The Pause That Refreshes

The Pause That Refreshes

Greetings Golfers,

We got here Sunday night. So of course I played golf on Monday with that usual group of guys. Hadn’t hit a ball in months … had zero expectations … yet played decent on the front. Played worse on the back. Hmmmm. The guru of the group said that my rhythm changed on the back.

 
So let’s analyze this. Having no expectations … I had a nice rhythmic swing. As I began playing decently - and then having higher expectations - I lost my rhythm and began forcing it … which didn’t work very well.

 
How do we keep our rhythm? For me, a good drill is to practice swinging with a pause at the top of the backswing. In fact, even coming to a full stop … and from there … finishing the swing.

 
Hogan used to say that the transition from the backswing to the downswing is the most important part of the golf swing.

 
You can see the same transition when a quarterback throws the ball. Obviously it’s difficult with monsters try to get you … but you can see it when they’re doing it. If not … they lose that timing and start sailing their throws. Which was on display Monday night against the Lions.

 
Supposedly, Coca-Cola’s most important advertising campaign was “The Pause That Refreshes” … started in 1929. “It encapsulated the essence of Coca-Cola as a brand. It came at a time when the company was not merely selling soda but a promise of happiness, refreshment, and a brief respite from life’s challenges. This was more than a marketing gimmick; it was a defining moment in brand storytelling”.

 
Wow. I’d say that about golf: “A promise of happiness, refreshment, and a brief respite from life’s challenges”.

 
And … we can enjoy that promise if we’re hitting the ball decently.

 
Coke didn’t know they were talking about golf … but they were.

 
The Pause That Refreshes.

 
Ahhhhhhhh.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com