Continued from page 1
Phase Six — WHERE IS YOUR SPINE?
"Whaaaat? Why it is behind my tummy and heart!" Right. But, it is also at a specific angle that you set in Phase Four. To make comfortable, controlled turns in next 2 phases you need to be aware of your spine angle.
A pause in steps
Everything you have done in phases listed above has been to prepare you for next 2 phases. You do not have to rush through above steps. But, you do not want to take too long at each stage. Now, you are about to carry out motion phases which can last less than 3 seconds.
If you carefully prepare yourself in above phases you will be ready for stresses you will experience in takeaway and return swing movements.
Phase Seven - TAKEAWAY or Backswing
Your golf swing can be ruined within first inch of whatever movement you do in this phase. Here, you need to know how to comfortably do 2 critical movements. To maintain top control of these 2 movements you must know how to do a whole lot of "don't move this or that". But, "whole lot" is taken care of in Phase Five. This phase is a positional move which you will learn to do in a rhythmic tempo with next phase. You do not use power or speed in this phase. You simply want to get your body, arms, and golf club a suitable distance away from your start position from where you can then apply a desired blow to golf ball. If you feel a bit weak during this phase and at end of this phase then that is OK -- if you feel comfortable and ready for "violence" of next phase.
Phase Eight — THE RETURN SWING
If you have executed phases above to where you feel comfortable and ready then you have to do a lot of awkward work to ruin a good return swing to ball. An important part of this phase which you mentally train yourself at home is to realize that some of muscles throughout your body, legs, and upper arms have either bunched up or stretched out of their position of Phase Six. Part of return swing involves "unbunching" or relaxing muscles which tightened to carry out takeaway phase. Part of return swing involves tightening muscles which relaxed and stretched to allow takeaway movements. The above two activity groups have to be carried out while holding as close as you can to posture position set up in Phase Four. All through this aggressive activity there are stresses on your body which are often caused by desired movements in other parts of your body. Most importantly, you must not give in to "one wrong thought" I have described in previous article of series of free articles available on my website. My lesson modules teach you a method of carrying out 3 essential movements which are basic to return swing of most of your golf shots.
Phase Nine — THE FOLLOW-THROUGH
The momentum you create in Phase Eight will determine how you finish your swing movements after ball has been hit. If you lose your balance and lean or fall in direction ball is flying then any swing error is minor. If you lose your balance in any other direction then you have done something very incorrect in Phase Eight. Many of swing errors of previous 2 phases familiar to golfers will cause you to have an incorrect finish position in this phase. The only time I teach you anything about a correct finish to your swing is when I show you my two basic turning exercises which come with all of my lesson modules.
FOCUS Training As You Practice These Phases
Above, I use word, "focus". In each phase you are to focus on purpose of that phase and on any steps you follow for that particular phase. When you have completed step(s) of a phase you then change your focus to steps and purpose of next phase. You keep doing this until all phases have been completed.
Phases 1 to 6 can be methodically thought out for every golf swing you do for rest of your life. Phases 7 to 9 happen quickly in which you respond to a feeling or to 1 or 2 key thoughts which you have practiced. You practice steps of each of these last 3 phases at home and at practice facilities.
You can use my swing instructions or my exercises to teach your mind steps in slow motion. The more your mind can automatically remember steps then better it can direct and guide your muscle movements during quickness of actual golf swing.
Why Should You Practice These Phases?
In my lesson modules I will make frequent references to this process as it applies to putting, chipping, pitching, and full swing.
These phases are a good starting point for you to learn as you venture forth to learn to golf or to become a better golfer. You will eventually develop your own process for playing a golf shot.
Practice these phases at home until each of them becomes automatic. You will begin to pick a one-word thought or phrase which helps you to remember each step.
As you become adept at completing whole routine you will begin to see a panorama picture of your body, ball, target destination, and surrounding golf course or driving range scenery.
Your goal is to be able to walk up to a tee or ball in grass, set up to ball, and make minor adjustments until you feel comfortable and until you see desired "picture". As soon as you see "picture" and feel comfortable you will execute your golf swing before you have time to fidget or to get apprehensive.
Apprehension causes nervousness which causes tension which inhibits your golf swing. Someone says relax or be loose and next time you flop around like a rag doll and wonder why you hit a poor golf shot.
Practice these phases and you will build confidence that you will make your best swing most of time.
Copyrite June 18, 2004
Glen teaches his golf program for Ladysmith, BC Parks & Rec. Free articles and info about affordable live lessons, lesson modules, and video based lessons are available at: http://basicbodymovementforanygolfswing.com mailto: golflesson@basicbodymovementforanygolfswing.com