THE SCIENCE OF GOLF

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LII, Issue 55, 10 July 1931, Page 6

THE SCIENCE OF GOLF

HURRIED BACKSWING.

A RUINOUS MOVEMENT

(By Bobby Jones)

One essential element of the golf stroke, regardless of what path it may % take is a smooth, even acceleration from the top of the swing to and through the ball. Anything which disturbs this smoothness and introduces a jerk into the swing is bound to upset the timing or destroy the accuracy of the blow. This is one of the chief dangers in a hurried backswing, the most persistent fault I have ever had to combat in golf. This tendency to hurry the backswing has been troublesome in the playing of every stroke in the j game from the shortest putt to a full drive, and the unfortunate part of the thing is that the more important the shot, and hence the greater strain, the more difficult it becomes to swing leisurely. I suppose there is no more common fault among all kinds and classes of golfers. Especially when trying for length it is hard to resist the impulse to snatch the club down from the top of the swhag with all the force which the player can exert. If only always it would be remembered that it is the well-timed stroke, and not the vicious one, which makes the ball travel farthest! The slow backswing is closely related to the relaxation which we are told is so necessary. Tenseness and anxiety over results produce a hurried swing which is nothing like the leisurely, almost indolent, backswing employed by most of the best players. The fast swing spoils the easy flowing balance of the stroke and throws the player entirely out of his hitting position. Alex. Morrison's idea is that the golf stroke from beginning to. end should be as nearly as possible one

continuous motion. To be absolutely so is, of course, impossible, for there is a complete change of direction in the midst of the operation. But this I change ought to be made with so little effort that the two motions appear to flow one into the other. In other words, the club should go up Is slowly, and upon reaching the top should begin its descending path just as slowly, rapidly gaining speed until a maximum is reached at the moment of contact with the ball It is this picture of gradual acceleration which eludes the average player. Once reaching the top of the swing, he can see but one thing to be done—to hit as hard and as quickly as he can. He does not always realise that the appearance of ease is simply the result of leisurely and well-timed hitting. When the stroke does not go off half-cocked, and when the club has had time to gather speed before the final charge is set off, there is an entire absence of any appearance of intense effort. Ease, style, form, timing—all these terms applied to golf mean the same thing—economy of effort.' They come to mind when we see the force applied where it will do the most good—behind the ball instead of wasted upon the air. The slow backswing, and a slow leisurely start downward are two very useful things to think about when you are striving to acquire any of these virtues. The Forward Press. While on the subject of the backswing, I should like to say some-1 thing about what is known as the forward press. For many years there has been much said and written about the forward press, but as much used as is the term, the actual meaning and purpose of the movement is very generally misunderstood, The forward press is apparently a forward motion of the hands just before the club is started back, followed by a perceptible drag which in effect brings the club back with a sling. I say it is apparently that, for it is attempted in that manner by a majority of players. As a matter of fact, tfoe forward

motion if properly done has nothing whatever to do with the hands or arms. It is simply and solely a leg motion and its purpose is to set the legs and body into a hitting position. Watch closely any really expert player and pay attention to his knees. You will notice that practically every fine player, just an instant before he starts his backswing, will give a queer little . twitch with his knees. In some styles the motion is quite pronounced, while in others it is so quick and slight that it is not easly detected. Johnny Farreil is very quick with it; Bill Behlhorn is slower; but they all do it. The first movement after the waggle is completed should be a quick and very slight turn of the hips in the direction of the hole, the right knee flexing slightly toward the ba,ll j and the left leg straightening at the same time. The almost imperceptible motion is transmitted through the arms to the hands, but it does not originate in them. The purpose of the press is to throw the hips and legs into position to start the swing. The next movement is the real startookf k the backswing and here again the hips and legs supply the motive force, the hands for a time simply following the lead. This is the drag we hear so much about. The hips turn away from the ball and the hands and arms do not move until they are literally pulled away by the left. The forward press and drag are, of course, not exaggerated and v at times are very difficult to observe. The motion has been regarded as a mannerism and unimportant in the actual stroke. Yet it is the very hallmark of excellence in golf. To watch a man start his club backward (within certain limits) is an infallible indication of his worth as a golfer. The Upright and Flat Swing. <Now we come to a discussion of the upright and flat swing. The difference between these two swings is one which is not generally understood, and the confusion results in many persons misinterpreting advice or instruction received. Many players

whose swings are peculiar in some respect appear at first glance to be either upright or flat as the case may be, when as a matter of fact they are the reverse. The true distinction between the two styles is found in the motion of the body and the path of the clubhead during the lower portions of the stroke. If there is much body turn, and if especially there is an exaggerated turn of the shoulders, the swing must be flat, quickly opening the face of the club upon leaving the ball on the backswing. If the swing is upright there is less twist and more lateral motion of the hips, and i the clubhead travels in a path more nearly in the plane of the ball. Advantages are claimed for each I style of play over the other, but it is [hard to say which one should be re- | commended. Almost everything depends, I think, upon the individual; to which method he adapts himself most easily. There are as accomplished exponents of one as of the other, so that the only sound advice is to avoid forcing oneself into an unnatural attitude. (Concluded).