Keeping your head down... and stalling the release of the club

Although this is golf’s most common tip, golfers hardly ever actually lift their heads. If the head level does rise it’s far more likely to be due to issues with flexibility or hitting too hard. But the tip is so ingrained that many golfers still obey it. Alas, it causes only restricted motion and weak shots. Instead, think more of letting your head rotate with the club through impact.

Let your head rotate

Instead of trying to keep your head down, allow your eyes to follow the clubhead. This adds freedom and fluidity to your move through the ball, giving a series of important benefits.

Improved rotation

If your head turns through, you free your chest and shoulders to rotate – note how my sternum faces the clubhead at this stage. The body’s bigger role adds power & you’re less handsy.

Down and out

Trying too hard to keep your head down means your upper body is unable to rotate, so you are flat-footed and side-on to the target. It forces a handsy, flippy release of the club and produces weak, high shots.

More extension

With the chest and core freed up to rotate you can clear your lead side better. That gives room to extend the arms and club further down the line, adding power and direction.

Shallower attack

Moving your head like this will allow you to collect the ball with a shallower attack angle. Keeping your chin down tends to see the arms swing down at the ball on an oversteep path.