THE SWING
Tips from Tiger Woods - Part IV
Excerpts from the book How I Play Golf by Tiger Woods
07/01/2002
After I won the 1997 Masters with a record score of 18-under 270, I
wasted no time before celebrating. I partied with my buddies, traveled a
little and generally had a great time.
A week or so later, after the elation had started to die down, I sat down
to watch a tape of the tournament – to see if there was some flaw I might
work on.
I didn't see one flaw. I saw about 10.
I had struck the ball great that week, but by my standard, I had gotten
away with murder. My club shaft was across the line at the top of the
backswing and my clubface was closed. My swing plane was too upright. I
liked my ball flight, but I was hitting the ball farther with my irons
than I should have been because I was delofting the clubface through
impact. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn't like
how my swing felt, either.
Even before the tape ended, I committed myself to making some big changes
in my swing.
That overhaul – done with the help of my coach, Butch Harmon – took more
than a year. First, my full swing started to look better. Then, the ball
started to behave better. Finally, my swing started to feel right.
The point: The golf swing will always be a work in progress. The goal is
to have a swing that is mechanically sound, repeatable, works with every
club in your set and holds up under pressure.
One grip for all shots
The grip is the cornerstone of the swing; it's related to almost every
element of the swing itself, including path, clubface position and posture.
My grip has evolved over the years. Today I keep my left hand in a
fairly neutral position, with 2 ½ knuckles showing at address. That's a
position I know will suit most every golfer.
The handle of the club runs diagonally across the base of the fingers on
my left hand, from the base of the forefinger to a point atop the callus
pad below my little finger. That provides the best combination of
sensitivity and control. I avoid placing the handle too far toward the
palm of my open hand. I'll lose clubhead speed and sensitivity.
When the left-hand grip is complete and I lower the club into the
address position, my thumb should be positioned to the right of center
on the handle, and the "V" formed by my right thumb and forefinger
should point just outside my right ear.
The right-hand grip is similar to that of the left hand. The main
difference: The club is placed more along the fingers. The handle should
run from the middle portion of your right index finger to the base of
your pinkie. This activates your right hand so it can supply speed on
the downswing.
The finished product
My complete grip provides a sense of snugness and unity between the two
hands. If you don't have that sensation, practice gripping and regripping
the club.
Hold the club lightly enough to allow plenty of wrist freedom and to
have some feel, but firmly enough to maintain control of the club
throughout the swing. And keep your grip pressure steady.
Set up like an athlete
Golf is like any sport that requires movement. You need to be in an
athletically ready position so you can respond to movement quickly,
smoothly and without losing your balance. The key to good posture is
matching up your torso and lower body, so one can react to the other
throughout the swing.
I want just enough bend in my knees to feel balanced and ready for
action. I have a sense of being light on my feet. My weight is
distributed evenly from heel to toe, and my hips and shoulders are ready
to rotate freely with full cooperation from my legs and feet.
Distance from the ball
Standing the right distance from the ball at address is vital. If I'm too
close or too far, I'm forced to make all sorts of anatomical adjustments
in order to compensate.
The signs that I'm standing the correct distance away are clear: My arms
are hanging comfortably, just a shade outside vertical. My knees are
flexed, I'm bent over at the hips comfortably but not too far, and my
weight is evenly positioned between my heels and toes.
Beginning the backswing
Start the full swing by setting the club into motion correctly. Notice I
said the club, not your body.
The reason you've worked hard at positioning your body is so it can
transport the club on the proper path and plane throughout the swing.
Start the club "on line." Midway through the backswing, the club should
be parallel with your stance line. You get it there by swinging the club
back with your shoulders, arms and hands working together smoothly.
Don't let the club stray inside. If the club moves too far to the inside
midway through the backswing, the shaft aiming right of the target,
you're forced to make compensations to get the club back on track.
The magic triangle
The longer and wider you make your backswing, the more time you give
yourself to accumulate speed and power on the downswing. A big shoulder
turn is responsible for part of that, but your arms play a big role, too.
Think: wide at the top. I push my left arm away from my head as far as I
can, and my right arm goes along with it. My two arms and elbows form a
triangle that helps keep the clubface square and the club on line.
Let gravity rule
The faster you swing the club through impact, the farther the ball goes.
Obtaining speed and power on the downswing is easier said than done.
A common problem is rushing the downswing – letting loose with
everything you have the moment the backswing is complete. The result:
The shoulders outrace the arms, the arms outrace the hands and the hands
outrace the club. All that speed is expended too soon and the clubhead
is losing speed as it strikes the ball.
I start the downswing by shifting my weight easily back to my left side,
then letting my arms "fall" downward in front of my chest. I don't want
my shoulders unwinding so fast that they get way ahead of my arms.
By giving my arms a little head start, they work in concert with my
shoulders to create a real package of power coming into the ball.
From the book How I Play Golf by Tiger Woods with the editors
of Golf Digest. Text copyright 2001 by ETW Corp. Reprinted by
permission of Warner Books, Inc, NY, NY. All rights reserved.
Distributed by New York Times Special Features.
Course management
do's and don'ts
DO
Establish a game plan before the round – not during it.
Get the correct yardage to both the front of the green and to the
flagstick.
Accept that there is such a thing as a "good" bogey.
Shape your shots off the tee to take one side of the fairway out of play.
Play your own game; let your opponent play his.
DON'T
Let an inflated ego do the same thing to your score.
Chuck it at the first sign of trouble. Stick with it.
Get fooled by sucker pins; play to the fat of the green when necessary.
Aim your shot so that if it goes straight it will wind up in trouble.
Forget that it's just a game. Have fun.
