Al,

Please don't take this the wrong way or think I'm being an ass, but in the years I've been teaching I've faced squash, racquet ball and tennis players all saying the same thing as you.

The secret to consistent ball striking is to co-ordinate the movement of the club, arms and body ... if you can't slow the arms and hands down - speed the rest of your body up.

Take Nick Price for example - he has an excepitonally quick swing. On average his swing temp is 1/3rd faster than anyone else on tour. He tried to slow down in the mid 90's with out success. He just has a quick tempo and that is that. Have a good look at his swing - he was NO pause at the top. Quite literally it's "up,top,down,finish" - read it quickly and you'll get the idea of his tempo.

Don't mess with your natural tempo - if it is fast, well - then it is fast. I have a very slow tempo - that is what came naturally and I don't mess with it. You have to do the same - don't mess with what comes naturally.

'Natural' movements are almost impossible to work out of the 'golf process' and tempo is one of those 'natural' factors. Any experienced golf instructor will tell you the same thing...

I strongly suggest you learn to speed the rest of your body (hips, knees and shoulders) to keep pace with your natural tempo. If your arms and hands are quick, speed the rest up. If you mess around with the timing of your swing (like an engine of a car) - you're asking for the whole thing to fall apart. Then, Al, you're in serious sh1t to try to rebuild a natural movement you've gone and tinkered with.

Okay? Please, take it from me - don't mess with your natural tempo!

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)