Joe,
Help me settle confusion on keeping the head still. I thought it was a good thing but I read about Harvey Penick saying anyone who keeps the head still cannot play.
Hank

Hello Hank,
Harvey was referring to keeping the head absolutely still, which would restrict your motion. Steady is a better word because it is OK for the head to rotate a little bit. Some instructors say the head must move a little bit sideways if you have a proper weight shift. It is true that you can get more power by allowing the head to move sideways during the backswing, but that is only for people who have no problems with good ball contact. If you find yourself hitting shots fat or thin or wild, then I would recommend keeping the head more steady and avoid the sideways movement. Jack Nicklaus’ instructor used to grab the back of his hair to prevent too much head movement, and Jack was still one of the longest drivers of his era, so I am not sold on the idea that sideways head movement helps. I think Jack can play, don’t you?
Joe