Why is tension the number one root evil in golf? Because, with tension, the muscles contract preventing the golfer to move naturally and freely.To show you exactly what I mean by tension, please try the following exercise referring to the pictures below.
1. Begin with your leading foot glued to the floor and turn to the side making sure your heel does not lift off the ground. What is happening in your body?
2. Now put your leading arm out (left arm for right handed golfers) in front of you, making sure it is straight. Turn your shoulders 90 degrees ( Refer to picture B). Does this feel comfortable? Is it easy to turn? Is there any tension in your body?
3. Finally, keeping your head still and down with your eyes on a spot in front of you where the ball would be, turn to the side keeping the arm straight and the heel planted on the ground. Again, ask yourself if this is feels free and natural? Is it comfortable? Are you relaxed?
The resounding answer will be No! Then shouldn´t you be asking yourself why we are being taught to swing the golf club in this way? The one thing all golf teachers around the world at least agree on is that the golf swing is a throwing movement. If the traditional coil movement of resisting the hip turn against the shoulders on the backswing is so effective then why are discus throwers not keeping their leading foot planted on the ground and their head still? In my opinion, it is sheer madness!
Brian Sparks of Positive Impact Golf states this is nothing new and we only need to look back to the great golfers of the past who all lifted their left heel off the ground and didn´t necessarily have a leading straight arm. Golfers like Bobby and Ernest Jones, Harry Vardon, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, to name but a few. And yet the golfing establishment has chosen to ignore these great golfers and their swings and teach golfers how to move like a modern athlete such as Tiger Woods.
In reference to the great swings of the past and incorporating simple basics essential in golf such as relaxation, rhythm, weight shift and balance, Brian has developed a dance like movement that he calls `La Danse du Golf´.
In reference to the pictures below, hold the club shaft lightly with your elbows by your side at waist height. Simply turn to the side allowing your heel to come off the ground and your head to move.
Compare the ease of making this movement with simple basics like turning, weight shift, balance and relaxation. Depending on your level of physical flexibility, you will have felt how easy it is to stay relaxed with this movement. Compare this to applying what Brian calls the 3 Deadly Don´ts – taught by 99% of professional golf coaches around the world.
I will let you decide. And if you need any more convincing, I challenge you to try it yourself. The next time you are at the driving range, make a turn on the backswing, allowing your left foot to come off the ground as you turn your hips and shoulders without any resistance. Don’t be concerned with keeping your head still or your leading arm straight. Just make the most relaxing move you can make and hit a few balls. I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised by the results.
For more guidance or information, please go to YouTube to see the master himself in action. Type in `The easiest swing in golf´ or copy this link to your browser –
I would also suggest you buy his book entitled Positive Impact Golf. In my opinion, of the 9,000 plus golf books ever written about golf, this is one of the best, if not the best book to help the average golfer with his or her game. The testimonials Brian receives from golfers around the world on a daily basis only furthers this belief.
Please send me some feedback on your results after experimenting with the 3 DD’s.
