Simple Drills to Master Golf Swing Essentials

You will have a clear understanding of how to grip the club correctly every time.

The grip determines the direction the ball curves and the height.

A "strong" grip tends to hit shots low and left.

A "weak" grip tends to hit the ball high and to the right.

Start with a neutral and monitor the results. You can adjust according to the above
cause/effect rules to build your unique grip.

A stable spine angle is the second key to consistency. Master the three-step routine and you will automatically create a stable spine angle with every club.

The concept of a swing "plane" is the basis for cause and effect. The plane is simply the motion of the club in relation to the targetline.

The three checkpoints for setting the club on plane in the backswing are:

• the back of the left wrist is flat.

• ninety degree angle between the wrist and club

• a line through the club points at the targetline.

A consistent takeaway is the first part of the swing. When you set the club on-plane in the takeaway, simply turn your back to the target to finish the backswing.

The key to more distance is an effective weight transfer. In this lesson,  you learned the biggest roadblock to more distance - the reverse weight shift.  Rehearse the drill with a long pole or ball retriever and you will feel the proper hip and shoulder motion of an effective weight shift.

When you master an effective weight transfer, you will hit longer, straighter drives.

The key to more distance and accuracy is swinging through on a consistent plane. Imagine the backswing and followthrough are mirror images.

Now you have the building blocks found for an effective address position and backswing. 

The final step is learning how to swing through the ball for maximum distance and direction.

The key to an effective downswing is swinging through the ball on-plane.

Do you recall the three checkpoints for an on-plane backswing?

The followthrough is a mirror image.

When the right arm is parallel to the ground:

•  The back of the right wrist is flat.

•  There is a ninety-degree angle between the right wrist and club.

•  A line through the club points at the Target-line.

A common misconception is trying to create the so-called delayed hit. 

This position is the key to maximum distance, however, it is a cause, not an effect.

The delayed hit position is a by-product of swinging through on-plane.

Focus on swinging back and forward on-plane and your friends will ask you for your secret to more distance

Now you can visualize the three key ingredients of a consistent swing. Your progress depends on regularly rehearsing the drills in slow motion to develop effective muscle memory.

Rehearse one lesson at a time for at least one week. It is essential that you feel comfortable with each lesson before moving on. When your hands start to naturally grip the club with the three essentials then continue to the second lesson. This not a speed test. You want to develop a "feel" for each part of the swing.

Congratulations! You now have the essential elements found in every consistent swing. The more you rehearse, the drills, the sooner your new swing will become second nature.

In just 30 days, you will be playing the game of golf and deciding where you want to hit the ball, instead of trying to constantly "fix" your swing.

Here is a simple axiom to help you find the ideal grip:

Turn your hands slightly in the direction the ball is curving to eliminate the curve.

If you tend to slice the ball, turn the hands to the right (ie. a stronger grip).

If you tend to hook the ball, turn the hands to the left (ie. a weaker grip).

Always keep in mind the three essential elements.

Rehearse the three step routine with various clubs. Hold the position for a few seconds. Make sure you can feel the inward curve at the base of the spine.

The ball position for every club is established by setting the left hand opposite the left leg at address.

Now you understand how the length of the club affects the ball flight and the meaning of the term "slice."

Make sure the left hand grip is correct and you will save money on gloves. Focus on turning your body and keeping your head behind the ball in the downswing.