On The Tee with Hank Johnson

The Golf Swing Simplified

Second segment in a series - Rotation

Because the shape of the golf swing is circular, good swings contain a rotational component. The post your body represents must stay steady but it can rotate. Because the trunk is tilted forward at address the rotating post can be visualized as the trunks center line from top to bottom and this line should be seen as going into the ground behind the player’s heel line.
The shoulder turn and hip turn in the backswing and the hip turn and shoulder turn in the forward swing provide the rotation for the post. This rotation creates the circular shape of the golf swing. Highly skilled players learn to use their hip turn to accelerate their shoulder turn in the forward swing by creating separation or lag between the two. When looking at powerful golf swings, the shoulders turn back and pull the hips around. In the forward swing, the hips are turning through ahead of the shoulders. This results in a buildup of torque in the large muscles of the body. The shoulders eventually overtake the hips but only after impact with the ball.
A less powerful way for the post to rotate is for the hips and shoulders to turn back and through together with no separation. This sequence of movement is usually present in less athletically skilled players and players who suffer from lower back discomfort. It is possible to produce effective shots related to accuracy with this type of unified body rotation. They are just less powerful.
Common errors that would contribute to a golfers inability to rotate properly would include:
Poor posture
Lack of flexibility in the trunk and hips
Limited range of motion in the thoracic spine
Limited range of motion in the cervical spine
Lateral shifting of the hips in the forward swing in an attempt to create power
Lack of core stability
Lack of stability in the lower body
The rotating post is the power source of a good swing. Its motion stretches and releases the strongest groups of muscles in the body. These muscles include those in the thighs, hips and trunk. Developing the ability to create rotation around a stable center will give the player both power and accuracy.
Next segment: Connection
Hank Johnson, PGA

The Golf Swing Simplified

First segment in a series - Steady Post
The motion of a golf swing can seem very complicated and if you try to consciously control everything that needs to happen then it really is complicated.
Here is some good news for you. You dont have to control everything. There are just a few truly fundamental movements. If you will practice these few things into habit then all the other things will tend to take care of themselves.

Think of your spine as a steady post that extends all the way to the ground behind you. At the top of the post is your head and it must stay steady. If you are in your golf address position, the post will be angled toward the ball from 35 to 45 degrees, depending on the club you are hitting.
During your swing, this tilted but steady post should not bob or sway. By keeping the post steady, you keep your hips and shoulders centered between your feet. This will produce a centered arc for your swing and will accurately return the clubhead to the ball time after time.
Your legs are responsible for supporting and stabilizing the post. If you keep your feet flat on the ground and minimize the movement in your knees until after club impact with the ball, then the post will tend to stay steady.
Common errors that would contribute to a golfers inability to maintain a steady post would include:
Poor posture
An attempt to rotate more than the body’s flexibility will permit
Faulty hip action and/or shoulder action
Excessive movement in the feet and knees
Trying to achieve a preconceived position at the top of the swing (ie. Club parallel to the ground at the top of the backswing)
A conscious effort to drive with the legs in the forward swing in an attempt to create power
Trying to create an active weight shift

In summary, think of your body as a steady post with your head as the top of the post. The head should not sway or bob. A steady head will give you the best chance to have a steady post and a centered arc that will accurately return the clubhead to the ball.

Next segment: Rotation
Hank Johnson, PGA

Effective Short Iron Practice

Short iron: 7 iron or less. These are your scoring clubs.

When you have a short club into the green you need to get it close to create a scoring opportunity. When you have a longer club, you need to be more conservative.

Most players do better playing less than full out shots with their scoring clubs. They shorten and tighten up their swings much like playing a less than full wedge shot. This allows them to be more precise with distance control and this is the key to the effective use of your scoring clubs.

The Key to Effective Short Iron Practice.

The key to effective practice with your scoring clubs is to know exactly how far each of your practice shots carry. On the course, most of your shots from inside the distance of your 7 iron are going to fall on a yardage that is between two of your clubs. To maximize scoring you have to learn to play in between shots with your short irons.

Tour players use a system called TRACKMAN to dial in their distances. This Doppler Radar based system tells them exactly how far each shot they hit carries. We use the same system with our students in the Hank Johnson School of Golf. It is expensive but we think itis worth it if you really want to score better.

What good does an expensive laser distance measurement device do you if you don’t know how to hit the ball exact distances?

If you don’t have access to a TRACKMAN system, use your laser device to create exact distance targets on your practice range so you can dial in your carry yardages. You can put out targets with shafts stuck in the ground or even lay out towels you just need to be able to see each shot land and be able to tell exactly how far each shot carries.

Effective Tee Shot Practice
Your tee shot is like the second serve in tennis. If you don"t get the ball in play the point is over. Be conservative with your plan.
Distance is important but unless you are very long, the major objective should be to get the ball in the fairway.
Remember that 75% of scores of double bogey or higher begin with a tee shot that is hit out of play.

Objective: To improve the percentage of fairways hit from the tee by;
Determining your realistic chance of putting the ball in the fairway with your driver and other alternate driving clubs.
Determining the basic pattern of your misses from the tee.
Practice Technique:
Practice Tee Shots into a realistic target area. Either go on the golf course to practice if that's possible. If not, put markers on your practice range to simulate a typical fairway width.
During practice, try different clubs and keep track of your results. Use this data to make on course tee shot club decisions.
Things to Remember:
More than 75% of scores of double bogey or higher are a result of a tee shot hit out of play.
The number one goal of most players should be to get the ball in the fairway from the tee.
If you are going to play BOMB AND GOUGE like a few of the really long hitters on the PGA Tour the you had better be REALLY long.