By Kevin Sprecher, PGA
Bobby Jones once remarked, “Rhythm and timing are the two things we all must have, but no one knows how to teach either.” Despite the passage of time, this sentiment remains all too relevant in the world of golf instruction. As someone deeply invested in honing the skills of both club members and professional players, I’ve encountered a common challenge – the quest for consistency in rhythm and tempo. In this article, inspired by my experience at the PGA Show in 2023, I aim to shed light on a groundbreaking approach to teaching these elusive elements to my esteemed PGA community and the industry at large.
Rhythm and Tempo: The Cornerstones of Consistency
As the legendary Brad Faxon once remarked, “After almost every great round a player played, they would talk about how they had a great rhythm to their swing.” Indeed, in the realm of competitive golf, consistency reigns supreme, yet it remains an elusive goal for many. The majority of golfers, from amateurs to seasoned professionals, grapple with the challenge of maintaining rhythm and tempo throughout their game. While traditional methods advocate for repetition, they often fall short, leaving many frustrated by the lack of tangible progress.
Delving into Conventional Teaching Approaches
A myriad of traditional teaching methods, ranging from metronomes to Tour Tempo drills, and including familiar sayings like “1-2-3-1” or “Coca-Cola,” often demand significant practice and/or lack the flexibility to accommodate individual swing preferences. Furthermore, a standardized approach overlooks the nuanced rhythm and tempo requirements of distinct swing components, leading to less-than-ideal results for numerous golfers.
The Power of Sound in Motion
Upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that all these training methodologies share a common thread – they leverage sound to impart rhythm, tempo and timing across various stages of the swing sequence. This stems from the intrinsic connection between motion and sound within our brains – our bodies instinctively respond to rhythmic auditory stimuli. Consider how effortlessly we tap along to a song’s beat or how our pace quickens when exposed to faster music. This phenomenon is underscored by neuroscientific research, which reveals that the auditory and motor centers of our brains activate concurrently when subjected to music. This interdisciplinary field, known as “sonification,” explores the utilization of sound to influence motor functions, elucidating the profound impact of auditory cues on bodily movements.
Experience the Sound-Motion Connection
Take a moment to immerse yourself in the profound connection between sound and motion and try this simple exercise: envision yourself holding a tennis racket in front of you. As you slowly pull the racket towards you, audibly vocalize “Aaahmm.” Notice how your hand moves leisurely towards your chest. Now, reverse the motion. Execute a swift backhand with forceful arm movement away from your body, all while uttering the slow “Aaahmm.” You may find it impossible to execute the rapid motion or inadvertently change the sound to a faster “Ahm.” This striking demonstration illustrates that a slow sound elicits a slow motion, while a fast sound necessitates a rapid motion. Such is the strength of the intrinsic connection between sound and motion, transcending conscious control. For details, watch this video: https://rb.gy/mkkum1.
A Lesson from Music
It took encountering a music professor to unveil the optimal approach to mastering rhythm and tempo. Reflecting on this revelation, I now recognize the wisdom in seeking guidance from music experts rather than solely relying on traditional golf teachings.
Allow me to introduce Chia Chou, a distinguished Canadian music professor and former classical concert pianist, currently imparting his knowledge at a prestigious university in Austria. As the co-inventor of the innovative Audio Golf method, Chia has revolutionized the way we teach rhythm and tempo going forward.
The PGA Show: A Hub of Innovation and Insight
My journey with Chia began at the 2023 PGA Show. Intrigued by his team’s outreach efforts and the endorsement of luminaries like Brad Faxon and Mark Immelman, I decided to delve deeper into their methods. Meeting amidst the bustling practice green of the exhibition hall, Chia shared insights into the development of his technique, which stemmed from his personal journey as a pianist. In essence, his method employs syllable phrases to guide golf swings, offering specific sound cues for different shot distances, from putting to chipping and pitching, as well as for tee shots and approach shots. By incorporating these simple sound patterns into their swings, golfers experience immediate improvements in consistency and performance.
The Ya-La-Bam Demonstration
During our meeting, Chia demonstrated the power of Audio Golf with a simple yet profound exercise. Handing me a putter, he introduced a simple sound pattern: “Ya la bam.” He explained that “Ya-la” regulates the length of the backswing, while “bam” controls the speed of the swing downwards. The rhythm of “ya-la” to “bam” follows a 2:1 ratio, a familiar cadence among tour players.
The results were astonishing, as merely contemplating this phrase consistently produced 15-foot putts. I was astounded by the ease and accuracy with which I executed each stroke. My mind was singularly focused, devoid of any distracting thoughts. It felt effortless.
We captured the session on video, and when shared online, it quickly gained traction, going viral in golfing circles. You can view the video here: https://rb.gy/c16pg0 .
Eager to explore further, we made our way to the driving range, where Chia introduced me to additional sound patterns. Remarkably, each one yielded immediate results, enhancing my swing dynamics within minutes.
Implementing Audio Golf at Sleepy Hollow
Eager to share this transformative technique with my club members, I invited Chia to Sleepy Hollow Country Club. Through a combination of joint clinics and private sessions, I witnessed huge improvements in my students’ ability to perform the swings that we’ve been working on all season. And participants lauded Audio Golf also for its ability to foster fearless, distraction-free play, revolutionizing their golfing experience.
A Game-Changer for Golf Instruction
From amateurs to professionals, golfers of all levels have embraced the Audio Golf concepts and philosophies as a catalyst for improved consistency and performance. By offering a faster path to improvement, especially under tournament pressure, this method promises to reshape the landscape of golf instruction for years to come, opening up new realms of consistency and enjoyment in the timeless pursuit of mastering the game.
Kevin Sprecher is the PGA of America Director of Instruction at Sleepy Hollow Country Club, in Scarborough, New York. He is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and a Golf Digest Best in State Teacher. He was the 2018 Metropolitan PGA Section Teacher of the Year and is a Quarter Century PGA Member.
