The Center of Gravity Triangle |
As a golf instructor going on 20 years now, it always bothered me that the golf instructional message is always in flux, changing at the whim of theories new ideas. I believe golf instruction, like any other skill set should be pretty much cut and dried, not subject to theory and conjecture. I've heard the phrase "I teach everyone different" from countless golf professionals over the years, funny thing is, I've never heard that sentiment from any other sport or physical skill. A hockey coach at any level would not teach his players to pass the puck using different motor skills, or with their weight on a different foot depending on the player, the skill is taught and the
Your Complete System |
player practices it until it becomes an ingrained skill. If an instructor had to teach skills individually, they would never be able to teach a group lesson, nor would a team sport coach ever find the time to individually mentor every player on his team to process a skill set in a different way. Why then is golf so different? I don't teach theory, as far as I can see swinging a golf club and hitting a golf ball to a desired target is a particular set of skills governed by geometry and physics. Yes, the individual players may look a little different executing the skill because of their individual physical limitations, flexibility, size and shape, etc. but the sequence of events, geometry of the swing. and physics of the ball flight are the same. Bobby Jones did the same basic thing Byron Nelson did, and Ben Hogan did, as well as Snead, Nicklaus, and every other player who was successful at a high level of this game. They all had 3 distinct parts to the swing, they all held their geometry very still throughout the swing (I call it the Center of Gravity Triangle) and they all understood the physics of ball flight in order to make adjustments to ball curvature. All very basic truths no matter how they physically looked swinging the club. Arnold palmer is a great example, he looked very different from Snead or Nicklaus, but the 3 basic pieces were there, and he held his geometry very still throughout his swing, that is the "Secret" to consistency...period. Like I said earlier, I don't teach theory, Center of Gravity Golf is a fact based system grounded in geometry and physics, put together in such a way that it cannot be disputed either by the conscious or subconscious mind. When the subconscious mind does not dispute the input, you are then free to play the game without the external bombardment of all the conflicting information received over the years. SIMPLICITY IS THE KEY. Golf is not played in a 6 foot bubble of mechanics around your body, golf is played out in front of you on a beautiful golf course in nature. In order to enjoy the game and "play golf" you must get out of the "golf swing mechanics bubble" and turn your attention to the beautiful targets presented you on any golf course. Certified COG instructors teach everyone the same...why, because it always works, each and every client has an "AH-HA" moment and get's very excited about their game. Complete understanding of cause and effect, the proper sequence of the swing, and a "plan" to score your best on each hole is he key to better golf and more fun.
The "Secret" to Consistency |
Ben Hogan once said..."The average golfers problem is not so much his lack of ability, but a lack of understanding what he should be doing"
With all the conflicting information out there, is it any wonder it's hard to improve.
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