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LEANDER GOLF
Full Swing Drills
Lower Body Drill
Take Away Drill
Swing Path Drill
Arm Drill (L/R Isolation)
Step Forward, Step Back Drill
7 to 3 Drill
Flinch, Flinch, Fly Drill
Full Swing Problems & Fixes
Address and Backswing
Alignment Drill 1
PROBLEM: Poor Alignment
Set one club on the ground along your target line and the another along your toe line.
Ideally, the clubs will be parallel to each other, like railroad tracks.
Take a third club and hold it, first, along your thighs, and then along your shoulders.
This club should run parallel to the other clubs at both spots.
If all three clubs are parallel, alignment should no longer be a problem.
Set one club on the ground along your target line and the another along your toe line.
Ideally, the clubs will be parallel to each other, like railroad tracks.
Take a third club and hold it, first, along your thighs, and then along your shoulders.
This club should run parallel to the other clubs at both spots.
If all three clubs are parallel, alignment should no longer be a problem.
Alignment Drill 2
PROBLEM: Poor Alignment
Align a 2 x 4 on the ground facing down your target line.
Place a ball on the 2 x 4.
Place your clubhead behind the ball with the face squared to your target.
Address the ball with your feet squared up to the 2 x 4; and take the time to visually note and remember how your properly squared-up body and clubface look now that they are in the proper position.
Align a 2 x 4 on the ground facing down your target line.
Place a ball on the 2 x 4.
Place your clubhead behind the ball with the face squared to your target.
Address the ball with your feet squared up to the 2 x 4; and take the time to visually note and remember how your properly squared-up body and clubface look now that they are in the proper position.
Keep Bent Back Leg Drill
PROBLEM: Back Leg Straightens at Top of Backswing, Resulting in a Reverse Weight Shift
Take your address position with both heels half and inch off the ground.
Make a full swing, concentrating on keeping your heels off the ground and you weight on the balls of your feet.
Stay on your toes throughout the swing and you'll maintain good balance; furthermore, it will be virtually impossible to stiffen your back leg.
Take your address position with both heels half and inch off the ground.
Make a full swing, concentrating on keeping your heels off the ground and you weight on the balls of your feet.
Stay on your toes throughout the swing and you'll maintain good balance; furthermore, it will be virtually impossible to stiffen your back leg.
Lower Body Drill
PROBLEM: Excessive Lower-Body Movement
If you're having problems with excessive lower-body movement, especially if your difficulties include collapsing your lead leg on your backswing, try this drill.
Place a beach ball between your knees.
Take your normal swing, making sure to keep the beach ball comfortably in place.
To do this, your lower body will have to remain more passive, thus helping to eliminate excessive, unecessary movements.
If you're having problems with excessive lower-body movement, especially if your difficulties include collapsing your lead leg on your backswing, try this drill.
Place a beach ball between your knees.
Take your normal swing, making sure to keep the beach ball comfortably in place.
To do this, your lower body will have to remain more passive, thus helping to eliminate excessive, unecessary movements.
Stay Down Drill
PROBLEM: Raising Up on Backswing
If you're having problems maintaining your spine angle because you raise up on your backswing, have someone hold the grip of a club out just above your head when you take your address position.
Take a swing, focusing on keeping your head down while you feel your body rotating around your stabilized spine.
If your head bumps into the club, you're still raising up and losing your spine angle.
If you're having problems maintaining your spine angle because you raise up on your backswing, have someone hold the grip of a club out just above your head when you take your address position.
Take a swing, focusing on keeping your head down while you feel your body rotating around your stabilized spine.
If your head bumps into the club, you're still raising up and losing your spine angle.
Wrist Cock Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Wrist Cock
To develop a feel for getting in the proper position at the top of the backswing with a good wrist cock, try the following:
Address the ball, and then, moving only your wrists, raise your club straight up towards your face, stopping when the club is one and a half to two feet from your face and at the same angle as your spine.
From there, turn your back to your target and raise your arms-you're now in the proper position at the top of your backswing.
Repeat this drill until the proper wrist cock and hand positioning feel comfortable.
To develop a feel for getting in the proper position at the top of the backswing with a good wrist cock, try the following:
Address the ball, and then, moving only your wrists, raise your club straight up towards your face, stopping when the club is one and a half to two feet from your face and at the same angle as your spine.
From there, turn your back to your target and raise your arms-you're now in the proper position at the top of your backswing.
Repeat this drill until the proper wrist cock and hand positioning feel comfortable.
More Turn, Less Sway Drill
PROBLEM: Too Much Lateral Movement Back
To teach yourself to keep from swaying too far to the right on your backswing, place a 3 ft. long dowel rod or club shaft into the ground outside of your back heel.
Take your swing.
If you bump into the dowel rod/club shaft on your backswing, you're letting your lower body sway too far to the right, rather than having your hips rotate around your lower spine.
To teach yourself to keep from swaying too far to the right on your backswing, place a 3 ft. long dowel rod or club shaft into the ground outside of your back heel.
Take your swing.
If you bump into the dowel rod/club shaft on your backswing, you're letting your lower body sway too far to the right, rather than having your hips rotate around your lower spine.
Chicken Wing Drill 1
PROBLEM: Right Elbow Flies Out At Top of Backswing
To remedy this problem, hit some balls using your trail arm only.
To maintain any semblance of control over the club at the top of your backswing, you'll have to have your elbow in the proper 90-degree angle position.
Don't worry about hitting beautiful shots while doing this drill.
Simply concentrate on getting in the proper position at the top of your backswing.
To remedy this problem, hit some balls using your trail arm only.
To maintain any semblance of control over the club at the top of your backswing, you'll have to have your elbow in the proper 90-degree angle position.
