Golf Tip - How to Make Swing Changes

Admittedly, watching Tiger Woods struggle this past weekend is likely going to make it tough for an instructor like me to convince a student to make a swing change when it is required. However, what I will point out is that this is the third major overhaul in Tiger's swing in about 12 years, and I would certainly not ask a student to completely change their swing in this fashion.

Swing changes must be done piecemeal, because even the smallest of changes take significant time and practice to be ingrained.

The best way to make swing changes is to make them without hitting any balls. Most people get too wrapped up in the result, rather than the execution. Occasionally, a golfer will hit a good shot with the same flawed swing. This is just a function of better timing with that particular swing, rather than an improved swing. Then, when they hit a crappy shot after making an improved move, they get frustrated and give up on the change.

What I try to do with a student during the first lesson is to identify the most critical ball flight error. I then let the student know what they need to do to correct that error, and then I give them a plan to improve their overall golf swing.

In order to make a swing change, the student needs to make practice swings without a ball, with significant focus on each repetition, for 100 swings a day, for several weeks. The repetitions need to be done in slow motion until they are ingrained, then done at half speed, then full speed, and without a ball. There is no point in trying to hit a ball until their is significant improvement in the move. I also HIGHLY recommend using a weighted club while working on these new motions. The heavier weight with slow motion reps sends a stronger signal to the brain.

This does not mean you don't ever go out and play while you are trying to make swing changes. When you are out on the course, it is necessary to just play and not worry about the changes you are making. If you are practicing as described above, these changes will take care of themselves out on the golf course over time. A round of golf is meant to be enjoyed, and it is more enjoyable if you are not worrying so much about mechanics. Mechanical changes should only be made and worked on during practice.

The key is to be very patient with making swing changes. Most golfers are not, and that is why most never improve. It takes a year for a good player to make a major swing overhaul, and a couple years for the average golfer. However, along the way, it is not unlikely that lower scores will occur. Stay patient and stay positive and you will surely reap the benefits.

Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com