The Experiment
This past year I attended the Humana Challenge Golf
Tournament in La Quinta, California. I
was there to soak up mental images of effortless and graceful golf swings and
to conduct an experiment. I had a theory
which had been formed based on my understanding of bio-rhythms and my observations
of many golf swings (professional and amateur) over the years. The theory was that great players swing in a
tempo that fits harmoniously with their personality and the speed that feels
most comfortable for them to move through the world. I had observed that there was a connection
between the tempo of these players golf swings, the pace of their walking, the
speed of their talking, etc. On that
day, metronome in hand, I set out to test this theory of mine on the best
players in the world.
I positioned myself at the tee of the longest par 3 I could
find and I brought out my mobile phone which has a metronome app on it. I think it is safe to say that I was the only
individual at the golf course that day engaged in this activity. As each player approached the tee box I would
tap the pace of their walking and record it.
Next, I would tap out the rhythm of their golf swing. Finally, I would again tap the rhythm of
their walking as they went down the fairway towards the green. What I found confirmed my theory. If a player walked at a fast rate, let’s say
120 beats per minute (BPM), their golf swing matched this tempo, exactly. If a player sauntered up the fairway, at
around 90 BPM, their golf swing was in this same tempo. I did this for 20-30 professional golfers and
there was only one player who didn’t fit into this neat equation. The one player who was showing different
tempos of walking and swinging was Ben Crane, a somewhat excitable player who
appeared to be dealing with some jitters in the round and was not playing well
compared to the field on that day.
The conclusions I drew from watching the rhythm of some of
the best players in the world on a Sunday of a PGA tournament were….
- Great players who are playing at the top of their game move in a rhythm that is in harmony with the natural way they move in the world.
- Everything these players do with their body moves in the same tempo and looks like it belongs with who they are.
- This tempo will vary greatly from player to player and falls within the range of 80-120 BPM
- Great players who are playing great all have phenomenal rhythm; it is the tempo that varies.
- Taller people generally gravitate towards slower tempos (nearer the 90bpm range). Shorter individuals generally have quicker tempos (nearer the 120bpm range).
- More energetic individuals tend to feel better with a quick tempo. It is how they move through life and this tempo fits the pace that they experience life. More languid, flowing types generally prefer the feeling of a slower pace for the same reasons.
- The pace with which we walk generally speaks to our preferences for tempo in life. If we tend to speed walk like there is someplace to go and not a whole lot of time to get there, a quicker tempo in golf will tend to suit us well. If we enjoy strolls that meander and have no general rush, a slower tempo in golf will fit this preference better.
Finding Your Ideal Tempo
In the modern age there are numerous smart phone apps the
give us free access to a metronome. I
use one called “Mobile Metronome” developed by Gabriel Simoes for working on my
own tempo and for helping my students discover their own, ideal tempo. If you have a smart phone, I encourage you to
download one of these apps on your phone.
If you don’t, a real version of the metronome works wonderfully as
well. If neither of these is possible,
here are some musical references to help you find the tempo that “fits your
soul” the best.
120 bpm songs (Allegro)
Are you a mover and a shaker? This playlist is for those with some serious
pep in their step.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?feature=edit_ok&list=PLxrJvSHDg9H6dgI2xayPe4DGwosl7-tr3
110 bpm songs (Moderato)
You move with purpose in life. This playlist is for those marching along to
the beat in your soul.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxUukyTI2I&list=PLxrJvSHDg9H7rKbxmwRn13DaWullHvLcB
100 bpm songs (Andante)
You are walking the middle path in life. This playlist is for those that move not too
fast and not too slow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKVp-atyiVA&list=PLxrJvSHDg9H4SYgpqAIJpfaH_DrWBMzie
90 bpm songs (Andante)
Strolling through life.
This playlist is for those who saunter along with a bounce in their
step.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA8UEWLUkd0&list=PLxrJvSHDg9H7cEu11nUUF7OFKRz5AXu34
Drills
Whether you use a smart phone metronome app, a real
metronome or one of the musical playlists from above, I suggest that you spend
some time paying attention to your ideal tempo.
- Go for a walk and find the stride that fits your body the best. Tap your steps into the metronome app or notice how it falls with the beat of the music.
- Practice with a variety of beats using a metronome or music. Notice the rhythm of the pendulum that feels most natural and effortless to you.
- Listen to the playlists above and notice which tempo feels like the most comfortable and “homey” for you.
- Once you determine your ideal tempo, create your own playlist of songs that fit into the ideal bpm for you and bring some headphones to the course with you. You might be surprised how enjoyable putting practice can become when you add the harmonies, rhythm and ideal tempo of music to it.
Riding Vs. Walking
This awareness of the power of embracing your bio-rhythm also
speaks to the benefits of walking a golf course instead of riding in a
cart. The rapid speed of riding in the
cart does not allow the player to get into this rhythm as easily. If you do ride in a cart, you might try to
get out and walk around a bit before taking your next swing.
The benefits of working on your tempo are extensive. When you are in rhythm, the game feels
easier and more musical. You will tend
to relax more and fall into your own, natural bio-rhythm. You might just find that with a song in your
head, you will be more able to clear your mind of chatter and connect more
deeply to the dance that is golf.