Don't worry about hitting beautiful shots while doing this drill.
Simply concentrate on getting in the proper position at the top of your backswing.
Chicken Wing Drill 2
PROBLEM: Right Elbow Flies Out at Top of Backswing
Place a beach ball between your elbows at address and hit some balls.
If you keep your right elbow in the proper position at the top of your backswing, the beach ball will stay comfortably in place.
Place a beach ball between your elbows at address and hit some balls.
If you keep your right elbow in the proper position at the top of your backswing, the beach ball will stay comfortably in place.
Swing Path
Trail Arm Slot Drill
PROBLEM: Casting the Club
Holding the angle formed by your left arm and your club for as long as possible on the downswing is paramount to attaining crisp, solid contact with the ball on a consistent basis.
If you're losing this angle early by casting the clubhead out away from your body with your right hand as you begin your downswing, try some full swings using only your right arm.
If you cast the club while swinging with just your right arm, the clubhead will hit the ground well in back of the ball; hold the angle properly, and you'll make crisp contact.
Holding the angle formed by your left arm and your club for as long as possible on the downswing is paramount to attaining crisp, solid contact with the ball on a consistent basis.
If you're losing this angle early by casting the clubhead out away from your body with your right hand as you begin your downswing, try some full swings using only your right arm.
If you cast the club while swinging with just your right arm, the clubhead will hit the ground well in back of the ball; hold the angle properly, and you'll make crisp contact.
Cast Away Drill 1
PROBLEM: Casting the Club.
Take your normal stance and normal grip, and then alter your grip in one small way.
Take your trailing index finger and move it from underneath the club to where your thumb is.
This action will form a claw grip with your right hand, which reduces the pressure of the right thumb and index finger on the club, making it nearly impossible to cast the club away from your body when you hit balls using this grip.
Take your normal stance and normal grip, and then alter your grip in one small way.
Take your trailing index finger and move it from underneath the club to where your thumb is.
This action will form a claw grip with your right hand, which reduces the pressure of the right thumb and index finger on the club, making it nearly impossible to cast the club away from your body when you hit balls using this grip.
Cross-Hand Cast Away Drill
PROBLEM: Casting the Club
Take your normal address position, but use a cross-handed grip instead of your regular grip.
Take some swings at three-quarters' speed and notice how this grip forces you to hold the angle formed by your left arm and the club, thereby keeping you from casting the club away from your body at the start of your downswing.
This is a drill you can do either when hitting balls or while taking some practice swings.
Take your normal address position, but use a cross-handed grip instead of your regular grip.
Take some swings at three-quarters' speed and notice how this grip forces you to hold the angle formed by your left arm and the club, thereby keeping you from casting the club away from your body at the start of your downswing.
This is a drill you can do either when hitting balls or while taking some practice swings.
Upside Down Cast Away Drill
PROBLEM: Casting the Club
This is a drill you can do just about anywhere if you're having problems with casting the club out away from your body on your downswing.
Simply turn your club over, grip it by the hosel, and swing.
If you cast the club away from your body on the swing, you'll hears a swoosh sound before the club reaches the impact zone.
If you drop the club in the slot and swing with and inside-to-inside swing patch, you'll hear the swoosh sound as the club passes through the impact zone.
This is a drill you can do just about anywhere if you're having problems with casting the club out away from your body on your downswing.
Simply turn your club over, grip it by the hosel, and swing.
If you cast the club away from your body on the swing, you'll hears a swoosh sound before the club reaches the impact zone.
If you drop the club in the slot and swing with and inside-to-inside swing patch, you'll hear the swoosh sound as the club passes through the impact zone.
Swing Path Ribbon Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Swing Path
To help yourself visualize and actualize a proper swing path through the impact zone, place 3 yards of ribbon on the ground along your target line.
Then, tee a ball through the ribbon so approximately two yards of the ribbon extend out towards your target.
Address the ball, then slowly rotate your head so you can look at the entire lenght of ribbon, and then swing.
This will help you to visualize your swing path and target line, a process that will soon have you actualizing a better swing path.
This drill will also help with your alignment.
To help yourself visualize and actualize a proper swing path through the impact zone, place 3 yards of ribbon on the ground along your target line.
Then, tee a ball through the ribbon so approximately two yards of the ribbon extend out towards your target.
Address the ball, then slowly rotate your head so you can look at the entire lenght of ribbon, and then swing.
This will help you to visualize your swing path and target line, a process that will soon have you actualizing a better swing path.
This drill will also help with your alignment.
Feel the Slot Wall Drill
PROBLEM: Coming Over the Top
Without a club, take your address position approximately two feet away from a wall; then extend your lead hand out until it's just touching the wall.
Now, swing your trailing arm back on a full backswing and come through the impact zone without touching the wall.
If you cast your triling hand out away from you in an attempt to come over the top, your trailing hand will hit the wall.
Drop your trailing elbow in the slot in order to take and inside swing path into the impact zone; as a result you'll never touch the wall.
Without a club, take your address position approximately two feet away from a wall; then extend your lead hand out until it's just touching the wall.
Now, swing your trailing arm back on a full backswing and come through the impact zone without touching the wall.
If you cast your triling hand out away from you in an attempt to come over the top, your trailing hand will hit the wall.
Drop your trailing elbow in the slot in order to take and inside swing path into the impact zone; as a result you'll never touch the wall.
Cross Legs Drill
PROBLEM: Coming Over the Top
To get the feel of coming at the ball from an inside swing path, address the ball with your back foot placed in front of your front foot.
To make solid, consistent contact from this address position and to maintain proper balance, you'll have to attack the ball from and inside swing path.
