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Thursday, July 01, 2004
Chiongbian: Make your swing work
By Edgar R. Chiongbian
Tee time
Are you stuck with your swing? That was a question posed on the cover of the Golf magazine in 1995. I saved that magazine because it contained great golf tips and because I did not agree with their affirmative answer to that question.
George Peper, the magazines chief editor said, “ Most of us, after a year or so of golf, should abandon the search for the perfect swing. For once having learned the basics of the grip, stance and hitting motions, we develop a swing style that will probably never change in the essential character, no matter how much we fiddle with it.”
Having been playing golf since I was 12 years old, I was always hoping that my swing was capable of improvement to that near perfect style. But now that I have matured and have taken a different view to that fact, I will say that yes my swing has not really changed for over 30 years now.
LIKE A FINGERPRINT. Probably the best reason for this is that we are really stuck with our bone structure, muscular build and weight, and more importantly our posture. And so these limitations make us different from one another.
One can rightfully say that your swing is like a fingerprint—uniquely yours and created by the combination of your own stature, athleticism, flexibility and mannerisms.
Another factor can be personality. For instance a Type A personality — one who is who is impatient, hard driving and aggressive—will surely have difficulty in developing a smooth swing. A few may get a chance but on the whole it would be marginal.
But if you have the time, talent, temperament and tutoring, you may stand a good chance of changing your swing. If not, do yourself a favor and forget about it. You already have the repeating swing so all you need to do is make your swing work!
So stop playing with your swing and play golf, you will have more fun and maybe get a good game in the process.
PLAYING WELL. No wonder Tony Jackson has been smiling a lot lately. He has been playing well and not even Rene Sarmiento can stop him from winning the championship of class A in last Saturday’s monthly medal at CCC. In class B, it was the dueling cousins, Frederick Chiongbian winning via count back over Jonji Chiongbian for the championship.
Billy Tan conquered class C and it was champion Ruben Almendras in class D. And in a league of his own, Francis Zosa outran all the others in the seniors division. Orly Israel made an eagle on the 12th hole with the urging and cheering of hi-lo partner Wyben Briones that caused the ball go in from 140 yards.
RESULTS. Once again, the results of the Federation of Philippine Seniors’ golf tournament at Alta Vista last Friday showed these guys are no slouch. Either get a net 66 or take a seat for the raffles because the champions are passing through.
Low gross of 76 went to Alex Chuachoy. Young seniors, all with net 66’s, went to Vicente Go as champion and Pete See and Fred dela Cruz as runners-up. Tony Tolosa took the championship in the mature seniors with Rolly Santos and Bugs Unchuan as runners up.
Super seniors champion Ed Sanchez with a net 61? Rod Senido crying with his net 66 and 2nd place finish while Ben Villamor at 3rd. Guest winners with identical 66’s went to champion Ed Manzano and Danny Ledesma. Pete Cantillas made an eagle on hole no. 3.
GOLF TIP. Golfers with small hands and particularly women use a strong right hand grip (the “V” of the right hand pointing to the right shoulders) and hold the club too much in the palm of the right hand.
As a result, the right hand rolls over the left hand through impact that closes the clubface and the chip flies low, long and left. The clubface should be squared to the target line at impact, to give the ball enough loft to carry the fringe, get on the green and roll like a putt.
To correct this, place the club more in the fingers of the right hand and weaken your grip so the “V” points to the chin. The hands will remain passive, giving control of the stroke to the arms and shoulders, where it belongs.
(erc@skyinet.net)
(July 1, 2004 issue)
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