Balance, tempo and timing

Good balance, timing and tempo are essential to consistent shot making. Simply stated, the golf swing is a rotational motion around a tilted, stationary spine angle. To accomplish this we must have good timing to our swing. What is timing? “Timing” is the sequence of moving body parts during the swing. Accomplished players make the swing look so effortless because their arms and body swing the club back and through in the correct sequence of movements. Every muscle has a purpose and moves back and through in a specific order. So, to establish good timing we must have good “tempo.” Tempo is related to the pace of the swing and is an individual characteristic. Some players naturally have a faster or quicker tempo than others. I would say that tour player Nick Price has faster tempo than Fred Couples. If a player with Fred Couples tempo tried to swing the club like Nick Price, his timing would be affected, probably resulting in a poor shot. So, if our Tempo is good, our Timing will likely be good. If our Timing is good, our Balance is likely to be good.

Here is how you can test yourself. On the practice tee, after warming up, tee up your driver. Hit your drive and check to see where you finish. If you finish with good high hands, most of your weight on your left foot, belt buckle facing the target and up on your right toe; and you can hold this position for three seconds, you finished in good balance. Congratulations, your tempo and timing must have been pretty good.