To get the feel of coming at the ball from an inside swing path, address the ball with your back foot placed in front of your front foot.
To make solid, consistent contact from this address position and to maintain proper balance, you'll have to attack the ball from and inside swing path.
Right Field Drill
PROBLEM: Coming Over the Top
If you're coming over the top and entering the impact zone from an outside swing path, try this drill.
At address, tell yourself the sole purpose of your next swing is to push the ball as far to the right as you can.
Visualize yourslf as a baseball player who is trying to hit the ball to right field.
To accomplish this, you'll have to attack the ball from an inside-seing path, making it impossible to come over the top.
After you get to where you can consistently attack the ball from an inside path, modify the path so you are able to hit the ball straighter and not so far to the right.
If you're coming over the top and entering the impact zone from an outside swing path, try this drill.
At address, tell yourself the sole purpose of your next swing is to push the ball as far to the right as you can.
Visualize yourslf as a baseball player who is trying to hit the ball to right field.
To accomplish this, you'll have to attack the ball from an inside-seing path, making it impossible to come over the top.
After you get to where you can consistently attack the ball from an inside path, modify the path so you are able to hit the ball straighter and not so far to the right.
Rear Foot Back Drill
PROBLEM: Outside-to-Inside Swing Path
One of the simplest ways to help develop that all-important inside-to-outside swing path is to address the ball, and then pull your right foot back about six inches.
Now, hit the ball while swinging along your target line.
To hit the ball anywhere close to your target, you'll have to swing inside-to-inside.
One of the simplest ways to help develop that all-important inside-to-outside swing path is to address the ball, and then pull your right foot back about six inches.
Now, hit the ball while swinging along your target line.
To hit the ball anywhere close to your target, you'll have to swing inside-to-inside.
Split Hands Drill
PROBLEM: Cutting Across the Ball
Take your normal address position, and then split your hands two to three inches apart and take a full swing at three-quarters' speed.
The split grip will force you to come at the ball from an inside-swing path if you're going to make solid contact with the ball.
Take your normal address position, and then split your hands two to three inches apart and take a full swing at three-quarters' speed.
The split grip will force you to come at the ball from an inside-swing path if you're going to make solid contact with the ball.
2 x 4 Drill
PROBLEM: Outside-To-Inside Swing Path
Lay a 2 x 4 parallel to your target line and two inches to the outside of the ball you're about to hit.
Make sure the 2 x 4 extends at least 18" behind and in front of the ball.
Now, go ahead and take your swing without touching the 2 x 4.
If you try to cut across the ball, your club will skip across the 2 x 4.
If you have a really bad problem with cutting across the ball and are afraid of damaging a club if you do this drill, start with the 2 x 4 at least 3 or 4 inches to the outside of the ball you are going to hit.
As your swing improves and you gain confidence with the drill, gradually move the 2 x 4 closer to the ball.
Lay a 2 x 4 parallel to your target line and two inches to the outside of the ball you're about to hit.
Make sure the 2 x 4 extends at least 18" behind and in front of the ball.
Now, go ahead and take your swing without touching the 2 x 4.
If you try to cut across the ball, your club will skip across the 2 x 4.
If you have a really bad problem with cutting across the ball and are afraid of damaging a club if you do this drill, start with the 2 x 4 at least 3 or 4 inches to the outside of the ball you are going to hit.
As your swing improves and you gain confidence with the drill, gradually move the 2 x 4 closer to the ball.
Weight Shift
Finish w/ Weight Forward Drill
PROBLEM: Weight Stays Back After Impact
Using an iron, take your address position over a teed-up ball.
On your backswing, slide your left foot back so it touches your right foot when you reach the top of your backswing.
As you begin your downswing, stride your left foot back to where it started, approaching the impact zone much as you would in a baseball swing.
This added momentum should help you flow into a full weight shift after impact, thereby allowing your weight to finish over your left leg.
Using an iron, take your address position over a teed-up ball.
On your backswing, slide your left foot back so it touches your right foot when you reach the top of your backswing.
As you begin your downswing, stride your left foot back to where it started, approaching the impact zone much as you would in a baseball swing.
This added momentum should help you flow into a full weight shift after impact, thereby allowing your weight to finish over your left leg.
Back Knee to Front Knee Drill
PROBLEM: Weight Stays Back After Impact
Take your stance with your feet 8 - 10 inches apart.
Take your normal swing, but make sure your back knee comes forward and touches your front knee on your follow-through, an action that will force your weight onto your front side.
Take your stance with your feet 8 - 10 inches apart.
Take your normal swing, but make sure your back knee comes forward and touches your front knee on your follow-through, an action that will force your weight onto your front side.
Walk Off Drill
PROBLEM: Weight Stays Back After Impact
If you're not getting your weight on your left side after impact, hit some balls in which you take a step down the fairway with your back foot as soon after impact as possible.
This will force your weight to come forward, and soon, a proper weight shift will feel natural and comfortable.
If you're not getting your weight on your left side after impact, hit some balls in which you take a step down the fairway with your back foot as soon after impact as possible.
This will force your weight to come forward, and soon, a proper weight shift will feel natural and comfortable.
On Knees Drill
PROBLEM: Swaying
If you're having problems with excess body movement and with not swinging around your spine, try this:
Grab your driver and tee a ball up high.
Get down on your knees, address the ball, and hit it.
Hitting from this position forces you to rotate around your spine and maintain good balance.
If you're having problems with excess body movement and with not swinging around your spine, try this:
Grab your driver and tee a ball up high.
Get down on your knees, address the ball, and hit it.
Hitting from this position forces you to rotate around your spine and maintain good balance.
