When looking at a golf swing, you see three basic circles. There are natural forces behind the magic of the swing: momentum, acceleration, gravity, inertia, and centripetal force. Those natural forces combine with the “Circles of Force.” Mike looks for how these circles react and are in or out of sync with each other.
The first circle is the “Circle of the Clubhead.” As you swing the club back and down through the ball, you can see the circle it creates.
The second circle is the “Circle of the Hands.” While swinging the club and making one circle, your hands make another. The circle the hands create is not the same circle the club makes.
The third circle is the “Circle of the Body.” Your body moves in a circle with the other two circles.
The key is to get these circles to complement each other. As you move, the forces in each one of the circles build up to give you the most speed, with the least amount of effort and the most consistency.
If your grip is on correctly and you create the circles with your swing, then the club will square itself. The circles start to become your golf swing. This motion is perpetual; it is not static.
The “Circles of Force” create everything in your golf swing. The circles allow the natural forces to do their job. Once you understand the circles, it’s about integrating them, and with minimal effort, you can hit the ball a long way. If you harness this, then you should have a powerful swing.
Once you understand this concept of circles and the natural forces and how you put them together rather than positions, you will become a much better player. You will be able to feel the motion of the swing. Positions are static; they don’t create a swing. Motion creates a swing as well as the positions you are seeking. You will now become more athletic.
Mike compares golf to car racing with Mike McGovern, chief instructor at Bondurant Racing.
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