably thrown a ball or two yourself. The pitcher does what you as a golfer want to do; throw it fast, accurately and consistently. As a golfer you want to hit the ball long distances and down the middle with consistency.

So just how does the pitcher throw the ball? How do you throw a ball? It's not complicated. Let's take a look so we can apply these principles to the golf swing.

After getting the sign from the catcher, the pitcher begins his wind-up by moving his body so that all of his weight is on his back foot, the one on the pitching rubber. By doing this, he has caused the arm to be flung away, in the direction opposite from where he will deliver the ball. When all the weight is on the back leg and the arm is still going away from the target, he reverses the direction of the body by pushing off his back foot. This causes his body to be pushed toward the target. The arm was still going away when the body changed directions. The arm only changes directions when it can go no further back and is pulled swiftly toward the target by the forward motion of the body. This allows the arm to function with maximum effectiveness, speed, and accuracy. The arm is completely dependent on the body. The arm moves ONLY because the body moves it -- not because the muscles of the arm itself made the arm move.

Have you ever seen a major league pitcher stand flat-footed and pitch the ball?

Of course not.

Any pitcher knows that he will have neither speed nor accuracy if he throws the ball flat-footed. To be effective he must use the big muscles (the legs and back) to move the body in order to create the speed and accuracy necessary for a good pitch.

I want you to try to throw the ball as far as you can, but with different rules. In order to be very powerful, you must hold the ball as tightly as possible, tightening all the muscles in your arm and shoulder. I want to see all the veins popping out; that way I know you are powerful and can throw it far. You know instinctively as you tighten up or quit moving the body that you cannot throw the ball any distance at all. In spite of this, I regularly see golfers holding the club so tightly and flexing those shoulder muscles, then wondering why they can't hit the ball far.

Great muscular effort doesn't do the job.

For confirmation of this, tighten up your arms and take a practice swing. Listen for any noise the club makes. There's not much air moving, is there? Now try again, this time with your arms completely relaxed. Listen for the loud noise of the club through the air. There is quite a difference, isn't there?

In order to have the arms and shoulders move at their top possible speed and with maximum reliability, they must be kept relaxed. This is achieved when the legs, which are the body's real source of strength, cause the arms and shoulders to move.

Simply stated, the feet and legs cause the trunk of the body to move, which in turn causes the arms to move. All types of athletics are played with the feet moving the body. It all comes from the ground up, never from the top down.

For an observation, watch someone throw a bowling ball or throw a horseshoe to a post. The legs move the body, and the arm is completely dependent upon them.

It's the same in all of athletics, including golf.

Because we are holding this long stick with the intention of hitting this little, innocent ball as hard as we can, this is contrary to our golf instincts. Common sense would tell us that in order to end that poor little ball's life (without missing the ball, of course), we must use those powerful arms - and never look up? Isn't that right? Not so!

There you have it -- the process through which I developed the Concept Golf swing principles that will take your golf game to a new level. Because these ideas are simple, and because there are only five fundamentals, you might be tempted to not give them proper reverence. These principles have been tested and proven by golfers just like you. The new golfer, the professional, the high handicapper and the plus-one handicapper have all profited from these few simple ideas.

The Concept Golf swing principles are simple, logical, easy to understand, and easy to put into action. Everything else in the golf swing is a result of these few fundamentals -- for all clubs, for all shots. They apply to the full swing, the short wedge and even the putter. As you understand and accept these ideas and put them to use, you will see great progress in your golf game.

It doesn't have to be hard to discover the Par Golfer within you.

The Informal Normal In a Black-Tie-Affair World
When one becomes enamored by the glitz and the glamour so prevalent in our culture, it is easy to feel relationally shortchanged and cheated in life. Discover w...

Awakening from the Dream, Divine Source through Barbara Rose
It is imperative for you all to know that as long as you believe you are somehow "separate" from Divine Source, the pain will continue - as this is what the "il...

Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.11 of 12 - Glazed Pork with Fig Stuffing
A christmas recipe main dish to try on your friends and relatives. Something different.

Beliefs
Do you realize that what we believe about ourselves, affects us so much more than what is actually true about ourselves? Let me give you an example of what I me...

The Two Most Important Commandments - Love
Love is mentioned well over 350 times in the Bible. I'm sure God must be trying to tell us something. We will start our study with Matthew 22:37-38; And He repl...

Life Management Skills for Greater Happiness
"Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise." --Samuel Lover One of the most common complaints people have these days is...

Car Donations and Used Car Donations
Car donations and used car donations are the way many people choose to recycle their older model cars without having the headache of repairing, advertising, sho...

Art Investing for a Financial Future
When we think of investing we probably conjure images in our minds of the New York Stock Exchange, suited stock brokers making deals, bonds and treasury bills, ...

Should Your Small Business Hire an Advertising Agency?
Are you really making the most of your advertising dollars? Is the advertising you're buying really cost effective? This article will give you the pro's and c...

Leather Jewelry - a Touch of Forbidden (and Friendship)
What's so hot about leather jewelry?

Weight Loss Issues - Can You Be Cellulite Free?
One thing I really must say at the outset of this article is, that if you were to ask the majority of men to define cellulite they would most probably be com...

10 Ways to Get Your Flyers Noticed
Marketing Master and Writing Coach, Catherine Franz, shares with you ten ways you can spruce up your flyers so that they receive more attention.

True Success Secrets Revealed
You can find the secret to true success as you embrace four new types of reading:

7 Things Sapping Your Creativity Right Now
This article will help you gain awareness into things you might be doing (or not doing) to hinder your creative process.

Selling Ebooks? Learn How to Make Your Ebook Sell
Learn how to make more money selling ebooks. A great resource for authors.

Increase Your Website Traffic in 10 Foolproof Steps
Learn How to Promote a Website and Dramatically Boost Your Internet Traffic

Own Your Niche by Building a Niche Community
In 1997, David Steele was making the transition from a professional therapist to relationship coach. Part of his strategy was to become a center of influence an...

Understanding Business Trends Can Lead to Quality Acquisitions
Sometimes quality companies that can be purchased are right in front of you! Where do you find them? Look at logical business trends and suddenly they will surf...

The Past Does Not Equal The Future: Mutual Fund Returns!
If There Is No Crystal Ball For The Stock Market There Certainly Is None For Mutual Funds!

Asparagus Quiche
Asparagus Quiche, just another variation. One can make quiche with just about anything, you have the basics, egg custard, pie crust, and cheese. Add asparagus...

Marketing in the Face of Disaster: 7 Guidelines for Success
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many businesses are hesitating to keep clients apprised of new offerings, perhaps afraid that they will appear insensitive t...

Motivate Your Market Force
Motivation and simplicity: these are marketing tools you can use to win in the marketplace.

Why Do I Need 2 Google Site Map Files?
It has been proven that Google will spider your site faster if you have a Google Sitemap. But is one site map enough? Why should you have at least 2 Site Maps...

French Property - a Buyers Guide to Purchasing Property in France
Thinking of purchasing a French property ? Then read our buyers guide giving you a complete run down of what to expect when buying a property in France.