Feet Together Drill
PROBLEM: Swaying
Take your normal address position, and then move your feet together until they are touching.
Take a full, controlled swing, concentrating on maintaining good balance and rotating around your spine.
If your body sways, you'll quickly lose your balance and be unable to make solid, if any, contact with the ball.
Maintain your balance, and you'll be able to hit the ball as solidly as you do on your normal good shots.
This drill will also teach you what your arms should be doing from top of downswing, which is hang like loose like wet noodles as you make your turn.
Take your normal address position, and then move your feet together until they are touching.
Take a full, controlled swing, concentrating on maintaining good balance and rotating around your spine.
If your body sways, you'll quickly lose your balance and be unable to make solid, if any, contact with the ball.
Maintain your balance, and you'll be able to hit the ball as solidly as you do on your normal good shots.
This drill will also teach you what your arms should be doing from top of downswing, which is hang like loose like wet noodles as you make your turn.
Back Foot Drill
PROBLEM: Swaying
Address a ball while standing on your back foot only.
From this one-legged position, take a full, three-quarters speed swing, concentrating on rotating around your spine so you can maintain your balance.
If you allow your body to sway, you'll quickly lose your balance and be unable to hit the ball well.
Maintain your balance, and you'll be able to make solid contact.
Address a ball while standing on your back foot only.
From this one-legged position, take a full, three-quarters speed swing, concentrating on rotating around your spine so you can maintain your balance.
If you allow your body to sway, you'll quickly lose your balance and be unable to hit the ball well.
Maintain your balance, and you'll be able to make solid contact.
Let Go Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Weight Shift
Find a place where you can hit from a slight uphill lie, which will force you to get your weight on your back side during your backswing.
Then, immediately after impact, let go of the club with your right hand, which will force your weight onto your front side.
Use a 10-finger grip while performing this drill to make it easier for you to release your right hand off the club after impact.
Find a place where you can hit from a slight uphill lie, which will force you to get your weight on your back side during your backswing.
Then, immediately after impact, let go of the club with your right hand, which will force your weight onto your front side.
Use a 10-finger grip while performing this drill to make it easier for you to release your right hand off the club after impact.
Weight Back Until Impact Drill
PROBLEM: Diving into the Ball
If you are having problems keeping your weight back at impact, hit some balls wher you keep your back heel on the ground after impact.
This will keep you from diving forward into the ball and help you develop a feel for staying behind the ball at impact.
If you are having problems keeping your weight back at impact, hit some balls wher you keep your back heel on the ground after impact.
This will keep you from diving forward into the ball and help you develop a feel for staying behind the ball at impact.
Pause at the Top Drill
PROBLEM: Body Getting Out Ahead of Arms
If your hands are dragging behind your body as the club starts to enter the impact zone, take some swings in which you stop at the top of your backswing for a two count, and then complete your swing.
This will keep your body from rushing forward and allow for a more synchronized swing.
If your hands are dragging behind your body as the club starts to enter the impact zone, take some swings in which you stop at the top of your backswing for a two count, and then complete your swing.
This will keep your body from rushing forward and allow for a more synchronized swing.
Weight Back at Impact Drill Drill 1
PROBLEM: Body Getting Out Ahead of Arms
Without a club, take your normal stance with your lead foot planted at the base of a wall.
Place your lead arm across your chest and take a half-speed full swing with your back arm, keeping your palms open.
As your back hand enters the impact zone, it should gently slap into the wall without your lead hip making contact with the wall. (Your hip should have rotated open.)
If your hip contacts the wall before your hand does, it means your body is swaying, and your hands are powerlessly dragging behind.
Do this drill until you can consistely have your back palm contact the wall before your lead hip does.
Without a club, take your normal stance with your lead foot planted at the base of a wall.
Place your lead arm across your chest and take a half-speed full swing with your back arm, keeping your palms open.
As your back hand enters the impact zone, it should gently slap into the wall without your lead hip making contact with the wall. (Your hip should have rotated open.)
If your hip contacts the wall before your hand does, it means your body is swaying, and your hands are powerlessly dragging behind.
Do this drill until you can consistely have your back palm contact the wall before your lead hip does.
Slippery Sneakers Balance Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Balance Due To Swinging Too Hard
If you're losing your balance during your swing due to the simple fact that you swing too hard, try this drill.
Get out your oldest, most worn-out pair of sneakers, and wear them out to the practice range either just after it's rained or ealry in the morning when there's still plenty of dew on the ground.
Now, start to hit balls.
You will quickly find that an out-of-control swing will have you slipping all over the place, while a smooth, rhythmic swing won't be bothered at all by the moisture or the sneakers.
If you're losing your balance during your swing due to the simple fact that you swing too hard, try this drill.
Get out your oldest, most worn-out pair of sneakers, and wear them out to the practice range either just after it's rained or ealry in the morning when there's still plenty of dew on the ground.
Now, start to hit balls.
You will quickly find that an out-of-control swing will have you slipping all over the place, while a smooth, rhythmic swing won't be bothered at all by the moisture or the sneakers.
Impact Position
Weight Back at Impact Drill Drill 2
PROBLEM: Not Staying Behind the Ball at Impact
Using a wood with the ball teed up, address the ball with your left heel raised 2 inches off the ground.
Keep your heel raised throughout the duration of your swing, which will force you to keep your weight back.
After impact, let your right hand come off the club to allow your weight to come forward.
Use a 10-finger grip to make your releasing of the club easier.
Using a wood with the ball teed up, address the ball with your left heel raised 2 inches off the ground.
Keep your heel raised throughout the duration of your swing, which will force you to keep your weight back.
After impact, let your right hand come off the club to allow your weight to come forward.
