It looks easy! Golf swing mechanics and technique

It looks so easy, why is it so hard?

   The golf swing is pretty easy when you know how. If you have had a hundred lessons and still cannot hit the ball straight, it is because you do not know how. You may know every fact about every technique, but for you, the facts don't work the way they are supposed to.
    I believe part of this problem is in the way golf is taught. “I will show you, Now you try” is the common theme. It is very difficult to learn the golf swing this way. Do we need someone to show us something we have already seen a hundred thousand times? Will simply pointing out the obvious flaws in our swing, lead to a cure? The prescribed fixes are designed to provide immediate help. I have often found them to be like taking a plug out of one leak and sticking it into another.
    My golf swing approach is very similar to the approach I use in putting. I snap a line and have someone putt the ball down the line, stroke after stroke. Most people find this to be a bit more difficult than what they would have imagined. Once someone acquires this ability, I tell them never stop practicing this skill because it can erode very quickly. How could anyone ever expect to become or remain a great putter if they cannot maintain this simple skill. Building from simple (must have skills) and clear objectives are my common theme.
    The conventional and modern conventional golf swing should start with developing and maintaining your turning skill. The turn I teach is for the modern conventional swing. In the conventional swing the left shoulder drops during the back swing. In the modern conventional swing the left shoulder remains the same height during the back swing. This is the most noticable difference. There are many other differences that result from this change. My description of modern conventional is often different from how others would describe it.
    Your turning skill should be the part of your swing you can rely on and build from. Your turning skill should start with balance and evolve into a powerful athletic move. I can not say enough, how much the golf swing should model the over hand throwing motion. The upper and lower body work against and then for each other automatically in the same motion.
    The upper body should turn opposite the lower body at the start of the downswing. The arms should reach away from the target. Hand angle should control the path of the club and nearly all your effort should be put into turning. Control your turn not the swing. The swing should not be helped or adjusted once it has started. All changes and swing adjustments should be made before you start the down swing. If you don't like the result change your hand angle or shoulder alignment at the top of your swing and turn again. This system works great. It is something you could never know without experiencing it and how could you ever experience it unless you develop a good turn first.