Tension in the swing

I usually start out well and get worse as I go.  Last year I discovered that if I try the feeling of dragging my arms through the swing it improves my consistency.   I believe that the thought and feeling to me reduces tension in my arms and keeps me from flipping the club.

I have been working on sliding the hip forward and trying to get my hands in front of the ball at impact.  The problem is that I get "armsy" and try to hit the ball hard.  Especially on the course.  At my last indoor range session I tried to make sure I did not get tension in my back, defining tension as muscle trying to cause movement not stretching.  It also seemed to improve my impact.

So the lesson I am learning is to hardly feel like I am swinging, just left the club follow the swing plane and slowly accelerate so I do not cause tension.  There is nothing like that pure impact feeling or lack of feeling the ball.  It surely rockets off the club face.

How do I change this habit?  I know it is a major obstacle keeping me from dropping my score.  Last year I don't feel I hardly improved.  It is my mental game holding me back.

trying to mimic positions in the swing has always been difficult for me because it happens just too fast.  I found that the Pure Ball Stryker (thread here on site) helped me immensely.  by concentrating on maintaining that lag pressure against my forefinger, I was able to minimize the number of thoughts in my head and ball striking improved dramatically.  Another key for me is that I swing hard but smooth.  It is amazing how well you can strike the ball when you hit hard but relaxed feeling that pressure point.  Good luck to you and check out the thread on the PBS.  Good luck to you.

"dragging my arms through the swing"

That's a good thought, and you can do that consistently with your lead shoulder, as explained in the Golf Swing Master Key instruction.

Two years ago, in a push for "fast play," I started quick set up and fire routine. But, this threw off my timing and made for some jerky takeaways.

So, went to a quick practice swing, and waggling a little before my full swing. The waggling smoothed my swing overall, and actually sped up play -  I had to chase fewer shots that went wild.

Waggle came up on The Golf Channel during final holes and playoff for the Waste Management tourney. A broadcaster noted that one of the leaders had an "old school" swing that used a waggle. He then gave a plug for waggles as a way to relieve hand and arm tension before the swing.

I actually heard that also so i added a pre-shot routine doing that and it is helping me loosen up a bit and relaxing me on my swing. I have a tendency to  push the ball because i get so tight but since adding the waggle my shots go more on line of were I am aiming

All good thoughts.  I heard that during the tournament also .  I never understood the waggle, now it is making sense.

I hit the range again last night.  I had more consistent contact then I probably ever had.  My miss hits were not that far off.  I still need to work on the driver, it is hard not to over swing with that club.

By spring I want to find a consistent tension free swing.   I think I can make some progress in 2011.

I ordered a Pure Ball Stryker, I am interested to see if it helps me.

One way to monitor tension is to keep your grip pressure light.  When I can keep it light, it carries throughout the whole swing.  A tight grip allows tension to creep in and will wreck your game from putting, chipping, pitching to the full swing.