Use a 10-finger grip to make your releasing of the club easier.
Weight Back at Impact Drill Drill 3
PROBLEM: Not Staying Behind the Ball at Impact
Using your driver, tee up a ball at least two to two and a half inches hight.
Now, hit the ball.
You will quickly find that the only way to make solid contact with the ball teed up this high is to keep your weight behind the ball at impact.
Using your driver, tee up a ball at least two to two and a half inches hight.
Now, hit the ball.
You will quickly find that the only way to make solid contact with the ball teed up this high is to keep your weight behind the ball at impact.
Chin Up Drill
PROBLEM: Head Dives Down at Ball at Impact
Take your address position, then have soneone stand striaght across from you, holding outa club so the grip is just below your chin.
Take your swing, focusing on maintaining your spine angle throughout the swing.
If you do a good job on maintaining your spine angle and keeping your head up, your chin will stay above the club.111
Take your address position, then have soneone stand striaght across from you, holding outa club so the grip is just below your chin.
Take your swing, focusing on maintaining your spine angle throughout the swing.
If you do a good job on maintaining your spine angle and keeping your head up, your chin will stay above the club.111
Hit Down Drill
PROBLEM: Hitting a Lot of Fat Shots
Place a tee in the ground a quarter of an inch behind the ball you're about to hit, leaving just the very top of the tee sticking out of the ground.
Hit the ball, focusing on using a descending blow in which the clubhead misses the tee and makes contact with the ball before touching the ground.
Place a tee in the ground a quarter of an inch behind the ball you're about to hit, leaving just the very top of the tee sticking out of the ground.
Hit the ball, focusing on using a descending blow in which the clubhead misses the tee and makes contact with the ball before touching the ground.
9 to 3 Timing Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Timing
If you're having problems getting your arms in sync with your body at impact, this drill should help.
Address the ball and begin your backswing, stopping when your hands reach waist level.
Your hands should be fully cocked at this point, (i.e., the shaft of your club should be pointing stright up).
From here, begin your downswing, stopping your follow-through at waist level.
Your club should be pointing straight up at this completed follow-through position.
Don't worry about how far you hit the ball; just concentrate on making a synchronized, fluid swing.
If you're having problems getting your arms in sync with your body at impact, this drill should help.
Address the ball and begin your backswing, stopping when your hands reach waist level.
Your hands should be fully cocked at this point, (i.e., the shaft of your club should be pointing stright up).
From here, begin your downswing, stopping your follow-through at waist level.
Your club should be pointing straight up at this completed follow-through position.
Don't worry about how far you hit the ball; just concentrate on making a synchronized, fluid swing.
Arms Lead Body Impact Drill
PROBLEM: Arms Lagging Behind Body at Impact
If you body is getting out in front of your arms at impact, hit some balls using only your left arm.
In order to make solid contact with the ball while using this kind of swing, you must keep your body behind the ball.
Get your body out in front with your arm dragging behind, and you'll drive the clubhead into the ground.
If you body is getting out in front of your arms at impact, hit some balls using only your left arm.
In order to make solid contact with the ball while using this kind of swing, you must keep your body behind the ball.
Get your body out in front with your arm dragging behind, and you'll drive the clubhead into the ground.
Less Sway at Impact Drill
PROBLEM: Too Much Lateral Movement Forward
To keep yourself from swaying too far forward as you reach the impact position, place a 3 foot long dowel rod or club shaft in the ground just outside your left heel.
Take your swing, concentrating on keeping your weight back and not letting your body bump into the dowel rod/club shaft until after you have made contact with the ball.
To keep yourself from swaying too far forward as you reach the impact position, place a 3 foot long dowel rod or club shaft in the ground just outside your left heel.
Take your swing, concentrating on keeping your weight back and not letting your body bump into the dowel rod/club shaft until after you have made contact with the ball.
Lead Arm In At Impact Drill
PROBLEM: Blocking Shots to the Right
If you left elbow is separating from your side at impact and causing you to block shots to your right, place a clubhead cover in your left armpit befor you swing.
If you keep your left elbow against your body properly, the clubhead cover will stay in place until your hands are shoulder high in your follow-through.
If you left elbow is separating from your side at impact and causing you to block shots to your right, place a clubhead cover in your left armpit befor you swing.
If you keep your left elbow against your body properly, the clubhead cover will stay in place until your hands are shoulder high in your follow-through.
Cure the Flip Drill
PROBLEM: Flipping Wrists at the Ball at Impact
Take half a backswing (i.e., take your hands back to about waist hight), hit the ball, and then stop your follow-through below waist level, keeping your hands in front of the clubhead at impact for a long as possible after impact.
Once you develop the feel of keeping your hands ahead of the clubhead, you can work on developing a proper release.
Take half a backswing (i.e., take your hands back to about waist hight), hit the ball, and then stop your follow-through below waist level, keeping your hands in front of the clubhead at impact for a long as possible after impact.
Once you develop the feel of keeping your hands ahead of the clubhead, you can work on developing a proper release.
Square Face Impact Drill
PROBLEM: Not Squaring Clubface at Impact
Take some smooth swings into an old car tire or impact bag.
You'll quickly be able to tell from the sound and feel of each seing if you're contacting the tire/bag with a squared-up clubface.
Take some smooth swings into an old car tire or impact bag.
You'll quickly be able to tell from the sound and feel of each seing if you're contacting the tire/bag with a squared-up clubface.
9 to 3 Square Face Impact Drill
PROBLEM: Not Squaring Clubface at Impact
Start with your club at waist level in your backswing, making sure the toe of the club is pointing straight up.
Now, swing through the impact zone so your club is waist high on your follow-through, making sure the toe is again pointing to the sky.
