This is serious stuff, I’ll tell you. We are truly going out of our way when we compare our golf swings with Tiger Woods.
Yet, it is okay.
Our thinking would be limited if one of the greatest swings in the world is not available to us. Wouldn’t we?
To make this article shorter, I’m considering making it a 2 or 3 part article. To compare our swings with Tiger’s requires first that we know what Tiger does.
This is no easy feat, I assure you. It is possible, even though it may not be easy.
Let’s look at Tiger’s grip.
Does your grip look like his?
It is neutral. This grip is as neutral as it can be. Is your grip neutral? Your grip could be weak. If you take a look at your grip, you will see one right knuckle in your left hand. Your right hand lies more at the top of the club, than it is on the sides or below.
This describes 90% of all golfers. It is incorrect. Tiger’s right. Your grip is not correct. You can have a great grip, and I am sorry to be so harsh on you.
Sorry!
If you have ever read one of my writings you will know my biggest pet peeve. It is my poor grip. A bad grip is not something you will see in a great golfer.
It is almost never.
A bad grip can make you an average golfer if you have average athletic skills.
Tiger Woods is a great golfer. That’s no surprise. If not, let’s just try to imitate his grip. It shouldn’t be difficult since you don’t have to move.
Right hand facing left, with the two knuckles visible, and the left hand holding the club. It is okay to have your right hand slightly above the rest. It is fine to have it at your side. However, it is against the rules. It’s possible!
It is responsible for the start of your golf swing. The setup is like the key to your engine. The key is the only thing that will allow you to start the engine. If it doesn’t work, you won’t get the ignition on.
Tiger has a set-up so flawless it’s scary
His harmony is perfect and his alignment is impeccable. Each time he sets-up. All PGA golfers are meticulous about their setup. Their set-up is never in doubt.
This position is possible for everyone, unless your back or other physical limitations prevent you from doing it. Tiger looks great. You have to look balanced, with your back straight and knees slightly bent above the top of you shoes. If you butt out, your hips will be bent. All parts of your body are aligned. You are also perfectly square with the target line. Last but not least: your chin should not be resting on the chest. You should have enough space under your chin to allow you to swing your left arm into the backswing.
It is quite simple to immolate Tiger. Isn’t it possible for almost everyone to do the gripping and setting up? You won’t believe me if you tell me you don’t think you can do it. Most likely, it would be closer to you saying that you will not do it. It’s not possible!
You will have to be more disciplined when it comes to your swing. We must admit that set and grip are crucial for golfers. The best of the best think so.
Tiger now is prepared for his first step away from the ball. We will struggle with this one. The rest of us mortals. Tiger achieves incredible separation and extended club arms with this move. The clubhead is kept low and straight, and he delays wrist cocks until the very end of the back swing. In preparation for the downswing, he maintains great balance and shifts his weight towards his right.
He ” loads up”He is the best on the right side of the game. His club is perfectly on plan and he is able to reach the top, where his right wrist is finally able to get in the trayed position.
A remarkable athletic maneuver that only a few will be capable of doing with regularity.
This is a common move that we see on American driving ranges.
It is nearly impossible to integrate this move into your swing. Even worse, you may have difficulty gripping and it requires little movement. We need to be real.
We are not interested in a long, low extension plan with big extensions. This is more a timing problem than any other with the best player who does it. This move is becoming less popular, as you will see.
It does it have more power? It doesn’t. This is the reason. It is the downswing that generates the power, and not the take-out. Problems arise when golfers pick up the clubs too early, and fail to put their shoulders down. It is common to pick up the club too early. This is usually associated with severe bending the left arm.
Here is the location of the power drain. To defend yourself against such a move. Golf instruction includes the long and low idea. This prevents the left hand from bending and picking up early. Is it true? It is possible. However, it is impossible for anyone except the strongest to do so.
This long and low move nearly always results in the weight moving too high above the right feet, or outside of the right feet. It makes it difficult to obtain a weight shift that is decent, if any.
Tiger can do it. You can’t.
However, you still have the ability to get in the exact same or similar position as Tiger on the backswing. This will allow you to be in a strong position to hit the ball.
How? Keep your right arm bent as you move. To do this, create a 45 degree angle between your right wrist & your right forearm. Then turn your shoulders such that your left shoulder touches your chin. Don’t collapse your left hand. You should keep it straight and not stiff.
That’s it. It is my intention to fulfill my promise that I would make more than one of these parts. This I believe is sufficient to absorb for one session.
Let’s learn from our mistakes.