any tips on rythem?.

[halifax_golfer]

hey guys, what are some good ways to work on my swing tempo... I'd think about practicing to a metronome, but I dont know how I would decide what to set it to i.e. how fast it clicks... I think I need to establish a constant rythem into my game and work on it a bit... Is this a good thing for a beginner/intermediate player to practice?.

Chris.

[cypressperch]

Grip, alinement, posture, swing mechanics: All of this is important, but I do believe that consistently good ball striking comes when you can produce the same rhythm and tempo shot after shot.

To me, tempo is the count involved in the swing such as one-two, one-two-three, or one-two-three-four. A stiff moving robot could duplicate the same count over and over, but something would be missing that would make the swing smooth and fluid. To me, that something is rhythm.

A swing can be smooth and yet quick such as Nick Price or Tom Watson. A swing can be smooth and seemingly slow like Ernie or Retief (If I could have any swing, I would choose Retief's.) I have seen in more than one place that how quick you swing is related to personality. Fast walkers and talkers tend to be on the quick side. Slow walkers and talkers, like Freddie Couples, tend to swing a little slower. You might want to ask yourself which type or you, and it might be that you are in between these two types. I am digressing as usual, but remember the speed of the swing is not the same as the rhythm and tempo.

For years, I had a slow one-two in my mind as I swung. The left shoulder went under my chin on "one." The right shoulder went under my chin on "two." The idea was to get back to the ball with the clubface square. This worked, but I found myself striking at the ball rather than passing the clubhead through the ball at times. I also got a little quick at times. But over all, it worked pretty well.

Then I read the Sam Snead tip that we should swing in Waltz Time, one-two-three. I went to the top on "one." Came to the ball on "two." Then came to a full finish on "three." I believe this gave me improved rhythm, and it slowed me down some. Actually, before I got to this, I was going one-two to get to the top, and instead of "three" I would say "boom" as I swung to the ball. That worked too, but I did have trouble starting the down-swing slowly which I personally think is the way to go.

At present, I am doing something that works better for me than just about anything I have tried. Please do not laugh too hard. I take the club away and have it coming up on "one." At "two" I want the back of my right shoulder looking at the target meaning I have completely coiled and completed my back-swing. (I refuse to follow the advice of many to start the down-swing just before the back-swing is finished to get a power boost. This destroys my timing.) With my back still facing the target I press down on my left heel and ALMOST simultaneously bring by hands down on "three." I now have the club where I can come to the ball from the inside, and on "four" I do just that and there is impact.

To keep from hitting at the ball rather than passing the clubhead through the ball, I ALWAYS "swing to the finish." Doing so prevents de-acceleration which is one of the great "no-no's" in this game.

Certainly, I do not think of all these numbers as I play a round. On the practice tee, I do think of them. My second most favorite drill is hitting the driver (other clubs too on occasion) with "full motion but half speed." The idea is to slow things down so that I hit a driver about l50 yards. At this slowed down pace, I can do four parts of the swing by the numbers and work at "BLENDING" them all together which means adding rhythm to the tempo. Always swinging to a full finish. When things start getting pretty smooth, consistent, solid, and accurate, I add a little speed to each additional shot until I start to lose the good characteristics. Like Tiger and the other pros, you will find yourself using 70-80 per cent of your power. By slowing the swing down in this manner, your percentage of good contact shots improves. Good contact is what best gives us the distance we want, and you can get that good contact more often by swinging more within yourself. Of course you will never hit your putter 240 yards like a Pinnacle Man wearing black.

A while ago I mentioned Timing. The swing has certain movements like the shoulder turn, the arm swing, the hip turn, the wrist action, etc. There is a proper sequence of these movements, and there is also an optimal moment during the swing for each movement to happen. Getting these moment right means getting your timing right.

All of this stuff is important. However, there is no human who can consciously think of all this during a swing. It is a slow process, but at the range or where ever you can, you work on these things one at a time. When you play a round, you visualize the shot, address the ball with perhaps one simple thought (mine is SMOOTH), then "trusting your swing" you just "do it." Leave the execution to the subconscious. The subconscious "knows" the stuff you have been practicing. And to give the subconscious a better chance to execute properly, loosen up on the ol' grip. That will loosen up the arms, shoulders, etc. Now the subconscious can be in charge. The conscious is like the coach. The subconscious is the player. Each of us has both a coach and a player within us. The player has to do the execution. Give the power to execute the swing to the subconscious. Get good at this, and get ready to enter the ZONE. There is such a thing, believe me, and you cannot enter it consciously. Let the coach visualize the shot, choose the club, choose the shot shape, take consideration of the lie, the wind, the hazards, get you alined, etc. But without any needless hesitation, trigger the swing and allow the subconscious to "just do it."

The very best of luck to you with your game. Sincerely, Cypressperch

[Pa Jayhawk]

I would highly recommend the book "Tour Tempo". It comes with a CD in the back to use with your swing at the range and a full explanation with the book. It really helped me straighten out my Tempo problems.

It has been discussed on here in detail if you need more information do a search. It is only about $15 for the book and CD.

