How to slow down tempo?

swings89 · August 22, 2006

my backswing is waaaay too fast!

Are there any drills to swing slower and smoother rather than quick with my arms? thanks

tbowles411 · August 22, 2006

This worked for me....try using a nice 7 iron swing. Up and back on a practice tee until you can groove a swing. This should work with all of your swings. This should be about 75 to 80% power. It should enable you to make better and more consistent contact. Also ensure that your hips get out in front of your hands to make a full turn, so your belt buckle is facing the target.

Zach Heusser · August 22, 2006

Quick isn't always such bad thing. Nick Price and Tom Watson are two great players with very quick tempo's. I feel that your swing should match your personality. If you do want to slow it down try counting in your head. Give it the old 1 2

swings89 · August 22, 2006

tbowles411, what do you mean by "using a 7 iron swing up and back on a practice tee" do you mean just using a 7 to swing at a rubber tee?

KascoPro,

Getting guick is definately bad for me. it causes lots of faults like casting and pulling my shots first rather than swinging with the whole body. i use the tour tempo tape but just after taking it off (I was faster than even the fastest tempo by far) i gradually shift towards a quicker and quicker backswing, eventually coming back to my old lightening speed backswing. thanks for your help guys.

jcjr34 · August 23, 2006

Try pausing at the top of your backswing. Even the thought of doing this slows down my back swing to keep some control.

HipCheck · August 23, 2006

If your backswing is too fast, your backswing to downswing ratio is off too.

Have you ever tried Tour Tempo? It's so easy to use and the book/cd cost $15. It'd straighten you out.

dtwainright · August 23, 2006

Getting guick is definately bad for me. it causes lots of faults like casting and pulling my shots first rather than swinging with the whole body. i use the tour tempo tape but just after taking it off (I was faster than even the fastest tempo by far) i gradually shift towards a quicker and quicker backswing, eventually coming back to my old lightening speed backswing. thanks for your help guys.

I'm right there with you! I just practiced with the Tour Tempo Tracks yesterday, and even the 21/7 seemed slow. ----My tempo now: 15/5!---- at least it's a 3-to-1 ratio. I felt like I was waiting at the top of my swing for the downswing beep.

I did notice that I was making better contact when I did slow it down, but it was harder than I thought. I say just stick with it and I'm sure it'll help...It may take some time. Keep me up on your progress as I'd like to compare how it works for the both of us.

Regards,

Tyler

tbowles411 · August 23, 2006

tbowles411, what do you mean by "using a 7 iron swing up and back on a practice tee" do you mean just using a 7 to swing at a rubber tee?

I was just shown that using a "7 iron swing" a smooth steady back and through can produce more consistent results. I got to put it into practice, and it worked for me. Fast tempo isn't bad, neither is slow tempo. But I found you can't do both. Fast then slow and vice versa. If you start fast, end fast, and slow, slow.

Golf31 · August 24, 2006

I would consider myself a smooooth swinger. I have been told this by everyone so I'm not ringing my own bell.

At times I find I get quicker and quicker as I play and practice. As you know, a little quick means a lot of trouble. I spend a great deal of time working two areas of my swing to keep my swing at a smooth tempo and my contact solid, my feet and my eyes. I want my feet to use as much of the ground as possible as I address the ball and on my back swing. I keep this thought durring the entire swing. This does not mean I plant my feet but I think of my feet as a strong base with feel. My eyes are the secret. I try to see the club head as it passes 3 inches behind the ball to 3 inches after the ball as I swing. I relaize that this seems impossible but when you are able to see it once you will never forget the feeling and speed. When you get fast you won't see anything because your poor tempo knocks your head up and your feet out from under you. It also let's you forget about all the other stinking thinking during a swing. You will find the feel from your feet and slowing things down enough to see the club head will keep everything in line.

I find I hit my 8 iron the same distance on a 80% swing as i do a 110% swing. The reason for this I believe is the solid contact.

Give this drill a try and take it to the course.

Good luck and let me know how it workd for you.