Page 27 - Summer2020GTP
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GENERAL SECTION HEADER
TEACHING
TEA CHING
ATHLETIC MOTION
A THLETIC MO TION
By Thomas T Wartelle
USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional
Washington, Louisiana
he golf swing is a series of movements that to their original position at address. One of the
Ttakes a PGA Tour professional approximately most interesting things is early in the downswing,
0.75 seconds for the backswing and 0.25 seconds their centers have moved ahead of the ball. This
for the downswing, for a grand total of 1 second! produces an optimal position to deliver an efficient
The interesting thing is the 3:1 ratio of backswing and powerful impact.
to downswing. Studies have shown that the great High-handicap golfers tend to be much less
players all had the similar 3:1 ratio. This certainly efficient in their backswings. They do not do
proves that timing and sequencing of the golf these sequences properly, or they do them too
swing plays a big factor in long-term success. late. Often, they continue to try to load away
Interestingly, it has been found that most amateur from the target late into the backswing. They
golfers’ backswings are actually too slow and feel like moving away from the target and trying
out of sequence to be consistently successful at to maximize their turn creates more power. In
impact. reality, it just makes them later in getting their torso
Now, from a biomechanics standpoint, this and pelvis centers into the proper downswing
is often caused by a backswing sequence that sequence. By trying to load too far and too late on
is just not as efficient as a tour player’s. A major the backswing, they end up working hard to try to
flaw often overlooked in amateur golfers is how “save” the shot. There is just not enough time on
the centers of their torso and pelvis move during the downswing for them to deliver the club to a
the swing. The tour pro moves his centers slightly successful impact position.
away from the target early in the backswing, like Now, how do we relate this to instruction?
all athletic motions of throwing or swinging. This Many instructors are using really great modern
“early loading” occurs before the club shaft is technology to pinpoint the flaws of a golf swing.
parallel to the ground. It is typically only less than Here is where instructors get it wrong: With all of
1 inch. By the time a tour pro reaches the top of their technology, pressure plates, launch monitors
the backswing, their torso and pelvis re-center Continued on page 25
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SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro
