Golf: Finishing Pose Can Help Diagnose Swing Problems

The position your students assume as they finish their swing can give you a lot of information about the swing itself. For example, if they finish in the correct position, they probably arrived there by following the correct swing path.

The Correct Finishing Position
A good finishing position has three main components:

1. Weight is on the front foot, so the back toe can be lifted off the ground.
2. Chest, hips and back knee are aimed at the target.
3. Hands are above the front shoulder.

Here are two incorrect finishing positions:

Hands Below Front Shoulder
If the hands are below the front shoulder at the end of the swing and the weight is on the front heel instead of evenly balanced on the center of the foot, golfers often look like they've over-rotated and might topple sideways.

If you see this position, your golfers have swung too flat - that is, too much like a baseball swing.

Weight on Back Foot, Hands Near Head
Instead of too flat, this position is too upright. These golfers tend to lean backward, with their weight on the back foot and hands positioned near the neck instead of over the front shoulder. This indicates a swing path that's too vertical.

How to Correct
To correct both problems, have your golfers assume the correct finishing position. Then have them perform a slow-motion swing in reverse, moving backwards until they reach the top of their backswing.

They should repeat their forward and backward swing in slow motion - from the top of their backswing to the ideal finishing position - until they feel they can recognize the correct swing path. They can then swing faster and faster until they're up to full speed.

Reference: T.J. Tomasi (Director of the Players School at PGA National) "Insider golf." Universal Press Syndicate: Sudbury Star, April 13, 2000.

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