What is Connection in Your Golf Swing?

There’s an old (very old) and worn-out joke among golfers when one says to the other, “Address the ball,” and the other says, “Hi ball!” “Address the ball,” and other variants, means to get in the address position or setup position. A player has addressed the ball when he or she has grounded the club (setting the bottom of their club on the ground) with the club immediately in front or behind the ball, whether or not he has taken his stance- “they have addressed the ball.”

How you address the ball depends on which type of club you’re using. With longer clubs, your hands line up with the club in a straight line, and the ball will be further up in your stance, so it’s closer to your lead foot. With shorter clubs, the club handle and shaft are tilted slightly towards the target.

The first part of your backswing can set the stage for a great swing. First, address the ball; the hands and arms form a triangle maintained throughout the swing. Start the takeaway by using your shoulder and arms moving as one to move the club back, away from the ball. Both arms deliver on contact, and the triangle should be maintained.

The flowing motion of the arms should work in harmony with the turning motion of the body. Poor connection with the hands, arms, and hips starts when they are not in sync. For example, if your arms move independently or in a different direction than your trunk, you will not only spray shots but also lose power. If you lead with your hips, your arms will attempt to catch up, and your power in the swing will not be optimized. The arms and the body must work as a team both back and through your shot to hit straighter and longer shots to maximize consistency.

How Do the Arms Connect for the Strike?

It all revolves around forearm rotation- or range of motion available in the forearms- especially the right arm (if you are a righty). The use of the right leg absorbs the transition, and downswing also plays a massive role in the correct sequencing. Forearm range allows the hands to stay out in front of the body in the downswing- hence why the shaft will point outside and over the ball and not at the ball. The forearm range also produces the left arm spacing- void of connection on the downswing. The forearm range, when used rationally, then packs the arms back into the body for the strike, as well as uncocking the wrist and club downward onto the strike. That’s how the proper divot is formed. Many golfers will just use the hands and arms to power the golf club through the golf ball in performing a golf swing. This is not an efficient use of the body to create power and consistency or connection for a golf swing as most of the body remains passive when the hands and arms dominate.

An efficient and connected swing is one with good rotation, which means that the kinetic chain of the swing will be in the correct sequence. The kinetic chain is measured on the impact with the ball. Firstly, the hips arrive at the ball, then the shoulders, then the hands, and finally the clubhead. This sequence is the optimum sequence for generating power as the whole of the right-hand side (for right-handed golfers, left-hand side for left-handed golfers) attacks the ball at the same time – the clubhead, the right hand, hip, knee, elbow, and shoulder. Also, this sequence means that the clubface can rotate correctly around the body to point directly at the target on contact with the ball.

What to Avoid?

One of the biggest traps to avoid is when the arms move without any rotation from the body. It feels as if you’re making a big swing, but you will struggle to find any true power. Remember, a shorter swing that is well connected will deliver much more power and control.

The reality is the connection of the arms to the body is only relevant or necessary for a short time in the entire motion. Connection should involve the entire body- from the feet through the legs into the hips and core and trunk- up to the shoulders down the arms and into the hands and fingers- which are holding the club

If you reflect on many of our greatest players, there is no need to keep the arms connected to the body throughout the swing. It cannot physically be achieved without causing detriment to other important areas of the motion.

Ben Hogan, for example, has consistently been recognized as having one of the most connected golf swings of all time- a swing that most instruction has been based upon. However, if you study his swing, Hogan was not connected in a sense we have been informed. He was, however, connected where it mattered most- into and beyond impact- the zone where we hit with power without neglecting or giving up control.

If you are interested in learning more about golf techniques, mastering connection, or seeking some help on your short game, our PGA Professionals are here to assist! To learn more about The Forest or become a member, please contact our Membership Director, Brenda Lanza, at (239) 482-1310.