[halifax_golfer]

cool.. thanks for the replies... Thanks for not saying I spelled rythm properly. .

I might try the tour tempo book, but I dont have a discman to use at the range.... I'm sure one of my buddies has one I can borrow... See if I cant trade hogans 5 lessons with him for his discman for a couple weeks.

Chris.

[Eracer]

As usual, Cypressperch has responded eloquently and thoroughly to your question.

The simplest thought that helps me to stay in my own natural rhythm is this:

Pause at the top.
Smooth through the ball.
Hold the pose.

"Pause at the top". When I get out of rhythm it's usually because I'm trying to hit the ball. I make a backswing, and I just can't wait to get that clubhead back to the ball. The pause at the top will restore rhythm.

"Smooth through the ball". Again, trying to counter the hit impulse that is the enemy of rhythm. Smooth, flowing acceleration thought the ball.

"Hold the pose". My finish tells me a lot about my tempo and rhythm (and balance.) If I have to fight to keep my balance, it probably means that I swung too fast and hard - no rhythm. If I can pose, facing the target, it usually means I'm watching a well-struck ball going at least close to where I want it.

The pause at the top is the single greatest on-course swing fixer for me. Anytime I get into a "hacking" swing pattern, I tell myself to breathe, relax, and pause at the top. Try to swing smoothly through the ball. Once you do that, and can hold the pose, I guarantee your shots will get better, and you'll feel your own natural rhythm.

I played a round with an LPGA pro one time and her warmup routine was completely focused on rhythm. She started out hitting a few 7-irons 100 yards using a full swing. They weren't knockdowns, or punch shots, they were full, flowing swings. Then, she would gradually speed up her tempo, trying to go 110 yards, then 120 yards, and so on. It was a great drill, and one I use (not often enough, since it's so hard to do.) The main thing is that you can't hit decent shots doing this unless your rhythm is good. Very similar to Cypressperch's idea of hitting 150-yard drivers.

[Pa Jayhawk]

but I dont have a discman to use at the range.... I'm sure one of my buddies has one I can borrow...

Not sure if you have an MP3 Player, or even a really old one you don't use. You only need to copy off the equivalent of 3-4 songs, although there are about 10 tracks altogether. I took an old one I have that I never use because it is not even USB so it is slow to copy and just loaded the one track I use. I just keep it in my golf bag.

[halifax_golfer]

wow... I think it would be really hard to hit shots with my 7 iron full swing, going from 110, 120, 130, 140, 150yrds etc...

Wouldn't you have to have a different rythm for every shot to do this?...

Chris.

[cypressperch]

Think of a song that is recorded. The rhythm and tempo are built into the song. You can, however, play the song at different speeds with the rhythm and tempo still there.

You slow the swing down to give yourself a better chance to get all of the important stuff right. Like the old Ventures' song Walk, Don't Run. After all, we do walk before we run, and it is the same with the swing.

When you do the slow down thing, you will probably be amazed at how far you can hit the ball. You will also be amazed that is pretty easy to get the hang of hitting shots at this slower speed. When you start hitting shot after solid shot, you will most likely begin to ask yourself a question, "Why don't I just swing like this all the time?" After all, you would hit more fairways and greens. But the distance might be a little less than you would like, so go ahead and speed things up a bit, but increase the speed slowly so you can tell at what point you begin to lose your improved control over the ball. At this point, I think you will probably have better AVERAGE distance and far more accuracy than before. This is the point at which you have the best chance to meet your potential as far as ball striking is concerned. There is still putting, the short game, shaping shots, etc., but a repeating swing that gives consistent accuracy and distance is a wonderful thing to have working for you.

You have found a vital element of the swing. I hope your work with rhythm pays off big for you. (Incidentally, the person who invented the word "rhythm" did not know how to spell, but he was obviously very intelligent.) Sincerely, Cypressperch

[Eracer]

wow... I think it would be really hard to hit shots with my 7 iron full swing, going from 110, 120, 130, 140, 150yrds etc...

Wouldn't you have to have a different rythm for every shot to do this?...

Chris.

It is very hard to do. I went back and re-read my post. I did (incorrectly) say full swings. What I meant was smooth swings with an equal-length backswing and follow-through. Kind of like Pelz' clock swing. Back to the 9:00 position, with a good wrist cock, then through to 9:00.

Start by taking the club back far enough so that with your normal rhythm you can follow-through to the same height (obviously, momentum will cary the club a little further - you just want to feel that the hands are going along for the ride) and reach 100 yards. Then 120, and so on. It's all about feeling smooth through the ball.

You will be suprised, once you start making solid contact with a slower, smoother swing, how far the ball will go.

We all swing more smoothly at the range. It's why we all suffer from the same problem. "I hit the ball so well at the range - why can't I do it on the course?"

Well, this warm-up drill can help carry that feeling out on the course. Practice it at the range and get good at it before you use it as a warm-up. It's not a good idea to make your warm-up session a frustrating collection of bad shots, which it can be if you aren't practiced at this drill.