http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/index.htmlLet's play better golfenPhilippe Bonfanti2012-05-09T11:17:48+01:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:18:07 +0100Philippe BonfantiBlog2012-05-09T11:17:48+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/practice.html#unique-entry-id-22http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/practice.html#unique-entry-id-22
Knowing what to practice and how to practice are crucial factors to understand for the golfer who wants to improve the fastest. When working on swing mechanics during a lesson I expect the golfer to be able to demonstrate the new mechanic almost immediately with the corresponding change in ball flight being apparent. This does not mean, however, that this new mechanic is immediately fully acquired. New thoughts and ideas tend to need to spend time in the golfer’s incubator before being fully understood and applied. I am very keen for golfers to clearly understand the function of any changes that are made. If a player doesn’t truly understand why a change is being made it will be much harder for them to commit and work on the change diligently. This will result in them making a quick return to swinging the club in their accustomed manner with no change and progress having been made.

Once the correct mechanic has been identified and nothing has been lost in translation, make sure you make your practice stroke while you “look, look, look” at the new piece you are incorporating into your swing. Do not rely exclusively on feel. If the technique being worked on is a stationary head and you are used to swaying away from the target during your backswing you may well need to feel like you are tilting your spine to the left only during your backswing without turning. This will of course, not be the reality of what you are doing but will be the feel required. Every golfer will experience a slightly different feel and even from day to day a golfer’s own feel can change. As a result of this it is important to learn feel from mechanics rather than vice versa.

Don’t waste your time by putting in inordinate amounts of effort if you are not going to use that effort to apply the relevant technique. Deliberate practice should be mentally very demanding, the result of every shot needs to be carefully analysed and the feedback used for the next stroke. Because it isn’t always fun, only a few will be prepared to do this, use that to your advantage.

One final note, there are by and large two categories of golfers, those who spend all their time on the range working on their swings and those who spend all their time on the course. Both of these are only half correct, so make sure you do both.
]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2012-05-08T11:25:42+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/fundamentals.html#unique-entry-id-21http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/fundamentals.html#unique-entry-id-21]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2012-04-20T09:35:20+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/WhatDeterminesClubPath.html#unique-entry-id-20http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/WhatDeterminesClubPath.html#unique-entry-id-20

NB: Please note that between the shoulders is the centre of the pivot but that the low point of the swing is situated underneath the left shoulder (for a right handed golfer)

]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2012-03-13T09:57:48+00:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/LeftKneeCatalogue.html#unique-entry-id-19http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/LeftKneeCatalogue.html#unique-entry-id-19]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2012-03-13T09:34:29+00:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/RearLegStraightening.html#unique-entry-id-18http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/RearLegStraightening.html#unique-entry-id-18
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TGM 6-A-4 It is important to keep in mind this “normal” position of the arms - that until after the follow through, the left arm is never bent, the right arm is never straight.

Stack & Tilt The right arm extends continuously until it reaches straight a few feet past impact. To be precise, the right arm should be straight when the shaft is 45 degrees to the ground in the follow through, not before.
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Head movement spectrum showing the influence of the head position (or shoulder centre) on when contact with the ball is made in relation to the point of tangency. ]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2012-01-03T08:44:44+00:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/RaisingtheBeltII.html#unique-entry-id-15http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/RaisingtheBeltII.html#unique-entry-id-15
From flexion to extension (raising the belt)

During the downswing the weight is moving forwards incrementally such that approx 95% of the weight is on the left side by the time the golfer gets to the finish.

The way this happens is that during the downswing, the golfer returns the straightened right knee to the original flex it had at address, while the left knee maintains its flex as the hips slide forwards. As the hips continue moving forwards, the left leg begins to straighten (this allows the golfer to keep turning) and the right leg pushes downwards thus raising the belt and using the ground as a springboard. This move is known as the Pouncing Cat.]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2012-01-02T12:45:59+00:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/LeftTilt.html#unique-entry-id-14http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/LeftTilt.html#unique-entry-id-14
In the left photo, we can see that at address, this golfer’s spine is approximately vertical, perpendicular to the ground.

