| Watch the pros on Tour and notice how in-control | | | | performing the mechanics of the swing in the correct |
| they look at the finish position of the their golf swing. | | | | sequencing with proper timing. |
| Why? Because they are! | | | | Secondly, the finish position is directly related to what |
| They are in perfect balance. Even the pro who might | | | | is referred to as "feeling" the clubhead. |
| look a little "crooked" at the end of the swing has a | | | | Ask any Tour player they will tell you that they can |
| balanced swing. Vijay, who is slightly bent to the side | | | | "feel" the clubhead at any moment during the swing. |
| at the finish position of his driver, is still in perfect | | | | Completing the swing in a balanced finish position |
| balance. | | | | requires you to be "tension" free and feeling the club |
| How often do you think an amateur practices or | | | | head through the entire swing. |
| even thinks about his or her finish position? Probably | | | | Now the bigger question is, how does the amateur |
| never. I would surmise that once contact has been | | | | golfer get to a balance finish position? |
| made with the golf ball, most amateurs' thoughts | | | | Easier said than done. To develop "feel" in the swing, |
| shift to the ball flight rather than where our body is | | | | maintain the proper swing path, and develop a |
| finishing the swing. | | | | balanced finish position requires mastering three |
| Why is the finish position so important to a | | | | principles. |
| successful golf swing? And beyond that being in a | | | | Principle number one is proper swing mechanics. In |
| balanced finishing position? | | | | order to develop "feel" and correct swing path |
| The finish position is directly related to two very | | | | requires the golfer to develop the correct mechanics |
| important concepts involved in the golf swing. | | | | of the swing. |
| Number one is swing plane and clubhead is number | | | | Not only do you need to learn the different |
| two. | | | | fundamentals of the swing, you need to train |
| The swing plane is defined as the path on which the | | | | yourself to put these fundamental in proper |
| golf club should travel upon during the swing. | | | | sequence. |
| A quick review of the swing plane tells us that | | | | Principle number two is the body. The body swings |
| beginning with the address position, into the | | | | the club. Your body must have the flexibility, balance |
| backswing, onto to the downswing, into impact, to | | | | capabilities, strength, endurance, and power to |
| follow through, and completing with the finish | | | | perform the mechanics of the swing. |
| position, the golf club is intended to travel on a | | | | If the body is unable to take the club on the proper |
| specific arch. This arch is a result of the biomechanics | | | | swing plane because of a lack of flexibility or lacks |
| of the golf swing sequencing properly. In other | | | | the power to develop clubhead speed. The ability to |
| words, everything working with the correct timing. | | | | maintain a proper swing path, and finish in a balanced |
| Think of the club traveling in a circle during the swing. | | | | position will be compromised. |
| This imaginary circle is your swing plane and it | | | | Principle number three is practice. In order to develop |
| dissects your back shoulder on the backswing and | | | | the proper swing plane, create "feel" for the club, |
| transition phases of the swing. | | | | master the mechanics of the swing, and develop a |
| Returns to the same position as you started at | | | | body to support the swing, you must practice the |
| impact with the ball, and dissects your front shoulder | | | | swing and train the body. Over time this will result in |
| during the follow through into the finish position. | | | | the development of components of a proper golf |
| If the golfer maintains the clubhead on this path | | | | swing. |
| during the swing this is an indication that the | | | | The amateur will often leave out one of the three |
| mechanics of the swing are being performed | | | | principles. If the golfer does not practice, train the |
| properly. | | | | body, or develop swing mechanics, it is unlikely ou will |
| What does a balanced finishing position have to do | | | | keep the clubhead on the correct swing plane. |
| with the swing plane? | | | | Bottom line, a balanced finish position is a very good |
| A balanced finishing position is yet another indicator | | | | indicator that particular swing was efficient. It also |
| that, number one, the golf club is following the | | | | should tell you that your body is flexible, strong, and |
| correct swing plane, and number two, the golfer is | | | | powerful. |