Keep Your Head Down
By far…
the most popular “golf tip” amongst amateurs (and unfortunately some golf professionals)
that can RUIN YOUR GOLF GAME and possibly cause injury! I hear it at junior clinics
from well-meaning parents. I hear it from students during golf lessons. I hear
it on the golf course after a poorly struck shot. As the saying goes, “If I had
a dollar every time I heard, ‘I lifted my head up’ or ‘I need to keep my head
down,’” I’d be a very wealthy man. VERY wealthy!
Trying
to keep your head down during the follow-through portion of the golf swing will
cause “bad stuff” to happen. Some which may include:
- Preventing the body from fully rotating through the hitting zone and finishing the swing
- Causing the swing to become more arms-dominated (translated: poor contact and loss of distance)
- Placing unnecessary strain on your neck and back which could ultimately lead to injury
Keeping
your head down is just bad advice. And here’s a secret I’d like to share with you: I’ve
been teaching golf for over 23 years and I have YET to see anyone lift their
head up too early! Not one! Nada! ZERO!
I know, you’re probably calling me a heretic for going against one of golf’s greatest “tips.” But try these before you start the fire at the stake:
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL
Better
than keeping your head down, my advice would be “keep your eye on the ball.”
Meaning, that when you hit your shot, try tracking the ball with your eyes. You
won’t actually be able to on full shots, but this will allow your head to
rotate freely with the swing.
FOCUS ON SPINE TILT
Rather
than going into a long description here about spine tilt or spine angle, check
out my post on the subject by clicking HERE.
ALLOW THE HEAD TO ROTATE WHEN
IT WANTS TO
Don’t
try lifting your head… don’t try NOT lifting your head. Instead, allow the head
to rotate and lift up when it wants to. Your shoulders and body turn will cause
the head to rotate so don’t fight it. Go with it. Allow it to happen.
So… don’t
keep your head down. Try one (or all) of the tips I provided and be on your way
to better shot making while also preventing back and neck injury (Please don’t
show your chiropractor this article. She’ll hate me for costing her business).
Peace.
Love. Golf!
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