Accelerate

Question
Hi Eddie, since I am new with golf, please explain me what does it mean when someone tells you to accelerate the club just before you impact the ball? Does it mean that in my backswing I have to go slow then in my downswing at the same speed, but just before hitting the ball I have to put more speed? What happens with the pace? This is the first one, and the other question is what does it mean when someone tells you to pass through the ball, not hit at the ball.

Eddie thanks again for your help and support.

Best regards,

Bernardo Hernandez - Colombia

Answer
Bernardo:
No problem.  You were working on the pace of the swing.  Keep doing that.  Do not make your backswing real slow and then try to go real fast at the ball.  Keep working on your pace and try to get some rhythm to the swing.  Acceleration is just like you stepping on the gas in your car.  When you step on the gas, the car begins to go a little faster and the more you step on the gas, the car goes even faster, but the rate of acceleration is smooth, not violent.  Same with your golf swing.  When we swing the golf club forward (from the top of the backswing), we swing the arms faster so the club accelerates through the impact area.  Here is a question to ask you.  At what point of the swing should the club be moving it's fastest?  Answer:  about 2 feet past the ball.  Thus, the term "hit through it, not at it".  Learn to swing the club forward to a finish as fast as you can, as long as you maintain your balance at the finish.  Keep working on your speed and you will be amazed at how far you can hit a golf ball.  But remember, a golf ball only gets in the way of a good swing.  Keep working on your "tempo" or pace of the swing, but learn how to swing the club faster, coordinating the movements so you are balanced.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member