Help - I can't seem to stop bobbing

[danny_shank]

Throughout my golfing career i have always known my head raises on the backswing and strangely enough it stays in that position and does not return to its address position on the downswing.

I always had the capacity to top the odd ball, however since working on TMG concepts this seem to have got worse. Since coming accross these forums my good shots are much better but my bad shots seem a lot worse. When i played last weekend i had a nightmare first 8 holes topping four shots. Then i for some reason it seemed to come together on the back nine.

I tried many times before to stop this bobbing on the backswing, however it seems as soon as i stop concentrating on it, it comes straight back again. I came to the conclusion that just concentrating on keeping my head level is not enough, i had to try and find the cause of the pressure forcing my head up.

After experimentation it would appear the the lifting of the arms is causing tension in my shoulders, the tension raises my left shoulder and in turn my head. Frustratingly even though this seems to be the cause, i can't stop it from happening.

Can anyone offer advice?

Cheers,

Danny

[efnef]

Hmmm.... I wonder if your issue is really more of a weight shift (or lack thereof) problem than a head bobbing problem?

[danny_shank]

Thanks for the reply efnef. But i don't thinks its a weight shift problem. The majority of my weight is on the inside of my right heel at the top of the backswing, which i thinks alright.

I can swing to the top and keep my head still but i can feel a lot of pressure wanting to lift my head up. I'm sure that if i'm ever gonna solve the problem it's that pressure i've got to get rid off. All i can say is that it feels like my left shoulder wanting to push my head up.

i'm pretty sure it's not a flexability issue as i can practice a 110 degree turn without a club with my arms across my chest and have no urge to lift my head. It seem to be directly related to the lifting of my arms.

I know it would be a lot easier if i had some video, but any ideas would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Danny

[efnef]

Danny, I was focused on both your remark that it does not return to the address position during the downswing, and your stated tendency to top the ball. If your weight does not shift back to the left side, your head will not return and you can top the ball. Hopefully some of the big guns here can elaborate, explain, clarify and correct my thoughts.

[drewitgolf]

Danny,

Try this exercise. Stand up straight, feet shoulder width apart. Push your rear end behind you by bending from your Hip sockets, not curving your spine from the waist. This will tilt your spine forward. Flex you knees slightly. Put your rear end against a wall in this position.

Now, maintain the Waist Bend, by keeping your rear end behind you. Can you raise you head without taking your rear end off the wall and maintain your balance? Doubtful.

Now in this same starting position, move your hips forward in the direction of the ball. Your head came up automatically to keep you in balance. Your central nervous system lifts your head (changes your spine angle) to keep you in balance so you don't hurt yourself.

So to maintain a stationary head, maintain the proper Waist Bend (spine angle) by keeping you Rear end back behind you.

[12 piece bucket]

Danny,

Try this exercise. Stand up straight, feet shoulder width apart. Push your rear end behind you by bending from your Hip sockets, not curving your spine from the waist. This will tilt your spine forward. Flex you knees slightly. Put your rear end against a wall in this position.

Now, maintain the Waist Bend, by keeping your rear end behind you. Can you raise you head without taking your rear end off the wall and maintain your balance? Doubtful.

Now in this same starting position, move your hips forward in the direction of the ball. Your head came up automatically to keep you in balance. Your central nervous system lifts your head (changes your spine angle) to keep you in balance so you don't hurt yourself.

So to maintain a stationary head, maintain the proper Waist Bend (spine angle) by keeping you Rear end back behind you.

Lots and lots of vulerable stuff in this thread . . . .bobbing and rear ends and bending over . . . .

Too many options . . .

[danny_shank]

Wow, thanks drewitgolf sounds really interesting.

Just been having a go with what you said with a cut down club in the living room and it does seem to be doing the trick. Perhaps i was letting my hips come forward when i was lifting my arms up. Just shows the value of expert advice, i think i'd be an old man by the time i worked that one out for myself.

Cheers,

Danny

[Burner]

Thanks for the reply efnef. But i don't thinks its a weight shift problem. The majority of my weight is on the inside of my right heel at the top of the backswing, which i thinks alright.

I can swing to the top and keep my head still but i can feel a lot of pressure wanting to lift my head up. I'm sure that if i'm ever gonna solve the problem it's that pressure i've got to get rid off. All i can say is that it feels like my left shoulder wanting to push my head up.

i'm pretty sure it's not a flexability issue as i can practice a 110 degree turn without a club with my arms across my chest and have no urge to lift my head. It seem to be directly related to the lifting of my arms.

I know it would be a lot easier if i had some video, but any ideas would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Danny

Danny,

The phrase above and your reference to tension on "lifting your arms" in your previous post are the clues to the cause of your problem.

The back swing is a positional move and NOT a power generator - we hit the ball on the down swing.

Try making an easy back swing that stops at the Top - hands shoulder high, roughly.

Searching for additional power by going on from the Top and raising the arms, your body and head in the process is your self-diagnosed problem.

Swing back shorter and easier, then cram on the power only after you have made a smooth transition to the down swing.

Club head speed between parallel back and parallel forwards on the down swing only should be your objective.

[EdZ]

A very good drill for you would be to hit shots with a ball under the outside edge of your right foot (or a 2/4 or similar) and focus on maintaining the flex in your right knee.

You will get a good sense for how flexible you are or aren't very quickly and this will likely be a help to maintaining your spine angle and head position. Drill this with a heavy club/two clubs held together and with your eyes closed and hold your finish to check your balance. This will help show if your setup posture/clubfitting is out of alignment quite quickly because you won't be able to hold your finish in balance.

[danny_shank]

Thanks for all the good advice guys.

Just to give a quick update since i've been exprimenting with what people have said.

Keeping my rear end back has definitely helped but i'm not convinced it's the whole story.

I've tried your drill Edz and i must admit i don't feel as flexable as i thought i was. To give a bit of background i haven't had the oportunity to play much in the last four years through being at university. I've just graduated and am looking to start playing more seriously again. I'm fairly tall 6 foot 3 inches, and do have tight hanstrings. I doubt it's related but when i was 14 (23 now) and playing all the time i did have some lower back trouble. I suffered from this for a few years till i changed my swing. I used to have a very aggressive body action through the ball combined with a lazy right leg.

If it is the case that i'm struggling due to flexability what are my options? A few people have mentioned club fitting and posture. What would this entail?