KEEP YOUR HEAD BEHIND THE BALL
One of the most overused tips in golf is “Keep Your
Head Down!” I am here to tell you that I believe that is the
most abused saying in golf. What does it even mean? I
guess you are supposed to keep your head down but, at what
point are you supposed to allow your head to come up. From
this one saying, there are golfers of all skill levels across the
land who have this as their one swing thought. I guess it’s
catchy and easy to remember. It is an easy thing for someone
of slightly more skill level to say to another golfer of slightly
less skill or experience to make the more experienced golfer
sound “intelligent”. (You know who you are!!- especially
husbands or Dads trying to explain to their bewildered wives
or young sons or daughters what could possibly have caused
their topped golf shot or thin golf shot or fat golf shot- notice
the nice catch all) That is my final point. It is not a catch all.
There are usually at least 2 moves prior to someone “lifting
their head” which might cause the final action of one lifting their head. Okay, so let’s move on to a more
positive thought and one that is more repeatable.
My swing thought for you is, “Keep your head behind the ball!” Let me very specific about this. Keep
your head behind the ball until the ball is gone. Keep your head behind the ball until your weight has shifted
from the back leg to the front side (laterally). Keep your head behind the ball until you feel as though your
arms have completely swung under your shoulders and contact has been made. Just you don’t think I am
making this stuff up, here is a great quote form Byron Nelson. “The proper impact feeling should be so that the
right shoulder stays connected to the chin through impact. Anything less, is recipe for disaster” FYI, Nelson
was pretty good and known as one of the best “swingers” of the golf club.
So let’s be clear, the head should stay down and behind the ball through impact and beyond. The
“raising” of the head should be a natural movement following impact so as to not hold back the followthrough.
The weight shift laterally towards the front side should not be impinged by trying to “keep your head down”.
This motion, if correctly achieved, will result in a longer divot after the ball with irons and a straighter drive off
the tee. Watch video of some of the best players in the world and you will actually see their heads move to the
right as the downswing unwinds towards the ball (for right handed players). This motion although hard to
replicate shows how important it is to “stay behind” the ball at impact. Jack Nicklaus, Lee Westwood and
Henrik Stenson are just a few of those players that have mastered this move.
This feeling works from long shots to short chips and putts as well. It is so easy to look up in chipping
and putting as we think seeing the shot unfold will somehow help us direct the ball towards the hole. One of
my favorite tips in chipping is to “hear the ball hit the green” before allowing your head to come up. The best
putters have always kept their body and heads still through impact and beyond. Tiger was always trying to
“putt to a picture” as he “listened for the ball to hit the bottom of the cup. To input this advice into your putting
routine practice 3-5 footers with your eyes closed. You will develop better touch and more consistent ball
striking when putting.
So for all facets of the game, this one simple thought of “keeping the head behind the ball through
impact” will lower your scores quickly. Stick to it and don’t let one or two bad range shots, chips or putts lead
you away from this basic fundamental in golf. Stay down and through full swing shots with the head staying
behind the ball through impact. Keep the head still in chipping and putting and allow yourself to feel more
good shots rather than trying to help the ball into the hole.
As always for more info or to book you next golf lesson contact me at
Silverado- [email protected] or 813-788-1225.
By PGA Member,
Sean Klotz