The right golf swing tempo is essential to a solid golf swing. Tempo refers to the speed and force with which your golf swing is made. Good tempo allows you to execute an easier golf swing, it gives your body more time to think, relax, and think about your next shot. A well-timed golf swing can be the difference between scoring a low score or a high score.
The proper golf swing tempo happens at the exact moment you lift your club from the ground. It occurs at the exact moment your club head approaches the ball. When you perform these two important movements, your golf club becomes decelerated, and you begin to generate backspin. This spin is what helps you send your golf ball into a low, straight flight. A good golf swing tempo allows you to create a powerful drive.
Many golfers struggle with proper tempo, and they blame it on a lack of “feel” for their swings. However, there is more to tempo than just feeling it. A player may take a few swings at a green and notice that her drives go straight and long (no veering left or right). This may be because her golf swing tempo was off, causing her to compensate for that.
In addition, taking several swings with your driver, then allowing all of them to come back, causes you to accelerate through the ball and hit the ball with less force. The best way to correct your tempo is to take several swings at a longer distance from the tee to the hole. By slowing down when you reach the ball, you can allow more “feel” for the backswing, downswing, and the takeaway. You’ll also notice that all of your swings will become more natural and cause less discomfort for you.
It’s important to remember that good tempo doesn’t just involve slowing down when approaching the ball. In fact, if you slow down too much or too soon in your backswing or your downswing, you’ll probably lose your good tempo. You need to have good tempo before you even start out your backswing, since your golf swing needs to start with good speed.
The best way to improve your rhythm is to practice. You need to make sure that your timing is correct and that you are swinging the club in rhythm with your body. One way to check your rhythm is to look at the golf ball as you approach the ball. If you have decent rhythm, you won’t see any jerkiness in your swing, as you approach the ball with your shoulders and arms locked. Also, if you don’t see any jutters or disruptions in your swing, you are probably hitting the golf ball on an inside path.
A key to improving your rhythm is to maintain a good balance. Most golfers aren’t evenly balanced, so they are going to have problems with their timing if they try to hit their golf shots with their hips and feet spread. You need to be balanced when you swing to get the most power from your swing and to keep yourself from being uncomfortable. The majority of golfers who are having difficulty staying in balance are ones who are having trouble with their balance. Your ability to stay in balance should be one of the keys to a good backswing, downswing, or follow through, since the proper swing tempo is a big factor in the effectiveness of each of these shots.
Another way to improve swing tempo is to change your grip. Some golfers prefer to have their hands set in a neutral position from the beginning of their swing, while other golfers like to have their hands slightly open at the bottom of the club. You should experiment with different grips until you find one that works well for you, and then stick with it. Having a different grip every time you play will help you keep the right rhythm as you hit your golf club, which will give you more power and accuracy.