Teaching Analogies from Other Sports
Golf, by far, is the most technique-oriented sport around. Although other athletic endeavors have technical models that they follow forbest performance, no sport like golf is dissected to the nth degree.
One of the reasons is that a correct golf swing is an involved process. In other sports, the number of exact mechanical movements are not as many as there are in golf. This is not to say that golf demands precise conformity to a swing model in order for someone to be successful at the highest levels of the game, but a general conformity to a larger number of fundamentals is necessary. And, because golf is so unique in its precision aspect as compared to other sports, even highly-coordinated professional athletes who take up the game as adults can look very awkward.
Fortunately, golf lends itself to borrowing analogies from other sports in order for players to better understand the fundamentals involved. Here are some of the more common ones that teachers use:
Posture
Good posture in golf involves athletic balance. The player hinges from the hips (not bends at the waist), with knees slightly flexed, and weight evenly distributed from left to right and toe to heel.
Analogies:
- Baseball infielder getting ready for the pitch
- Basketball player defensive position
- Football quarterback taking snap from under center
- Tennis player getting ready to receive serve
GRIP
A good grip features the top-hand grip under the heel pad of the palm, lying at a diagonal that intersects the base of the index finger. The bottom-hand grip is mainly held in the base of the two middle fingers at a slight diagonal,
with the lifeline covering the top-hand thumb. The Vs are pointing between the chin and rear shoulder.
Analogy:
- Bottom-hand grip similar to gripping a table tennis paddle
Takeaway
The takeaway in a good golf swing is somewhat of a one-piece action, with the hands, arms, and body moving together to start the backswing.
Analogy:
• Hockey player taking backswing for slap shot
Top of Backswing
The top of the backswing is technically a position within the transition move, but it’s important to get in a good windup position for the downward strike. The weight has been transferred to the inside of the back foot; the head is behind the ball; the spine is either vertical or tilted from hip to skull away from the target, and the shoulders are turned approximately twice as much as the hips.
Analogies:
• Baseball pitcher at the top of his windup
• Tennis player ready to strike forehand
Transition
A proper transition into the downswing features the lower body unwinding while the upper body is still winding back. We saw that the top of the backswing position is within this motion. If the lower body initiates the downswing, the upper body responds. The main problems are when the shoulders unwind too early, leading to over-the-top, or the hands and arms become active too early, also leading to over-the-top and/or casting.
Analogies:
- Baseball pitcher stepping forward while hand and arm still going back
- Baseball batter stepping in while cocking bat backwards
- Boxer stepping in to deliver punch
- Tennis player stepping in to strike forehand
Downswing and Impact
If a proper transition is executed, there is still work to be done. The player needs to begin releasing the club so it is delivered properly at impact. The weight shifting towards the front foot needs to be continued.
Analogies:
- Tennis player hitting forehand, rotating racket over ball
- Baseball player leading handle of bat before barrel
Follow Through
A good follow through means the player has fully released his weight onto his forward foot and finishes in a good athletic position.
Analogy:
- Football quarterback having completed throw
In conclusion, many people have played other sports before they come to the game of golf. If they can relate their experiences with these sports to golf, it can help shorten the learning curve, and making the game more enjoyable in the long run.
