Reddit reviews The Impact Zone: Mastering Golf's Moment of Truth

Never did the anchored putter, but always thought that no matter what, my putting was kinda on point for as crappy as I am.

Read Chapter 1 of the The Impact Zone today at work and at the range later on had ~75% of my putts within 12" of the cup.
I never really thought about my putting stroke and thought all was good. That straight left wrist is legit, just gotta work on the pace now...

The 75% comes from putting 4 balls at a time at around 25'. Sometimes I would make one and other times I would sail the first putt past the hole, big time.

edit because wine and sale does not equal sale ;-)

read this book:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Impact-Zone-Mastering-Moment/dp/0312354819/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341417675&sr=1-1&keywords=the+impact+zone

In his book The Impact Zone Bobby Clampett argues that blades are the true "game improvement" clubs, because they force you to hit the ball more precisely. This is somewhat controversial, but many people (like this guy) agree with him.

The Impact Zone: Mastering Golf's Moment of Truth - Bobby Clampett

You're in a really good spot right now because you're just getting started out and you don't have to unlearn any bad habits.

First thing I would say is learn what makes a good swing. Not what makes your swing good, but what makes a good swing. Watch the pros. Read books. Get a much information as possible and don't try and replicate what they do, but learn what makes a truly good swing and learn how to make your swing the best it can be.

Here are a couple things to think about:

Right now you're swinging with about 90% your upper body. Your taking the club back with your shoulders and arms and chest, and it's quite visible. When you swing through you are swinging through with your arms and shoulders and your lower body is following your upper body. A proper golf swing is almost exactly the opposite.

Try and think of the swing as something that happens from your hips, torso, chest, and shoulders.

The backswing should start with the big muscle in your left shoulder. Move your left shoulder across your chest for the first movement and when you can't move that shoulder anymore you start rotating your chest. The backswing is complete when your back is facing the target. Do not swing your arms, infact, try and squeeze your arms to your chest (if you lift weights, like when you're doing dumbell flys). Your hands should and arms should always be directly in front of your chest.

This is a good example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cajtJHmEw3A

Don't try and swing with your arms, the shoulders lead the swing with your chest and then your hips will turn. Also, as you are moving through the backswing, the weight should be able 60-70% of your weight on your right foot.

Now the important part:

Once you've got a good backswing the downswing and impact are the most important part of the golf swing. Infact there are plenty of pro tours who have an unorthodox, or frankly bad backswing, but their downswing and impact position are perfect.

Once you're at the top of your backswing, your swing should start from your LEFT foot, knee, and most importantly your HIPS. Smoothly bring the weight to your left foot and as you do so, twist and rotate your hips. You should feel like someone is pulling on the belt loop at your left hip, and they are pulling it backwards as if they are trying to turn you around. (hope that makes sense). It is this twist that creates the proper downswing and speed for a good swing.

Watch this swing of Rory Mcillroy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qir6STNfJec

Really pay attention to his hips. Notice at the top of his backswing how he loads his legs (like a mini squat) and his HIPS really start that swing. It will look like he's swinging his arms but I promise you, he isn't putting any energy into them at all. His hands and arms are just along for the ride. His arms are just following his body, as his legs squat and his hips start to turn, so does his torso, followed by his chest and arms and hands and the club.

If you pause the video at impact, (during the slow motion part) You will see his belt buckle looks like it is almost pointed at the target, and it's probably about 40 degrees from center but all pros are well through the turn at impact. If you can start to understand that 99% of the golf swing is done by the lower body, the feet, the quad muscles, and the hips, you will be well on your way my friend. It all starts with the lower body, the stronger your legs, the more powerful your swing will be.

I know that this is a TON of information to take in all at once, but as you learn more and read more you will incorporate more of this into your own swing. And you will do it YOUR way, not Rorys, not mine, but yours. Everyone has a unique swing, but there are certain fundamentals that every good golfer has, and that's the hip turn, and the point of impact.

If you're interested in learning more from the pros, these are the 2 books you need to get. And they will explain it far better than I can. Glad you've found golf, it's a lifetime's worth of never ending learning and fun.

The Impact Zone

Five Fundamentals