The Golf Swing (By Roy McAvoy) Roy McAvoy is a fictional golf pro played by Kevin Costner in the movie Tin Cup.

Coaches can be a bit serious and analytical. Perhaps “The Golf Swing” by Roy McAvoy provides a light yet insightful perspective on rhythm and technique. Apply it to swimming and see if it reminds us to keep things fun, flowing and fundamental.

What is the golf swing by Roy McAvoy? I tend to think of the golf swing as a poem. The critical opening phrase of this poem will always be the grip in which the hands unite to form a single unit by the simple overlap of the little finger. Then lowly and slowly, the club head is lead back and pulled into position, not by the hands, but by the body, which turns away from the target shifting weight to the right side without shifting balance. Tempo is everything, perfection unattainable, as the body now coils to the top of the swing, there’s a slight hesitation and a “nod to the Gods” {because he is fallible, perfection is unattainable} and now the weight begins shifting back to the left, pulled by the powers inside the earth. It’s alive, this swing - a living sculpture. And down through contact, always down, striking the ball crisply, with character, and a tuning fork goes off in your heart. Such a pure feeling is the well-struck golf shot - And the follow-through to finish, always on line. The reverse “C” of the Golden Bear - Every finishing position is unique. That’s what the golf swing’s all about. It’s about getting control of your life and letting go at the same time.

There is only one other acceptable theory about hitting a golf ball — “Grip it and Rip it!”

The end of the poem says to “Grip it and Rip it!” In swimming, the place to think is in practice. In meets we want to relax and simply go for it. Trust your thoughtful preparation and let yourself just race baby! Have you played tag or capture the flag on the playground, or sharks and minnows in the pool? You probably ran or swam really fast without thinking about anything other than getting to the other side of the field or pool. At meets, call upon the kid in each of us that knows how to “Grip it and rip it!”

Every finishing position of a golf swing is unique. Swimmers have subtleties that make their strokes unique. Do not analyze or be concerned with these differences. Accept and enjoy our differences. Focus on fundamental movements and mechanics.

Like the golf grip, swimmers feel the water with their hands. Relaxed hands control the club and the water. Coiling and uncoiling and shifting weight with balance is the essence of long and short axis rotation in swimming. Both sports use tempo and rhythm. Perfection in golf and swimming is unattainable. As in golf, when our rhythm, tempo and feel (of the water) are truly on, it sings in our heart and mind. Golf pro Roy McAvoy gives swimming a unique view on balance, power, flow, trust, fun and rhythm.

Trust – Believe – Persist - Have Fun – and Achieve

And as Roy McAvoy says, sometimes we need to just:

“Grip it and Rip it!”(Grip it Gently – But let it Rip)