Nina Caldwell
Staying still in golf is a complex topic, with many different views and techniques. Some sources suggest that staying still is not the best approach, as it can limit your backswing and take speed out of your downswing. However, other sources provide tips on how to stay still, such as keeping your head still by holding a golf tee in your lips, pointing it at the ball, and keeping it pointed as you swing. Another tip is to focus on your body's balance and posture, which will help you maintain a steady head position. Staying down through the shot is also important, and this can be achieved by paying attention to the angle of your club and avoiding bailing out.
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What You'll Learn
Keep your head still
Keeping your head still is one of the longest-standing mysteries in golf. While it is generally agreed that keeping your head still is important, there is less consensus on how to actually achieve this.
One way to keep your head still is to focus on keeping your head "in the circle". This refers to having your body's two centers—the upper center (the notch in your sternum) and the lower center (your belt buckle)—in vertical alignment. The golfer's tilting of the neck is what allows the head to remain in the circle. To help you visualise this, you can imagine a circle around your head and draw a circle around your head in videos of your swings.
Another way to think about keeping your head still is to allow your head to swivel relative to your rotating shoulders, so that your eyes and head remain fixed on the ball through impact. To help with this, you can try Ben Hogan's drill: put a tee in your mouth as you swing and point the tee at the ball. This will give you immediate feedback on how it feels to keep your head still and will help you internalise this feeling.
It is worth noting that some sources argue that keeping your head completely still is not necessary or even possible. All great golfers move their heads to some extent, and trying to keep your head too still can lead to inconsistencies in your swing. Instead, focus on keeping your head relatively still and on making small improvements over time.
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Keep your eyes on the ball
While keeping your eyes on the ball is important, it is not the only thing you should focus on. In fact, focusing too much on the ball can hinder your swing's fluidity and precision. You might find yourself trying too hard to get underneath it, leading to inconsistent shots. Instead, focus on the more important aspects of your swing, such as making a solid plan and executing it with confidence.
To keep your eyes on the ball, it is essential to understand that keeping your head still does not mean remaining completely motionless. Instead, it involves controlling the movement of your head to maintain focus on the ball. This means allowing your head to swivel relative to your rotating shoulders, ensuring your eyes remain fixed on the ball through impact.
A helpful drill to improve your head stability is Ben Hogan's trick, which involves placing a golf tee in your lips while addressing the ball. Keep the tee pointed at the ball throughout your backswing, downswing, and through impact. This drill provides immediate feedback, allowing you to internalize the sensation of keeping your head relatively still while swinging.
Additionally, focusing on your body's alignment and geometry during the swing can help you keep your eyes on the ball. The upper centre (notch in your sternum) and lower centre (belt buckle) should be aligned correctly relative to the ball to ensure a centred swing. Extending your spine, tilting your neck, and controlling the low point of your swing will help you maintain focus on the ball.
In summary, keeping your eyes on the ball is crucial, but it should not be your sole focus. By understanding the role of head movement and practising drills like the tee-in-lips trick, you can improve your ability to keep your eyes on the ball while also executing a fluid and powerful swing.
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Balance your weight
Balance is a critical component of the golf swing. It allows you to maintain a stable base, smoothly transfer your weight, and generate power. If your balance is off, it can lead to inconsistent shots and affect your swing mechanics.
To maintain good balance, you need to keep your centre of gravity over your base of support throughout your swing. Your centre of gravity is the point in your body where all the mass is concentrated, usually located in the middle of the torso. Your base of support, in the context of golf, is your feet.
- Proper weight distribution is crucial to maintaining good balance and posture throughout the swing. Your weight should be evenly distributed between the balls of your feet and your heels, with 50% on each leg. Starting with your weight too far forward or backward can throw off your swing mechanics and lead to inconsistent shots.
- When addressing the golf ball, ensure your weight is distributed on the balls of your feet or close to the middle. As you progress to the top of the backswing, a majority of your weight should shift to your back leg. During the follow-through, most of the weight moves to the left side, and you should finish in a tall and balanced position facing your target.
- To improve your weight transfer, try the "Stork" or Back-Toe Drill. Point your back toe into the ground and force the weight forward as you chip, creating organic acceleration. This will help you accelerate through the ball during chips and pitches.
- Use a stability ball or a balance board to improve your balance. Sitting or standing on an unstable surface engages your core muscles and challenges your balance. Single-leg squats can also help improve your balance by strengthening the muscles in your feet, ankles, and legs, as well as engaging your core.
- Practising yoga poses such as tree pose, warrior III, and half-moon pose can help improve your balance by challenging your stability, mobility, and control.
