- Jul 11, 2008
- 589
- 2
So recently I decided to make a change to my "swing thought." I put it in quotes because I have absolutely nothing running through my head during a swing but it is the last thing I think right before I take the club away.
Previously I use to think of the word "effortless." This was to get my mind into the tempo of two back one through. VJ said in an article I don't remember how long ago that he thinks of the word seventeen when he swings seven for the back swing and teen for the downswing and follow through. If you are having trouble making a good aggressive pass at the ball I highly recommend this swing thought as it generates a sense of patience on the back swing and attack on the down swing.
However, while watching the British Open Ian Baker-Finch kept saying over and over you have to hit the ball with your right side. Don't listen to anyone who tells you to pull through with your left is telling you wrong. (this is for a right hander all you southpaws will want to flip those two statements). I tried this on my most recent trip to the driving range and out on the course and it make a remarkable improvement in my game. I am a long player, so I pretty much max out the distance I can get from each club anyways. I would be interested to hear if anyone noticed any distance gained from this thought. But what I did notice is that I launched my shots on a rope down my target line. My 5-10yd draw disappeared over night, and my accuracy from 9 iron up through driver increased dramatically.
I attribute this increase in accuracy to a better clearing of the left side so that the right side can flow freely through the impact zone. I am also noticing that it is allowing me to hold my wrist hinge a lot longer. This is translating to a more consistent distance with each club, and a slightly steeper angle of attack producing higher ball flight and more spin. It has worked beautifully for me, and I highly recommend it for your thought banks to give a try the next time you hit the range. Just imagine that the only part of your swing that matters is your right side smashing through the ball at impact. Happy hitting.
Previously I use to think of the word "effortless." This was to get my mind into the tempo of two back one through. VJ said in an article I don't remember how long ago that he thinks of the word seventeen when he swings seven for the back swing and teen for the downswing and follow through. If you are having trouble making a good aggressive pass at the ball I highly recommend this swing thought as it generates a sense of patience on the back swing and attack on the down swing.
However, while watching the British Open Ian Baker-Finch kept saying over and over you have to hit the ball with your right side. Don't listen to anyone who tells you to pull through with your left is telling you wrong. (this is for a right hander all you southpaws will want to flip those two statements). I tried this on my most recent trip to the driving range and out on the course and it make a remarkable improvement in my game. I am a long player, so I pretty much max out the distance I can get from each club anyways. I would be interested to hear if anyone noticed any distance gained from this thought. But what I did notice is that I launched my shots on a rope down my target line. My 5-10yd draw disappeared over night, and my accuracy from 9 iron up through driver increased dramatically.
I attribute this increase in accuracy to a better clearing of the left side so that the right side can flow freely through the impact zone. I am also noticing that it is allowing me to hold my wrist hinge a lot longer. This is translating to a more consistent distance with each club, and a slightly steeper angle of attack producing higher ball flight and more spin. It has worked beautifully for me, and I highly recommend it for your thought banks to give a try the next time you hit the range. Just imagine that the only part of your swing that matters is your right side smashing through the ball at impact. Happy hitting.
