Golf Fetish Attacked: New Theory on Head Position

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 99, 21 January 1936, Page 14

Golf Fetish Attacked: New Theory on Head Position

(By

NIBLICK.)

“rpHE sooner experts cease repeating -*- the futile request, 'Keep your eye on the ball,’ the better,” This refreshing aud somewhat unusual statement occurs in J. C. Macbeth’s new contribution to the literature of the game, and which is entitled "Golf From A to Z.” It is one of several such statements by a Scottish golfer who has made a close study of the theory aud practice of the game both iu England and in America.

Macbelii is of opinion that not only is all the talk about keeping the eye on the ball a lot of nonsense, but positively harmful. What the average player should be told is "to see the ball aud hit it.” That' compels an urgent and a compelling demand. The strictly orthodox position of the head at address i.s slightly turned to the right with the left eye glued on the back of the ball, This is known as "pointing the chin.” Alex Morrison, America's most famous teacher, even goes so far as to say that a successful shot- cannot be made unless the chin is pointed in this manner.

Tyrannical Instruction. Macbeth joins issue with this doctrine. He says that “the persistent instruction of the experts to keep the head turned to the right, and down, during the stroke amounts really to tyranny, because the more you strive to do this, the more you constrict the muscles of the neck and shoulders, and the more you persistently lift the head. In other words, the experts, by their instruction to the unfortunate player, are making bad worse.” Instead of concentrating on hitting the balk the perplexed player is thinking about keeping the head down. ' No matter what one's handicap may be it has to be realised that the besetting sin of all golfers is “head up.” The experts tell us that the cause is the desire of the plavcr to see the fate of the shot. .This, say's Macbeth, is very far from the truth. The explanation of “'head up” is not mental. but physical. Not only is there a lift of the head, but a .lift of the shoulders, with a consequent lift of the arms—and disaster. The cause is a quite-unnecessary constriction of the shoulderfl and neck muscles at address, produced by the ’’chinpointing” business. As the shot is played the tense muscles jerk up the head and shoulders, and what is termed “head up” follows.

Not only does Macbeth not advocate- the turning of the head to the right, but says that, if the player so desires, he may incline his head very slightly to the left. Both eyes are thus in the field of vision, a position that tends to keep the head down. The converse method is artificial and unnatural. Macbeth's advice is to hold the head as nature intended it to be hold. Ho adds: “If, at the address, the head is inclined slightly to the left, the neck muscles are free and relaxed. There

will immediately, and quite surely, be an improvement in your game.” He goes on to say that there is only one way for the average player tp avoid "head up,” and that is anchoring the head —by a definite drop of the head and not by a turn to the right. “Stand as erect at address as possible in order to get the benefit of your height, but let the first movement of the swing be a definite drop of the bead. Bring the chin down toward the chest, and thereby, without any effort, the head can be anchored, and there will be no further trouble about bead up.’ ”

Secret of Length. . , What is the professional s secret in tuo matter of length? Macbeth tells us. Two factors are concerned-: (1), the set of the arms at the address; (2). the manner in which he winds up his forearms on the upswing so as to obtain power from them at impact. As regards the first, the left elbow at address must not poiut to the hole, or the line of play, but it must be inclined somewhat to the left, and towards the ground. The set of the right elbow is identical with the left. A perfect grip can be obtained by Plac* ing the hands in front of you with the palms together, and then dropping them to the club shaft. There you have the perfect set of the arms. Now we come to lie second poiut—the winding of the .forearms. On the upswing, the great majority of players take the club back a certain distance, and then turn, or open out botn forearms away from the hole, with tne result that the left wrist is bent under the club shaft, and the right elbow too much raised. Tlie reverse is the correct set of move; ments. On the backswing. allow both forearms to turn towards the bole. Ibe muscle.’ become taut, and the forearms are wound up like a spring, with both wrist* tightened. At the top, the left wrist is not bent, while the back of the left hand, ami the palm of the right, will be facing ttie The professional says. “Give it the back of thedeft hand.” This is what the ordinary plavcr will he able to do Increased length is obtained not merely from ute winding up of the muscles ot the tore arm, but because the shot is better tun aMacbeth’s analysis of the methods Ot American players is interesting. Ut urn U.S. Walker Cup team he says that on the tee they all take up then’- stancein a deliberate confident and business-like manner. Some prefer a high tee; necessitating a deep-faced driver, and others « normal tee. There is no tenseness of any of the muscles, each player swinging w a firm, rhythmic motion from the let shoulder without haste or hesitation. While each player side-slips the ps to the right on the upswing as a firs movement, this side-slip is only . slight. The hips and shoulders move qn e. independently of one another, but 11“ movements are so smooth and rhythmic that thev look all of a piece-no snatch, no jerk in the swing. On the down->win„ there is definite acceleration immediately after the club has left the top While there is much hefty hitting, all hit within their strength At. impact, with the clubhead leading, the right shouldei arm and hip come into the stroke. Nearly all adopt the square stance, and in every case the follow through is full and definite. the left side at impact being very firm. While there is no exaggeration so tar as head position is concerned. Macbetn admits that the head is slightly turned to the right.

Dr. C R. Alderson,, of Eastbourne, England.’ has had his jaw broken whil” plying golf, while teeing his ball or, the Willingdon course he was knocked off his feet by the ball of a following ' \vbcn he recovered he finished the round, but in the evening an X-ray examination revealed the fracture.