Pro Tips

Path of Club

Centeredness of Contact

The optimal path for the club to hit a straight shot is on an arch . The club enters slightly inside the target line , hits the ball , and then exits inside the target line ( see photo above ). Assuming that the clubface is square and the path is on the proper arch / path , the ball will go straight !

Golfers on the LPGA and PGA tours all have different swings , but one thing they have in common is that the path of their club through the impact zone is grooved to perfection . ( If a swing works like a clock , the impact zone can be defined as five to seven o ’ clock .)

Path of Club Drill :

Swing path is on an arch

Set two water bottles on each side of the ball ( photo on left ) and just in front ; practice half-swing shots to isolate the feel of the club ’ s path through the impact zone by swinging inside of the water bottles .

Clubface Awareness

Ideally , when the club strikes the ball , the clubface is completely straight at the target line ; that would be absolute perfection . Oftentimes , amateur golfers have drastically open ( pointed to the right ) or closed ( pointed to the left ) club faces at impact . Even on tour , golfers do not always have a perfectly square face at impact .

Clubface Awareness Drill : Set out two tees on each side of the club ; heel and toe ( photo on left ). Practice making some swings , stopping briefly at impact to see the heel and the toe of the club match up to the two tees set out . ( This will also help with the path of the club .)

You want the ball to hit the center of the clubface . One important thing to consider is that you have properly fit clubs to make sure the lie angle of your clubs is correct .

1 . 2 . 3 .

Too Upright - Ball launches left

Too Flat- Ball launches right

Centeredness of Contact Powder Drill : Utilize a powdered foot spray and spray the clubface to see where the ball is hitting in the clubface . Ball strike marks should be in the center of the club . If so , you ’ re on the path to better ball-striking . If not , keep practicing the drills .

Next time you ’ re at the range , work on these three key components , and perhaps you ’ ll become a great ball-striker like the pros ! �

Gianna Augustine , PGA , is a teaching professional at the Overland Park Golf Division . Coach G is a U . S . Kids Golf Certified Instructor and The First Tee Certified Coach . She offers year-round group and individual instruction to all ages . To learn more about Augustine , visit golfop . org or Instagram @ golfcoachgianna .

30 October 2024 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE