Tempo... Define it !

**MSB256** · March 20, 2009

I just got back from the driving range. I was trying to figure out the tempo that works for me with driving the ball. We probably hear it all the time... tempo tempo tempo. But what exactly does that mean?

To hit a good, decent drive in the fairway I feel like I swing at about 70%. Sure, that gets me in the fairway, but it's embarrassing when others can hit a hybrid 5 that far.

As a former baseball player, I can probably swing the driver pretty hard, but it's harder to control the drive. I realize this is a common occurrence. Sometimes I can hit it about 280 or so and still keep it straight. But I'm getting off topic.

What exactly does tempo mean? Does that mean that the speed at which I take the club back should be almost as fast as I take it forward to the ball? Do I have to whip it back fast to swing it fast? Or not necessarily? Can my back swing be slow, but then accelerate to the ball? Or does tempo just mean be fluid and in control?

I'm confused.

**bruce** · March 20, 2009

Tempo is created with a proper downswing started with hips and shoulders,it feels slow but there is a lot of club head speed because timing is correct,if you try to swing slow with an all arm downswing you won't have any club head speed or power or try to create tempo with an arm swing the same result.

**MSB256** · March 20, 2009

So tempo really doesn't have much to do with the backswing... at least as far as your backswing speed matching your swing to the ball.

It's really about your hips, and legs, and everything working together?

**soloredd** · March 20, 2009

So tempo really doesn't have much to do with the backswing... at least as far as your backswing speed matching your swing to the ball.

I'm probably wrong but I view my backswing as simply a move I make to put the club and body into a good position to swing through the ball. It should have no effect on my downswing. If I reinforce myself to thinking like this it makes my backswing smooth and thoughtless. That is why I have a stoppage at the top of my backswing.

Now, we all have found that the backswing CAN and WILL screw you big time. So take that for what it's worth. But yes, if you try to match your backswing speed to your down and through swing, you are asking for trouble. And my guess is there is no way to maintain an efficient downswing that has power and accuracy by backswinging at a high speed.

**Damien45** · March 20, 2009

I just got back from the driving range. I was trying to figure out the tempo that works for me with driving the ball. We probably hear it all the time... tempo tempo tempo. But what exactly does that mean?

As others have said it's about timing, smooth, and being fluid with your swing. With you swinging 70% and getting straight and consistant results you should be able get all the mechanics into your "muscle memory". Eventually, that 70% will increase to 90% with longer distance. It is the tempo that you have at 70% that will eventually bring you to 90%. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Just practice that 70% and eventually your distance will grow because while you think you are swinging 70% you are actually swinging harder with more ease.

Hope that makes sense....but in the end it is why we all hear tempo, tempo, tempo.

**PiKapp23** · March 20, 2009

To get better it's important to find a 'tempo' that works best for you. Essentially, as others have said, tempo is the timing of your body and the club during the entire swing process. Backswing can also be an important component in your tempo, though. The speed of your backswing affects your transition into the downswing and can affect the speed of your body turn. This entire transition is often where higher handicap players stuggle with tempo. You can watch players like Nick Price who had a very fast tempo and see how quick his transition from backswing to forward swing is or watch someone like Fred Couples and show his backswing is slow and smooth and club accelerates during the downswing. There is also a newer backswing in Camillo and JB where they have very little backswing and start their downswing much from a less coiled position. It's good to pay attention to these differences in tempo, backswing and downswing speeds because they might help you find that rythym that best fits you and can help you get better and more consistent.

There are those that believe your tempo is a reflection of your personality and the way you go about your daily life. If you are a high energy person who walks fast on the golf course you might find a faster tempo may work better for you. If you are a low key person who is easy going and walks slower, then you might find a slower tempo works best.

**MSB256** · March 20, 2009

Thanks for the help guys. I imagine I'll figure it out eventually.

I'm going to demo days tomorrow to get fitted for a new driver. Maybe the launch monitor will give me some insight.

We have always heard... "Don't swing so hard, let the club do the work." But I see guys on TV and it looks like they swing the crap out of the club.

I like the thought of swinging at 70% until my muscles are trained with that motion, then maybe I'll increase speed without really noticing. That seems like a good logic.

Thanks again.

**Eeryck** · March 20, 2009

Tempo:

The combination of your swing rythem and timing.

When I am not hitting well I try to look at my tempo, and I work on thinking "1, 2, 3" ... "1, 2, 3" in my head over and over in a slightly slower pace than I am currently swinging. I try to imagine a dance instructor calling out the timing to someone learning to dance.

While I am thinking "1,2,3" I set up 5 balls to be hit one after the other and just move on hitting each of them one after the next without rushing between them. Starting each ball after I think "3" and letting the back swing be "1,2" the back swing transitions to downswing and impact is at "3"

So in short my backswing is takes twice as long as my downswing.

There is also a tour tempo book that has a CD where you can get beeps for the start of the swing, another beep for top of the backswing and another beep for impact. I forget their exact timing that they recommend.
http://www.tourtempo.com/

Or there is http://www.sonicgolf.com if you have a spare $400 for just learning tempo.

Regards,
-E

**Eeryck** · March 20, 2009

This from the sonic golf site, a pretty good explaination:

What do you mean by “tempo”, “rhythm”, and “timing?”

**MSB256** · March 20, 2009

I just did the 1,2,3 count while pretending to swing at my desk... haha, I think I'll try that.

Thanks for the tips. And I'll go off your advice instead of shelling out $400!

**Chief Broom** · March 20, 2009

For me lately I'm trying to make my backswing as slow as possible up to the top, a very slight pause at the top, and then starting with my hips turning toward the target accelerate down and thru the ball. I have a bad habit of rushing my swing starting with my take-a-way. When I do that bad things happen, but when I slow my backswing way down it gives me time to get set at the top and initiate my downswing from my hips up. I'm a high capper but when I do this I have the best chance of hitting a good shot...

**itzzzberny** · March 20, 2009

swing tempo to me is the timing of the swing. if i were to count 1, 2, 3 ,4. my back swing would be on 1 and 2 . 3 would be me at the top of my swing 4 would be the actual swing. i feel that a nice slow yet steady backswing can really help me get into the right tempo. you shouldn't be trying to swing it at fast/hard from the back swing or at the beginning of your swing. if anything you should be trying to kill the ball when you down swing is half way down. for me roughly when my hands are about waist high. give that a shot and remember tempo can really boost your game when you have it locked in.

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