Club-Focused Golf Instruction

A Paradigm Shift

Golf, a seemingly simple act of propelling a small sphere toward a target, is in reality a highly

complex motor skill. The trajectory, curvature, and distance achieved by a golf shot are entirely

dependent upon the interaction between the golf club and the ball. Consequently, a golfer's

proficiency is directly correlated to their ability to effectively manipulate the club.

The flight path of a golf ball is governed by established principles of physics. Launch monitors,

employing these physical laws, can accurately predict ball flight based on the momentary impact

conditions. Club-focused golf instruction (CFI) leverages this knowledge to elucidate the clubhead’s

role in producing desired ball flight patterns. CFI teaches golfers the necessary club/ball conditions

to produce their desired ball flight.

In contrast to the prevailing body-focused approach, CFI posits that the club, rather than the golfer’s

body, is the primary determinant of ball flight. The assumption underlying body-focused instruction,

that correct body movement will automatically lead to optimal clubhead path, is empirically

unsupported. The shoulders, hips, arms, etc. can all move in some prescribed fashion yet allowing

the club to contact the ball producing widely undesirable outcomes. Rather than the body being the

point of focus, evidence supports that the body adapts to the intended clubhead action. Therefore,

the club is the effective point of focus.

Humans possess an innate ability to utilize tools without conscious consideration of underlying

musculoskeletal mechanics. This is evident in the effortless use of everyday implements such as

hammers, knives, or scissors. CFI capitalizes on this natural capacity by emphasizing the golf club

as a tool and allowing the golfer’s body to adapt accordingly to the golfer’s intention. This results in a

more intuitive and efficient skill acquisition.

The efficacy of CFI is supported by extensive research conducted by Dr. Gabriele Wulf and

colleagues at the University of Nevada Las Vegas[1]. Their findings consistently demonstrate

superior performance outcomes when learners focus on external cues (i.e., clubhead movement)

compared to internal cues (i.e., body movements).

Traditional golf instruction has predominantly emphasized body-focused techniques. However, the

rapid clubhead speed and the club’s low profile have hindered direct observation of clubhead action,

leading to an overreliance on body movement imitation. This approach has frequently resulted in

frustration for golfers unable to replicate the desired outcomes despite accurate body mimicry. The

case of Ernest Jones, a golfer who lost his lower leg, provides a compelling anecdote. Despite

significant alterations to his body mechanics resulting from the loss of his right leg in a war injury,

Jones maintained a high level of play, underscoring the primacy of clubhead action. His

student, Manuel de la Torre, further developed these concepts, establishing the foundation for

modern CFI. By shifting the focus from body mechanics to clubhead dynamics, CFI offers a more

direct and effective pathway to golf improvement.