Harper Lin
Keeping one's head still during a golf swing is one of the longest-standing mysteries in the game. While a slight movement of the head is okay, excessive movement can lead to complications in the swing. Vertical head movement is one of the two types of head movements in golf, the other being lateral head movement. Vertical head movement refers to the up-and-down movement of the head during a swing. While some golfers advocate keeping the head stationary, others suggest that a slight head dip on the downswing can help create power from the ground up.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vertical head movement | Should be avoided |
| How to avoid vertical head movement | Keep your head still during the swing |
| How to keep your head still | Extend your spine longer to the top of the backswing |
| Keep your head "in the circle" | |
| Keep your chin up | |
| Ensure your knees are in an athletic position | |
| Shins should have some lean | |
| Arms should hang naturally | |
| Feet should be wider than your hips | |
| Focus on your neck instead of your head |
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What You'll Learn
- Keeping your head still during a swing is one of the longest-standing mysteries in golf
- A slight head dip on the downswing can help create power from the ground up
- Too much lateral movement can make it hard to get back to the same position at address
- The chin should be raised to allow the lead shoulder to rotate underneath on the backswing
- The left side of the head should not get ahead of the left red line during the downswing
Keeping your head still during a swing is one of the longest-standing mysteries in golf
The idea is that keeping your head still helps to ensure that your swing lacks lateral movement. However, this is often easier said than done, and many golfers struggle with keeping their head stationary during their backswing. While it is true that excessive head movement can lead to inconsistencies, it is also true that some of the top tour pros have head movements during their swing.
The key is to find a balance and ensure that your head movements are not causing problems with your contact or swing. As one source notes, "Moving your head is not a problem, unless it's actually causing a problem." It is also important to note that keeping your head completely still may not be the best advice, as it can restrict your movement and flexibility.
Instead of focusing solely on keeping your head still, it is more important to focus on keeping your head "in the circle," which refers to maintaining the two centers of the body in vertical alignment. This will help ensure a solid contact and a centered swing. Additionally, focusing on extending the spine longer to the top of the backswing, as demonstrated by PGA Tour Players Brad Faxon and Justin Rose, can help improve flexibility and reduce the need for excessive head movement.
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A slight head dip on the downswing can help create power from the ground up
While it is commonly believed that golfers should keep their heads still, this is a misconception. In fact, the head does move slightly in the golf swing, and a little bit of movement is okay. However, too much lateral movement can complicate things in your swing.
To achieve this, golfers should focus on their chin position. If your chin is facing down, it will be difficult to rotate your lead shoulder underneath on your backswing. By raising your chin, you will allow for a full shoulder rotation.
It is also important to ensure that your lower body is sturdy and that your knees are in an athletic position. This will help you avoid incorrect moves on your backswing that can cause your head to move out of position. Additionally, golfers can focus on their neck instead of their head to improve their swing.
While a slight head dip can be beneficial, golfers should be mindful of excessive head dropping, which can affect the alignment of the spine. Overall, the movement of the head during the golf swing is a personal preference, and golfers should find what works best for them.
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Too much lateral movement can make it hard to get back to the same position at address
While it is generally advised to keep your head still during a golf swing, it is also acknowledged that a slight amount of movement is inevitable and even encouraged for a full shoulder rotation. However, too much lateral movement can be detrimental to your swing.
Lateral head movement refers to the shifting of the head toward the back foot during the backswing. While a slight shift is acceptable, excessive movement can make it challenging to return to the same address position. If the head slides to the right, it must then slide back to the left, requiring precise timing. This can be difficult for the average golfer to execute while also clearing their left side.
If the head fails to return to the correct position during the downswing, the golfer may flip the ball, relying solely on arm strength. This can result in a significant loss of distance as the weight transfer back to the lead foot is compromised.
To address this issue, it is crucial to evaluate your chin position and lower body stability. If your chin is facing down, it can hinder the rotation of your lead shoulder during the backswing, potentially pushing your head laterally. Raising your chin can help facilitate smoother shoulder rotation. Additionally, ensuring that your knees are in an athletic position can contribute to a steadier lower body, reducing the likelihood of incorrect head movements.
While maintaining a stationary head during the golf swing is a longstanding piece of advice, it is not always easily achievable. Excessive focus on keeping the head still may even lead to other issues, such as an aggressive push from the right leg or right side of the torso, which can cause the head to end up in front of the ball at impact. Thus, it is essential to understand the dynamics of the golf swing and strive for proper head positioning rather than strict immobility.
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The chin should be raised to allow the lead shoulder to rotate underneath on the backswing
While some sources suggest that the head should be kept still during a golf swing, others argue that it should move slightly. Vertical head movement, or lateral head movement, is when the head shifts towards the back foot during the backswing. While a slight amount of movement is acceptable, excessive movement can cause complications.
It is important to note that the more the head moves, the more complications can arise. However, keeping the head completely still during a golf swing is one of the longest-standing mysteries in the sport. Most golfers know they should do it, but few know how to do it.
Some golfers have a slight degree of rightwards spinal tilt, which causes their head to be vertically above a point on the ground that is behind the centre of their stance. This allows them to get a full shoulder turn without the left shoulder hitting the chin. However, too much lateral movement can make it difficult to return to the same position at the address.
Therefore, while it is important to keep the head relatively still during the golf swing, a slight amount of vertical head movement can be beneficial to allow for a full shoulder turn.
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The left side of the head should not get ahead of the left red line during the downswing
The golf swing is one of the longest-standing mysteries in the sport, with many golfers struggling to keep their heads still during the backswing. It is important to keep the head very still from a left-to-right perspective, as any lateral movement can cause issues with contact.
A golfer should aim to keep their head behind a vertical line drawn from the back of the ball, with the left side of the head on or behind this line. This is because, during the downswing, the left side of the head should not get ahead of the left red line. This is known as keeping the head ''in the circle'.
Professional golfers, such as Tiger Woods, demonstrate this by keeping their upper swing centre stationary during the downswing. Their head may swivel horizontally or drop down slightly, but it does not move left of the left red line. This is because the upper swing centre should not slide forward in the direction of the target.
Beginner golfers can struggle to 'feel' the position of their upper swing centre, so it is important to understand the relationship between the movement of the head and the upper swing centre. By keeping the head still, golfers can monitor their head movements and know that they accurately reflect the movement of the upper swing centre.
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Frequently asked questions
Vertical head movement, or lateral head movement, is not inherently bad for golf. In fact, a slight amount of movement is encouraged for a full shoulder rotation. However, too much movement can cause complications in your swing and make it difficult to return to your original position.
While there is no definitive answer, some sources suggest that keeping your head within 1.5 inches of lateral movement is ideal. Additionally, ensuring that your head does not get ahead of the upper swing centre is crucial.
To reduce vertical head movement, focus on maintaining a steady chin position and proper posture. Avoid bending your left knee and instead focus on rotating your hips. You can also try the ""chin to shoulder" technique, where your downswing ends with your chin in line with your right shoulder.
