The White Move: Tips and thoughts from the lesson tee
Did you know that for the average golfer it takes approximately 1.25 seconds to make contact with the ball from the address takeaway position? Of that 1.25 seconds, approximately .80 seconds is consumed with the takeaway to top of swing position.
That leaves less than a half second to get back down to the ball from the top of the backswing position. Think about that for a moment. How much control can we possible have with the downswing taking less than a half second? Where do we, the player, have most control?
My thought is that we have 100 percent control of the set-up positions and how we address the ball. We can all look as good as a tour player at address. These static positions can be achieved by us all.
I also feel that the further along the golf swing proceeds, the more control we “give up.” Meaning, I’ve got more control of how and where the clubhead moves on the takeaway then I do of where the position of the clubhead is at the top of the backswing.
So, as a teaching professional, I place tremendous emphasis on address positions, takeaway and top of swing positions, because that is what we can control the easiest. The more correct body and club position we can put ourselves in at the top of the backswing, the better chance we have of getting the club on plane once the downswing trigger has been pulled.
(Marc White is the PGA Supervisor of Instruction at Oakhurst Golf and Country Club and Marc White Golf Training Studio, inside Great Lakes Athletic Club in Orion Township. He can be reached at mlwpga@yahoo.com, or visit his web site at marcwhitegolf.com)
Category: Coaches Corner, Golf Course Reviews, Guest Column
