On The Tee with Hank Johnson

Segment 2: Impact – The Moment of Truth

Clubface
In the previous segment on path, it was explained that the path on which the clubhead is moving through the impact interval gives the ball it’s starting direction.
The alignment of the clubface to this path determines what happens after the ball is underway. If the clubface alignment and clubhead path match then no side spin will be imparted to the ball and therefore it will not curve off its starting line.
If the clubface alignment is not square to the path then side spin will be imparted to the ball and cause it to curve.
If the clubface is pointed to the right of the path it will cause the ball to curve in that direction. A slice for a right handed golfer. If the clubface is pointed to the left then side spin in that direction will be imparted and the ball will curve to the left.
A mis-aligned clubface is very damaging because it causes all kinds of offsetting errors to develop in both the players address position and swing pattern.
The most common causes of a misaligned clubface are an incorrect grip and /or incorrect hand and wrist action during the swing.
The best place to sort this out is to learn to chip correctly. That’s why I prefer to start students with chipping and build from there.

Segment 1: Impact – The Moment of Truth

During the impact interval between the clubface and the ball the flight plan is communicated and the shot’s outcome is determined.
The impact interval starts with the club’s first contact with the ball and ends with separation of the ball from the clubface.
While very brief, this period of time when the ball and clubface are actually in contact with each other determine the flight of the ball and therefore the outcome of the shot.
This interaction between clubface and ball is complicated and technical by nature. It can however be organized for basic understanding by looking at four characteristics of the clubhead’s movement when it meets the ball.
The path on which the clubhead is traveling.
The direction in which the clubface is aligned in relationship to its path.
The clubhead angle of attack in relation to level with the ground.
The speed with which the clubhead is traveling.
For these four factors to be accurately assessed, the ball must be struck in the center of the clubface. Off center hits create twisting of the clubface that distort the effect of path, face, angle of approach and effective speed.
Clubhead Path
The path of the clubface through the impact interval influences the starting direction of the shot.
For a right handed player, a swing path that is going from in to out will start the ball to the right of the intended starting line. This starting line is commonly called a push.
Again, for a right handed player a swing path that is going from out to in will start the ball to the left of the intended starting line. This starting line is commonly referred to as a pull.
Mis-aiming is the most common cause of a faulty path. Aiming in one direction and swinging in another.
When practicing, always put down an aim line to assure proper aim during practice. This makes it much easier to evaluate the correctness of the path of the clubhead through impact.

The Golf Swing Simplified

Final segment in a series: Saving the power for impact
In the previous segments in this series we have discussed Centering your swing by maintaining a steady head. Creating the motion by rotating your trunk back and through. “Connecting” your swing by keeping your upper arms matched to your chest.
Now we are going to talk about the secret of storing the power of the swing for impact. This is commonly referred to as lag or leaving the club back so that it comes through last. Everyone has lag at the top of their swing because the right wrist is bent. The back of the right hand is bent back toward the right arm. There are wrinkles in the back of the wrist. It looks sort of like the player is holding a waiters tray with the right hand.
Here’s the the key. Good players leave at least some of that bend in the back of the right wrist until after impact. This lets the club continue to accelerate all the way through the ball for the most powerful impact.
Hard to do? YOU BET IT IS. Instinctively golfers want to throw the clubhead at the ball with their right wrist because it feels more powerful. Again the key is to accept the fact that throwing the clubhead into the ball from the right wrist will hit short, crooked shots and that leaving at least some bend in the back of the right wrist through impact with the ball hits the longest, straightest shots.

Hank Johnson, PGA

The Golf Swing Simplified

Third segment in a series: Connection

So far we have created a steady post that should not sway or bob so that your head can stay steady. This gives your swing a centered arc which is necessary for precision. You will remember that the post can rotate to create the motion of the swing.

Here is the key for this segment. This rotation is what actually swings the arms and club through their arc around the body. That is right you don’t swing your arms with your arms! They are swung by the rotation of your body.
Now in order for this to happen the arms must stay connected or matched up with the rotation of the body. To accomplish this, think of the arms and shoulders as an upside down triangle. Connection means that the sides the arms do not move on their own. They are moved by the rotation of the base shoulders of the triangle. This keeps them connected or matched.
If you keep your upper arms and elbows the same distance apart from the start to the finish of your swing then they will tend to stay connected to the body. You can feel this connection by putting a rolled up bath towel across your chest and under your arms. If your upper arms hold this towel against your chest you will be able to have the feel of connection. This drill should only be done in half to three quarter swings with your wedge to get the feel.

There is now a very effective training aid to learn the feel of a connected swing. It is called The Perfect Connextion and it is available through the Dewsweepers store. I am currently using it with my students with great success. Several of my players whose swings have been too loose now know what it is supposed to feel like.

Next segment: Saving the Power for Impact
Hank Johnson, PGA