A Smooth Golf Swing: 3 Mistakes, by Joël Bernard
Do you feel like you're straining, stopping at impact, and never making it to the finish? Joël Bernard identifies three mistakes that cause a jerky swing: loss of balance, poor muscle tension, and a tempo that doesn't suit you.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Joël Bernard starts with an observation: good players give the impression of doing nothing, whereas many amateurs try too hard. First mistake: losing your balance. Just like when you’re riding a bike and slow down too much, your body makes jerky movements to regain balance, and the brain always prioritizes balance over the swing. It all starts with good static balance at address, at the right distance from the ball. Second mistake: improperly adjusted tensions in three areas. The grip, which connects to the club: if it’s too tight, it causes tension in the arms and shoulders. The core, which connects the upper and lower body: if it’s not sufficiently engaged, the pelvis shifts. Finally, the legs: neither planted rigidly in the ground nor limp, but a balance between stability and mobility.
Mistake #3: Tempo, which he distinguishes from rhythm. Tempo is the speed of the movement, from start to finish; There is no one-size-fits-all ideal tempo.. It depends on your muscle fibers, your swing style (a long backswing like Phil Mickelson’s, or a short one like Jon Rahm’s), and the way you walk—whether with long, slow strides or short, quick steps. Rhythm, on the other hand, involves performing the right actions at the right time: shifting your weight onto your lower body before uncoiling your wrists. He also cites two other obstacles: a lack of synchronization between the arms and the body, and overthinking.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Check your static balance at the address: make sure you're standing at the right distance from the ball.
- Relax the grip on the club and maintain that level of tension throughout the swing.
- Tighten your abdominal muscles so your pelvis doesn't shift.
- Aim for legs that are neither stiff nor flabby—somewhere between stability and flexibility.
- Try different swing speeds to find the tempo that allows you to relax the most.
- Begin the downswing by shifting your weight to your lower body, then let your wrists relax.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Losing balance during the movement, which causes jerky movements and a motion that doesn't come to a complete stop.
- Strangle the club, with tense arms and shoulders.
- Without strong core muscles, the pelvis moves in all directions.
- Completely locking the legs, or, conversely, allowing them to move too freely.
- Copy another player's tempo instead of finding your own.
- Thinking too much during the swing, which makes it choppy.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Swinging while testing different grip pressures
- Abdominal Swings with Core Engagement, Stable Pelvis
- A series of exercises at different speeds to find your tempo
- Swing by initiating the downswing as the foot makes contact with the ground
Your Questions
What is the difference between tempo and rhythm?
For Joël Bernard, tempo is the speed of movement—the time between the start and end of a movement. Rhythm is the ability to perform the right actions at the right time—for example, regaining balance before disarming the wrists.
Is there such a thing as an ideal tempo?
No. It depends on the ratio of slow-twitch to fast-twitch fibers, the type of stride—long or short—and the way you walk. The goal is to find the tempo that provides the greatest sense of relaxation and synchronization.
How much pressure should you apply to the grip?
He considers generic images—like a tube of toothpaste or a sparrow—to be useful mainly for those who are strangling the club. Everyone has their own stress threshold: it’s up to you to test it.
Why does my swing become jerky when I lose my balance?
Because the brain prioritizes balance over the swing. Just like a cyclist who slows down too much, the body makes compensatory movements, and the swing doesn't follow through to the finish.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Joël Bernard). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.