The 3 Myths of Golf

Over the years of being around golf courses I have noticed that players love to give tips to their playing partners. The most used of these seem to be: Keep your head down Keep your left arm straight Hit down on the ball These three phrases are used frequently on unsuspecting golfers and especially beginners, much to their detrement and my chagrin. These three phrases are the basis for what I call the Three Myths of Golf. Although they seem to be based at least in part on common sense, they all carry with them interpretations that can harm if not destroy a golfer. Let’s look at them one at a time. #1 – “Keep your head down” – this myth is probably THE most destructive of them all. A beginning golfer takes a swing and misses, and the “teacher”,( usually a golf buddy who is trying to get them into the game) tells them to “keep your head down”. Without any other explanation to go on, the player then sets up to try again. This time they put their chin against their chest in an effort to keep that darn head down, and swings again, usually with the same result. The problem is when a player puts their chin down to their chest the chin gets in the way during the backswing and forces them to either turn incorrectly or lose sight of the ball. Neither of these helps the player get the club to the proper position allowing the ball to get airborne. “Keep your eye on the ball” is actually a positive tip that someone could use to help with this problem. If the student can raise their chin, they are able to see the ball and turn more freely, greatly increasing their chances of hitting the ball solidly. #2 – “Keep your left arm straight” – this second myth can also cause problems. If a player straightens or locks their left arm it puts the arm in an improper position. Our brain will try to avoid allowing us to intentionally injure ourselves. Swinging a golf club 70-100 miles per hour with the intent to hit the ball and the ground would be harmful, if our elbow is in the locked position. This usually results in a compensating motion to ensure the elbow is UNLOCKED before impact, having a negative effect on our chances to hit the ball properly. As the elbow unlocks it shortens the length of the club causing a topped shot, and often prompting the “teacher” (see above) to say “keep your head down”. To fix this problem, keep the left arm CONSISTENT. One of the best ball strikers of the modern era was Calvin Peete. He could not straighten his left arm due to a childhood accident, yet his consistent flex of the arm helped him become a very accurate ballstriker. #3 – “Hit down on the ball” – another problem in the interpretation. Although the golf club does travel toward the ground during the swing, it is not traveling “down” in relation to the turning body of the player. A player should tilt over toward the ball to properly address the ball creating the angle around which they will swing the club. The shoulders and arms turn around this tilt creating the club’s path toward the ball. The arms swing the club AROUND the tilt, not up and down in relation to it. This allows the club to swing through the ball and toward the target allowing a full follow through and finish. For all of you “teachers” out there trying to help your friends learn the game of golf PLEASE avoid using the myths to try and help your friends. Better yet, help them find the number of a qualified PGA teaching professional in your area and let them show them the proper way. Better yet, join them and you both will improve and be able to help each other. Bruce Perisho is the PGA General Manager at Palouse Ridge Golf Club in Pullman. He can be reached at (509) 335-4342.