DON'T KEEP HEAD DOWN.

Byline: Tim Terwilliger Special to the Daily News

Most golfers do not fail to improve for lack of talent, but because they don't have a true grasp or idea of what should really happen in the golf swing. In other words, their swings are poor because of things they are actually trying to do.

There are many misconceptions that have been around for generations in teaching, but I would like to focus on one in particular - which happens to be the single most-used instruction phrase of all time: Keep your head down. This single phrase has kept golfers from improving for as long as golf has been played.

The problem is that it looks like good golfers do keep their heads down. But really, the proper swing and spine posture throughout the swing give the impression the head is held down. Trying to keep the head down and rigid will not let the golfer swing in an athletic and powerful manner.

Obviously, there are many differences between the tour players and the average golfer, but the most noticeable difference I have observed after years of teaching and observation is the average golfer's lack of ability to create potential power and energy in the backswing.

The pro turns his or her shoulders at least 90 degrees in the backswing, thus creating incredible amounts of torque (the average golfer turns usually less than 60 degrees). Tiger Woods turns his shoulders and upper torso in the area of 110 degrees with his driver.

This turning of the shoulders also ensures better players of starting a downswing in a smooth fashion - they do not feel the need to rush, since they have the feeling of energy being created.

In order for a golfer to fully wind up the upper body, the shoulders need ample room to turn. If the head is held down, and especially if it is kept rigid like so many golfers attempt to do, there is no space for the left shoulder to fully turn.

Some golfers trying to create room for their turn end up dipping their upper torso, thus ruining their posture and creating a counter-move of raising up out of the shot in the downswing. This move alone at full speed gives the impression that the golfer is raising his head, but actually he is just trying to return to his original position. If he does not dip, the shoulder will continue to run into and collide with the chin, setting off a chain reaction of problems that is insurmountable to recover from.

A great way to understand this is to realize that the human shoulder is about the same size as a cantaloupe, therefore the shoulder and upper torso need a lot of room to travel. A great way to practice the proper stance and head position is to get a photograph of Ben Hogan or Woods and tape it to your mirror at home and just mimic their positions.

Remember, in order to hit the ball far, there has to be a power store-up in the backswing. This comes from a complete and athletic windup.

I am amazed at the progress I have witnessed by students who did little more than change their ideas and perception of the swing and stay away from the list of old golf cliches.