Focus on making solid contact before anything else

• By Steve Whidden, SwingFix instructor
• Nov 13, 2012 4:00 PM ET

Unfortunately, in my opinion, too much of today’s golf instruction is not aimed at the masses but the select few.

When articles and tips discuss rotation of the core, driving the legs, turning of this and turning of that, there are a select few (low-handicap players to professionals) that will benefit from such advice.

The average golfer who concentrates too much on what the body is doing and who’s still not hitting the ball solidly and straight is concentrating on the wrong elements of the body.

Keep in mind, it’s called a golf “swing,” not a golf turn or torque. The average player needs to make sure that they put the most amount of work and emphasis on the swinging muscles of the swing, not the turning big muscles.

So, the next time you go to the range, remember it’s called a SWING, not a turn, pivot or coil.

• Steve Whidden

To explain further, if you’re having trouble hitting the ball in the sweet spot, hitting the ball straight, or lack power, chances are that you are overusing your big, slow-turning muscles, such as your shoulders and hips, too much and not the swinging speed muscles of the arms, wrists and hands enough.

The fastest muscles you use to hit a golf ball are in your hands, the only part of the body connected with the club is your hands, and the part of the body most instrumental in squaring the clubface is the hands.

When was the last time you checked to see how your swinging muscles were doing?

Take this test: Take a 7 iron, put your feet totally together and start hitting balls. Do you hit the ball solidly? Do you hit it straight? Can you keep your balance?

What this drill lets us know is if, in fact, the most important parts of your swing are working correctly.

By putting your feet together, you take the body out of the swing and isolate the motion of the hands, wrists, forearms and upper arms. These are the muscles that you must be able to use correctly before adding the body to the swing.

For 95 percent of the amateurs that I come across, the thought of the arms swinging the body is much more effective than the body swing the arms. Do you need the body involved in your golf swing? Of course, but it acts as a supporting role to the swinging of your arms.

So, the next time you go to the range, remember it’s called a SWING, not a turn, pivot or coil, and give yourself the test above and get better at it. You will be happy you did!

Take an online lesson with Steve Whidden.