Fix Your Slice In Two Words

Monday, October 28, 2013

'Roll' and 'Reach' through impact

 

It's no big mystery why you're slicing your driver. The clubface is open to your swing path at impact. And that slice can get worse if you pull in your arms on the downswing to try to steer the ball into the fairway. Here's my easy fix: Remember to roll and reach as you swing through. Let your forearms roll over to square the clubface and then reach your arms toward the target.

    You can get a feel for this full release by hitting some "bunt" shots with your driver. Tee up a ball and take your driver back until the shaft is parallel to the ground and the toe of the club points straight up (see photo). From there, focus on extending the shaft toward the target so it mirrors that halfway-back position, with the toe up again. Bunt some balls down the range, and don't worry about distance.

    The bunt drive teaches you to rotate your forearms and maintain good arm extension. Fail to do either of those in your normal swing, and you won't hit the ball solid or straight.

comments | | Read More...

Learn To Coil For Power

Use my Opposing-Forces Drill to Add Energy to your Swing

 

        Winding your upper torso during the backswing is essential for power and solid ball-striking. You don't need to make a huge turn off the ball or swing back until the shaft is parallel to the ground. The feel to strive for is that your upper body is loading up energy as you take the club back—just like medieval armies cranking a catapult into firing position. Your goal should be to build and store this energy on the backswing so you can unleash it toward the target as you start down.

 

         Here's a good exercise to feel this loading-up process. Stand in your address position without a club. Let your arms hang, then cross your left wrist over your right so the backs of your hands are touching. Now, keeping your lower body stable, rotate your right side away from the target while trying to resist with your left arm (see photo). These opposing forces will help you feel a coiling action in your core and back muscles.

         A second benefit to this drill is that it teaches you to keep your left arm extended. Many amateurs let the lead arm collapse during the backswing, and that makes it tough to hit the ball solidly. This combination of left-arm extension and upper-body coil will put you in position to hit the ball flush and with power.

SWING THOUGHT GET YOUR HIPS INTO IT

         Once you learn to make a fully loaded backswing, you're ready to tackle the first move down. Do the winding drill above and hold it for a few seconds. Really feel your back muscles stretching. Now, while holding this stretched position, start rotating your lower body toward the target. You'll feel your weight move onto your left side. In a real swing, your hips should be turning forward before you release that top-of-backswing position. Get a feel for this, then hit some shots trying to re-create it.

comments | | Read More...

Simple Solid Strikes

What really matters when you hit the ball?

      Two main factors determine the starting point and curve of your ball. Swing path and the relationship of the clubface to that path. Let's assume you have a fairly neutral grip. If you get to impact and the back of your lead hand is aimed at your target, your ball will start out in that direction. If your ball curves to the right or the left from there, you know the path of your swing was off.
    Trouble starts when you roll your hands over to try to actively release the club and square the face. That could help a serious slicer, but it mostly makes you too reliant on perfect timing. Instead, focus on getting that logo on the top of your glove to face the target at impact. Your shots will start on line more consistently.

HOW I SEE IT?

      The traditional thinking when captains make their picks for the Presidents Cup (or Ryder Cup) is to favor players with experience. But I like the idea of giving the younger guys a chance. I was happy to see Fred Couples choose rookie Jordan Spieth for this year's Matches (Oct. 4-6).
      The top young players have already proved they can perform under pressure, and they have a way of bringing out the best in veteran players. Besides, golf needs more stars, and playing on the biggest stages helps create them. Look how Keegan Bradley's Q rating took off when he won the PGA Championship in 2011 and then played great at the Ryder Cup last year. Teams need that kind of energy—not another veteran who might have played well in a team event a decade ago.

comments | | Read More...