The County Zone Golf Magazine Issue 3 | Page 34

BRIAN SPARKS FELLOW OF THE PROFFESSIONAL GOLFERS’ ASSOCIATION E What a finish! ventual winner, Rory McIlroy, might have led the 2014 Open Championship from the very start but there was some excitement towards the end of the last round at Royal Liverpool when his lead slipped to just 2 shots. If Sergio or Ricky had been able to hole a couple more putts then who knows how Rory would have reacted. The fact is that he kept his cool, kept swinging the club well and totally deserved to win the Claret Jug. However, it’s not the finish of the tournament that I want to talk to you about in this article, it’s the finish of the golf swing. Those of you who have read my book will remember a section about ‘the importance of finishing well.’ I must tell you that I have never seen 3 players fight out a major tournament with such similar and 34 great finishes to their swings, especially in such a pressured situation. It is no accident that they all ended each shot with such poise and balance. This is something they have evolved over many years and is an indication of great confidence and, quite probably, great coaching. Knowing and feeling how you are going to end your swing is a bit like going on a journey having carefully plotted your route in www.countyzonegolfmag.co.uk advance. You will recognise every part of the road, every junction, every twist and turn, and every facet of the route just like the rally car co-driver who gives a constant stream of information to the driver. In the golf swing this knowledge of where and how we’re going to finish greatly influences all the intricate components required to get there. In life in general, knowing where you are going and The County Zone SOUTH EAST ISSUE 3