Can you "absorb" tempo

[ManinBlack]

I was at a loose end the other night & watched some Protracer sequences on Youtube on my 50" TV. Amazing to watch how the pros shape (or in some cases don't shape) the ball but the thing that really came across, watching one swing every 5 seconds or so, was that most of the players have a very similar tempo. A few swing faster or slower but the majority have a leisurely, no massive effort, smooth rhythm. The other thing that came across was how they appeared to be swinging out to in yet avoided pulling everything due to the way the clear their hips on the downswing, something I find really hard to do, most of my bad misses are left.

With these two things in mind I went out to play yesterday & focused on imitating what I'd seen on the screen. Instead of thinking swing thoughts, which is what I usually do (together with what I'm going to have for my tea during the long pause at the top) I simply had an image of those players swinging smoothly. I hit a lot of really good shots, including two drives which kept up to my 5 handicap, 6' 3", 12 years younger opponent.

Really encouraging & probably explains how very young players emerge swinging beautifully without having had much in the way of instruction. I think I'll try this again & see if I can embed the feeling further into my muscle memory.

 

[Beezerk]

Definitely, I've hit some of my worst ever shots trying to emulate Rory
Seriously though, I do think there's an element of truth in what you're saying, it has to ingrain in some way or form if you're watching it for hours.

 

[Curls]

Agree. I don't get to watch much golf but after a major weekend watching lots of golf my tempo improves. Don't watch Rory though, he's a freak. And I mean that in the most jealous way possible

 

[IanG]

I find this clip of Seve hypnotic, such an easy tempo and rhythm right through the bag.

[video=youtube;UT4o7cZnZ8s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT4o7cZnZ8s[/video]

 

[clubchamp98]

I learned from Fred Couples if you want to watch silky smooth watch Fred.
Later watched Ernie Eles but Fred is your man if you want the tempo to die for.
Get on YouTube and just admire his swing one of the best IMO.

 

[Region3]

I think what is most interesting is that regardless of the length of time it takes to make a swing, their relationship between backswing and downswing remains pretty much the same.

I remember listening to a guy that was doing a project with film, and he was saying somebody like Fred Couples might have a backswing that took up 27 frames of film and a downswing that lasted 9 frames until impact, but a faster swinger like Nick Price might be 21 & 7.

Regardless of how slow or quick a pro golfer appears to swing, that 3:1 relationship is pretty constant.

I'd be curious to know if some of the newer guys that only have half a backswign like Finau and Rahm conform to the same principle.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Tour Tempo founder John Novosel has done loads of research and found that most top players irrespective of their swing speed have a 3:1 tempo where the backswing is 3 times slower than the downswing. I have the app and think it's something that can be improved by the handicap golfer but not so sure you can "absorb" tempo especially from just watching video and it's something that needs to be done with club in hand

 

[User62651]

I don't watch pro golf live much but was very taken at the 2005 Open at St Andrews with player tempo, it really hit home how slowly and smoothly the pros hit it. Recall watching Justin Leonard and Thongchai Jaidee very close up teeing off with driver and it was unbelievably smooth and slow appearing, of course they get their max speed right at impact not at the top of the backswing like me!
Not sure you can learn or absorb it from watching but taking in the understanding to be slowish in backswing must help develop better ballstriking.

 

[garyinderry]

Fitzpatrick has a pretty snappy swing. All done in a flash.

 

[Parsaregood]

The best drill for tempo has been around for decades, hit balls with your feet together. If your off balance or out of sequence you will not be able to do it, it simply ingraines good tempo

 

[SocketRocket]

I have a metronome app on my phone and use it when practicing to groove the right tempo. I also use it on the practice putting green.