As an avid golfer, I’ve tried my fair share of swing drills over the years. Some have been mind-numbingly tedious, while others have felt like a revelation, unlocking hidden power and consistency in my game. The truth is, finding the right swing drills can be a bit like searching for buried treasure – you have to dig through a lot of duds before striking gold.
Mastering the Backswing: The Key to a Powerful Golf Swing
One of the most common issues I see with recreational golfers is an inconsistent or rushed backswing. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the downswing and the desire to crush the ball, but that often leads to a loss of control and balance. That’s why I always recommend starting with a drill that helps you nail down the backswing.
One of my personal favorites is the “Stop and Swing” drill, which I learned from the legendary Butch Harmon [4]. The idea is simple: take the club back to the top of your swing, pause for a moment, and then smoothly swing through to impact. This drill might sound tedious, but I can attest that Butch had me doing it “for hours upon hours” when we worked together, and it paid off in spades.
By focusing on that crucial transition from backswing to downswing, the “Stop and Swing” drill helps ingrain the feeling of letting your arms fall naturally as your weight shifts to your left side. It’s a game-changer for golfers who struggle with getting “stuck” at the top of the swing, and it can do wonders for your ball striking.
Activating the Lower Body: The Secret to Consistent Contact
Another area where I see a lot of golfers struggle is properly engaging their lower body. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of using too much upper body and not enough leg drive, which can lead to all sorts of swing flaws.
That’s why I’m a big fan of the “Knees Drill” [6]. This one’s pretty straightforward – you simply take your stance with your trail foot slightly back and your knees flexed, then swing your arms back and through, keeping your lower body quiet and stable. The key is to let your arms do the work, while using your legs as a stable foundation.
The beauty of the “Knees Drill” is that it forces you to rely on your arms and upper body to generate power, rather than compensating with your lower body. This helps you develop a more efficient, repeatable swing that delivers consistent contact time after time.
Developing a Centered, Targeted Swing Path
One final area where I see a lot of golfers struggle is with their swing path and direction of turn. It’s all too common to see players sliding off the ball or failing to “cover” it properly at impact, resulting in wild shots and lost distance.
That’s why I’m a big fan of the “Horizontal Swing” drill [8]. The idea here is to practice swinging the club horizontally, rather than the typical vertical motion. This helps you focus on turning your body around a stable, centered axis, rather than trying to manipulate the club face.
By keeping your arms and club swinging parallel to the ground, you’ll naturally develop a more targeted, on-plane swing path. And by maintaining that centered turn, you’ll ensure that you’re covering the ball properly at impact, delivering more consistent contact and better overall ball flight.
Putting it All Together: The Road to Lower Scores at Eagle Ridge
Of course, these are just a few of the many swing drills I’ve experimented with over the years. But in my experience, they represent some of the most impactful and game-changing techniques for recreational golfers looking to take their game to the next level.
At Eagle Ridge Golf Club, we pride ourselves on providing a world-class golfing experience, and that includes helping our members develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed on the course. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a relative newcomer to the game, I encourage you to give these drills a try and see how they can transform your golf swing.
Remember, the key to improving your game isn’t just about mindlessly grinding away at the range. It’s about finding the right drills and techniques that resonate with your unique swing and learning style. So don’t be afraid to experiment, have fun, and see what works best for you.
Happy golfing, and I’ll see you on the fairways of Eagle Ridge!
References:
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb38vl3Jf_E
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/golf/comments/uoxir5/what_practice_drill_helped_your_golf_game_the_most/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBJSJzV-mPI
[4] https://www.golfdigest.com/story/Tiger-woods-golf-swing-drill-hated
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4FVnjcq7F0
[6] https://www.pga.com/story/three-drills-to-improve-your-golf-performance
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKFK8gm9up0
[8] https://golf.com/instruction/3-drills-to-simplify-your-golf-swing/
