Tempo Golf Components

"Tempo golf" refers to the speed at which you swing the club through the golf swing. Tempo is one of the most important components of a good golf swing and can help you overcome many of your swing weaknesses. According to professional golfer Annika Sorenstam, good tempo is just as much mental as it is physical, so start by focusing on positive rather than negative thoughts.

  1. Setup

    • Good tempo starts before you initiate the swing. Begin by setting up properly. This means you should be standing over the ball in a relaxed, comfortable position with your feet about shoulder-width apart. To check your alignment, lay a club across your shoulders, feet and thighs. All three should point directly at your target. Before you start the golf swing, make sure you are relaxed. To do this, keep loose by "waggling" the club a few times. This is when you slowly move the club front-to-back so you stay loose.

    Takeaway

    • The takeaway of a good tempo golf swing begins slowly. To get the feel of the right tempo, place a towel on the end of your golf club and practice taking the club away smoothly. If you go too fast, the towel will drop and you will know instantly that your tempo is too fast. Good tempo in the takeaway means turning with your hands, arms, shoulders and hips in unison up to the top until your back faces the target.

    Downswing

    • The downswing is where most amateurs encounter problems with their tempo because they swing too fast. Focus on turning with your body back through the ball rather than swatting at the ball with your hands. This means turning your hips, chest, shoulders and arms in unison. Imagine your body is a coil that is unwinding. The angles you create with a good turn on the backswing will help you hit the ball farther. Watch Ernie Els on his downswing and try to copy what he does. His tempo in the backswing and downswing appear to be the same speed. He builds club head speed by turning his body and maintaining his angles through smooth, consistent tempo.

    Follow-Through

    • The follow-through tells you whether you have a golf swing with good tempo. You should never feel off-balance during your follow-through and you should always end facing your intended target. If your follow-through ends with your chest and belt buckle facing well right or left of your target, you know you do not have the proper tempo. Again, focus on turning through the ball and letting the club explode toward your target. In the finishing position of your swing, all of your weight should be balanced smoothly on your front leg; your belt buckle and chest should face the intended target.