On The Tee with Hank Johnson

Feel versus Real

“Mr. Johnson, feel and real are not the same”

During a recent lesson, one of my students made the observation above. In that one statement, he identified one of the most significant barriers that golf students and teachers deal with every day.
Very often when I show one of my students their modified swing on video their comment is “boy, it sure doesn’t feel like that”. That’s why I use video extensively in my teaching. It’s much more for the student than for me.
To effect significant change requires an effort to “over do” on the part of the golfer. This “overdoing” will cause the golfer to feel awkward and uncomfortable. They have to be reassured that they don’t look odd. That they in fact look better!
In most cases the actual change is not as dramatic as the change in feel. By seeing on video that they are not really “overdoing” there is a comfort in trying to do more.
I believe that virtually all golf students have to “see it” to “believe it”. Once they “believe it” they are much more likely to put in the effort that changing requires.
One of the keys to using video effectively is to focus only on the things that are being modified. Stay with your priorities and don’t get distracted by adding other things to work on. That will only lead to confusion and discouragement.
Video, properly used, can accelerate the change process and allow permanent improvement to happen more rapidly. As you are learning, relying on feel can be misleading.
Hank Johnson, PGA
November 23, 2009

FIND YOUR MOST “EFFECTIVE” SPEED

Ever notice that when you hit a really great shot, the swing felt effortless. Then, you think to yourself, “Ahh, if I hit such a great shot without effort, imagine what would happen if I really “went after it”? The funny thing about golf is that the harder you try to hit the ball, the shorter it usually goes.
Recently, a couple of beginner students observed that they were surprised at how little effort they had to use to make a good golf swing. This goes contrary to human nature that the harder I try, the better I should get. One of them said, “I have to use virtually no strength”. A very good player and State Amateur Champion said to me “I have to feel like I’m using NO acceleration”.
Trying to swing less hard sounds simple to do but don’t be fooled. Here are some suggestions to help you:
1. Find your ideal speed. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being really slow and 10 being grease lightning, what would your ideal speed be? The next time you are out on the practice tee, take some time to swing at a speed of 1 and then at a speed of 10. Then progress through from 2 through 9 to find out which speed gives you the most consistent strike. This number will be different for each person. You will be surprised at how slow you feel you have to swing.
2. Focus on proper mechanics on the practice tee. In order to have effortless power, you must ensure that you have sound mechanics. Utilizing a video system will aid your efforts to change your mechanics and will also give you accurate feedback on your attempts at change. Don’t get discouraged when your efforts at correct mechanics do not yield immediate results. Keep persevering. Too often we quit too soon.
3. Go slow. When you are making swing changes, slower speeds will help you learn the correct movement quicker. Football and basketball teams do something similar called “walk throughs”. Athletes learn the plays at a walking pace and as they get more familiar, they can then increase the speed. When making swing changes, start slow and don’t worry about distance. As you get more proficient, you can work your swing speed back up to your ideal speed.
Swinging slower will give you the impression that you will not hit it out of your shadow. Stick with it. Over time you’ll be pleased with the results!

YOUR OFF - SEASON PROGRAM
Testing new equipment
Second segment in a series
Do you have the right tools in your tool box?
Tour players use the off-season to test new equipment. They are always looking for an edge over the competition. Testing usually includes golf balls as well as clubs.
Golf balls: Find the ball that works best for you throughout your whole game. Don’t forget to test the golf balls you are considering in the short game. You play 2/3 of your shots from within 50 yards of the cup. Don’t compromise in this area just trying to find a few extra yards with your driver.
Irons/hybrids: Your irons should be selected based upon your ability to produce a playable trajectory when they are coupled with your swing. You also need to use this as the basis for selection of hybrids and lofted fairway woods.
Drivers: Decide what you want your driver to help you do better with your swing and your preferred golf ball. This can best be accomplished with the help of a launch monitor. I use a TRACKMAN unit for this purpose. Driver selection is always a matter of maximizing distance AND accuracy. Also keep in mind that it has to work on the golf course under pressure.
Putter: The selection of a putter is a very personal thing. It needs to “look good” to YOU. It should be easy to aim and of a weight that “feels good” to you. A qualified fitter can make sure it has the correct loft and lie and is the most effective length for you.
Wedges: You’ll find a series on WEDGES on www.dewsweepersgolfshow.com . Just go to the site and check the archived segments.

YOUR OFF SEASON PROGRAM
Dealing with injuries and conditioning
Third segment in a series
Do you have any nagging injuries that need to be dealt with?
As we model the tour players use of the off season, one area to consider is any nagging injuries that you might be dealing with. Club level players tend to forget about aches and pains until the next time they play. They just take a few ADVIL and keep going.
Most golf injuries are from “repetitive use” and /or “overuse”. The problem with ignoring them over a long period of time is that they almost always get worse.
If you have one of these nagging aches and pains you should see a physician to get a diagnosis and a treatment plan which will probably include a course of physical therapy. Most common injury sites are the shoulders, elbows, wrist, hips, knees and ankles. Lower back problems are usually more significant and certainly need the attention of a physician if they persist for any length of time at all.
Once you are pain free
The off season provides an opportunity to improve physical conditioning, particularly strength and flexibly. Any general conditioning program will help your golf game. As long as you keep the resistance (weights) low and the number of repetitions high there really are no exercises that are bad for golf. Most golfers have more success when they work with a personal trainer. That just provides structure and accountability which most of us need.
Golf, on the surface doesn’t appear to be physically demanding but if you tend to tire near the end on your round, it will certainly affect your performance. Your off season training program should include a cardio element to improve you endurance. Again, a personal trainer can guide you in this area as well.
You should also ask your trainer to help you improve your balance. There are a number of things that work quite well and balance is a critical element of an effective golf swing.
Gains in the speed of your swing through the ball can be made but you need some form of feedback. You not only need to know the amount of speed, you also need to know where along the arc of the swing the speed occurred. The best device to use for speed development is a launch monitor like TRACKMAN. Use of this type of unit will let you monitor other impact conditions like club head path and clubface alignment while you work on speed.