There are literally thousands of golf tips available online, on television, in golf magazines, and from well-wishers at the driving range. People seem very anxious to give advice, even though they have had no training. They may have heard a golf tip on TV and are anxious to share it with you, quite certain that it will work. I was at the driving range the other day, and there was a very nice woman who was obviously a beginner. The man next to her begin giving her tips, telling her to bend over more, keep her head still, and to swing her arms in a certain way. Then the guy who was picking up balls on the range came over and offers his two cents worth. He told her to stand up straighter and use her legs more. After the two gentlemen left, she tried hitting a few more balls without success. The poor woman was so confused now that she just gave up.
Golf commentators, golf magazines, and golf instructors on TV are often giving people bad tips and bad advice. If you can’t listen to the so called experts, then who can you listen to?
I have great advice for my students on how to evaluate any golf tip. All you have to do is ask two questions. Does this tip help my upper arms swing better in the sockets? Does this tip helped me maintain my correct setup posture (spine angle)? If the answer is yes, then the tip is worth pursuing. If the answer is no, spit it out. Spine angle maintenance and the arms swinging freely in the sockets go hand-in-hand. It is the basis for my golf theory. Tom Watson stated that he feels that posture maintenance (spine angle maintenance) is the secret to golf. I agree with him.
Sincerely, Doc