Customer Reviews

The science of the golf swing

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Obviously, it is not necessary to know the scientific description of the forces on the golf club that determine how one must use it, to achieve an effective consistent technique. Where this book comes into its own is in protecting the unsuspecting beginner from a veritable jungle of false theories that have grown up, and around, the game, over the decades; due, as the author suggests, to enthusiastic, but inevitably nonsensical journalism. Such is the power of suggestion that many a famous practitioner of the game has been guilty of following these ideas up, with slight modifications of their own; ie making statements that are contrary to their own professional discipline. The trouble is these various explanations are generally given credence by asserting that each player has the latitude to invent, or adopt, their own special swing. Anyone with some basic grounding in mathematics and physics at school level can understand perfectly, and easily, when David Williams [ D.Sc., F.I.Mech.E., F.R.A.e.S., C.Eng - Formerly Deputy Chief Scientific Officer at The Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough ] explains that there is only ONE way to swing a golf club; due to the constraints of the aforementioned forces. At the very least be warned by Dr Williams when he informs us that there is more poor golf played due to bad instruction than any other cause. It's also instructive to realise how easily one can be seduced by post hoc ergo propter hoc type reasoning, especially when it becomes popular; and most certainly not the preserve of the game of golf.

A surprise package that tells you what you're are supposed to be doing with the golf club. ie; what forces are applied to the club by the hands during the downswing. The author came to his conclusions by studying Bobby Jones's swing. The book is easy to understand and confirms Earnest Jones's theory on what the hands are supposed do to the club.