Bobby Jones is a legend in golf. Trying to capitalize on Jones’ amazing abilities, Warner Brothers created a series of 18 golf videos in 1931 through 1932 that addressed many challenges with a golf swing. I have decided to watch all of the videos over the next few weeks because the information offered by Jones is universal for all amateurs. After watching my first video on casting (what we call it now), Jones highlighted exactly what my challenges were over the space of my golfing career. He explains the issue and offers a solution that is simple and understandable. This is information that is useful for all golfers regardless of their abilities.

“Casting is one of the most common causes of loss of power and excessive spin on the golf ball. It is defined as an early release of the golf club during the downswing. This can result in a weak impact position with the left wrist being cupped at impact. It adds loft to the face of the club and as a result we see a loss of power and consistency. At impact we should see the shaft leaning slightly toward the target, this helps to deloft the club and creates a more powerful impact position.”(Titleist Performance Institute)

My biggest swing mistake is that I have a tendency to cast my longer woods and hybrids. I release my wrists early in attempts to hit the ball farther, but in reality the opposite happens. I either hit the ball to high or I pull the ball left. In both cases, my casting prevents my lower body from being fully engaged in my swing. This is exactly what Jones describes and offers a solution involving my right hand.

Casting is a major challenge for amateurs. We think we are helping the ball fly in the proper direction with greater distance when the opposite is true. I work on ‘not casting’ my clubs all the time because it is a known fault that does not seem to go away. Knowing it is there, so that is half the battle of keeping it at bay. I am going to work on keeping my casting for fishing, not golfing.

The fact that in the 1930s Jones identifies a swing error of casting is very interesting. It demonstrates that swing errors espoused today have not really changed. Yes, some minor improvements have be achieved through the use of science, but the fundamental aspects of the golf swing has not changed. And Bobby Jones demonstrates this through his 18 videos. I think they are all worth watching and will present the highlights in days to come.

Authors Note: “In 1931 & 1932 Warner Brothers produced 18 short video featuring a series of golf lessons by the Bobby Jones. The shorts were an entertaining combination of instruction and humorous vignettes featuring Hollywood greats. For a time, it was believed that all the copies of these lessons were lost permanently. However, in 1986 an excellent print of each one was found. In 1987, SyberVision and Callaway Golf introduced the complete, unedited version which included all 18 segments.” (Golf Documentary Channel)

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!