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Improve Your Golf Swing By Focusing On Your Finish Position
Watch the pros on Tour and notice how in-control they look at
the finish position of the their golf swing. Why? Because they
are!
They are in perfect balance. Even the pro who might look a
little "crooked" at the end of the swing has a balanced swing.
Vijay, who is slightly bent to the side at the finish position
of his driver, is still in perfect balance.
How often do you think an amateur practices or even thinks about
his or her finish position? Probably never. I would surmise that
once contact has been made with the golf ball, most amateurs'
thoughts shift to the ball flight rather than where our body is
finishing the swing.
Why is the finish position so important to a successful golf
swing? And beyond that being in a balanced finishing position?
The finish position is directly related to two very important
concepts involved in the golf swing. Number one is swing plane
and clubhead is number two.
The swing plane is defined as the path on which the golf club
should travel upon during the swing.
A quick review of the swing plane tells us that beginning with
the address position, into the backswing, onto to the downswing,
into impact, to follow through, and completing with the finish
position, the golf club is intended to travel on a specific
arch. This arch is a result of the biomechanics of the golf
swing sequencing properly. In other words, everything working
with the correct timing.
Think of the club traveling in a circle during the swing.
This imaginary circle is your swing plane and it dissects your
back shoulder on the backswing and transition phases of the
swing.
Returns to the same position as you started at impact with the
ball, and dissects your front shoulder during the follow through
into the finish position.
If the golfer maintains the clubhead on this path during the
swing this is an indication that the mechanics of the swing are
being performed properly.
What does a balanced finishing position have to do with the
swing plane?
A balanced finishing position is yet another indicator that,
number one, the golf club is following the correct swing plane,
and number two, the golfer is performing the mechanics of the
swing in the correct sequencing with proper timing.
Secondly, the finish position is directly related to what is
referred to as "feeling" the clubhead.
Ask any Tour player they will tell you that they can "feel" the
clubhead at any moment during the swing.
Completing the swing in a balanced finish position requires you
to be "tension" free and feeling the club head through the
entire swing.
Now the bigger question is, how does the amateur golfer get to a
balance finish position?
Easier said than done. To develop "feel" in the swing, maintain
the proper swing path, and develop a balanced finish position
requires mastering three principles.
Principle number one is proper swing mechanics. In order to
develop "feel" and correct swing path requires the golfer to
develop the correct mechanics of the swing.
Not only do you need to learn the different fundamentals of the
swing, you need to train yourself to put these fundamental in
proper sequence.
Principle number two is the body. The body swings the club. Your
body must have the flexibility, balance capabilities, strength,
endurance, and power to perform the mechanics of the swing.
If the body is unable to take the club on the proper swing plane
because of a lack of flexibility or lacks the power to develop
clubhead speed. The ability to maintain a proper swing path, and
finish in a balanced position will be compromised.
Principle number three is practice. In order to develop the
proper swing plane, create "feel" for the club, master the
mechanics of the swing, and develop a body to support the swing,
you must practice the swing and train the body. Over time this
will result in the development of components of a proper golf
swing.
The amateur will often leave out one of the three principles. If
the golfer does not practice, train the body, or develop swing
mechanics, it is unlikely ou will keep the clubhead on the
correct swing plane.
Bottom line, a balanced finish position is a very good indicator
that particular swing was efficient. It also should tell you
that your body is flexible, strong, and powerful.
About the author:
Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness
instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour
regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson.
He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf
swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the
website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can
email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.
Written By: Sean Cochran
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