John Lucas
Golfers can learn from a baseball swing
Published on Wed, May 26, 2010 by John LucasRead More Lucas
I would like to discuss the most important part of the swing that most higher handicaps (meaning anyone over a 5) seem not to get. That is the change in direction at the top of the backswing.
Try standing up and pretending to throw a baseball forward. Notice that as your throwing arm still is moving back and your shoulder turning back also, your forward foot is moving forward. If by chance you are unathletic, just watch a baseball player and try to imitate him. Also notice the brace you have in your right knee while performing this action.
Now get into a proper posture by putting the little finger of your right hand against your breast bone and place your thumb under your chin, then bend from your hips and tilt your spine to the right. (Lefties, just reverse the directions).
This action will make your spine angle straight.
Now get a metal driving range bucket. Grasp it in your fingers, letting your arms just hang from your shoulders. Swing the bucket back and forth using your core muscles (stomach and lower back) and your arms. Try to imitate the same action you sensed while pretending to throw a baseball. Swing waist high, back and through at first - before you complete the back-and-up swinging of the bucket.
Let your left foot start forward as in throwing the ball and accelerate gradually with the most speed after the bottom of the swing. Trust me on this: If you will do this in your yard or in your house, it will improve your swing more than any amount of time on the driving range. Of course, you need to hit balls, but your only thought should be that same feeling, back up and through.
Don't ever use your hands or thoughts hitting at the ball! Just swing the bucket! If I could only give a person one golf lesson, this would be the one!
Rules teaser:
On the putting green, a golfer after marking his ball doesn't remove his marker and the wind moves his ball. Ruling?
Answer to last column's teaser:
In four-ball (best ball) play, a player holes out but before his partner plays, he practices on the fringe of the green. Ruling? A one-stroke penalty.
John Lucas is the professional at Sky Ridge Golf Course and can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.
Try standing up and pretending to throw a baseball forward. Notice that as your throwing arm still is moving back and your shoulder turning back also, your forward foot is moving forward. If by chance you are unathletic, just watch a baseball player and try to imitate him. Also notice the brace you have in your right knee while performing this action.
Now get into a proper posture by putting the little finger of your right hand against your breast bone and place your thumb under your chin, then bend from your hips and tilt your spine to the right. (Lefties, just reverse the directions).
This action will make your spine angle straight.
Now get a metal driving range bucket. Grasp it in your fingers, letting your arms just hang from your shoulders. Swing the bucket back and forth using your core muscles (stomach and lower back) and your arms. Try to imitate the same action you sensed while pretending to throw a baseball. Swing waist high, back and through at first - before you complete the back-and-up swinging of the bucket.
Let your left foot start forward as in throwing the ball and accelerate gradually with the most speed after the bottom of the swing. Trust me on this: If you will do this in your yard or in your house, it will improve your swing more than any amount of time on the driving range. Of course, you need to hit balls, but your only thought should be that same feeling, back up and through.
Don't ever use your hands or thoughts hitting at the ball! Just swing the bucket! If I could only give a person one golf lesson, this would be the one!
Rules teaser:
On the putting green, a golfer after marking his ball doesn't remove his marker and the wind moves his ball. Ruling?
Answer to last column's teaser:
In four-ball (best ball) play, a player holes out but before his partner plays, he practices on the fringe of the green. Ruling? A one-stroke penalty.
John Lucas is the professional at Sky Ridge Golf Course and can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.
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