Golf: A Sermon at the Tee on Clubhead Speed

Every modern professional golf tournament is festooned with a galaxy of psychologists, psychiatrists, fitness coaches, putting coaches, personal trainers, mindbenders and a host of other speculators. They all claim to have mastered the science of golf and wish to impart their knowledge to those who play the game for a living.

Have they really found a magic exixir or is what they preach old hat?

Mr. William Barnett of Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, penned these words many years ago.

                                           CLUBHEAD SPEED

Great clubhead speed I do aver, is something which does not occur, by Grace of God or chance remote, but only after careful note, of certain things which you must do, to make your swing both strong and true.

But right away let me explain, that all advice will be in vain, and each good shot a blatant fluke, amid a life of slice and hook, beyond all hope, beyond the pale, if on one vital point you fail.

You cannot play good golf for long, unless your hand and wrists are strong, for they alone provide the strength, the great control, the extra length, which you require to murder par, and hit a golf ball straight and far.

So start then with a proper grip, two well trained hands which will not slip, a balanced stance with knees quite bent, your head held steady, your eyes intent, upon the ball which, with no doubt, must now be struck from inside out.

Commence your swing with firm left hand, and do your best to understand, the clubhead must be taken back, with action smooth, along a track, close to the ground and so until, your arms a leisured arc fulfill.

Some further points should not be missed, so make your fixed right leg resist, the turn of hip, the upward lift of braced left arm, the lateral shift of weight, which if not done with care will wreck your swing beyond repair.

Your wrists must flex, as you swing back, but never let your grip go slack, your shoulder turn should be complete, and once again I will repeat, your fixed right knee provides the clue, to strength and balance known to few.

With body poised, right elbow in, the downward swing can now begin, try very hard to keep control, avoid the plague of shoulder roll, for you must learn there's nothing worse, than this which is golf's greatest curse.

Just let your shoulders roll about, if you're intent on finding out, why bluebells grow among the trees, and gorse sways gently in the breeze, why fairways are not wide enough, and every course seems choked with rough.

Make no mistake, your hips must lead, and turn away with lightning speed, to build up pace and clear the way, for waiting straight left arm which may, now strike a really powerful blow, down past your steady head below.

It has not moved, nor must it yet, until your strong left side has met, without a break and like a rock, the forward thrust and fearful shock, of all the power on which you call, at this late stage to hit the ball.

This latent power, so long contained, but now released and unrestrained, explodes from your right hand and wrist, to whip the ball without a twist, straight through the ball and very low, as far as outstretched arms will go.

But pray with all your might and main, that your left wrist will stand the strain, for if it quits and fails you now, may heaven help your shot and HOW!!  You cannot play good golf for long, unless your hands and wrists are strong.

There's nothing more except that you, can now complete the follow through, have all these thoughts at your command, and then I know you'll understand, why length is yours if you succeed, in building up great clubhead speed.