Golf Tip

Golf Tip: Find and Master Your Tempo

What is tempo and why is it important?

Simply put, tempo is the time from the start of your backswing to the end of your follow-through. New golfers tend to misjudge how hard you have to strike the ball, adding too much speed in their backswing. Without proper form you are losing power in your swing and control over the ball.

It starts with your preparation - Relax!

Never rush into a shot. Get into the proper stance, feet and hands in comfortable positions and take cool, calm and collected practice swings to ease any tension. Make sure your shoulders are relaxed and your grip is firm but not too tight. Squeezing the club too hard not only creates tension in your hands, but all the way through your forearms and shoulders, restricting your natural swing arc.

Complete your backswing

Shortening the swing arc and rushing to the downswing is a prime example of rushed tempo. Focus on creating a smooth, effortless backswing that reaches the top of your arc, thus, ensuring you are not losing out on any potential power or accuracy.

The transition into your downswing should be fluid, allowing your downswing to mimic the same smoothness as your backswing. Rushing the downswing can affect which part of the club you hit the ball with, and where you are hitting the ball itself. Practice your backswings and downswings much slower than you think and see if your accuracy and even power improves.

Tempo is a key aspect to golf, that many amateurs do not even think about. When you lose your tempo, you lose your technique. Try to create a swing that looks fluid and rhythmic and see your level of play soar above your peers. If you are interested in tips like this and more, check out our Nike Junior Golf Camps!