A Simple Dialogue Between Two Golf Professionals About the Golf Swing Technique

Paul is a USPGA assistant professional based in the North Eastern United States. Recently he contacted me to have some online coaching and I thought you would enjoy reading how two professionals communicate about the golf swing. Paul works at a golf resort but also plays local tournaments and loves teaching. He's a very good golfer and we have been working on creating more pressure on his golf shots to produce a more penetrating ball flight and more distance.

I'm using photos of former PGA tour player Hank Kuehne to describe the alignments we're looking to achieve in his golf swing. Also because Paul teaches golfers he likes to ask detailed questions to learn more about the golf swing and how to communicate it more effectively to his students.

Q1/ We discussed the right palm pointing forward and downward as it enters impact,  So to take this concept further, this would mean the clubs sweet-spot would also point down and in front of the ball just before impact right?

A1? Yes you’re correct depending of course which club you’re using. For instance shorter irons because of a higher strike angle will point more downwards and in front of the ball compared to the longer and straighter faced golf clubs.

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Q2/ To what degree is the proper handle lead caused by the rotation of the torso PRIOR to the delivery the club?  

A2/ Another good question Paul. The rate of acceleration of the lower torso affects how much the handle will lead into the impact zone. As the lower body (hips, knees etc) releases towards the target the upper torso resists as it is still completing the backswing phase. The torque that is generated by this transition and the difference in rotation between the upper and lower torso’s determines how much lag is generated in the downswing combined with the degree of wrist-cock angle. This determines how much handle lead you would have prior to delivery of the club.

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Q3/ Is there any degree of counter-clockwise rotation of the right forearm through impact as the bent right wrist and elbow straighten?

A3/ The majority of rotation of the right forearm occurs in the lower part of the right forearm through the radius and ulna bones. The right forearm is in a supinated state – right palm facing upwards (radius and ulna parallel to one another) and as the centrifugal throw-out of the club-head occurs the bones of the right arm cross over into a pronated state – right palm facing downwards. There is probably a minimal amount of external rotation in the upper arm bone (humerus) as it rotates in the shoulder socket but nowhere near as much as in the lower right arm. After impact the humerus rotating towards the mid-line (internal rotation) of the body would rotate a lot more than the down swing phase.

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Q4/ I am a notoriously bad starter (Is this a true statement of belief Paul?...my comments) but oddly enough seem to play BETTER than usual once I settle down in competition.

A4/ The key is to teach your mind to play the holes perfectly before you actually play the holes. If you play the first few holes just the way you want to in your mind and understand that your unconscious mind doesn’t know the difference between what is real and what is imagined then you can perfect the way you play the holes before you actually play them and this will have you right and ready on the first tee.

Hope I’ve answered your questions.

Play well and let me know your thoughts.



Regards,

Lawrie

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