You’ve likely been told many times to keep your head down and eyes on the ball when swinging a golf club. When taken too literally, though, those two thoughts can restrict your swing and be harmful to your body.
Your spine angle and head should stay in place through impact, but keeping your eyes glued to the ground isn’t helpful. Just ask Annika Sorenstam or David Duval if you should look at the ball at impact. If you can maintain the connection between your arms and body and make a good pivot, the need to keep your eyes on the ball for consistency is unnecessary.
Definitely keep your eyes on the ball as you take your backswing to eliminate lateral motion, but allow your eyes and head to follow the ball to the target on your follow through. This will put less stress on your lower back and allow your body to keep rotating for a crisper strike.
The only time you want your head to stay down is when putting or chipping because too much body movement or sway in the short game is never good.
Randy Chang is director of instruction at Journey at Pechanga in Temecula and teaches at other locations in the Southland. He can be reached at (949) 331-2443 or randychang@pga.com.
