[Kim Maengnyoung's Golf English Conversation] "Sway: The Main Cause of Bad Shots"

If the swing axis collapses, severe slices or hooks occur.

Golf is a circular motion sport that revolves around an axis.

If the central axis collapses, it is impossible to maintain an accurate swing path and make a good shot. Sway refers to the body moving back and forth or side to side during the swing. This occurs when the hips do not serve as a stable reference point in the backswing or downswing and move freely. In order to increase driving distance, upper body rotation is crucial.

Amateur golfers often try to hit the ball harder by creating an excessively large swing arc, which causes the lower body to shake and disrupts timing. This leads to missed shots such as slices, topped shots, sky balls, and in severe cases, even air shots. To prevent swaying, it is important to warm up thoroughly so that your muscles move smoothly. Swinging too quickly should also be avoided.

The swing axis must remain fixed. During the takeaway, you should focus on turning your hips rather than pushing them to the right. Practicing upper body turns with a driver held at your waist can be helpful. Most bad shots originate from swaying during the backswing.

A: What is swaying in the golf swing?

B: Swaying is lateral movement in the backswing or downswing.

A: Would you check my swing?

B: Yes. Let me see, you have a very good swing but a little sway on the downswing.

A: How can I stop swaying?

B: Fix your head and make a hip turn, not a hip away. If your head sways, you cannot hit the ball straight.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyoung, golf columnist