Throughout my golfing career i have always known my head raises on the backswing and strangely enough it stays in that position and does not return to its address position on the downswing.
I always had the capacity to top the odd ball, however since working on TMG concepts this seem to have got worse. Since coming accross these forums my good shots are much better but my bad shots seem a lot worse. When i played last weekend i had a nightmare first 8 holes topping four shots. Then i for some reason it seemed to come together on the back nine.
I tried many times before to stop this bobbing on the backswing, however it seems as soon as i stop concentrating on it, it comes straight back again. I came to the conclusion that just concentrating on keeping my head level is not enough, i had to try and find the cause of the pressure forcing my head up.
After experimentation it would appear the the lifting of the arms is causing tension in my shoulders, the tension raises my left shoulder and in turn my head. Frustratingly even though this seems to be the cause, i can't stop it from happening.
Thanks for the reply efnef. But i don't thinks its a weight shift problem. The majority of my weight is on the inside of my right heel at the top of the backswing, which i thinks alright.
I can swing to the top and keep my head still but i can feel a lot of pressure wanting to lift my head up. I'm sure that if i'm ever gonna solve the problem it's that pressure i've got to get rid off. All i can say is that it feels like my left shoulder wanting to push my head up.
i'm pretty sure it's not a flexability issue as i can practice a 110 degree turn without a club with my arms across my chest and have no urge to lift my head. It seem to be directly related to the lifting of my arms.
I know it would be a lot easier if i had some video, but any ideas would be appreciated.
Danny, I was focused on both your remark that it does not return to the address position during the downswing, and your stated tendency to top the ball. If your weight does not shift back to the left side, your head will not return and you can top the ball. Hopefully some of the big guns here can elaborate, explain, clarify and correct my thoughts.
Try this exercise. Stand up straight, feet shoulder width apart. Push your rear end behind you by bending from your Hip sockets, not curving your spine from the waist. This will tilt your spine forward. Flex you knees slightly. Put your rear end against a wall in this position.
Now, maintain the Waist Bend, by keeping your rear end behind you. Can you raise you head without taking your rear end off the wall and maintain your balance? Doubtful.
Now in this same starting position, move your hips forward in the direction of the ball. Your head came up automatically to keep you in balance. Your central nervous system lifts your head (changes your spine angle) to keep you in balance so you don't hurt yourself.
So to maintain a stationary head, maintain the proper Waist Bend (spine angle) by keeping you Rear end back behind you.
Try this exercise. Stand up straight, feet shoulder width apart. Push your rear end behind you by bending from your Hip sockets, not curving your spine from the waist. This will tilt your spine forward. Flex you knees slightly. Put your rear end against a wall in this position.
Now, maintain the Waist Bend, by keeping your rear end behind you. Can you raise you head without taking your rear end off the wall and maintain your balance? Doubtful.
Now in this same starting position, move your hips forward in the direction of the ball. Your head came up automatically to keep you in balance. Your central nervous system lifts your head (changes your spine angle) to keep you in balance so you don't hurt yourself.
So to maintain a stationary head, maintain the proper Waist Bend (spine angle) by keeping you Rear end back behind you.
Lots and lots of vulerable stuff in this thread . . . .bobbing and rear ends and bending over . . . .
Just been having a go with what you said with a cut down club in the living room and it does seem to be doing the trick. Perhaps i was letting my hips come forward when i was lifting my arms up. Just shows the value of expert advice, i think i'd be an old man by the time i worked that one out for myself.
You may be bending to much at address and not able to maintain throughout your golf swing. This could happen because of physical limitations (tight hamstrings, bad back, etc.) or club length. Try going to fix with your golf club and see if you can maintain this through your swing. If you can't then try with a longer club or use a tee. Either way you may find a clubfitting to really help.
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