Golf Tip of the Month

This month our topic will be swing misconceptions.  You know,  those mystical things you have heard to be the secrets of the game from your playing partners.

I know you have heard the "keep the head down routine" from all of your well intended playing partners.  However, take this one friendly tip and throw right out the window with " keep your arms straight". 

The golf well wishers are preaching this over indulged tip because they think it is correct and it will provide a cure-all for the golf maladies.  In fact, this tip may help for a few shots but it is not a long term remedy.  It is merely a band-aid.  The problem lies in the chronic use of burying the head down on the ball and creating a posture that will not allow the arms and body to swing freely.  The result of the "head down disease" is an restricted golf swing with little power and no consistency.

The cure is to do the exact opposite. Lift the head to where the shoulders can turn freely underneath the chin.  Make sure the back of the head is in a straight line with the spine.  This may be very uncomfortable at first but the results will be convincing.  If you need more convincing that this is correct, look at pictures of Tour Players.  You will never, ever, never see a Tour Player with their head buried between the shoulders in bad posture.

If this tip helps your game, let me know.  If you need more instruction, contact me at mhopkins@SouthwckGolf.com or at 336-210-2582 to arrange a personal lesson.

Yours for better golfing,
Mark Hopkins
PGA Professional

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