Golf Swing Basics | Review

Every golfer appears ready to do anything to develop more power in his/her golf swing. A common question asked by golfers is: where does that power come from? The answer is simple: golf swing power is the result of three specific factors – golf swing mechanics, golf strength, and golf equipment.
The inclusion of golf swing mechanics in this list of three should not come as a surprise. Nor for that matter the inclusion of golf equipment. But golf strength seems to be the least recognized of the three, though for it is the key to longer drives. Golf strength is defined as how well your body is conditioned to swing a golf club with maximum power.
There is no doubt that quality golf equipment is also capable of making a difference in how far you drive the ball.
While admitting that equipment and technological advances can lengthen the distance of your drives, it should be kept in mind that without better golf swing mechanics and without getting your body in better golf shape, new technology can do little to help your game. A bad swing can only produce a bad result, no matter what kind of new driver you may have just purchased.
Every golfer realizes how important golf swing mechanics are when it comes to driving the ball down the fairway. Good golf swing mechanics are, in fact, essential. If you are over the top with your swing or come inside too much, you are certain to see that dreaded slice or snap hook. The drives will be short, too low, too high, left, right, or any combination of these if you are putting bad swings on the ball.
It is important for a golfer to work constantly on his golf swing mechanics if he/she is keen on improving his/her game. It is because of the vital role of golf swing mechanics that the best golfers in the world have swing coaches working with them on a consistent basis. The golf swing is such a fine, mechanically complex movement that it requires constant work to keep it highly efficient.
Amateurs often make the mistake of ignoring the availability of golf instruction.
They fail to make noticeable improvement in driving primarily because of a lack of instruction, and low levels of golf strength. The absence of instruction leads to the development and ingraining of improper golf swing mechanics. Such improper mechanics lead to slices, hooks, topping the ball, and hitting it fat on the course. Naturally, those types of swings can lead to frustration and bad rounds of golf. Every golfer interested in seriously improving his/her game should find a good instructor of golf swing mechanics and take lessons on a consistent basis.

The golfer with a clear understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing will have a huge advantage over the golfer who doesn’t have a clue. First, the definition of biomechanics – “The study of the action of external and internal forces on the living body, esp. on the skeletal system. “Anyone who has played this great game of golf knows intimately the external and internal forces on the body when you swing a golf club. I soon realized the complexities in not only understanding these external and internal forces in a sound golf swing, but also in the managing of these forces. After much study and much play, I realized the secret to a sound golf swing is first you must understand how these forces work in the golf swing, then you must put these internal and external forces in alignment so they work in harmony. This is key to developing a powerful golf swing you can repeat over and over again. The biomechanics of golf swing operate along the laws of physics and anything we do that works against these laws will only further delay the learning process. I hope this scientific discussion on the biomechanics of the golf swing helps you as much as it has helped me. Jon Barrett of Golf Swing Eureka carried out a survey and asked golfers the question: Which part of the body contributes the most to club head speed?The answer to this question was to make a profound impact on my understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing. Most golf pros NEVER talk about this fact yet it is the determining factor in creating effortless power in the golf swing. Only 20% got the answer right!That’s only 1 in every 5 golfers!And these golfers ranged from scratch golfer to high handicapper. Curiously this figure relates to another golfing statistic – Do you know that only 20% of golfers have a handicap of less than 18?I believe these same 20% of golfers understand this crucial biomechanical aspect of the golf swing. Which part of your body do you think contributes the most to club head speed?Is it:- Shoulders- Arms- Hands- Hips- Legs- Torso- WristsThe answer:***THE HANDS CONTRIBUTE THE MOST TO CLUB HEAD SPEED!!!***High handicap golfers usually “hold on” through the impact area causing a weak hit resulting in a slice or a push shot. The reason High handicappers “hold on” through impact I believe is because they do NOT have a clear biomechanical understanding of what creates club head speed. . . Let me make an illustration that will “hammer home” (excuse the pun) this biomechanical concept in the golf swing. Try to hammer a nail without breaking your wrist. . . just use your arms and body. . . keep your wrist rigid. . . not much power, huh?Now hammer the nail by only breaking or releasing your wrist, no body, no arms. . . much more power huh? You are using biomechanical angular and centrifugal forces to create much power with very little effort. . . Much like golf!Have you ever seen that trick shot golfer on the golf channel? He can hit a golf ball 275 yards while kneeling on the ground. This totally blows the cover off the notion it is the lower body that contributes most to club head speed. . . don’t ya think?Do you think all his power still comes from his lower body?Effortless power comes from a full release of the hands through the impact area. . . have you ever watched pro golfer Sergio Garcia’s hand action through the golf ball? This is how a 150LB person can crush 300 yard drives. . . they have mastered this move. By far the most important force in the biomechanics of the golf swing is a full hand release through the golf ball. . . Once you learn a full release through the golf ball you will be on your way to great golf. . . Hit ‘em Long and Straight!John Lynch