Slower swing can reap rewards

Jeff Jensen

Friday, Oct. 31, 2008 | midnight

Going "over the top" is a phrase often heard at the driving range. It means the golfer is swinging too fast or lifting the head of the club on a tee shot.

Tony Lawson, director of instruction at the Wildhorse Golf Academy with over 20 years of teaching experience, has a tip for those of us in this situation.

This fault typically plagues high to mid-handicappers and can certainly cause havoc with even the more accomplished golfer from time to time. It is the single biggest cause of slicing or pulling the golf ball.

The transition from the back swing into the downswing establishes rhythm and motion of the club as it returns to the ball. When this transition is made too quickly in an attempt to kill the ball, problems are sure to arise.

The lunging or hitting from the top forces the club on an outside to inside path with an angle that is too steep to make solid contact. The overuse of the upper body and right shoulder in particular, results in a loss of both power and accuracy. To improve the fluidity of your swing as it changes direction, you must understand the need to swing the club rather than making an attempt to hit at the ball.

Practicing certain drills, having a clear understanding of what you are telling your body to do, and the benefit of seeing your golf swing on video can certainly make this change attainable and set you on the road to playing more enjoyable and consistent golf.

For more information on the Wildhorse Golf Academy or to schedule a lesson with Lawson, call 521-6606 or e-mail tonylawson@pga.com.

Jensen’s golf column appears weekly in the News. He can he reached atjjensen72@cox.net.

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