Swing the Clubhead
Greetings Golfers,
Played golf two Mondays ago with the usual bunch of guys. And, played with an older guy who seemed to be one of the boys … but I’d never met or played with him.
On the first hole, we were both right behind the green side bunker with a tricky shot to the pin. Though we were in the fairway, we were both basically hitting off of bare lies … not easy shots.
This fellow played the purest little cut-shot right up by the pin. I gouged mine into the bunker and was fortunate to make bogey.
The next hole is a par 3 … and another tricky shot … a bunker guarding the middle-right-side of the green … and a sloping hill on the left-side of the green. This guy hits a perfect little hybrid shot right between the bunker and left side of the green and was just the right distance below the pin.
Well, this went on the whole front nine. Did I mention his putting? … Hmmmm … It was so pretty … the ball seemed to roll slowly, but would keep on rolling … usually into the hole. Well not really, because the cups are crowned and his pretty putts would often fall off.
I could tell he was annoyed - but he never said anything.
Finally after #10, I just said to him “What’s your story?” He replied that in his youth, he used to play for serious money. One time he was flown to Texas by a guy to play a match against Lee Trevino and Raymond Floyd.
He’s older than I am … probably 5’8” and 150 pounds … broke his back last year … can’t move how he wants to … but … he can swing the golf club.
Swing the golf club.
Have you ever heard of Ernest Jones? His book “Swing the Clubhead”?
You should. Read his page on Wikipedia.
Ernest Jones was born in England and became a Head Golf Pro in 1912 at age 25. He was a top golfer before WWI … but lost his right leg in the war.
Worried that his golf career was finished, he played and his first round was 83. Shortly after, he shot 72 on a long, difficult course.
Talk about a wake-up call. Thus the obsession to figure out why … and how.
I’ve always struggled with solid ball-striking down here … especially at the mud-fairway course. It’s not like Minnesota … it’s bermuda grass, tight-dormant fairways … and often soft and muddy. And I’ve never been a “picker” … I’ve always led with my hands and liked “hitting” the ball.
That style hasn’t worked too well here. So, I’ve been constantly changing my swing … with limited success … and never really trusting it.
After that round with Mr. Smooth … I went out to play alone and work on things. I remembered a quote from Hogan to Gary Player when asked how to hit it off wet fairways “Hit it one groove lower on the club face”. So I tried it … and it worked. And I kept trying it and it kept working. My total focus was on the clubhead. Not just the clubhead, but exactly where I wanted to hit the ball - low middle on the clubface. No swing thoughts. Just look at my target … visualize the shot … and then feel the low-middle of the clubface in my waggle … and feel it all through my swing.
Played 9 holes the next day … same focus … same success.
Then … the acid test. I played Monday with the boys … and got paired-up again with Mr. Smooth. And … and … yes … it worked.The best I’ve played down here in a few years..
Ernest Jones: “Just because golf is elusive, is no reason to complicate it.”
Is my low-middle idea good for everyone? Maybe not … but Ernest Jones’ ideas about “swinging the clubhead” certainly are. It got me to focus on the clubface instead of my golf swing.
Basically it comes down to the “chicken or the egg”.
Most instruction is about making the right body movements and letting the hands follow.
Jones is about swinging the club and letting the body follow.
We probably need to learn both. But if you get as out-of-whack as I was … try swinging the club and focusing on the clubface.
And … please read the Ernest Jones Wikipedia page!
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com