Improve Your Golf Swing Dramatically Using A Hand Held Fan

By TG User

23 June 2009 09:00

A funny thing happened to me yesterday, which when continued, produced some satisfying results for a personal golfing problem. It sounds idiotic to start with, but bear with me. It may well change your Golf Game for the better.

Yesterday morning,here in China, my wife was making Mantou (steamed bread). Now she hates the heat and all that goes with it. Though it was early in the morning, it was hot and sunny and already 25 deg C or so. Having the caring soul of a golfer (no laughter please), I picked up my wife's Chinese fan. While she proceeded to knead the dough (quite a lot of it too), to make the steamed bread, I fanned her back and head, trying to keep her cool.

A sensible and necessary task, but so boring. I Made the task more interesting, and less of a bind. I resorted to using different methods to produce cool air with the fan. For example, slow head to foot sweeps, or from side to side. During this 'mucking about phase', with the fan, the spark of an idea formed in my febrile brain. Being an inveterate 'fiddler', like most (ALL) golfers, I gave it a go. Later, when it came to my usual post lunch club swinging drills etc, I tried it again and expanded on it. Only this time transferring what I observed and felt to actually swinging my clubs.

What was discovered, whilst performing the mind numbing task, of fanning my wife, was: When Making a golf backswing motion with the fan in my right hand. My grip hold on it, just like my usual right hand on the club's grip. The flat face of the fan squared to mimic how the club head would sit behind the ball at address. It was noticed, that the drag produced by the fan slowed down my swing tempo considerably. So I swapped hands and did the same with my leading or left hand. With almost identical results. It was also noted, that the one handed swing with the fan allowed for the natural cocking of the wrists as well. On the downswing and follow through, the surface drag provided by the open fan slowed my swing speed down markedly. One of my constant faults has been, swinging too quickly. Even when I am aware of it and trying to swing more slowly. It has been a shot wrecking problem. Knowing the problem exists even under the watchful eye of your professional, does not make it any easier to swing slower. This newly discovered swing aid has quickly transferred to my golf drills and swing sessions. Commencing sessions now, with a few swings one handed with the fan using alternate hands.Then transferring that same "muscle memory" tempo and feeling to swinging my club. The results were immediately satisfying and effective in slowing my swing down to about 80% of the swing when it has speeded up.

Now with summer already here and getting warmer all the time. A cheap fan would be a great asset on the course, i.e. for keeping cool whilst waiting by the tee on a slow play day (Being aware of course to not distracting those about to actually make a shot or a putt),etc.

It could be used prior to starting a game or practice on the range,in arriving at your correct tempo without delay.Rushing the first tee shot on any round has ruined many rounds of golf before they have almost begun.Just by making a few swings. Later during a round it might be used to check that your swing speed has not increased and become too quick (If allowed by the rules of golf?). Another bonus, was it encouraged the cocking and uncocking of my wrists too. It would also certainly loosen them up prior to hitting balls on any occasion. So, all in all, 'mucking about' during a spur of the moment act of kindness, has repaid me with immediate improvements in my swing speed. For practice purposes, a fan shaped piece of stiff cardboard or thin plywood would no doubt achieve the required results, just as efficiently. What a great tool, it has turned out to be in slowing my swing tempo down, exercising my wrists etc.

'A FAN' I here you shriek! To have gained the benefits it has given me already, it will be wielded whenever necessary. The smile will remain on my face. How about yours? Hope this helps you as it helped me.

By TG User - Michael Henry