In the right photo, we see that as he reaches the top of his backswing, his spine has tilted left approximately 35 degrees.

We are watching the swing from two different angles to measure the same thing because as the golfer’s hips and shoulder complex turn, the golfer’s orientation moves from the back facing the left rough to the back facing the target.

This change in spine angle is a side tilt to the left, combined with extension and turn it allows the golfer to keep the head centred.

Keeping the shoulder centre stable enables the club to return to the ball in a consistent manner (low point control).]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-11-24T19:12:45+00:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/SpineMotionsLimitations.html#unique-entry-id-13http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/SpineMotionsLimitations.html#unique-entry-id-13]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-11-24T19:10:10+00:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/RaisingBelt.html#unique-entry-id-12http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/RaisingBelt.html#unique-entry-id-12]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-11-24T19:07:08+00:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/HipsShoulderCentres.html#unique-entry-id-11http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/HipsShoulderCentres.html#unique-entry-id-11]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-11-09T10:52:52+00:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/GoalSetting.html#unique-entry-id-10http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/GoalSetting.html#unique-entry-id-10
Goals can be categorised into three different types: outcome goals, process goals and performance goals.
Outcome goals: These are generally associated with long-term strategies. An example of such a goal would be to win the club championship. While this is definitely something for golfers to strive for, it does pose the problem of control. A player could play very well during the selected tournament and beat his previous personal best. Another player, however, may play even better and thus the player will have failed in his objective. While an outcome goal can be a great motivator, lack of control over the outcome means they should be used with caution.
Process goals: These are focused on the player’s mental skills and how he experiences the game. How does the player approach his shots? Does he stick to his routine? Is it consistent? This is about working towards improvement in the correct fashion, sticking to the game plan. A process goal is there to help achieve an outcome goal; it’s about monitoring effort and intensity.
Performance goals: These are the easiest to measure and provide instant feedback to the player. They enable him to compare performances and trace improvements made. Some examples would be to increase the percentage of fairways hit in regulation, lower the number of putts per round or score better when carrying out drills and exercises. Performance goals are very much a reflection of skill level.

Goals can also be divided according to the period over which they are worked on: short –term goals, intermediate goals or long-term goals.
Short-term goals: These are achievable within the next 6 weeks and are directly related to performance and achieving specific targets.
Intermediate goals: Achievable during the next 6 weeks to 6 months. These are a good way to stay focused on achieving your long term targets.
Long-term goals: These are achievable during the next one to two years and are necessary towards achieving your targets for the future.

To set yourself some goals, write a list of half a dozen objectives you would like to achieve. Once this is done decide whether they are short, intermediate, or long term goals. Also ask yourself whether they are specific, measurable, achievable, independent of other people and whether you will be energized and excited when you achieve them. If the answer to all these questions is yes, you can mark it down as one of your goals. Make sure that your short term goals lead to intermediate goals and that they in turn lead to long-term goals. Think of all your goals as being tied to one another in a long chain of improvement.

When you have established what your goals are, you need to determine the best way to achieve them. In doing so, don’t give yourself rigid constraints. It may well be necessary for you to alter your schedule due to things beyond your control such as the weather or your boss asking you to work late. At the end of each week, evaluate how well you have performed on your short term goals. Did you achieve what you had set out to do? If so great, if not, do you need to make some adjustments to reach your future goals.

If you follow these principles I’m sure you will find yourself reinvigorated and eager to practise. This will lead to better golf.
]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-10-26T12:14:24+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/TGMPearlsWisdom.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/TGMPearlsWisdom.html#unique-entry-id-9The Golfing Machine: Pearls of Wisdom for Everybody

Feel no concern for THE prefect stroke. There are trillions of precision patterns - with totally correct alignments and relationships which are perfect for some application or preference.

This textbook can support individual “MY WAY” procedures but no “THE WAY” theory.

Does it all seem as if it would just take too long? What if you had worked out one step each week - or each month - for the last two years? Or the last five years? How about the next two? Or five? At the very worst, it’s the guided struggle versus the blind struggle.

Are there any short cuts? Indeed, and typical of short cuts, they can easily turn out to be the longest route.

