Golfers like to work on their swing and search for the ‘secret’ or golf tip that can help them improve. Although I’m not a big fan of quick tips or jumping around looking for a miracle cure, correct golf mechanics are important.

There is so much contradiction available in the golf world that it can be hard to know what is right or wrong. I have found that if golfers get correct information they can swing better and with more confidence. This is always a good thing

In 2004 I was involved in a scientific study of the golf swing. This was a comprehensive study and involved analysis of motion, ground reaction forces and muscle activity. After nine months of researching the scientists had come up with some interesting results. These results contradicted many traditional concepts. Below are three ideas that can help you improve your golf technique;

Scientific Secret #1 – Power comes from your hands and arms, not your body

Most of modern instruction places an emphasis on spinning (turning) your body for maximum power. This is not correct. This spinning and turning causes most golfing problems – most notably a weak slice.

The key for maximum power is to swing your hands and arms. The body acts as a support mechanism – moving in response to your hands and arms. Move your arms first and the body will follow. It should never be the other way around.

Have you ever been stuck under a tree with a restricted back swing, then been surprised at how far you’ve hit the ball? This has happened to many golfers and represents the scientific secrets to a better golf swing. With a restricted backswing you are forced to swing your arms, which is exactly what you’re supposed to do.

Scientific Secret #2 – How to have perfect timing

Golfers report that when they are playing well they have more time to hit the ball. During these times their timing is spot on. Scientific analysis has helped identify the secrets to having perfect golf swing timing. Here they are;

• club head traveling along the target line for a longer period of time
• club face pointing at the target for longer period of time

We termed this the Flat Spot Principle. Learning to perform the FSP will give you an unfair advantage. You can hit the ball with confidence because you’ll know that the ball will travel longer and straighter more of the time.

Scientific Secret #3 – How to hit the ball further with less effort

Science has shown it is possible to get more power without straining and hurting your body. Here are the key concepts for doing so;

• Use a shorter back swing. It was found that when golfers relaxed and attempted a shorter back swing they actually INCREASED the length of their swing. This could help explain why golfers can report better results when they swing easier and take a three-quarter length swing.
• Allow a bending of your left arm (your right arm if you’re left-handed). This not only reduces strain and makes the swing easier to perform, you’ll also give yourself a mechanical advantage. A slight bending of your left arm at the top of the swing reduces the moment of inertia and allows you to start the club down more quickly. This will allow your swing to have more speed at the ball.
• Don’t wind your body like a spring. Turning your body tight or as far as you can is not the right thing to do. This is sometimes referred to X factoring. You should strive for a relaxed and comfortable swing – not one that causes you pain or is difficult to do

A bonus Scientific Secret – The Grip

Learning how to hold onto the club can be a difficult thing to learn. There are many pieces of advice to choose from and deciding on the right one is not always easy. Our scientific data identified two key areas that are most important. Get these two concepts correct and you can forget about the rest;

• Choose a grip that allows you to swing the golf club with speed. This should be your greatest priority.
• Choose a grip that YOU find comfortable – not what your instructor says so

This means that you don’t need to worry about Vardon, interlocking or overlapping grips. Find method of holding the club that satisfies the above principles and you’ll do just fine.

As an extra bonus you may find bulking up your grips to your liking. Get your golf professional to add some extra tape under your grip or experiment with some chunky grips that are now on the market. I should have some of these new grips in stock shortly. If you’d like to learn more please contact me.

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These scientific secrets form the basics of BioSwing. One independent scientist was so impressed with the golf swing model that he described BioSwing as the golf swing of the future. To learn more about BioSwing view my Golf Instruction 2.0 package for full details.

No matter how good you golf swing mechanics are you still need to perform the swing automatically and naturally. I still believe this to be golf’s most important skill – when you have good mechanics and can automate that swing you will become the best golfer you can be.

Good golfing,

Cameron