With all due respect to AA, my name is James, and I'm new to golf. I took it up seriously about a year ago, taken lessons, practice frequently at the driving range, read a lot, bought a few training aids, ventured out onto the course some, and my handicap is three--long game, short game and putting. Actually, putting is not too bad, but my swing tempo is terrible on my full swing. When I get the tempo in control, I don't hit too poorly, but the speed creeps up and all manner of swing errors occur--reverse pivot, dipping shoulder, pull back, pop up, incorrect wrist action, combinations of above, plus more. The ball goes every which way! I settle myself down, do better, but then I drift again. Any ideas? Hypnosis? Metronome? Tai Chi? Bourbon? Xanax? Beta Blocker? Therapist? I'd appreciate any ideas. Thanks
Portland, Oregon area.

This really helped me.

http://www.oobgolf.com/content/reviews/product+reviews/1-1292-Tour_Tempo_John_Novosel_with_John_Garrity.html
_________________
Kickntrue-
Duffing since 1993

Kickntrue--Thanks for the information--I'll give it a try! jaaanson

Ahhh, tempo. You do well to realize it's effectiveness. Just watch Freddie Couples for a couple holes, you'll have it.

Visualization is another technique worth it. It's free, just takes a little time.

You can close your eyes (or even with your eyes open while on the way to the course) before a match and see yourself swing as you would be pleased. Then on the course you just enjoy it. It's a simple technique that really works. Try it, actually watch yourself swing in your thoughts. Watch it happen. It must be real, like you hear the birds sing and stuff. But if you can take three minutes before your round, or maybe four, it works.

Other than that Calvin Peete says all he worries about with tempo is getting the hips turning. He figures that is the "pivotal" (pardon the pun) part of the swing. Get that right off the start and everything else (i.e, shoulders) will follow. Then all he thinks about is tempo. That is all.

Think tempo, become tempo. Another pro recited (sang?) under his breath ta-ra-da-boom-d-ay for his swing. "Boom" as the square clubface hitting through the ball that is. Happy Fourth of July incidentally! Boom away!

Peace,

Jim D.

The Ta-Ra-Da-Boom-D-Ay works better than I thought it would, although I sometimes get overly excited at "Boom" so I still have to tone myself down. It has improved my timing so that I can concentrate on the other things I need to do during the swing. Unfortunately, the golf swing does not come naturally to me so I still have to think about all the steps involved as I go through the swing. I did birdie a short par three (134 yards) yesterday, so there is some hope. Thanks JJ

James... LISTEN UP! ONE GOLF TRAINING AID, BEST KEPT SECRET WHICH IS NO SECRET. RENT IT, BUY IT, SOMEHOW USE IT!!! The "Medicus" double hinged 5-iron and driver! USE IT! USE IT! USE IT! Before every round and during every practice session. Hit balls with it! Practice it's principle! IT'S GREAT!! I SWEAR BY IT.

PapaJoe

PapaJoe--I finally got a double hinged swing trainer (Refiner instead of Medicus)and one swing revealed an error in my take away that I wasn't aware of. As I corrected that, I could swing much harder. I expect this will translate into better drives. I will post an update. jaaanson

the Refiner is a single hinge model, the medicus is a duel hinge and makes even more of a difference over the refiner, as I can tweak my swing with it. but the medicus makes that much harder to do and will really show you more points in your swing that might be flawed.
I have the 1st medicus which was a single and then got the duel hinge one when it came out. that one is way better... tempo is huge, and equals better distance too.

jaaanson wrote:

When I get the tempo in control, I don't hit too poorly, but the speed creeps up and all manner of swing errors occur--reverse pivot, dipping shoulder, pull back, pop up, incorrect wrist action, combinations of above, plus more. Any ideas? Hypnosis? Metronome? Tai Chi? Bourbon? Xanax? Beta Blocker? Therapist? I'd appreciate any ideas. Thanks Portland, Oregon area.

So how's that tempo thing going?