Demanding that golf instruction be kept simple does not make it simple - only incomplete and ineffective.

The only real short cuts are more and more know how.

Hitting the ball is the easiest part of the game - hitting it effectively is the most difficult.

The instructor can only inform and explain - the student must absorb and apply.

Let mechanics produce and feel reproduce.

Eons of man-hours are lost trying to substitute effort for techniques and trying to eliminate effect instead of cause.

The monumental complexity of choices should only indicate the futility of striking out into them unaided.

You can kid yourself, but not the ball. The ball ALWAYS tells the truth.

The aim of every player should be an Uncompensated stroke - no faulty elements needed to be counteracted or offset.

As the Motion improves, shots improve - not vice versa.

Those who know how precise it can be, know best how precise it needs to be.

This book can only show you how good your game can be. How good it has to be is entirely up to you.]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-10-26T11:50:05+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/LowerBodyHips.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/LowerBodyHips.html#unique-entry-id-8There are two basic movements that the body carries out during the downswing and follow through. The first is a lateral movement and the second is a rotary movement. The challenge is to have the correct blend of both. Golfers who move entirely laterally will hit the most in/out (draws) whereas golfers who are purely rotary will hit the most out/in (slices).

Top of Backswing: Weight is centred between the feet, shoulders stacked above the hips.

Half Way Down: Hips have started to slide forwards. Centre of shoulders remains where it was at address.

Impact: The hips have continued to slide forwards while the shoulder centre is still centred. This creates a tilt in the spine away from the target that helps to control the angle of attack and promotes the necessary wrist conditions at impact (left wrist flat and right wrist bent).

Finish: The weight is almost entirely on the left side. Notice that the shoulder centre has remained centred all the way to the finish such that the head has not moved backwards or forwards. The legs and spine have extended, a considerable source of power.



The sole thought during this swing was to slide the hips towards the target, yet you can see that the hips have also turned. The moral of the story is that golfers need to slide their hips in a linear manner towards the target much more than they imagine, the turning part often already knows how to take care of itself.

The following quotes, taken from some of the best selling golf books ever written, highlight the same point:

“The turning of the hips does take place, of course. But they turn naturally, and they turn only after they have first moved laterally to the left. You will find, if you try to move your hips laterally as far as you can, that they will turn as they move toward the limit of extension.” Four Magic Moves, p16

“At the start of the downswing, most average golfers get the rotary part right, unwinding their shoulders, but they don’t have enough lateral motion towards the target…A full sliding of the hips sets the stage for a powerful downswing and ball first contact.” Stack and Tilt, p73

“The hips initiate the downswing…It creates early speed. It transfers the weight from the right foot to the left foot. It takes the hips out of the way and gives your arms plenty of room to pass…There must be enough lateral motion forward to transfer the weight to the left foot.” The Modern Fundamentals, p90

“It’s our contention that of the two kinds of leg movement, lateral is the most important… In their concentration on the rotary action players fail to acknowledge the need for lateral movement.” How to Feel a Real Golf Swing, p73

If you were swinging in a barrel, smash through it during your downswing!]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-10-19T15:09:22+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/AddressImpact.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/AddressImpact.html#unique-entry-id-7]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-10-13T18:03:28+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/TheSpine.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/TheSpine.html#unique-entry-id-6]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-10-11T18:55:24+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/SystematicApproach.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/SystematicApproach.html#unique-entry-id-5]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-10-11T09:51:28+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/TheFundamentals.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/TheFundamentals.html#unique-entry-id-4!]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-10-09T16:45:10+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/FlyingWedgeCatalogue.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/FlyingWedgeCatalogue.html#unique-entry-id-3]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-09-28T21:35:51+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/PuttingPractice.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/PuttingPractice.html#unique-entry-id-2]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-09-22T20:06:02+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/D-Plane.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/D-Plane.html#unique-entry-id-1]]>Philippe BonfantiBlog2011-09-20T16:12:12+01:00http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/LittleBlackGolfBook.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.philippebonfantigolf.co.uk/blog/files/LittleBlackGolfBook.html#unique-entry-id-0