"KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN" IS BAD ADVICE

Director of Golf Andrew Michael Suggests a Better Option

KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN is the most destructive phrase ever used in the game of golf. I hear this phrase used all the time on the lesson tee when people hit a bad shot. They have no idea why the shot was bad but they feel it’s because they haven’t kept their head down, which is furthest from the truth.

The feeling of your head moving up as you swing is mainly due to poor clubface control and weight shift on the downswing. If you physically try to keep your head down through the swing, it will restrict your body from moving properly after impact which will result in poor contact and eventually hurt major areas of your body including neck, shoulders, wrists and lower back.

A drill help eliminate this feeling is to hit punch shots at full speed with your weight/pressure starting and staying on your lead foot with an abbreviated follow through. That way your swing will “feel” like you’re staying down through the shot with lots of clubhead speed and face control.

If you are serious about improving your game, it’s always best to consult a local teaching professional.