Busting Swing Tips & Saturday Bar Banter

It's funny to hear so many conversations on the range and in our studios that kick off with, "I watched this YouTube video," or "I saw this amazing swing tip on Instagram," or even "My Grandfather insists I must try this!"

But watch out! This seemingly harmless advice can rapidly turn into a game-changer, sending your skills into a downward spiral for months. Stay alert and choose wisely!

Keep your head down

"Keep your head down" is arguably the most widespread myth in golf. Attempting to keep your head completely still or down can hinder your body's natural rotation, resulting in a rigid swing, inadequate weight transfer, and a weak follow-through. Although you should keep your eyes on the ball, your head should move naturally with your body's rotation. Unfortunately, slow-motion videos and social media perpetuate this misconception.

Roll your wrists through impact

This is a frequently misunderstood piece of advice. The concept suggests you must actively "roll" your wrists to square the clubface. However, a correct golf swing should naturally bring the clubface square through the coordinated rotation of your body and hands. Attempting to "roll" the wrists can result in inconsistency and mis-hits, as it relies on timing and is difficult to replicate consistently.

The forced swing plane

Golf influencers often share videos highlighting swing planes with overlaid lines, leading golfers to adopt more mechanical swings. Your swing plane is influenced by your setup, body type, and natural tendencies. Adapting someone else's swing plane is like forcing yourself into their exact body dimensions.

Keep your left arm straight

Maintaining a rigid, straight lead arm can generate considerable tension in the shoulders and arms, which may impede proper rotation during the backswing. Many top players worldwide exhibit a slight bend in their lead arm at the top of their swing. The objective should be to keep a relaxed, "soft" left arm rather than a stiff one.

The lag lie

One of the most common myths in golf is lag! Social media is flooded with videos showcasing exaggerated wrist angles, suggesting you can increase your distance by forcing,exaggerating and creating excessive lag.

Golfers are disrupting their natural timing by attempting to hold wrist angles that should happen naturally. Correct sequences change directional movement, which in turn creates lag. Proper lag isn't about manipulation—it's the exciting outcome of perfect sequencing. When you initiate your downswing with your lower body, lag naturally occurs due to the principles of physics.

Swing slowly

While tempo is important, the advice to "slow down" is often misinterpreted. This can lead to a hesitant, unathletic swing that lacks power and rhythm. The goal is not to swing slowly but to swing efficiently. Experienced golfers execute decisive swings with proper sequencing, allowing them to achieve maximum clubhead speed while maintaining balance.

One-piece takeaway

Book a lesson with us an will will explain why.

One tip Fits all

Social media platforms and influencers depend on clicks and interactions, which typically originate from four categories of interest seekers.

1. Universal recipes, such as a YouTube video tutorial for apple pie, which are based on traditional and widely accepted principles.

2. Giveaways, where the content may lack depth but generates excitement and a following due to the allure of free merchandise.

3. Collaborations and endorsements with celebrities or tour professionals.

4. Controversial content that challenges norms, such as, "My five tips to help you play better golf, the one key move achieved in five minutes that will transform your game for life," to illustrate the concept.

A Strong Grip Fixes a Slice, a Weak Grip Fixes a Hook

The common advice is If you slice the ball, use a stronger grip to help the clubface close. If you hook the ball, use a weaker grip to keep the clubface from closing too much.

In Reality a grip change must match your swing path.

The ball's flight is determined by two main factors at impact:

Clubface Angle: The direction the clubface is pointing at impact.

Club Path: The direction the clubhead is traveling at impact.

The myth ignores the relationship between these two. Simply changing your grip to fix a slice without addressing your club path can make things worse.

Play a hole with me trend

Popular with no sign of slowing down, but this is clickbait at its finest. The influencer plays a series of holes and eagles and birdies all of them. Hits every drive 300 yards and every approach to with a foot and drains every putt. To watch six holes play out with two eagles and a birdies is laughable. Unfortunately puts such a misconception out that we should be making a birdie all the time. This generates as much fervor and debate and the stock yardages videos. If they were that good they would be on tour!

Harder Ball for Faster Swings, Softer Ball for Slower Swings

The belief that golf ball compression must match swing speed is a persistent myth in golf. While there is a relationship, it's not as straightforward as many think. This idea was more relevant in the past when golf ball technology was simpler, but modern advancements have made this formula outdated.

Social media and the free tips conundrum

The main issue isn't the incorrectness of these tips, but that social media strips away context, personal assessment, and suitable progression. Guidance meant for one person is frequently presented as if it applies to everyone.

Social media focuses on engagement rather than precision. The tips that go viral are often the most sensational and promising, rather than the most helpful. There is some great content out there if you lucky enough to click on it and ignore through all the wrong information.