Go back and forth in this mannter without hitting any balls, in order to develop a feel for squaring the clubface in the impact zone.
Start with your club at waist level in your backswing, making sure the toe of the club is pointing straight up.
Now, swing through the impact zone so your club is waist high on your follow-through, making sure the toe is again pointing to the sky.
Go back and forth in this mannter without hitting any balls, in order to develop a feel for squaring the clubface in the impact zone.
Weighted Full Swing Drill
PROBLEM: Not Completing Backswing/Follow-Through
If you find yourself cutting your backswing short and/or not completing your follow-through, put a swing weight on your club and take plenty of smooth, easy practice swings.
Allow the extra weight to gently elongate your swing so you can feel what a full backswing and a complete follow-through feel like.
Do this drill on a daily basis until this relaxed, full swing feels natural.
If you find yourself cutting your backswing short and/or not completing your follow-through, put a swing weight on your club and take plenty of smooth, easy practice swings.
Allow the extra weight to gently elongate your swing so you can feel what a full backswing and a complete follow-through feel like.
Do this drill on a daily basis until this relaxed, full swing feels natural.
Steepen Swing Plane Drill
PROBLEM: Low Swing Plane
Toe get a feel for developing a higher swing plane, set up over a ball in your finished follow-through position.
Swing quickly in reverse (be sure to avoid making contact with the ball you've addressed), allowing the momentum and weight of the club to pull you back into a high, full backswing position.
From this nice, high backswing position, proceed to the completion of your swing.
Toe get a feel for developing a higher swing plane, set up over a ball in your finished follow-through position.
Swing quickly in reverse (be sure to avoid making contact with the ball you've addressed), allowing the momentum and weight of the club to pull you back into a high, full backswing position.
From this nice, high backswing position, proceed to the completion of your swing.
Keep Spine Angle Drill
PROBLEM: Losing Your Spine Angle on Backswing
Use the inside of your elbows to hold a club behind your back.
Take your address position and rotate your shoulders to the top of your backswing, making sure the end of the club points at the ball you've addressed.
If the club points above the ball, you're raising up and losing your spine angle.
Use the inside of your elbows to hold a club behind your back.
Take your address position and rotate your shoulders to the top of your backswing, making sure the end of the club points at the ball you've addressed.
If the club points above the ball, you're raising up and losing your spine angle.
Berggoetz, Glenn and Moyer, Alan. 101 Drills to Improve Your Golf Game. Coaches Choice, 2002.
Release
Release at Impact Drill
PROBLEM: Not Releasing Hands and Forearms
If you tend to block the ball, which leads either to pushing the ball to the right or to big slices, this drill should help you learn to fully release at and just after impact.
Address the ball with your back and feet turned almost 90 degrees to the target so your back is facing towards your target.
Your feet should be 8 - 10 in. apart, and the ball should be teed up about half an inch.
Using a mid-iron, hit balls to the target.
You will find that you must excessively release your hands and forearms to hook the ball towards your target.
After you get used to the feel of an excessive release, you can modify it into your normal swing.
If you tend to block the ball, which leads either to pushing the ball to the right or to big slices, this drill should help you learn to fully release at and just after impact.
Address the ball with your back and feet turned almost 90 degrees to the target so your back is facing towards your target.
Your feet should be 8 - 10 in. apart, and the ball should be teed up about half an inch.
Using a mid-iron, hit balls to the target.
You will find that you must excessively release your hands and forearms to hook the ball towards your target.
After you get used to the feel of an excessive release, you can modify it into your normal swing.
Right Arm Release Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Release
If you are blocking your release, take some swings with your right arm only.
It's virtually impossible not to release your hand immediately after passing through the impact zone.
Do this drill without hitting any balls until you can feel your hand releasing on every swing.
After you develop that feel, hit a few balls while still using only your right arm, concentrating on maintaining the proper relase you have just developed.
If you are blocking your release, take some swings with your right arm only.
It's virtually impossible not to release your hand immediately after passing through the impact zone.
Do this drill without hitting any balls until you can feel your hand releasing on every swing.
After you develop that feel, hit a few balls while still using only your right arm, concentrating on maintaining the proper relase you have just developed.
Split Grip Release Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Release
To help develop a proper release in which your right forearm crosses over your left forearm just after impact, try this:
Take your normal address position, and then split your hands two to three inches apart and take a full swing at three-quarters speed.
You will notice that it is virtually impossible not to fully release the club just after impact which using this split-grip technique.
To help develop a proper release in which your right forearm crosses over your left forearm just after impact, try this:
Take your normal address position, and then split your hands two to three inches apart and take a full swing at three-quarters speed.
You will notice that it is virtually impossible not to fully release the club just after impact which using this split-grip technique.
3 Point Check Release Drill
PROBLEM: Not Releasing Fully
This is a drill you can do almost anywhere because you don't need a ball, and you only need a small amount of room.
Take your address position, but start with the club waist high on the backswing with the toe of the club pointing to the sky.
Swing through the impact zone, but stop your follow-through at waist level, checking to see:
(1) That the toe of the club is again pointing up
(2) That your right forarm has crossed over the top of your left forearm
(3) That the forwarms are touching
If your forearms are touching, you've achieved a full release.
This is a drill you can do almost anywhere because you don't need a ball, and you only need a small amount of room.
Take your address position, but start with the club waist high on the backswing with the toe of the club pointing to the sky.
Swing through the impact zone, but stop your follow-through at waist level, checking to see:
(1) That the toe of the club is again pointing up
(2) That your right forarm has crossed over the top of your left forearm
(3) That the forwarms are touching
If your forearms are touching, you've achieved a full release.
