A few weeks ago I issued a Swing Tip named Consistent Hits with One Thought. It was about clearing your mind during the setup to focus on the swing that you want. Simplicity and focus are the keys to success in this wonderful game. Golf Swing Secrets Revealed from St. Andrews by Andy Anderson is a blog that gives another twist to this subject. I just wanted to share some of his observations.
FIRST GOLF FALLACY: Golfers should RELAX. “Being relaxed is complete rubbish.” This fallacy comes down to us through generations of golf teachers. When you swing a golf club you are taking a comparatively violent action. Is there any other violent action you take while you are relaxed? Of course not! It’s impossible.
Ben Hogan had a server rotation and straight arm backswing. This is not relaxed.
Did Ben Hogan or Arnold Palmer ever look relaxed when they take their stance or hit those amazing drives? In their case it was extreme focus and explosion. If they are relaxed, why are their lips compressed and their features contorted, as countless pictures show they are?
It is easy to see how “Relax” became fixed in the language of the golf teacher. When inexperienced golfers get on the lesson tee they are so self-conscious and frightened that they tense up to the point, almost, of absolute rigidity.
In order for them to swing the club at all, the pro has to loosen them up to some extent. He tells them to relax. If a little is good, he thinks, a lot must be much better. He now makes a fetish of relaxation. Everybody has to relax as soon as he takes hold of a club.
SOLUTION:
“We don’t want a rigidity of the rigor mortis variety. But we do want firmness, a feeling of muscular movement under constant control, ready for instant response. Nor do we want a mental relaxation either. Don’t get the idea your mind should be a complete blank when you step up to a shot. If it is, you might as well be asleep.”
Hogan with an aggressive thrust through the ball.
So forget everything you have heard about relaxing. For the purposes of playing good golf it is sheer rubbish.
Keeping your Arm Straight or your Wrist Straight to deliver consistent hits only happens if you focus and work on it. GOLFSTR+ is a great training aid to help you with Every Swing in Your Game (6 uses). Try it, you’ll like it!
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