need to hinge the hangs correctly going back.
Have you ever noticed golfers tucking in their
shirt between their left bicep and their chest?
Some golfers will practice with a glove under
their left arm pit. This is just another version
of what we call the “towel drill.” This will keep
the elbows closer to our body and help us have
a stronger more connected swing where our
hips, shoulders, arms, and hands are all working
together. Once again, get a little help from your
coach before working with this on your own.
5. Balance – This is the final step in our
practice session today. Obviously balance has
a lot to do with staying centered during the
swing. In turn, good balance will help us find
the vertical line during our swing. Finding the
vertical line is no more than finding the same
spot where the club started. We need to stay
centered during the swing. It makes a lot more
sense to stay centered than to move off the ball
(head moving back) on the back swing and then
try to find the starting position coming through.
I like to call this timing the slide. Good luck on
that one. We need to feel like we’re making our
shoulder turn around our spine and keep the
head as stable as possible. There are certain cases
where someone may have some back challenges
and they need to move slightly on the way back.
Rocco Mediate does this. But he also maintains
very good balance during his swing. He never
allows his weight to go to the outside of his feet
during his swing. This will, in turn, help him
find the vertical line even though his head may
move a little back and through. But if you’re
physically capable let’s learn how to keep the
head still during the swing. When we take the
club back we do have a little more weight move
to the back foot. The key is to make sure the
back (right) leg doesn’t move. The weight may
go to the back leg but we must keep it stable and
in position. When we follow through we have a
weight shift to the left side but we don’t want the
left to move too much to the outside of the left
foot. You’ll notice some good players roll their
left ankle on the follow through but their left leg
straightens up forming a wall that keeps their
body behind the wall. The only thing that went
past the wall was their arms and the club. They
stay balanced with the big part of their body with
very little lateral (side to side) movement. I know
that can get a little technical so, once again, see
your coach to get a little help on balance. I like to
feel like we make the shoulder turn around our
head. Our head remains still and we turn back
to where our back is almost facing the target.
Then we follow through, keeping our head still,
until our chest is facing the target. The head
only moves forward after impact. A drill that
can help us with this is hitting balls with our
feet close together (about 6”). I like to do this
with a short to mid length club. Use only a three
quarter swing as it’s not about power. It’s about
hitting it straight. If you’re physically able I also
like to hit shots off one foot. Only do this with
a very short shot of about 20 to 30 yards with a
wedge or sand wedge. It takes a little time but it’s
great for noticing how much we really move off
the ball at times. When working with the one leg
drill, position the ball just off the toe of the leg
you’re standing on. Make slow and short swings
and just maintain your balance. Hit 5 shots off
the left foot and then 5 off the right. Hold your
balance at the end. Once again, get a little help
with these balance drill from your coach and
let’s work on keeping that head still.
I hope that helps a little with finding a good
impact position and finding that vertical line.
Most golfers are not Bubba Watson. We all need
a little help with this game. Read these notes
a few times to let things sink in and then go
discuss them with your local PGA Professional.
They will probably have a few ideas of their
own and a few other drills that can help you
get on your way. If I had to pick one thing
out of this article that can help it’s the “Slow
Motion Payne Stewart Drill.” By working with
this drill you’ll slowly learn how to get all the
parts moving together, stay better connected
during the swing, and consequently maintain
better balance during that swing. Let us know if
you have any questions at all, have fun with it,
and remember we hit better shots when we’re
smiling. Best of luck and see y’all on the links
35