One of the hardest aspects to teach in golf is how to improve someone’s timing.
It is easy to explain to a golfer that timing is important but it can be quite hard to get the player to achieve great timing when hitting any club in the bag.
One of the main reasons why a person will struggle with timing is because they do not quite understand the sequence of movements that is required when swinging the club.
I have mentioned this before, but I feel it is important to mention the sequence on the downswing again.
The first move to start your downswing is the unwinding motion of your left hip, then unwinding your upper body, to which will then allow your arms to flow through impact.
The most common mistake that is made on the downswing is when a golfer makes the arm movement the first move down on the downswing. The reason this does not work well is because the arms move faster than the body. When this occurs, the body does not have any time to rotate, which leaves the body stranded causing a shot to the right or other weak shots because the arms are the only power source.
You will find if you hit some practice shots where you swing at half the pace you normally do, that your body will find itself in a better sequence. It is amazing how often the arms take over when a player tries to hit the ball hard. If you can practice and learn to get your sequencing correct, you will start timing the ball better with less effort with the effect of better accuracy and power.
There are a few drills to use before you practice or play to assist in creating better timing in your game.
Take two clubs, hold them together in your hands and swing them at the same time. The weight of the clubs will make you swing smoother along with using your body to create a better rotation and timing.
Another drill which you can do at home is to get a standard length broom or rake and swing them in the backyard. The weight of both tools will make you have to work your body better to improve your rotation, because your hands will not be able to control the swing due to the weight of the tools.
I would like to really point out that no matter how strong you think you are, rotation and timing will hit the ball further and straighter rather than trying to using your arms to create speed.
You will find you will also cause injuries to your body if you simply use your arms to create power. Therefore, if you want to play long term and play better, improve your timing.