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Ever wanted to be a swinger?

Seeing the forest for the trees isn't always easy, but with a little practice, it can be done.

by Bob Madsen, PGAPublished: February, 2012

(photo: Eddie Meeks)
Hand eye coordination is absolutely necessary in games where the ball is in motion. Moving balls are hard to find. Ball players have to use hand/eye coordination to get their feet, hands, bat or racquet on the ball. Take soccer, basketball, baseball and tennis for example.

Have you ever heard “Keep your eye on the ball?” I am sorry. It’s a killer. Now hear this: In golf, the ball is NOT the target. Good players are not trying to hit the ball. They are trying to hit the green!

Golf instructors overemphasize impact, the ball itself and what your body parts are supposed to be doing. Instead, your coach should be helping you learn “hit removal” and lots about trust and target awareness.

Happily, when the ball is sitting still, it is possible to: 1. focus more of your attention on the target; 2. swing through and 3; literally let the ball get in the way. Think of it this way. The field-goal kicker is “shooting” field goals, not trying to kick footballs.

I routinely have students drill with their eyes closed. This is to learn to be more of a swinger and less of a hitter. Let’s all move more freely, seek to swing the club and trust that the ball will get in the way.

Bob Madsen, PGA, is Director of Instruction at San Diego’s Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort. Email him at bmadsen@sycuanresort.com.