The challenge of height
Height in certain sports is a benefit, but in golf, it creates
an added challenge. Without balance, swinging a golf club toward
your target in a consistent manner can be pretty unpredictable and
for the height-gifted golfer balance is tougher to master. This is
my main concern when I work with a tall golfer.
The challenge of height
Height in certain sports is a benefit, but in golf, it creates an added challenge. Without balance, swinging a golf club toward your target in a consistent manner can be pretty unpredictable and for the height-gifted golfer balance is tougher to master. This is my main concern when I work with a tall golfer.
The first thing I look at when giving a lesson to a tall golfer is the fit of their clubs. A tall golfer is the one who will suffer the most from clubs that do not fit. Most clubs are made for a golfer who is between 5’6″ to 6 feet. Here is a test you can give yourself if you are over 6 feet: take your address position, close your eyes and swing. Did you hit the ground? When a tall golfer has clubs that are too short for him, what I find is he never hits the ground.
When your eyes are closed, your body loses a major part of its balancing mechanism. If you have to bend over too much because your clubs are too short, then when your eyes are closed, your body will get in its most natural position to stay in balance, which means you will stand up, thus missing hitting the Earth, and the Earth is a big target. So make sure your clubs don’t interfere with your natural ability.
This is part of the beauty of golf: there are so many challenges each one of us face, and we face these all by ourselves right in front of our friends and people we have just met. But as I said earlier, balance is the biggest challenge. I will give you a drill to improve your balance; this drill will help even if you are not height gifted.
The drill is dynamic and will need a little room. Stand up with your feet shoulder width apart. Now step about three inches to the right and stand on your right foot for a count of two. Now step out onto your left foot for a two count, and when you step back over to the right, step three inches farther than your previous step and count two, stepping out as wide as you can. Steve Elkington and Ernie Els, both tall players, do this drill daily.
Steve Elkington loves this drill and ends up jumping almost seven feet from side to side. Remember, the thing you need to do is hold yourself on one foot for a count of two, because if you don’t, you aren’t learning balance.
I never think a student is swinging too hard unless they are out of balance. So as a tall golfer, make sure you have the proper width between your feet at address. This will help to keep your head from pulling you off balance. Balance is dynamic, so with this drill, swinging over a good stable “base” makes it seem effortless. Play well.
Eagle Ridges’ Kids Course is open every Sunday starting at 2 pm. It is for kids 12 and under, please join us.
Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at
sk*****@ea**********.com
. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
