John Lucas
Take your swing for a ride
Published on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 by John LucasRead More Lucas
We have covered the basics in your grip, stance, alignment and posture. If one does those things correctly, one can make a perfect swing.
Yes, there is a perfect swing and it can be found in an amusement park. It is the Ferris wheel and the roller coaster.
When addressing the ball, imagine a Ferris wheel tilted on the same angle as your sternum to the ball. Look in a mirror or your reflection in a glass slider and picture the wheel going around your body at that angle or tilt.
Swing slowly at first, keeping the club shaft at that angle in the back swing and forward swing to the finish. Think of a huge piece of plywood resting on your torso just under your arms. Swing envisioning your club shaft brushing the board while maintaining your spine angle.
Close your eyes and repeat the motion so you can train your brain to feel it.
Okay, now for the roller coaster. This is for the tempo and speed of one's swing. The slow, steady pace the cars travel going to the top and then falling over the summit of the peak, gradually gaining speed to the bottom and a little beyond, then slowing down again as the cars make another climb.
Grab the club head in your left hand and try to repeat that tempo. Listen for the whoosh of the shaft as you swing through. Learn to feel the gradual acceleration.
Now keep your weight on the insides of your feet and you have the perfect swing. Pat yourself on your back and go and break par.
Rules teaser:
In stroke play, a player removes the flag stick and lays it down on the green near the hole. After he putts, a fellow competitor picks up the flag stick and places it off the green, fearing the player's ball may strike it. Ruling?
Answer to last teaser:
A player's ball in a bunker is not visible. The player discovers by searching with his club head, but the player moves the ball. Ruling? The ball must be replaced exactly where it was, leaving only the top of the ball visible with no penalty.
John Lucas is the golf
professional at SkyRidge Golf Course and can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.
Yes, there is a perfect swing and it can be found in an amusement park. It is the Ferris wheel and the roller coaster.
When addressing the ball, imagine a Ferris wheel tilted on the same angle as your sternum to the ball. Look in a mirror or your reflection in a glass slider and picture the wheel going around your body at that angle or tilt.
Swing slowly at first, keeping the club shaft at that angle in the back swing and forward swing to the finish. Think of a huge piece of plywood resting on your torso just under your arms. Swing envisioning your club shaft brushing the board while maintaining your spine angle.
Close your eyes and repeat the motion so you can train your brain to feel it.
Okay, now for the roller coaster. This is for the tempo and speed of one's swing. The slow, steady pace the cars travel going to the top and then falling over the summit of the peak, gradually gaining speed to the bottom and a little beyond, then slowing down again as the cars make another climb.
Grab the club head in your left hand and try to repeat that tempo. Listen for the whoosh of the shaft as you swing through. Learn to feel the gradual acceleration.
Now keep your weight on the insides of your feet and you have the perfect swing. Pat yourself on your back and go and break par.
Rules teaser:
In stroke play, a player removes the flag stick and lays it down on the green near the hole. After he putts, a fellow competitor picks up the flag stick and places it off the green, fearing the player's ball may strike it. Ruling?
Answer to last teaser:
A player's ball in a bunker is not visible. The player discovers by searching with his club head, but the player moves the ball. Ruling? The ball must be replaced exactly where it was, leaving only the top of the ball visible with no penalty.
John Lucas is the golf
professional at SkyRidge Golf Course and can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.
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