Using Physics To Build A Consistent Golf Swing

By John Lynch

Before you can learn how to build a consistent golf swing you must have a working knowledge of the forces and principals involved in a sound golf swing.

I was recently discussing the golf swing with a physics professor I had met on the golf course. He said there are really only 2 physical principals that impact a consistent golf swing (he described the forces due to gravity as being negligible in the golf swing).

The physics professor went on to say - "The truth is COAM and Torque is by far the 2 most important factors when learning to build a consistent golf swing." COAM being the Conservation Of Angular Momentum - the principal that states angular momentum of an object remains constant as long as no external force or moment acts on that object.

COAM says if the object (club head) is brought closer to the axis (formed by the golfer's stable spine), it speeds up. If the club head is moved further out, it slows down. In a consistent golf swing, as the player rotates the club, the hands move farther from the body or axis and slow down. This reduction in momentum feeds into the much lighter club and increases the speed of the club head in the last part of the stroke, in a whiplash type of effect, increasing the force of impact on the ball.

To further illustrate Conservation Of Angular Momentum, picture an ice skater performing a stationary spin on ice. As the ice skater's arms are brought in closer to the body, the ice skater spins faster as the arms are brought farther from the body, the ice skater spins slower.He described the other principal in a consistent golf swing as Torque.

Torque is equal to Force X Length (T = FL) where "F" being Force and "L" being length of the lever in our case the length of the golf club shaft.

Force can be further broken down using Newton's equation of F = ma (Force equals mass x acceleration). So we now have Torque = mass x acceleration x length (T = maL) where "m" being the mass of the club head, "a" being the acceleration of the club head, and "L" being the Length of the club shaft or lever.

It is Torque or the twisting action of the golf club that gives real leverage in a consistent golf swing.

So the trick to maximizing the effects of Torque and COAM in a consistent golf swing is to build a swing that allows you to hold the lag created by the angle between the club and the left arm (for right handed golfers) deep into the downswing - this golf technique is also known as the late hit.

By incorporating the late hit into your golf swing you release an incredible amount of force into the golf ball due to the effects of Torque and COAM.

The secret is to find a golf instruction system that teaches you how to develop the late hit in your golf swing or you will never reach your potential as a golfer.

As you build the late hit into your golf swing a consistent golf swing will follow. This is because your swing will now be in harmony with the physical laws of nature - this how a 150LB golfer can crush 340 yard drives - he is able to harness an incredible amount of power due to Torque and COAM!

Hit 'em Long and Straight!

--John Lynch

About The Author:

John Lynch is owner of No. 1 Golf Book Reviews and has reviewed hundreds of golf instructional products. To read expert reviews on the top golf instructional books and golf training aids, John recommends you visit===> http://no1golfbookreviews.blogspot.com/