Chair Release Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Wrist Cock and Release
Address a teed-up ball while sitting on the front right corner of a chair with your right leg tucked back.
Hit balls using a fairway wood, noticing that your wrists are forced to fully cock at the top of your backswing and that your hands and forwarms have no choice bu to release after impact.
Hit balls in this manner until you develop the proper feel for cocking and releasing on every shot.
Address a teed-up ball while sitting on the front right corner of a chair with your right leg tucked back.
Hit balls using a fairway wood, noticing that your wrists are forced to fully cock at the top of your backswing and that your hands and forwarms have no choice bu to release after impact.
Hit balls in this manner until you develop the proper feel for cocking and releasing on every shot.
Baseball Swing Release Drill
PROBLEM: Not Releasing After Impact
Take your address position, bu hover the clubhead a foot and a half above the ground.
Take your swing, but at the same time, imagine that instead of hitting a golf ball that is resting on the ground, you're hitting a baseball that's a foot and a half off the ground, and you're lining that baseball into center field.
Feel your forearms release and roll over just after you pass through the impact zone in a smooth-flowing swing.
As you continue to take thse baseball swings, gradually hit lower and lower pitches, until you are eventually swinging at pitches that are on the ground.
Take your address position, bu hover the clubhead a foot and a half above the ground.
Take your swing, but at the same time, imagine that instead of hitting a golf ball that is resting on the ground, you're hitting a baseball that's a foot and a half off the ground, and you're lining that baseball into center field.
Feel your forearms release and roll over just after you pass through the impact zone in a smooth-flowing swing.
As you continue to take thse baseball swings, gradually hit lower and lower pitches, until you are eventually swinging at pitches that are on the ground.
Snap Hook Release Drill
PROBLEM: Not Fully Releasing
Using a pitching wedge, take your normal swing at a ball, with one exception.
At impact, relase your hands as quickly and fully as possible, in an attempt to hit a snap hook.
Because the club you're using is lofted, it will be quite difficult to get the ball to draw.
When you get to the point where youcan hit a draw with your pitching wedge, you'll know you're fully releasing.
Using a pitching wedge, take your normal swing at a ball, with one exception.
At impact, relase your hands as quickly and fully as possible, in an attempt to hit a snap hook.
Because the club you're using is lofted, it will be quite difficult to get the ball to draw.
When you get to the point where youcan hit a draw with your pitching wedge, you'll know you're fully releasing.
Left Arm In At Impact Release Drill
PROBLEM: Left Elbow Flies Away From Body Just After Impact; Poor Extension After Impact
Take your address position with a beach ball the size of a soccer ball tocked between your elbows.
Make a smooth, relaxed swing, concentrating on keeping the beach ball in place throughout the seing until you reach your full follow-through position with your hands over your left shoulder.
To do this, you'll have to allow your left elbow to extend out towards your target in a proper follow-through motion.
Take your address position with a beach ball the size of a soccer ball tocked between your elbows.
Make a smooth, relaxed swing, concentrating on keeping the beach ball in place throughout the seing until you reach your full follow-through position with your hands over your left shoulder.
To do this, you'll have to allow your left elbow to extend out towards your target in a proper follow-through motion.
Left Arm Extend After Impact Release Drill
PROBLEM: Improper Extension After Impact
If your left elbow is staying pinned to your side or flying up and out away from your body just after impact, try this drill.
Address the ball in your normal manner, being sure to use a 10-finger grip.
Take your normal swing (at 3/4 speed), except let go of the club with your right hand just after impact.
This forces your left arm to release and extend straight out away from your body, while not allowing the left elbow to fly up and out away from your body.
If your left elbow is staying pinned to your side or flying up and out away from your body just after impact, try this drill.
Address the ball in your normal manner, being sure to use a 10-finger grip.
Take your normal swing (at 3/4 speed), except let go of the club with your right hand just after impact.
This forces your left arm to release and extend straight out away from your body, while not allowing the left elbow to fly up and out away from your body.
Release Hips Drill
PROBLEM: Not Fully Releasing Hips
If you are having problems getting your hips all the way through on your follow-through, take some swings in which your sole goal is to have your knees come together on your follow-through so your thighs are touching all the way from your knees on up.
If you're having problems getting to the finished thighs-touching position, narrow your stance by two or three inches at your address until you feel comfortable doing the drill properly.
After you feel comfortable, continue doing the drill, while gradually widening your stance back to your normal address position.
If you are having problems getting your hips all the way through on your follow-through, take some swings in which your sole goal is to have your knees come together on your follow-through so your thighs are touching all the way from your knees on up.
If you're having problems getting to the finished thighs-touching position, narrow your stance by two or three inches at your address until you feel comfortable doing the drill properly.
After you feel comfortable, continue doing the drill, while gradually widening your stance back to your normal address position.
General
Hands Connected Coin Drill
PROBLEM: Hands Coming Apart During Swing
Place a coin on top of your left thum and under the pad of your right thumb.
Take your normal swing.
If your hands separage at any point during the swing, the coin will fall out.
Keep your hands together properly, and the coin will stay in place.
Place a coin on top of your left thum and under the pad of your right thumb.
Take your normal swing.
If your hands separage at any point during the swing, the coin will fall out.
Keep your hands together properly, and the coin will stay in place.
Get Power Wrist Work Out Drill
PROBLEM: Lack of Distance
To build up hand, wirst, and forearm strenght, do this drill.
Hold a wedge by the grip in your right hand and extend your hand straight out at shoulder height.
Rotate the club 180 degrees back and forth for 10 rotations, and then switch hands and repeat.
Eventually, build up to two or three sets and also to longer, heavier clubs.
