The Golf Swing Contact Zone

The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. - Phyllis Diller

Golf is definitely a game where an individual's discipline, determination, and heart can be measured. While others tend to see the game, when watching golf being played, as completely boring, this sport can truly reel you in.

The basics are the same for everyone, the differences in body types and mentalities bring forth a multitude of differences in the game that can cause confusion for most.

Practice and knowledge are the keys to success in golf, and muscle memory is what you are trying to ingrain into yourself. Once you know the proper golf swing, confidence in your game and calmness of mind shall follow.

One of the most fundamental principles that can be applied for immediate improvement in the golf swing is to keep your head still and eyes on the ball.

Keeping your eyes on the ball will definitely help those who have constant problems with their golf swings.

One of the most common mistakes golfer's make is thinking ahead as they are about to hit the ball. They bypass the body.

While still performing the stroke, their thoughts are already racing ahead: “I have to watch the ball; I want to see the result!”

When your head follows your thoughts you are not watching the ball anymore. Not only that, you lose timing of the ball and mis-hit it, resulting in a bad shot or an error. Discipline yourself to blank out your mind at the moment of hitting the ball (watch Woods – he is a perfect example), then your head will stay in place and not disrupt your stroke.

Once you have cleanly struck the ball, or you see the blur, you can move on with your thoughts and your body.

More than these physical effects, the recent observations tend to go in favor of the mental benefits to control the head position and prolong the fixation of the contact zone to the entire duration of the follow-through.

Fixation during the follow-through helps keep focus on the task at hand which leads to increased feeling and control. Specifically, this control can impact the hitting response which in the past was believed to be out of control because of visual limitations. Fixation helps to control both the emotions and thoughts reducing stress and anxiety, therefore increases self-confidence.

In addition, the after-impact fixation stage participates to the fixation of the player in the present, what promotes flow and would have a positive impact on performance.