Are You Practising the Right Things?
One of the biggest frustrations I see with golfers is not knowing if their practice is actually moving them forwards. We can all stand on the range hitting decent shots, but unless we know what to look for, we might be ingraining bad habits rather than improving. Feedback is essential if you want to get better, and thankfully, with technology in everyone’s pocket, there are now easy ways to get that feedback.
The Power of Swing Analysis Apps
Most of us have a smartphone these days, and there are some fantastic swing analysis apps out there. The right app can provide clear, user-friendly insights into your swing. For example, you can record your swing, see what the app highlights as strengths or weaknesses, and use that information to guide your practice.
What I particularly like about these apps is their simplicity. You can record your swing from down the line and get instant feedback on key areas such as posture, impact and movement patterns. The feedback isn’t just about what you’re doing, but also gives you a focus point for your next practice session.
Understanding Your Swing Feedback
When you get feedback, it’s important to remember that most of these apps will tell you what you’re doing, not necessarily how or why you’re doing it. For example, you might get a result that says you’re standing up through impact or your hips are moving closer to the ball (early extension). For me, this upward head movement at impact isn’t just about technique – sometimes it’s linked to physical factors like mobility or the ability to deep squat. If you, like me, struggle with ankle or calf mobility, it can be much harder to maintain perfect posture all the way through impact.
My advice here is not to get too caught up in trying to create the perfect looking swing. Golf isn’t about textbook style, it’s about function and repeatability. There are plenty of swings on tour that aren’t pretty, but they work. Focus on the one or two things highlighted by the feedback, and see if changes in those areas actually improve your ball flight or consistency.
Making Changes – What to Focus On
If your feedback points to a specific issue, like early extension, try simple feels in your practice. For example, feel as though your chest stays down and moves a bit closer to the ball as you start the downswing, while your hips move back. This can help maintain posture, but be aware it might change your ball flight in the short term. When I work hard on keeping my hips back, I sometimes find myself hooking the ball, as my hands take over in the swing. It’s a balancing act, and it’s important to monitor the results and not just chase positions.
Style Versus Function
Remember, video feedback shows style, not always function. Some swings might look odd but produce fantastic results, while others look textbook but don’t deliver consistency. As a coach, I always prioritise function first and style second. Use feedback to identify the cause of poor strikes or inconsistent results, not just to chase the perfect swing look.
Easy-to-Use Feedback is Key
What really matters is how easy it is for you to get and use feedback. The simpler the process, the more likely you are to stick with it and see improvement. Don’t worry if your swing doesn’t match the textbook. Focus on whether the shots are working and use the feedback to highlight just one or two areas to work on. If your only issue is head movement at impact but the ball is flying well, that might just be your characteristic, not a fault that needs fixing.
Want More Personalised Help?
If you’re looking for more tailored coaching and want feedback specifically for your swing, I offer online lessons here. Getting expert eyes on your swing can make a huge difference and help you filter the useful feedback from the noise.
Watch the Full YouTube Video
To see all the details and insights I cover on this topic, watch the full YouTube video here.
