==================================================== Newsletter - Issue 84 Date 01/16/09 ==================================================== ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - Tempo and Transition ==================================================== This isn't quick, but I didn't want the regular tip to be too long.... Here are my thoughts on Tempo and Transition. Tempo is the overall rhythm and pace of your swing, transition is the moment that you transfer the backswing momentum to the forward swing momentum. You should try to maintain your natural tempo in your golf swing, but there is nothing wrong with adjusting your transition speed depending on your swing style. If you are a classic two plane swinger, the transition needs to be smooth because at that point you are starting to switch from a vertical plane to your impact plane. There is a bit of timing involved, so a transition that is too fast can throw it off in a hurry. If you have converted to more of a one plane or rotary swing, you are already on your impact plane so the transition can and should be sharper in order to load the shaft and to obtain clubhead speed. The classic two plane swing picks up speed and loads the shaft in part due to it's long swing; the one plane or rotary swing is shorter and more compact, and it picks up speed and loads the shaft more from an uncoiling motion and a sharper transition. Nothing wrong with either swing type, just know which is yours and adjust your transition accordingly. You can still have a smooth tempo with a sharp transition. Like Herve Villechaize, better known as Tattoo on the old Fantasy Island TV series used to say to Ricardo Montalban, "it's the plane boss, the plane..." ==================================================== Golf Tip : Q&A - Putting Without Looking At The Ball ==================================================== Q&A Q: From Robert M: "T Tucker your tip on the eyes over the ball and not looking up make sense and are helpful but what about a tip I got off a pro who gave lessons where you actually look at the hole when you putt, not the ball. This takes practice as you feel you will miss hit the ball but once you gain confidence that your short stroke will not miss hit this system really seems to work well especially on long lag putts.Your take on this method??" A: Thanks for the question Bob, I have actually used that method for short periods of time in my own game, both in practice and also in actual play, and here's what I've found: 1) with a normal length putter it was very effective for long lag putts, but it didn't breed much confidence on the short putts, and conversely 2) with a very long putter, used legally but with as much side straddle as the rules allow, it was horrible for the long lag putts but deadly on the 6 foot and shorter putts. I guess it's too bad telescoping putters are not legal. I went back to the traditional style because it fit my comfort level for both ranges of putts better. I have heard of professionals that have used this method in tournament play, and I know that Mike Weir uses this method for practicing his long lag putts to build his "visualization" for long lag putts. I also use this method in my putting lessons as appropriate. When I have a student that is having trouble getting a feel for lag putts, I have the student perform three drills as follows, the long drills are done about 25 feet from the hole: Drill # 1- I have the student look at the hole and make 5 or 6 practice strokes, then I have them actually stroke the putt from their normal putting posture with their eyes closed. This builds confidence. Drill # 2 - I have the student make several repetitions of long putts while looking at the hole instead of the ball. This builds a great feel for distance, and putts are rarely left short - they always seem to get to the hole. If your lag putting is always coming up short try this drill - but also practice 3 foot putts until your back can't take it any more, because that symptom also indicates a lack of confidence on those short, nervous, knee-knocker putts. Drill # 3 - I have the student follow drill #2 with about 25 short putts done at a quick pace. I feed them the ball and have them just stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke, and soon they actually believe that they can make that short putt every time. Key Point: During the short putt drill, the student is not allowed to see the putt go into the hole, they have to hear it drop. This keeps everything still that's supposed to stay still during the stroke. Anyone that has observed my putting lessons has seen this sequence, it's very effective - although it's brutal on my knees. I think I'll do it sitting down this year. If none of these methods works for long lag feel, I tell the student to just hit the ball closer to the hole on their approach shots. Just Kidding of course...... I hope this answer covered your question Bob. Enjoy, Tom