Be the Club Head

Where is your club head at address, half way back, top of the swing, impact, and follow through? Is it coming to the top of the backswing in that perfect position where the club feels light, in balance, on plane and not too closed or open? At times the club will come back to a position at the top of the swing that feels so good all you have to do is uncoil your body to hit a powerful, on balance, straight shot. It is like playing basketball or any other sport. It’s that shot that feels so pure and everything is matched up. Timing, balance, reflexes, and vision.

At other times the club comes back to a spot that feels so bad your body will go into any motion to adjust for this bad feeling. Improper uncoiling, tight grip pressure, poor timing, balance issues and ugly ball contact are all results of an improper club head position at the top. Unfortunately, this magical club head position is hard to find and repeat. A beginner or high handicap player finds it occasionally and a golf professional or low handicap player finds it all the time. To get there you must have a fundamentally solid swing.

Start at address with a square club head aimed down your target line with the ball in the center of the club head. The club head starts back with a swinging action that allows for the club head to rotate open and on plane. The plane of the swing is like a wagon wheel on a tilt from the ball to the top of your shoulders with your head in the middle.  At the top of the swing when the club is parallel to the ground the club shaft should be pointed at the target and on plane.

At the top of the swing the club head can’t be too open or closed. An open club head has the leading edge of the head pointed vertically with the toe of the club pointed to the ground. A closed club head is one that has the leading edge horizontal and parallel with the ground. A club head right in the middle is most desirable. A little open or closed is ok. Once the club comes back to that perfect spot just uncoil and let the club whip back to the ball. It will square up at impact and continue to rotate into the follow through. 

​That perfect position at the top of the swing is one where the shaft is on plane, pointed at the target and the club head is not too open or closed.