Smooth Swinging: Watching The Pros

Congratulations to Ben Crane, who just won at Torrey Pines here in San Diego (and thanks to Farmers Insurance for stepping in as title sponsor). It was a pleasure to watch Ben and all the pros swing, putt and play the game.

Much as the “electricity” of Tiger’s presence is not currently out there on the PGA Tour, it is no less wonderful or inspiring to watch all the pros play. I hope people will keep their interest and support high because every tour player is performing amazing athletic feats, under incredible competitive pressure, every shot, every round, every tournament, all year long.

“They swing so easily!”
“They’re always in balance!”
“They’re so still and smooth when they putt.”
“They always go through the same routine.”
“They never seem to hit it ‘fat’ or chunk it.”
“They’re SO good out of the sand, how do they DO that?”

These are comments I hear whenever students or friends return from watching pros play in-person. I always recommend to people to get out to an LPGA or PGA tournament, play in a pro-am, take playing lessons with your teaching pro.

What's evident by comparison between amateur and professional golfers is the level of the pros’:

a) centered-ness and balance
b) sequence and rhythm
c) timing and tempo
d) acceleration through the ball
e) well-practiced, sharp short game
f) smooth putting stroke and # of putts-per-round
g) mental focus
h) solid fundamentals
i) repeatable pre-shot routine and in-swing motion

So take the hints! Are you one of the many golfers obsessed with the search for the best clubs, or perfect positions and planes in your swing? Have you tried really focusing on the QUALITIES that make for better swings and lower scores??

I call these qualities “KiAi” which simply means the power of unified energy-flow. Relaxed and focused. Harmonious power, as opposed to the brute-force kill-it approach. If you don’t already know how true this is from your own experience, then at least trust the pros!

To comprehend "peaceful power": train your eye as you watch, and your body-mind as you swing and play the game. And check out my KiAi Golf Instructional DVD Series. The results will astound you!