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Stay down through the shot
Staying down through the shot is a crucial aspect of achieving consistent and powerful golf shots. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you master this technique:
Understanding the Concept of Staying Down
Staying down during the golf swing refers to maintaining a stable upper body position and avoiding excessive upward or lateral movement. This technique is often recommended to golfers who tend to "rise up" during the downswing, which can lead to inconsistent shot results.
Mastering the Technique
To effectively stay down through the shot, focus on the following:
- Centre your body: Establish a balanced posture where your upper body is stacked over your lower body. This centre of gravity allows for a more controlled and fluid swing.
- Position your head correctly: Keep your head steady and behind the golf ball throughout the swing. Imagine a line drawn up from the back of the ball—your head should stay on or slightly behind this line. This position ensures that your body rotates effectively during the swing.
- Control the low point: Understand that keeping your head still is both a geometric and physical challenge. Focus on the alignments of your body throughout the swing and aim to control the low point of your swing arc.
- Maintain a steady neck: While your head should remain steady, your neck can tilt during the swing. This tilting motion helps you stay centred and extends your spine, creating better contact and longer shots.
- Use a drill for feedback: Try the Ben Hogan drill by placing a golf tee in your lips and pointing it at the ball during your swing. This drill provides immediate feedback on any head movement and helps you internalise the feeling of keeping your head still.
- Focus on the right arm and side: To keep your head behind the ball, pay attention to your right arm and side. Avoid pushing aggressively from the right side, as it will make it challenging to keep your head in the correct position.
Common Misconceptions and Challenges
Staying down during the shot can be counterintuitive for some golfers. Here are some common challenges and misconceptions to be aware of:
- Misinterpreting "staying down": Some golfers interpret "staying down" as keeping their entire body rigid, which is incorrect. Instead, focus on controlling the movement of your head within a specific range.
- The challenge of execution: Staying down during the swing is easier said than done. Amateurs often struggle with this technique because they are not in a position to execute it effectively. Professionals achieve this by "re-planing" the golf club at the top of the swing.
- The myth of a lateral shift: Jack Nicklaus, a legendary golfer, refutes the idea of a lateral shift. He emphasises the importance of staying on the ball and believes that teachers advocating a weight shift "don't know how to play."
Remember, mastering the technique of staying down through the shot takes time and practice. Incorporate the provided instructions and tips into your routine, and you'll be on your way to improving your swing consistency and power.
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Keep your upper body centred
Keeping your upper body centred during a golf swing is a challenge for many golfers. The upper body provides the most movement in a golf swing, controlling the golf club through the hands up to the shoulders. This makes it even more important to focus on keeping your upper body centred. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
First, it's important to understand the concept of "push vs pull". Most golfers' heads move off the ball during the backswing because they push from the left side, and during the downswing, golfers tend to push from the right side, causing the head to move in front of the ball at impact. To counter this, focus on using the correct muscles to keep centred during the takeaway. Avoid being overly dominant with the right side of your body, and learn to move your body and left arm correctly in the swing.
Next, pay attention to your wrist position. Getting the wrists and clubface in a good position during the transition and at the top of your backswing will help you rotate your body effectively. Avoid having your wrist too extended, as this will leave the club in an upright position, making it difficult to rotate through the ball properly. Practice wrist motions to improve accuracy and enable maximum rotation through the ball.
Flexibility is also a key factor in achieving a centred upper body during the swing. Ensure you are properly warmed up and stretched before a round of golf to improve your flexibility and enable a full range of motion.
To help keep your upper body centred, try the "Cack-Handed" drill. This involves swapping the positions of your hands, which automatically tucks the trail arm in a great place for the circle, improving your rotation and coordination.
Finally, focus on the separation between your lower body and upper body. During the backswing, your left shoulder and upper body should create a coil, while your legs resist the turn. Your weight should be predominantly on the in-step of your right foot. As the left shoulder and upper body reach their final stretch, the left hip rotates towards the target during the downswing and follow-through.
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Frequently asked questions
Keeping your head still is a common piece of golfing advice, but it doesn't mean staying completely stationary. Your head and neck swivel to keep your eyes fixed on the ball. To practice, try holding a golf tee in your lips and pointing it at the ball throughout your swing.
Keeping your head still helps you to stay centred and balanced during your swing. It also ensures that your head stays behind the ball at impact, which is one of the key ingredients to hitting quality shots.
Focus on your body's rotation during the downswing, rather than lateral movement. You can also try to keep your head very close to an imaginary vertical line running through the ball.
