For Your Swing byDave Ramsay - Dec. 2011

Lighten Up

by Dave Ramsay, Head Golf Professional

Players that work on specific issues related to the mechanics of the swing can easily fall into a trap of inadvertently tightening their muscles thus restricting the club from swinging freely through impact. Working on positions in the swing can be a great benefit in changing your swing and helping you to improve, but an automatic response of the body to learning new motions and positions is for muscles to engage in order to maintain control.

When individual muscles and muscle groups engage, that engagement will adversely affect how the swing motion flows and unfolds. Excessive restriction will hamper clubhead speed and handicap your ability to time a coordinated release through the ball. An unrestricted swing (with the correct mechanics) will deliver a more consistent, repeatable release through the ball without sacrificing speed or control.

When working toward new positions and improved mechanics, make a conscious effort to be aware of your muscle tension, especially in your shoulders, arms and hands. Work on implementing your changes while maintaining a lighter, more athletic touch. Remember that the result of those swing changes must still include the club swinging freely.