After all these years, Ernie Els still swings the club like he’s out for a Sunday stroll. There’s real power and effort behind his tee shots, but you’d never know that if you judged his swing only by its tempo. On the flip side, many amateurs take a wild hack at the ball, like it just insulted a family member. If you want a smooth-looking swing like The Big Easy’s, follow these steps to better tempo.
1. Squeeze, Then Relax
Tension breeds poor tempo. It starts with a tight grip. To feel how lightly you should hold the club, squeeze the handle as hard as you can, then relax. Sense the lightness, especially in your forearms.
2. Remember To Breathe
Quick test: Take a deep breath and hold it. Do you feel some of your muscles tightening? This is the opposite of your goal when you swing. Exhale to relax the muscles before starting the club back.
3. Feel The Club’s Weight
Instead of standing still, waggling the club by moving your wrists back and forth is a great ignition for your swing. But it also helps you feel the weight of the clubhead – important for a fluid motion.
4. Don’t Skimp Going Back
Complete the windup of your backswing to avoid the urge to swing down aggressively as a compensation. You don’t want to ruin your rhythm and tempo. A full backswing leads to a smooth through-swing.
