Consistent Ball Strikers vs. Inconsistent Ball Strikers

We have all experienced that three or four-hole (+) stretch of hitting the ball exactly where we want, followed by a big miss on the subsequent tee-box. We have also experienced those range sessions striking the ball exactly where we want one after another. That is typically followed by a really bad hook, slice, or any other miss. You have little to no idea of where that shot came from. You may be that player that hits one or two good shots in a row which are always followed by another that is absolutely depressing. This leaves you wondering why it is so hard to swing consistently?

We commonly see players who are convinced that their biggest issue is having  3-5+ different swings. They think that’s why they are so inconsistent; they do not understand why they swing “different” every time.

Luckily, today’s world of golf instruction is characterized by an advancement in technology. It removes a lot of the guess work in our job as golf instructors, but also removes room for opinions. So when I tell players that they do not swing differently every time; it’s not what I think, it’s what I can prove. This is thanks to a powerful piece of technology that we use, known as Advanced Motion Measurement 3D. It allows us to measure, to the nearest degree, hundreds of different parameters in one’s biomechanics informing us exactly how they move.

We typically find that the data we obtain from an individual looks incredibly similar from one swing to the next. Regardless of how good or bad they strike the ball. We frequently see the individual that comes in for their assessment, who is adamant about making sure that we collect data on both a good and bad shot, especially if they have only been hitting “poor” shots. The fact of the matter is, we don’t see a major difference on the “well struck” shot. 

It can be a great learning experience to put a side by side video comparison of their good and bad shots. We then tell them to point out the differences. Clue: they very seldom can see anything, but, at times, will definitely try to convince themselves they can.

So if the biomechanics and high speed video data is practically identical on the good and bad strike, how can the shot outcome be so different? 

Our very simple answer is……… TIMING. We explain to our students that TIMING is what separates consistent and inconsistent ball strikers on a MECHANICAL level. This doesn’t mean time allocated to practice, the ability to handle pressure, manage emotions etc., are not factored into consistency. But we are specifically speaking to mechanics in order to help our students better understand the underlying motivation to make a swing change, while truly clarifying  the objective at hand when we decide to “grind it out” and develop new patterns in the golf swing.

To explain further, here is an analogy we will communicate to every single student we see during our first visit together. 

We choose to imagine the golf swing (in its mechanical state) as a math equation consisting of variables which equal (=) timing.

Example 1: Consistent Ball Strikers

The Most Consistent Ball Strikersequation may look like this;

A+B+C= Timing. 

The equation is simple, very straightforward, and has few variables making it easier to solve.

Example 2: Inconsistent Ball Strikers

The Least Consistent Ball Strikers equation may look like  this;

A+B+C+D+E+Z etc = Timing. 

That said, it is an equation, and can still be solved. They do have good shots, but the increase in variables make it much more difficult.

To take the analogy a step farther, we like to physically demonstrate how this “equation” can play out in the actual motion. Let’s look at the first move off the ball; the “Take-Away.” Let’s say there are 5 total variables in the first move off the ball.

A= Club, B= Hands, C= Arms, D = Torso, and E= Hips.

Demonstration Take-Away 1:  

We will demonstrate the take-away with little movement (rotation) of the hands or club face, the arms would be moving with the torso, and the lower body would be relatively quiet thus far. Some describe the demonstration as, what has been coined, as the “one-piece” takeaway.

We would make the argument that this is a demonstration of five separate variables working together as one variable. This already makes the timing equation easier to solve. 

Demonstration Take-Away 2:

We will demonstrate stagnant torso rotation with disconnection of the arms. This allows the hands to rotate the club face wide open, with overactive hips. In-turn, we are starting the golf swing with five separate variables vs. one. This can increase the likelihood of several other compensations (variables) later throughout the swing. 

From here, we will fast forward to the delivery position. This means there are only so many places the club can be. We can either have the club “on plane” with a “square,” open, or closed club face; over plane, with a “square,” open or closed club face or; under plane with a “square”, open, or closed club face. We point out that, the players that are the nearest to plane with a club face that isn’t extremely open or closed, are the most consistent ball strikers. 

• Delivery Position: When the club is parallel to ground prior to strike.         
• On Plane: Club is swinging towards the intended target.

When the club face is far from square nor anywhere near “on plane” in the delivery position, the player will either have less than preferred outcomes (even on the “good” shots), or in order for them to hit the ball at their desired target, they will typically require an excessive amount of subconscious, last second manipulation of the hands and body through the hit.

This is a club that is on plane and square in delivery.

The problem is, we are human. When our swing requires a lot of last second manipulation through the impact zone when the club is traveling at its peak speed, it becomes that much harder to repeat, especially under pressure. Note: Better athletes with excessive timing in their swing can go to range and empty two buckets and leave feeling like they are improving. The reality is, they dialed in their timing, and did very little to heighten their ceiling of potential. They are the same player that only plays well when they are playing A LOT, and suffer extreme regression to the mean on their bad days. 

When our players can acknowledge that their swing heavily relies on over-all timing, one of two things happens. They accept that it is inevitable they are going have a consistent level of inconsistency, not getting nearly as frustrated when it happens. Or they begin the process of taking the necessary steps to start removing unnecessary variables in their swing, and making their equation easier to solve.

Important to Note: What is most efficient for the individual, is not always the most efficient in general. This is why your body function is so important.

People are going to take the path of easiest resistance, which is the origin of most swing compensations. This is why physical screens are so important.

The more players execute correctly early in the swing (starting at address), the more they will likely execute correctly later in the swing.

About the Author

Joe Sheren is an Award winning PGA Professional  who has been challenging the status quo for all 11+ years of his coaching. He is the recipient of the 2019 Illinois Player Development Award. Additionally, he has been nominated 2017, 2018, and 2019 Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year as well as 2018 Player Development Award. He is a class A member of the PGA of America, as well a graduate from Ferris State Universities Professional Golf Management program. In his tenure, Joe has been fortunate to work at some of the Countries’ finest golf facilities including Congressional Country Club, PGA National Resort & Spa, Old Marsh Golf Club, Boyne Resort USA and The Glen Club.

Click here to learn more about Joe, or here to check him out on Instagram.