No, I’m not going into Bob Rotella territory with this.  I’m as big of a head case as anyone else on the golf course so better to leave that to the experts.

No, this is about swing mechanics.  The concept of keeping a consistent spine angle is a common theme in golf instruction and if you have subscribed to any of the major golf periodicals or have read any golf instructional books then you have been exposed to this advice ad-nauseum.  However, most golfers really don’t know how to fix this flaw in their swings and I’ve seen it in almost every high handicapper that I’ve come across.  Some of you right about now are saying “great, tell me something I don’t already know”.

Well, I believe what golfers need is a simple swing thought to eradicate the problem.  So I intend to share with you one of the few simple swing thoughts I carry to the golf course with me and maybe it will help your game also.

Golf Tip – Keep Head Level

This video summarizes the problem very well and the narrator touches upon the key concept – keeping your head level.  Your head moving up or down during the golf swing is the smoking gun of a number of other swing flaws – dropping down, lifting up, poor weight shift, improper shoulder turn, etc.  If your head moves vertically then unless you can adjust mid-swing its a pretty safe bet that your spine angle has changed.  And if your body is out of position then its virtually impossible to return the club face to the ball in the same position at address.

This isn’t just an issue with amateurs.  Tigers Woods, the greatest golfer on the planet, has a tendency to drop down during his swing.  Its only Tiger’s incredible athleticism and timing that allows him to return his body to the same position at address.  It is one of the few aspects of Tigers swing that golfers around the world shouldn’t emulate.

So again, the key swing thought here is to keep your head level.  You notice I didn’t say still.  That is a common misconception.  It is virtually impossible to keep the head still during a well executed golf swing.  Attempting to do so will restrict your ability to shift your weight properly and complete your turn through the ball.

If you top the ball or hit it fat then give this simple swing thought a try.  You might find it will improve your consistency which is the key to lowering your handicap.