We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words and thus, video has to be worth a whole lot more. Video cameras work well for studying and working on golf swings on the range. But is there a way to see your swing on the course, especially if you feel you are not swinging on all eight cylinders? Or you may just simply want check out that everything in your setup and swing is just fine and dandy and you want to see and feel the motion. You bet there is and all you need is one thing…The Sun!
When the sun is out, you have your shadow on the ground. I am always telling students in lessons after using video, that when on the course and range, and they do not have a camera, use your shadow to check out your setup and swing. I have a Shadow Surgism that says: “Your shadow is your Best Buddy. It never lies and only tells and shows you the truth every time and all the time.”
You can use your shadow to check out your setup as well as your swing. Naturally, using your shadow works best when the angle of the sun casts a good length shadow. High noon and early morning and late afternoon produce shadows that are too long and flat. All you have to do is position yourself relative to the sun to see the angles you want to see and check them out.
With the sun at your back you can check out posture, and weight distribution, leg and feet action, head and spine angles, your takeaway position at parallel to the ground and, the width of your swing and shaft angle at the top of the backswing, and much more. Standing sideways, with either your left or right side closer to the sun, shows your posture, takeaway, turn and path and plane.
The beauty of using the shadow is you SEE and FEEL — in real time at the same time. With a camera you see your swing post facto, and try to remember what it felt like. Seeing and feeling at the same time is the epitome of instant learning. More senses engaged increases the speed and learning cycle.
So, for checking out your setup and swing, or for training and learning, bring out your BEST BUDDY…YOUR SHADOW! It only tells the truth!
The Surge!
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Don,
I have two small maltese dogs and when I take them for a walk I position myself under the street light at a certain angle and can study my swing.
This is an excellent time to examine the swing and I do not have to wait for the sun to give me the right angle.
Bill
Don,
I should have added that my walk is at night under the street light.
Question:: all the books and magazines on golf talk about turning your angle of spine when hitting driver and long clubs. Is this necessary when using your method?
Enjoyed your tips on “The Shadow.”
I discovered by accident a few years ago that the shadow is the perfect tool for observing the lie of your putter, whether too flat or too upright. For right-handers, stand on the practice green in the morning with your right shoulder towards the sun. Take your normal putting stance and square the putter face with the shadow of the putter shaft. The shadow of the putter face will be longer at the toe when the lie is too flat and longer at the heel if the lie is too upright. What good is knowing this? adjust your grip up or down the putter grip until the shadow is the same size from heel to toe. Voila! the putter sole is now level to the ground. You an also do this indoors using a bright light for the sun.
I am NOT too young to remember “THE SHADOW”, therefore will I be pushing up daisies by the time my DVDs arrive? My order was placed 4-10-2009.
DON HAVEN’T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY THIS YET BUT SOON I USE LIGHT TO HELP MY LINE UP MY SHOTS WHEN I PLAY POOL AND I WAS PRETTY GOOD AT ONE TIME DON’T PLAY MUCH NOW BUT I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD IDEA
I have serious issues with my shadow. If it is down the line toward the target I actually feel really comfortable. If it is anywhere else, I can barely take the club away and my body freezes. It’s feels like I have never picked up a club before. The problem is incredibly frustrating and it’s like having a split personality out on the fairways. Whoever I play with cannot believe the inconsistency it creates in my game (how do you think I feel?!?) Any advice would be obviously well received. I play off 2.
Darren, Darren, Darren,
You don’t use your shadow to make a full swing and hit the ball on the field of play. The purpose of the shadow drill is to take a “practice” swing and observe your body movements. It’s for a practice swing — not for hitting a shot!
Great tip. I like to position the shadow of my head over the ball or a spot on the grass and make sure it doesn’t move [especially up and down] during the swing. I tend to stand or raise up on the back swing, not drop down on the downswing like I see so many of the pros do — I am not sure which is worse?