Swing and Ping

Many of my students have asked me ‘what is the correct position to be in at the top of your backswing?’ This is a very good question, especially as so many golfers have different swings and backswings which is very evident when watching television, friends and playing partners at the golf club.  So this month I have decided to share with you a drill that I personally use and teach to all my students and one that I hope you will find useful. 

It is very important to get your backswing right as it sets you up for the downswing and ensures the correct path into the ball inside the target line.  This very simple drill will allow you to get the feel for your backswing and enable you to hit the ball cleanly and effectively.  One other added advantage is that it can easily be practiced at home and/or on the practice ground.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

The first step is to address the ball Step 1, where you are bending over from the hips with your knees slightly flexed, as if you were sitting on the edge of a bar stool.  Then while holding your address position and posture, extend the club outwards and let it rest on your right shoulder (opposite if you are left handed) beside your neck while keeping your elbows bend and close together as in Step 2.   Next turn your shoulders so that your back is facing the target while allowing your hips to turn as in Step 3.  Finally when you have got used to this position allow your left arm to extend while your right arm forms a letter ‘L’ as in Step 4 (opposite if you are left handed). 

As I mentioned earlier one of the great things about this drill is that it can be practiced on the practice ground, in your garden or even in the house.  All you need is a mirror so that you can check your position and get the feel for a really good backswing.



THE PITCH SHOT


The pitch shot can be quite difficult for the inexperienced golfer to execute especially if they have adopted a poor technique.  Imagine you are on the course and you have to play a shot with your wedge from 60 yards to the green which includes a water hazard in front of you to carry.   By using this tip you will find it a lot easier to play the shot, avoid hazards like losing your ball in the water, hitting ducks or bull sharks if you are in Australia and hopefully make you feel much more confident about taking this type of shot.

It is important that you stay connected and that your upper and lower body work in harmony; remember if your body is out of sync your pitch will also be out of sync.  From my experience most bad pitch shots are created when the upper body remains static while the lower body moves about too much or when a golfer relies on their hand movement rather than allowing their body to move correctly.  Either way the shot wills will probably go wrong due to inconsistent contact with the ball.  To hit the ball correctly and consistently you must practice at creating a good, fluid and unhurried tempo swing for the shot which will help create the correct balance between your upper and lower body.  You must also feel that you are pitching the ball with your big muscles i.e. thighs, hips, chest and shoulders.  This way you control your distance and flight through the length of your backswing and club selection.  This will undoubtedly rule out the feeling that your upper body is overpowering your lower body or vice versa.  Remember keep your body turning through the swing so that you just don’t hit the ball using your hands.

Give this a try the next time you on the pitching green and hopefully you will see a big improvement.

Until next time enjoy your golf......