it is "hard" to swing easy

[Hacker James]

Nothing new here but in practicing hitting into a net I usually would set up about 6 foot or so in front of the cage opening and tee up and hit drive as I would on the course, trying to judge effectiveness by "feel" and where the ball strikes the back wall of the net.

Today, I just wanted to focus on accuracy so I set up about 15 yards away, tee up and swing easy so as not sail the ball clear over the net into the neighbors yard. I would take a full shoulder turn, but very carefully swing easy down and  through the ball and even try to release and finish as usual. Surprizingly enough, I was able to maintain control very well and easily see the ball flight and where it struck the target.  It took a few swings to get it down, but then I was able to repeat it effectively. Now if I could only do that at full speed, I will be golden.

[iacas]

You know how you watch the swings of the best players and it seems like they're swinging at it so easily, with so little effort?

I think that's the toughest thing - realizing that when you finally get there, the swing itself FEELS pretty easy, too, yet because things are sequenced properly, it's got tremendous power and speed.

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by iacas

You know how you watch the swings of the best players and it seems like they're swinging at it so easily, with so little effort?

I think that's the toughest thing - realizing that when you finally get there, the swing itself FEELS pretty easy, too, yet because things are sequenced properly, it's got tremendous power and speed.

Absolutely. I have been using the Orange Whip which is the first training aid that I have found that effectively emphasizes tempo, balance, and sequencing. It really helps you understand where the effortless power comes from which is proper sequencing. I read about it in the review section here on TST and it has really helped.

[saevel25]

Originally Posted by iacas

You know how you watch the swings of the best players and it seems like they're swinging at it so easily, with so little effort?

I think that's the toughest thing - realizing that when you finally get there, the swing itself FEELS pretty easy, too, yet because things are sequenced properly, it's got tremendous power and speed.

100% agree with this. When you get things moving right, and in the right order, you can just sit back and think, "WOW". Had a few moments there when things click on the range and it just makes me want to hit more golf balls. When everything is working you can feel like you can go 200% at the ball and not fall over, or feel out of control. When your not in sequence, you feel like you have to swing 50% just to pray to make contact. That to me is the difference.

Not that i want to go 200% :p

So to answer the subject. When your swinging properly and in the correct order, swinging easy is effortless and swinging hard is easy. When your swinging bad or out of sync, swinging easy is essential, and somewhat challenging, swinging hard is impossible.

[Hacker James]

Originally Posted by TourSpoon

Absolutely. I have been using the Orange Whip which is the first training aid that I have found that effectively emphasizes tempo, balance, and sequencing. It really helps you understand where the effortless power comes from which is proper sequencing. I read about it in the review section here on TST and it has really helped.

Wasn't it Maltby years ago that head this ultra whippy driver with heavy head for training that you actually hit balls with? That thing had so much flex you were lucky you didn't hit yourself on the head.

[Slice of Life]

Absolutely. I have always swung too hard, but have recently been forcing myself to take it easy. Lo and behold, I'm getting more distance out of my irons.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Hacker James

Wasn't it Maltby years ago that head this ultra whippy driver with heavy head for training that you actually hit balls with? That thing had so much flex you were lucky you didn't hit yourself on the head.

Well, there are Whippy Tempomaster Clubs - still have the driver, 7i, SW, putter

A doctor in Dallas invented them. It is said that he would shoot in the 70's using only those clubs on a normal course.

And that's a 260cc driver. :-)

[inthecup]

This winter I uncovered this truth.  I was hitting into a net and working on lag and release with video.  I have a launch monitor.  You can't have lag and a "hard" swing.

Low and behold my "partial" swings working on lag went further than my hard full swing.  My ball striking and consistency have improved tremendously.  Scores are lagging behind but I think that will catch up shortly.

I describe it to friends that you are cracking a whip not trying to drive a railroad spike with a sledge hammer.

My warm up is now a half swing drill to sync my tempo, keep the tempo and all is well.

[Jeremie Boop]

If I try to swing "easy" I tend to have trouble with timing and end up with my club face wide open at impact.

[inthecup]

The key is to start the swing easy.  If you start hard the club is thrown out by centrifugal force and lag is gone.  You have heard letting the club drop as the start of the swing this is what they are talking about.  If you throw the club to get the ball to go anywhere at that point you need to swing hard.

It is a very hard concept because it is counter intuitive.  I have had to prove it to myself over and over.  When I get a hybrid in my hands I tend to over swing.

[Hacker James]

Originally Posted by inthecup

The key is to start the swing easy.  If you start hard the club is thrown out by centrifugal force and lag is gone.  You have heard letting the club drop as the start of the swing this is what they are talking about.  If you throw the club to get the ball to go anywhere at that point you need to swing hard.

It is a very hard concept because it is counter intuitive.  I have had to prove it to myself over and over.  When I get a hybrid in my hands I tend to over swing.

Right on.  A lot of people when told to swing easy, try to "hold" back as if they are guiding the club. All this does is to create tension in upper arms and shoulders. I just try to "stay loose". Sometimes I will partially close my eyes and mostly all I see is the arms and shoulders turning back around my spine. Its as if I can "draw a line" with my arms and shoulder swing, back and forth in ever increasing arc to gain the rhythm and tempo.

[Brakkus]

This to me is the biggest swing killer for all amateur golfers. When you have the right rhythm and tempo a swing falls into place. Power has to be allowed not forced. Its all in the transition where it almost feels like slow motion to me. How many golfers out there feel that if they practice fixing this swing flaw or another that golfing nirvana is possible? It might be that their mechanics are sound and it's really just the speed of the swing.

[Slice of Life]

Originally Posted by Brakkus

This to me is the biggest swing killer for all amateur golfers. When you have the right rhythm and tempo a swing falls into place.

Power has to be allowed not forced. Its all in the transition where it almost feels like slow motion to me.

How many golfers out there feel that if they practice fixing this swing flaw or another that golfing nirvana is possible? It might be that their mechanics are sound and it's really just the speed of the swing.

So true. I've been getting video of my swing changes. Usually my 7 iron is my 150 club from the rough. I was RIGHT at the 150 marker in the rough, and I blasted it 25 yards past the green into the water. Great little draw, nice trajectory...when I saw the video...it was such a smooth rhythm, didn't look like I put any power in it at all.

[Brakkus]

Me too I'm quite well built from weight training and other sports so I have trouble with the urge to hit the ball. When I swing the magic happens. Always seem to find that extra 10-15 yards from nowhere. Need that everytime.

[Reval14]

I can hit my 3 wood from the turf effortless and easy, a great feeling with a great ball flight. But I can't get that same effortless, easy feeling with my irons. I always want or try to control the club - has somebody a explanation for that? Is this a timing issue? Is this effortless, easy feeling what should be achieved with every club?

[CarlSpackler]

Yep. Bad things happen when I swing "aggressively" or "hard" at the ball. I always liked the analogy or thought of striking a match. It's like there is a point in the swing when you need to hit the accelerator. I think most amateurs (self included) do this too early.

[Reval14]

I think I will try to generate the same swing feeling with my irons, keeping my hands and arms passive throughout the downswing. Not trying to hit after the ball. Just drop the club into the slot, transfer your weight and turn your body. Everything happens at the same time, it's like magic.