[Choi Myung-ho's Quick Lesson] 2. Central Axis "Free Your Arms First"

Published 16 Apr.2020 08:16(KST)

Updated 21 Sep.2022 16:07(KST)

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Relax and Swing Freely, Perfect Your Setup with Image Training

The perfect center axis of KLPGA Tour's top rookie Oh Kyung-eun.

"Free your arms."

Following last week's 'Set up Balance,' the second lesson in is 'Main Axis.' Beginners and intermediate players usually swing using only their arms. This makes it difficult to accumulate energy during the backswing, resulting in less distance, and at the moment of impact, unnecessary arm movements reduce accuracy. To become an expert, a 'body swing' that maintains the body's main axis throughout the swing process is necessary.

The starting point is to relax the body at address and take the shot as flexibly as possible. This is actually a challenging topic. Although it sounds simple, most people swing with a stiff body, which directly leads to missed shots. First, focus on 'Relax Arms.' Each golfer applies different arm strength during setup. As long as the shoulders are not excessively drooping or overly tense, it is acceptable.

Golf is not a sport like basketball or volleyball where you throw or hit the ball directly with your arms. You need to make precise contact with the ball using the clubhead, and the club is swung by the arms, which in turn are swung through torso rotation. Look at the KLPGA Tour star rookie Oh Kyung-eun (20, PNS) in . She is swinging the club smoothly side to side while keeping her lower body stable. Most importantly, her spine angle is well maintained.

The upper body was bent excessively forward.

Next is forward bending. When leaning toward the ball (forward bending), the weight felt on both feet is slightly forward of the center. The weight shifts depending on the degree of bending. The point is to find a comfortable tilt for the arms. shows an excessively bent posture, while shows an overly upright stance. The correct posture is to stand straight, then slightly tilt the main axis forward as if bowing, letting the arms hang freely toward the ground.

The last point is to swing from where you prepared. After setup, lightly hold the shaft (not letting it drop) to maintain arm comfort. This allows you to swing freely and gain both power and accuracy. Image training can be practiced at home or office without a club. Image training is very useful in real play. It is a 'shortcut' to establish a correct address and the main axis as the foundation.