The lower-arm strenght you develop will help you explode through the impact zone and pick up extra distance.
To build up hand, wirst, and forearm strenght, do this drill.
Hold a wedge by the grip in your right hand and extend your hand straight out at shoulder height.
Rotate the club 180 degrees back and forth for 10 rotations, and then switch hands and repeat.
Eventually, build up to two or three sets and also to longer, heavier clubs.
The lower-arm strenght you develop will help you explode through the impact zone and pick up extra distance.
Increase Club Head Speed Drill
PROBLEM: Lack of Clubhead Speed
Turn a club over and grip it by the hosel.
Take some swings in which you try to get a louder whooshing sound out of the club with each swing.
This will acclimate your muscles to traveling at a faster rate, which will carry over into your regular swing.
Turn a club over and grip it by the hosel.
Take some swings in which you try to get a louder whooshing sound out of the club with each swing.
This will acclimate your muscles to traveling at a faster rate, which will carry over into your regular swing.
Ball Control Tree Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Ball Control
Stand far enough away from a large tree so you can just clear it with a 9- iron.
Begin to hit 8- and 7-irons over the tree by moving the ball forward in your stance and by staying behind the ball.
After you develop a feel for that shot, begin hitting hots under the branches of thetree by using various clubs and moving the ball back in your stance.
Stand far enough away from a large tree so you can just clear it with a 9- iron.
Begin to hit 8- and 7-irons over the tree by moving the ball forward in your stance and by staying behind the ball.
After you develop a feel for that shot, begin hitting hots under the branches of thetree by using various clubs and moving the ball back in your stance.
Short Club Distance Control Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Distance Control with Short Irons
Take your pitching wedge, and before you hit each shot, decide how far you will hit it, changing the distance you want to hit the ball with each swing by altering the lenght of your backswing.
For instance, hit your first shot 105 yards, your second shot 80 yards, your third shot 115 yards, and your forth shot 70 yards, and so on.
After you develop distance control with your wedge, do the drill with both your 9-iron and your 8-iron.
Take your pitching wedge, and before you hit each shot, decide how far you will hit it, changing the distance you want to hit the ball with each swing by altering the lenght of your backswing.
For instance, hit your first shot 105 yards, your second shot 80 yards, your third shot 115 yards, and your forth shot 70 yards, and so on.
After you develop distance control with your wedge, do the drill with both your 9-iron and your 8-iron.
Long Iron Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Long-Iron Play
A major key to hitting solid, consistent long-iron shots is to keep your weight behind the ball at impact.
To make sure you're doing this, hit some long-iron shots in which you tee the ball up one and a half to two inches hight.
With the ball teed up this high, you absolutely must keep your weight back and hit the ball with more of a sweeping motion.
A major key to hitting solid, consistent long-iron shots is to keep your weight behind the ball at impact.
To make sure you're doing this, hit some long-iron shots in which you tee the ball up one and a half to two inches hight.
With the ball teed up this high, you absolutely must keep your weight back and hit the ball with more of a sweeping motion.
Right Arm Positioning Drill
PROBLEM: Poor Right-Arm Positioning Throughout the Swing
Take your address position, but instead of holding a club, hold a golf ball in your right hand.
From this point, simply swing your right arm back and through and toss the ball underhanded across your body and down your target line.
This is the exact motion your right arm should take during your downswing.
Take your address position, but instead of holding a club, hold a golf ball in your right hand.
From this point, simply swing your right arm back and through and toss the ball underhanded across your body and down your target line.
This is the exact motion your right arm should take during your downswing.
Find Flow Drill
PROBLEM: If you're struggling with a rigid swing.
Line up four balls six inches apart.
Hit one ball after another without stopping, allowing your body to flow smoothly from one swing to the next.
Line up four balls six inches apart.
Hit one ball after another without stopping, allowing your body to flow smoothly from one swing to the next.
Cure for Slice Drill
PROBLEM: Out-of-Control Slice
Take your normal address position, except aim your body approximately 45 degrees to the right of your target.
Take a much flatter swing than normal and release the club as quickly and forcefully as possible at impact in an attempt to hit the biggest snap hook you possibly can to try to get the ball drawing back toward your target.
Once you develop the ability to hit snap hooks and get a feel for it, you can begin to modify your swing plane and release to hit subtle draws, or a least to straighten out your slice a bit.
Take your normal address position, except aim your body approximately 45 degrees to the right of your target.
Take a much flatter swing than normal and release the club as quickly and forcefully as possible at impact in an attempt to hit the biggest snap hook you possibly can to try to get the ball drawing back toward your target.
Once you develop the ability to hit snap hooks and get a feel for it, you can begin to modify your swing plane and release to hit subtle draws, or a least to straighten out your slice a bit.
Cure for Hook Drill
PROBLEM: Out-of-Control Hook
Take your normal address position, except aim your body approximately 45 degrees to the left of your target.
Take a swing in which you take the club back way outside of your target line to a high, full-backswing position.
As you begin your downswing, cut across the ball on an outside-to-inside swing path, and hold your release as long as possible as you attempt to hit the biggest slice you possibly can.
As you get the feel for being able to slice the ball, gradually modify your swing path back more to an inside-to-inside path and release the club somewhat after impact to produce a straigher shot.
Take your normal address position, except aim your body approximately 45 degrees to the left of your target.
Take a swing in which you take the club back way outside of your target line to a high, full-backswing position.
As you begin your downswing, cut across the ball on an outside-to-inside swing path, and hold your release as long as possible as you attempt to hit the biggest slice you possibly can.
As you get the feel for being able to slice the ball, gradually modify your swing path back more to an inside-to-inside path and release the club somewhat after impact to produce a straigher shot.
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