by Jimmy Patrick

Created on: August 25, 2007

Golf is a lot like dancing. Now, I am no Fred Astaire, but I am a good golfer, and I know how important rhythm is to the golf swing. Here are a few tips to help get you in the groove and swinging a bit more consistently.

When I say golf is like dancing, I mean it. Golf is all about footwork and weight shift. Not to discount the arms and hands, but they really just follow along with the big parts of the body. The key to any golf swing is in the movement of all the big parts.

Every golf swing starts with the weight shifting to the right foot. Only after the majority of your weight is shifted do you want to use your arm muscles to move the club. So, your swing should have a momentum of its own, like a dancer flowing to the music.

Probably the most important part of the swing, in terms of the rhythm, is the transition from the back swing to the down swing. When the club is at the top of the swing, a lot of people, including myself, can get a little quick from time to time.

Many people will tell you a swing should not be to quick, or you may hear somebody tell you after a bad shot, "You looked a little quick on that one." Whether they know it or not, what they really mean is that your transition was too quick.

When the transition is too quick, it throws your sequence of movements out of whack, or your dance steps out of rhythm, so to speak. It is immediately noticeable to anyone watching, the same way it would be noticeable if a dancer missed the music's beat.

This does not mean your swing cannot be relatively fast in tempo. If a fast swing suits you, stay with it, just make sure there is a nice pause at the top of your swing. Get to the top and count a half beat or a whole beat if comfortable. This gives your body enough time to begin the transfer of weight back to the left foot.

Once the weight has begun transfer back to the left foot, let it flow. Don't do anything to disrupt the flow of of the club. Make sure the club is always accelerating down and through the ball. Always keep perfect balance, again like a dancer, you should be able to pose at the end of the swing with all your weight centered over your left foot.

If you focus on your feet and the flow of your weight transfer, then remember to include a nice pause at the top, or as Kevin Costner says in the movie "Tin Cup," "A nod to the Gods," you will be dancing your way around the course with ease.

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