"I keep lifting my chin"

[m10johnson]

This is probably the most infuriating comment I hear on the golf course and drives me potty. (Not much annoys me, but this really gets me going).

Anyway, been watching The Players this week and noticed Henrik Stenson pitching/ chipping technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgAsLDdIzYU

If ever there was a mythbusting video to a perceived swing fault, this is it.

 

[guest100718]

? stensons head doesnt budge untill the ball is long gone.

 

[the_coach]

Peoples heads or chins 'go up' because they stand up out of their posture, they lose the hip angle by thrusting the hips towards the ball target line, so the whole body straightens up & they get taller, folks that don't really understand the golf swing then cry 'you lifted your head'.
Although it looks quick, because Stenson is just very relaxed, playing with wedge shots on the practice ground, the club strikes the ball before he turns through & up in the throughswing. He doesn't lift up before the strike.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

? stensons head doesnt budge untill the ball is long gone.

I must be watching a different video to you because in the OP's link his head is clearly moving well before striking the ball.

 

[guest100718]

I must be watching a different video to you because in the OP's link his head is clearly moving well before striking the ball.

its just the way it looks, tons of video to the contrary showing the the man who could well be world number 1 on Sunday not moving his head/chin.

 

[Foxholer]

David Duval and Anika Sorenstam have been World #1s even though they are both were certainly 'head movers'.

It's not so much about keeping things still as keeping them in sequence and under control.

To me, Stenson's chin/head movement is all part of his natural flow, so 'tension free', which is more important than applying daft tension-creating myths!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Moving your head doesn't matter as long as you keep your posture. It is one of golf's biggest myths and shows a lack of understanding by anyone who says it.

 

[drawboy]

If you kept your head still on a full swing you would break your neck. It head has to move. Keeping the head rock still is a myth and not needed. Your body follows the head so if the head comes up so do the shoulders causing less solid contact. Once the head of the club has contacted the ball for the 100th of a second it takes then the ball is on its way regardless.

 

[guest100718]

David Duval and Anika Sorenstam have been World #1s even though they are both were certainly 'head movers'.

It's not so much about keeping things still as keeping them in sequence and under control.

To me, Stenson's chin/head movement is all part of his natural flow, so 'tension free', which is more important than applying daft tension-creating myths!

Maybe if Duval had a slightly less bonkers swing he could have stayed at the top, rather than fade in to obscurity after a few decent seasons.